Bible verses about "society" | JMNT

¹⁹ Now the works (actions; deeds) of the flesh [religion] (or: = whose source and origin are the estranged human nature; or: pertaining to the flesh [system, or, nature]; or: = whose results and realm are the self in slavery to a system) [are] seen and made apparent in clear light, which are, and continue being, the works of a prostitute (or: [the] Prostitute): uncleanness (or: waste or worthless material, as of decayed flesh; a never-pruned tree; material that has not been sifted), excess (immoderation; outrageous behavior), ²⁰ idolatry (being a servant to or worshiping external forms or appearances, phantoms of the mind, unsubstantial or reflected images, or conveyed impressions) sorcery (employment of drugs and enchantments; magic rites; witchcraft), hostilities (enmities; alienations), strife (contentious disposition), jealousies (or: zealous emotions), stirring emotions (rushing passions; furies), factions, standings-apart (divisions), sects (religious denominations; parties with a particular opinion; the making of choices from preferences), ²¹ envies, murders, intoxications (times of being drunk), festal processions (or: excessive feastings), and things like to these [whether religious, or personal], which things I continue predicting (saying beforehand; or: = giving warning) to you folks, just as I said before, that those habitually practicing (or: performing) such [religious, or personal,] things will not be inheriting (receiving and enjoying a distributed allotment of) God's reign (kingdom; sovereign influence and activities).

² And stop constantly conforming yourselves to (or, as passive: So then, quit being repeatedly molded by, fashioned for or patterned together with) this age [with other MSS: and not to be continuously configured to this age, or not to constantly remodel yourself for this age], but on the contrary, be progressively transformed (transfigured; changed in form and semblance) by the renewing (or: in the renewal; for the making-back-up-new again) of your mind [with other MSS: from The Mind; of the intellect; pertaining to the faculties of perceiving and understanding; of the mindset, disposition, inner orientation and world view] into the [situation and condition for] you folks to be habitually examining in order to be testing and, after scrutiny, distinguishing and approving what [is] God's will (design; purpose; resolve; intent): the good and well-pleasing, even perfect (finished, complete and destined)! (or: = the thing [that is] virtuous, satisfying and able to succeed in its purpose.)

⁸ Now we have seen and thus know that the Law [= Torah] is beautiful (ideal and of good quality; useful; fine), if ever anyone could be continuously making use in it (employing and behaving with it, by it and to it) lawfully, ⁹ having seen and knowing this, that a law is not continually being laid down for one in accord with the Way pointed out (a just one; one who lives in right relationship with fair and equitable dealings; = one in new covenant standing, i.e., in Christ), but for lawless people and for insubordinate (non-self-subjecting; out of rank) folks; for irreverent ones (folks devoid of awe) and for failures (folks shooting off-line and missing the target; people making mistakes); for those without regard for divine or natural laws (impious, maligning, disloyal ones lacking loving-kindness) and for profane folks (people without connection to the set-apart and holy, who live in what is accessible to all); for those who strike (or: thrash) fathers and for people who strike (or: thrash) mothers; for those murdering men; ¹⁰ for men who use prostitutes (or: who are male prostitutes; fornicators; or: = those who “worship” in pagan temples); for men who lie with males (sodomites); for kidnappers (those catching men by the foot; = slave dealers); for liars; for ones who violate their oaths (perjurers); and whatever different thing which is continually occupying an opposite position (lying in opposition or in replacement) to the sound and healthful teaching,