Righteous--View Document

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Righteous by Greg Clements Started August 30, 2021 Last edit July 4, 2022
This document is finished.
(But I may do further edits. If so, will update the July 4th date above.)
© 2021,2022 by Greg Clements Permission is granted to copy and distribute this document as long as no fee of any kind is charged and this copyright notice is included in the document.

RESOURCES
I used http://www.biblegateway.com/ Bible Gateway to search various translations of the Bible, Nave’s Topical Bible, etc.

NET (NET) Bible. THE NET BIBLE, NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION, COPYRIGHT © 1996 BY BIBLICAL STUDIES PRESS, L.L.C. This Bible is a free download from www.bible.org. The First edition without notes is free from https://netbible.com/download. The second edition with notes is $4.95 download as of 2018. The NET 2nd edition can be read online for no cost at https://netbible.org/bible/Romans+1 (starts at Romans Chapter 1).
(VINE) Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary 1996 Thomas Nelson Publishers
(NBC) The New Bible Commentary Revised 1970 Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(Quest) The Quest Study Bible 1983 Zondervan
(glc) Thoughts from Greg Clements … I put this (glc) in this document sometimes to emphasize that the following are my thoughts. I tried to reference the material I pulled from other sources (Morris, NBC, Vine, etc).
Some of the Bible studies I create are posted on www.gpclements.com .

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This section has material from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary 1996
The word Righteous in the Old Testament
(VINE)
NOUN the word sedeq -and the word sdaqah
“The righteous person followed God’s example.”
“Melchizedek (‘king of righteousness’) “
“...used for relationships among people and of a man to his God…”
“..sometime translated as honesty “
“legal status of a relationship … God and Abraham ... Genesis 15:6 he counted it to him for righteousness “
“Sedeq and sdaqah are legal terms signifying justice in conformity with the legal corpus, the judicial process, the justice of the king as judge, and also the source of justice, God Himself Ps 35:24,28 “
“The word ‘righteousness’ also embodies all that God expects of His people.”

VERB - to be righteous - sadaq - 40 times in OT - 17 of those are in the book of Job
“Sadaq may also be used to signify the outcome of the verdict, when a man is pronounced ‘just’ and is judicially cleared of all charges.”

ADJECTIVE saddiq
“in Old Aramaic the adjective signifies ‘loyalty’ of a king or high priest to his personal god…”
“Saddiq is used of a nation in Genesis 20:4 ...And he said, Lord,wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?”

The word Righteous in the New Testament
(VINE)
ADJECTIVE “dikaios signifies ‘just’, without prejudice or partiality, e.g. of the judgment of God...”

ADVERB dikaios…. righteously

RIGHTEOUSNESS dikaiosune “the character or quality of being right or just”
“an attribute of God e.g. Romans 3:5 ...righteousness means essentially the same as His faithfulness, or truthfulness …”
Jesus used the word a) “...whatever conforms to the revealed will of God ….” b) “whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by man…” c) “the sum total of the requirements of God …” d) “religious duties; man’s duty to his neighbor...prayer; his duty to God; fasting, the duty of self-control “
“In 2 Peter 1:1 ‘the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ’ is the righteous dealing of God with sin and with sinners on the ground of the death of Christ…”
“dikaiosune...Paul...he uses it of that gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God.”
“The man who trusts that of faith in CHrist...The man who trusts in Christ becomes ‘the righteousness of God in Him’ 2 Cor 5:21 “
“becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in himself.”
“Because Abraham accepted the Word of God...submitting himself to its control, therefore God accepted him as one who fulfilled the whole of His requirements Romans 4:3 “
“Romans 4 … The faith thus exercised brings the soul into vital union with God in Christ, and inevitably produces righteousness of life, that is conformity to the will of God. “

END OF MATERIAL FROM VINES
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“Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” Such behavior is characterized by accepted standards of morality, justice, virtue, or uprightness. The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. Thus, God’s laws, as given in the Bible, both describe His own character and constitute the plumb line by which He measures human righteousness.”
The above quote is from https://www.gotquestions.org/righteousness.html

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Topics in this document:
1. God Is RIghteous
2. On What Basis Are People Called Righteous?
3. Examples Of Righteous People In The Bible
4. Benefits Of Being Righteous
5. Characteristics and Actions of Those Who Are Righteous
6. Some People Mistakenly Think They Are Righteous
7. What About Those Who Oppose The Righteous?
8. Can You Lose Your Status of Being Called Righteous by God?
9. Miscellaneous Verses Related to Righteous
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1. GOD IS RIGHTEOUS

