Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways … Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company. … But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord … I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life … Choose life and not death!

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy … Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Pr 12:26; Pr 3:31, Pr 24:1, Js 24:15, Ps 40:8; De 30:19-20, 2Ki 18:32; 1Co 14:1, 1Co 12:31; Pi 1:21-26

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.