But the aim of our instruction ¹  is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. ² 

You have purified ¹  your souls by obeying the truth ²  in order to show sincere mutual love. ³  So ⁴  love one another earnestly from a pure heart. ⁵ 

so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,

by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, ¹  by genuine ²  love,

I recall ¹  your sincere faith ²  that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure ³  is in you.

Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written ¹  you, in which ²  I am trying to stir up ³  your pure mind by way of reminder:

But I am afraid that ¹  just as the serpent ²  deceived Eve by his treachery, ³  your minds may be led astray ⁴  from a sincere and pure ⁵  devotion to Christ.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, ¹  full of mercy and good fruit, ²  impartial, and not hypocritical. ³ 

You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, ¹  because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience ²  and our bodies washed in pure water.

א (Alef) How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, ²  who obey ³  the law of the Lord.

When they stumble, they will be granted some help. But many will unite with them deceitfully.

Love must be ¹  without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.

Then ¹  they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. ²  They wanted to take advantage of what he might say ³  so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction ⁴  of the governor.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, ¹  not two-faced, ²  not given to excessive drinking, ³  not greedy for gain,

although ¹  there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.

Whoever lives a blameless life, ¹  does what is right, and speaks honestly. ² 

They were not really committed to him, ¹  and they were unfaithful to his covenant.

My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. ¹ 

Slaves, ¹  obey your earthly ²  masters in every respect, not only when they are watching – like those who are strictly people-pleasers – but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.