Nehemiah 9:7,8 “ “You are the Lord God who chose Abram and brought him forth from Ur of the Chaldeans. You changed his name to Abraham. 8 When you perceived that his heart was faithful toward you, you established a covenant with him to give his descendants the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites. You have fulfilled your promise, for you are righteous.” (NET)

Nehemiah 9:32-35 “ “So now, our God—the great, powerful, and awesome God, who keeps covenant fidelity—do not regard as inconsequential all the hardship that has befallen us—our kings, our leaders, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people—from the days of the kings of Assyria until this very day. 33 You are righteous with regard to all that has happened to us, for you have acted faithfully. It is we who have been in the wrong! 34 Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them. 35 Even when they were in their kingdom and benefiting from your incredible goodness that you had lavished on them in the spacious and fertile land you had set before them, they did not serve you, nor did they turn from their evil practices.” (NET)

(glc) We can read the Old Testament to see how God fulfilled his plans for Israel, in keeping with his righteous character. Only when Israel turned away from God did God bring judgment on them.

Psalm 19:7-9 “ The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life.
The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.
8 The Lord’s precepts are fair and make one joyful. The Lord’s commands are pure
and give insight for life. 9 The commands to fear the Lord are right and endure forever.
The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy and absolutely just. “ (NET)

(glc) God’s law, precepts, and commands are in line with God’s righteous character.

Psalm 119:7 “7 I will give you sincere thanks when I learn your just regulations. “ (NET)

Psalm 119:62 “ In the middle of the night I arise to thank you for your just regulations.
“ (NET)

Psalm 119:75 “ I know, Lord, that your regulations are just. You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. “ (NET)

Psalm 119:160 “Your instructions are totally reliable; all your just regulations endure.” (NET)

Psalm 119:164 “Seven times a day I praise you because of your just regulations.“ (NET)

(glc) God’s rules are righteous.

Psalm 119:106 “ I have vowed and solemnly sworn to keep your just regulations.“ (NET)

(glc) Commit to keep God’s righteous rules.

Psalm 119:123 “My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance, for your reliable promise to be fulfilled. “ (NET)

(glc) God makes a righteous promise.

Psalm 119:137 “You are just, O Lord, and your judgments are fair. “ (NET)

Psalm 119:142 “Your justice endures, and your law is reliable. “ (NET)

(glc) God is righteous.

Psalm 119:144 “Your rules remain just. Give me insight so that I can live.“ (NET)

(glc) God’s statements are righteous forever.

Ezra 9:15 “ O Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we are left as a remnant this day. Indeed, we stand before you in our guilt. However, because of this guilt no one can really stand before you.”” (NET)

Psalm 11:7 “Certainly the Lord is just; he rewards godly deeds. The upright will experience his favor. “ (NET)

Psalm 129:4 “The Lord is just; he cut the ropes of the wicked.” “ (NET)

Psalm 143:1,2 “A psalm of David. O Lord, hear my prayer. Pay attention to my plea for help. Because of your faithfulness and justice, answer me. 2 Do not sit in judgment on your servant, for no one alive is innocent before you. “ (NET)

(glc) We are not without sin (read 1 John 1:8). We only become acceptable to God after putting our faith in Jesus. We should be humble and rely on God’s mercy.

Jeremiah 12:1 “ Lord, you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you. However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice. Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives? “ (NET)
Lamentations 1:18 “The Lord is right to judge me! Yes, I rebelled against his commands. Please listen, all you nations, and look at my suffering! My young women and men have gone into exile. “ (NET)
Daniel 9:14 “The Lord was mindful of the calamity, and he brought it on us. For the Lord our God is just in all he has done, and we have not obeyed him. “ (NET)
John 17:25 “Righteous Father, even if the world does not know you, I know you, and these men know that you sent me. “ (NET)
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Jesus
Zechariah 9:9 “ Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: He is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey— on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey. “ (NET)

Acts 3:14 “ But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a man who was a murderer be released to you. “ (NET)

Acts 7:52 “ Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold long ago the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become!” (NET)

1 John 2:1 “ (My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One,” (NET)
1 John 2:29 “If you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by him.” (NET)

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2.ON WHAT BASIS ARE WE CALLED RIGHTEOUS?

Deuteronomy 6:20-25 “When your children ask you later on, “What are the stipulations, statutes, and ordinances that the Lord our God commanded you?” 21 you must say to them, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt in a powerful way. 22 And he brought signs and great, devastating wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on his whole family before our very eyes. 23 He delivered us from there so that he could give us the land he had promised our ancestors. 24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these statutes and to revere him so that it may always go well for us and he may preserve us, as he has to this day. 25 We will be innocent if we carefully keep all these commandments before the Lord our God, just as he demands.”” (NET)

(glc) To be innocent (righteous) we need to keep all of God’s commands. This is not humanly possible. But God has provided a way for us to be innocent. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins we are declared to be innocent of our sin.

Deuteronomy 13:17,18 “You must not take for yourself anything that has been placed under judgment. Then the Lord will relent from his intense anger, show you compassion, have mercy on you, and multiply you as he promised your ancestors. 18 Thus you must obey the Lord your God, keeping all his commandments that I am giving you today and doing what is right before him.” (NET)

(glc) Keep God’s commandments and do what he says is right. God is the standard for righteousness

Job 17:8-9 “ Upright men are appalled at this; the innocent man is troubled with the godless. 9 But the righteous man holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.”(NET)

(glc) The righteous person is not distracted and misled by those who are godless. The righteous person knows the right things to do and does them.

Psalm 1:1-6 “How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers. 2 Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off.
He succeeds in everything he attempts. 4 Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff. 5 For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. 6 Certainly the Lord guards the way of the godly,
but the way of the wicked ends in destruction. “ (NET)

(glc) Psalm 1 describes the characteristics of a godly person. The study notes of the NET online Bible give the direct Hebrew for verse 6 as “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.”

Psalm 23: 3 “3 He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation. “ (NET)

(glc) Let God lead you in paths of righteousness.

Romans 1:16,17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”” (NET)
Galatians 3:11 “ Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law because the righteous one will live by faith.” (NET)
Hebrews 10:38 “But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, I take no pleasure in him.” (NET)

(glc) You are righteous if you have faith in Jesus as presented in the gospel found in the New Testament. Our faith in Jesus brings us righteousness.

Romans 3:21-24 “21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed— 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. “ (NET)

(glc) God knew that people could not keep the laws given in the Old Testament. Those who believe in Jesus obtain the standing of righteousness and are justified in the sight of God.

Romans 4:1-13 “What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? 2 For if Abraham was declared righteous by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.
6 So even David himself speaks regarding the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the one against whom the Lord will never count sin.”
9 Is this blessedness then for the circumcision or also for the uncircumcision? For we say, “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised! 11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them. 12 And he is also the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised.
13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not fulfilled through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
“ (NET)

(glc) Abraham was declared to be righteous not by his works but because he believed and trusted God. David recognized that God credits righteousness apart from our works. Righteousness comes by faith (in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins).

Romans 5:19 -21 “For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of one man many will be constituted righteous. 20 Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, 21 so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (net)

(glc) Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan made righteousness available to us.

Romans 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (NET)

(glc) Jesus’ sacrifice sets you free from the law of sin and death if you believe Jesus is the Son of God and accept what Jesus did for you on the cross. When we live in this world led by the Holy Spirit we have righteousness in our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 “ So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! 18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” (NET)

(glc) Jesus took on our sins. Those who believe in Jesus have their sin forgiven and as we remain in Jesus we are the righteousness of God. We are acceptable and righteous in God’s sight.

Philippians 3:6-9 “ 6 In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless. 7 But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. 8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things —indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness. “ (NET)

(glc) As a faithful Jew, Paul had followed the Law (v6) but he knew that this was not enough. Righteousness from God comes through Christ’s faithfulness to his mission on Earth and our trust in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Our human efforts to be righteous are misguided. It is good to do good, but doing good does not make us righteous in the sight of God (read Galatians Chapter 3).

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead. “ (NET)

(glc) Faith in God and a desire to do what God commands leads to righteousness.

Hebrews 12:22-24 “ But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly 23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.” (NET)

(glc) Read Hebrews chapter 12. The righteous are made perfect by Jesus, who established a new covenant, a new way of having a right relationship with God.

1 Peter 2:23-25 “When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (NET)

(glc) Jesus died to take on our sins and provide a way that we could escape the power of sin (read Romans chapter 6) and put our life actions towards being aligned with God’s character.

1 John 3:4-10 “ Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 Everyone who resides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. 8 The one who practices sin is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin because God’s seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin because he has been fathered by God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed: Everyone who does not practice righteousness—the one who does not love his fellow Christian—is not of God.” (NET)

(glc) Practice righteousness. Those who have faith in Jesus are able to do this because God has changed our lives and freed us from slavery to sin. In my view, we must be vigilant to continue in faith in Jesus. We must not let our faith grow cold and ineffective.

1 John 1:9,10 “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.” (NET)

(glc) Jesus will forgive our sins as we confess them to him. This forgiveness cleanses us from unrighteousness and makes us righteous and acceptable in God’s sight. It is dangerous to intentionally sin and plan to ask for forgiveness. We can’t play games with God. He knows our inner plans and inner thoughts and will judge us about those sinful plans and thoughts. Go to God soon after you realize you have sinned and ask for forgiveness, but don’t make this a game.

1 John 3:7-12” 7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. 8 The one who practices sin is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin because God’s seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin because he has been fathered by God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed: Everyone who does not practice righteousness—the one who does not love his fellow Christian—is not of God.” (NET)

(glc) Those who put their faith in Jesus are fathered by God and now can practice righteousness and be righteous as they are led by God. Our consistent works reveal if we are children of God. Christians do sin but they ask forgiveness from Jesus and do not make sin a habit. (Read 1 John chapter 1)

1 John 2:29 “If you know that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by him.” (NET)

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3. EXAMPLES OF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE
Genesis 6:9 “9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a godly man; he was blameless among his contemporaries. He walked with God. “ (NET)
Genesis 7:1 “ The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, for I consider you godly among this generation.” (NET)

(glc) Noah was blameless among people and walked with God. God did not destroy Noah and his household.

Genesis 15:6 “6 Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord credited it as righteousness to him.” (NET)

(glc) When we believe and trust in God and all he says and does we acquire righteousness. At this point in history (after Jesus' life on Earth), God’s plan for us to acquire righteousness is that we accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.

Those who “did right”:
King Hezekiah
2 Kings 18:1-6 “In the third year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea son of Elah, Ahaz’s son Hezekiah became king over Judah. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done. 4 He eliminated the high places, smashed the sacred pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah pole. He also demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been offering incense to it; it was called Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. 6 He was loyal to the Lord and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments that the Lord had given to Moses.” (NET)
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King Josiah
2 Kings 22:1,2 “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jedidah, daughter of Adaiah, from Bozkath. 2 He did what the Lord approved and followed in his ancestor David’s footsteps; he did not deviate to the right or the left.” (NET)
2 Kings 23:25 “ No king before or after repented before the Lord as he did, with his whole heart, soul, and being in accordance with the whole law of Moses.” (NET)
2 Chronicles 34:1,2 “ Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 He did what the Lord approved and followed in his ancestor David’s footsteps; he did not deviate to the right or the left.” (NET)

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Enoch
Hebrews 11:5,6 “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (NET)
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People Who Were Identified as Being Righteous

Abraham
Genesis 15:4-6 “But look, the Lord’s message came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but instead a son who comes from your own body will be your heir.” 5 The Lord took him outside and said, “Gaze into the sky and count the stars—if you are able to count them!” Then he said to him, “So will your descendants be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord credited it as righteousness to him. “ (NET)

(glc) Before the birth of Ishmael or Isaac, Abraham wondered if his servant Eliezer would be his heir. God told him he would have uncountable descendants and Abram believed God. Abram believed God; he had faith in God. Abram trusted God’s character and trusted God’s statements. This convinced God that Abram’s was in line with God’s plan.

see also Romans 4:1-13 (passage is above)
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Noah and Lot
2 Peter 2 4-9a “ For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment, 5 and if he did not spare the ancient world, but did protect Noah, a herald of righteousness, along with seven others, when God brought a flood on an ungodly world, 6 and if he turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when he condemned them to destruction, having appointed them to serve as an example to future generations of the ungodly, 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man in anguish over the debauched lifestyle of lawless men, 8 (for while he lived among them day after day, that righteous man was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) 9 —if so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials,” (NET)

(glc) Noah is called “a herald of righteousness.” Noah obeyed God and built the ark.
Lot is called “a righteous man.” Lot disagreed with the lawlessness of those around him.

Noah …
Genesis 6:9 “This is the account of Noah. Noah was a godly man; he was blameless among his contemporaries. He walked with God.“ (NET)
Genesis 7:1 “ The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, for I consider you godly among this generation.” (NET)

(glc) Noah wasn’t perfect but he is labeled as godly. He listened to God and obeyed God. There is a comparison in these verses between Noah and his contemporaries. Noah stood out as someone who followed and walked with God. We also should stand out when compared to the world’s way of living. We can walk with God when we put our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and seek to follow God.

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David (perhaps)
Psalm 18:20-26 “ The Lord repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior. 21 For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands; I have not rebelled against my God. 22 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. 23 I was innocent before him, and kept myself from sinning. 24 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior. 25 You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent. 26 You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.
“ (NET)
2 Samuel 22:21-27 “ The Lord repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior. 22 For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands; I have not rebelled against my God. 23 For I am aware of all his regulations, and I do not reject his rules. 24 I was blameless before him; I kept myself from sinning. 25 The Lord rewarded me for my godly deeds; he took notice of my blameless behavior. 26 You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent. 27 You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse.
“ (NET)
1 Kings 14:8 “ I tore the kingdom away from the Davidic dynasty and gave it to you. But you are not like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me wholeheartedly by doing only what I approve.” (NET)
1 Kings 15:5 “5 He did this because David had done what he approved and had not disregarded any of his commandments his entire lifetime, except for the incident involving Uriah the Hittite. “ (NET)
Acts 13:22 “After removing him, God raised up David their king. He testified about him: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my heart, who will accomplish everything I want him to do.’” (NET)

(glc) David followed God for most of his life. He did sin with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband. God accepted David’s repentance (Psalm 51) and David retained God’s favor. We can only imagine the better outcomes in David’s life and reign if he had not sinned. We should not sin and then rely on God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness will come but the consequences of sin will also come into our life. God cannot be manipulated.

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Joseph of Arimathea
Luke 23:50 “ Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man.” (NET)
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Abel
Hebrews 11:4 “ By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead. “ (NET)
Mt 23:35 “For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that on you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah” (NET)

1 John 3:11-12 “11 For this is the gospel message that you have heard from the beginning: that we should love one another, 12 not like Cain who was of the evil one and brutally murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous. “ (NET)

(glc) Abel had righteous deeds in his worship of God.
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Joseph (husband of Mary)
Mt 1:19 “19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. “ (NET)
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Cornelius
Acts 10:22 “22 They said, “Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message from you.”” (NET)
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John the Baptist
Mark 6:19,20 “So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not 20 because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John.” (NET)
(Herod knew John was a just man)
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Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth
Luke 1:5,6 “ During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.” (NET)
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Simeon
Luke 2:25 “ Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (NET)
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Noah, Danel, Job
Ezekiel 14:12-14 “The Lord’s message came to me: 13 “Son of man, suppose a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it, cut off its bread supply, cause famine to come on it, and kill both people and animals. 14 Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would save only their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (NET)
Ezekiel 14:20 “ Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, they could not save their own son or daughter; they would save only their own lives by their righteousness.” (NET)

(glc) Note...You don’t obtain a good standing with God because of your parents or grand-parents, or other ancestors. Each person needs to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins to be seen as acceptable, righteous, by God.
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Melchizedek
Genesis 14:18-20 (glc) Read these verses for background on Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:1,2 “Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him. 2 To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace.” (NET)

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Those in the Bible who are identified as Perfect:

Noah Gen 6:9 verses above

Asa
1 King 15:9-14 “ In the twentieth year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Asa became the king of Judah. 10 He ruled for 41 years in Jerusalem. His grandmother was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what the Lord approved as his ancestor David had done. 12 He removed the male cultic prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the disgusting idols his ancestors had made. 13 He also removed Maacah his grandmother from her position as queen mother because she had made a loathsome Asherah pole.
Asa cut down her loathsome pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 14 The high places were not eliminated, yet Asa was wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord throughout his lifetime.” (NET)

and 2 Chronicles 14:2-4 “Asa did what the Lord his God desired and approved. 3 He removed the pagan altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. 4 He ordered Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to observe his law and commands.” (NET)
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Job
Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” (NET)
Job 1:8 “So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.”” (NET)
Job 2:3 “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, so that you stirred me up to destroy him without reason.”” (NET)

The people above were called righteous because they chose to put God first and not sin. https://jesusalive.cc/righteous-people-in-bible/

Those who put their faith in Jesus for salvation...2 Cor 5:19,21; Romans 4:7-8, 24-25; Phil 3:9

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4. BENEFITS OF BEING RIGHTEOUS
Genesis 18:22-28 “22 The two men turned and headed toward Sodom, but Abraham was still standing before the Lord. 23 Abraham approached and said, “Will you really sweep away the godly along with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty godly people in the city? Will you really wipe it out and not spare the place for the sake of the 50 godly people who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the godly with the wicked, treating the godly and the wicked alike! Far be it from you! Will not the judge of the whole earth do what is right?” 26 So the Lord replied, “If I find in the city of Sodom 50 godly people, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Then Abraham asked, “Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord (although I am but dust and ashes), 28 what if there are five less than the 50 godly people? Will you destroy the whole city because five are lacking?” He replied, “I will not destroy it if I find 45 there.” “ (NET)

(glc) Abraham respectfully questions what number of righteous people will protect Sodom. The last number recorded is 10.

Proverbs 11:11 “A city is exalted by the blessing provided from the upright,
but it is destroyed by the counsel of the wicked. “ (NET)

(glc) Righteous people do bring a benefit to groups of people.

Exodus 23:6,7 “6 “You must not turn away justice for your poor people in their lawsuits. 7 Keep your distance from a false charge—do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify the wicked.” (NET)

(glc) God wants proper behavior towards the righteous and the innocent.

1 Kings 8:31,32 ““When someone is accused of sinning against his neighbor and the latter pronounces a curse on the alleged offender before your altar in this temple, be willing to forgive the accused if the accusation is false. Listen from heaven and make a just decision about your servants’ claims. Condemn the guilty party, declare the other innocent, and give both of them what they deserve.” (NET)
2 Chronicles 6:22,23”“When someone is accused of sinning against his neighbor and the latter pronounces a curse on the alleged offender before your altar in this temple, 23 listen from heaven and make a just decision about your servants’ claims. Condemn the guilty party, declare the other innocent, and give both of them what they deserve.” (NET)

(glc) God will deliver the proper condemnation of the guilty and will give just decisions about the claims of people that come to him.

Job 22:19,20 “The righteous see their destruction and rejoice; the innocent mock them scornfully, saying, ‘Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire consumes their wealth.’
“ (NET)

(glc) The righteous see God bring judgment to those who flaunt God-- and are glad that God does deliver justice.

Job 27:16,17 “If he piles up silver like dust and stores up clothing like mounds of clay, 17 what he stores up a righteous man will wear, and an innocent man will inherit his silver.“ (NET)

(glc) The wicked may pile up treasures on Earth, but God will redistribute this wealth to the righteous.

Psalm 5:11,12 “But may all who take shelter in you be happy. May they continually shout for joy. Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice. 12 Certainly you reward the godly, Lord. Like a shield you protect them in your good favor. “ (NET)

(glc) Those who trust in God will be happy. I take this to mean they will be content in their relationship with God over and above their physical condition on Earth. God will reward those who follow his ways.

Psalm 7:8-10 “ The Lord judges the nations. Vindicate me, Lord, because I am innocent, because I am blameless, O Exalted One. 9 May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end.
But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives.
10 The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright. “ (NET)

(glc) We can look to God for his just evaluation of our character and behavior. We can look to God for our security and ultimate deliverance. God knows our heart and motivations.

Psalm 11:5 “The Lord approves of the godly, but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence. “ (NET)

(glc) God acknowledges and gives his approval to the righteous but he is opposed to the wicked and violent people.

Psalm 14:5 “They (...those who are wicked…) are absolutely terrified, for God defends the godly.“ (NET)
(glc) God is on the side of the righteous.

Psalm 32:11 ”Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly! Shout for joy, all you who are morally upright! “ (NET)
Psalm 33:1 “ You godly ones, shout for joy because of the Lord! It is appropriate for the morally upright to offer him praise. “ (NET)
(glc) The righteous should rejoice in God and praise him. The righteous may not always have good circumstances but their right relationship with GOd allows them to have a positive attitude.

Psalm 34:15-19 “The Lord pays attention to the godly and hears their cry for help. 16 But the Lord opposes evildoers and wipes out all memory of them from the earth. 17 The godly cry out and the Lord hears; he saves them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged. 19 The godly face many dangers, but the Lord saves them from each one of them. “ (NET)
Psalm 118:15 “ They celebrate deliverance in the tents of the godly. The Lord’s right hand conquers. “ (NET)
(glc) God pays attention to the righteous, listens to them,and delivers them. The worldly things we face may injure us but they don’t ultimately defeat us.

Psalm 37:16,17 “ The little bit that a godly man owns is better than the wealth of many evil men, 17 for evil men will lose their power, but the Lord sustains the godly. “ (NET)

(glc) The godly value their relationship with God more than their earthly wealth. God helps the righteous through this life.

Psalm 37:25 “I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen the godly abandoned, or their children forced to search for food. “ (NET)

(glc) This is not a guarantee but It is a statement that it would be very uncommon for a righteous person to be abandoned by everyone and his family to be completely out of food.

Psalm 37:29 “ The godly will possess the land and will dwell in it permanently. “ (NET)
(glc) The righteous will have the long-term possession of God’s land. They will always live on what God has provided.

Psalm 37:39,40 “But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the wicked and delivers them, for they seek his protection. “ (NET)

(glc) God saves and protects the righteous. The righteous should turn to God for help.

Psalm 55:22 “Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be shaken.” (NET)

(glc) The righteous may have troubles and burdens but they have a place to take those burdens…to God. God listens to the righteous and helps them carry on. The world will not overwhelm the righteous.

Psalm 58:10,11 “The godly will rejoice when they see vengeance carried out; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Then observers will say, “Yes indeed, the godly are rewarded. Yes indeed, there is a God who judges in the earth.” “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous rejoice when they see evidence of God’s justice on Earth. The righteous will survive with God’s help.

Psalm 64:10 “The godly will rejoice in the Lord and take shelter in him. All the morally upright will boast. “ (NET)
Psalm 68:3 “But the godly are happy; they rejoice before God and are
overcome with joy.“ (NET)
Psalm 97:12 “You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord. Give thanks to his holy name. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous rejoice in God and look to God for protection. The righteous know it is right to praise God and be happy in him.

Psalm 75:10 “God says, “I will bring down all the power of the wicked; the godly will be victorious.” “ (NET)
(glc) It is God’s promise that the righteous will have victory. Again, this victory my come in this life or certainly in the everlasting life God gives to those who believe in Jesus.

Psalm 92:12-15 “The godly grow like a palm tree; they grow high like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Planted in the Lord’s house, they grow in the courts of our God. 14 They bear fruit even when they are old; they are filled with vitality and have many leaves. 15 So they proclaim that the Lord, my Protector, is just and never unfair. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous have good growth in their activities. They are seen by the world. Their life has good results even when they are advanced in years. The righteous recognize the source (God) of the good things they have in their life. Even if they have trouble they don’t blame God.

Psalm 112:1-10 “Praise the Lord! How blessed is the one who obeys the Lord, who takes great delight in keeping his commands. 2 His descendants will be powerful on the earth; the godly will be blessed. 3 His house contains wealth and riches; his integrity endures. 4 In the darkness a light shines for the godly, for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just. 5 It goes well for the one who generously lends money and conducts his business honestly. 6 For he will never be shaken; others will always remember one who is just. 7 He does not fear bad news. He is confident; he trusts in the Lord. 8 His resolve is firm; he will not succumb to fear before he looks in triumph on his enemies. 9 He generously gives to the needy; his integrity endures. He will be vindicated and honored. “ (NET)

(glc) …The righteous keep God’s commandments. The descendants of the righteous will be blessed because of the decisions and actions of the righteous person(s). The righteous have the characteristics of mercy, compassion, justice, honesty, integrity, care for the poor. The righteous will have a good reputation among people. Bad news may come but it will not overwhelm the righteous person.
Note: The set of verses above are also in the section on how the righteous behave.

Psalm 118:19, 20 “Open for me the gates of the just king’s temple I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the Lord’s gate—the godly enter through it.” (NET)

(glc) The righteous are allowed to enter through the gate of the Lord.

Psalm 146:8 “The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up all who are bent over. The Lord loves the godly. “ (NET)

(glc) God has a special love and consideration for those who seek to follow him.

Proverbs 2:20,21 “So you will walk in the way of good people and will keep on the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will reside in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, “ (NET)

(glc) We can look at the examples of others if they are following God (e.g. Paul 1 Corinthians 11:1). As you do this though, you must be careful. Even Christians have temporary setbacks and times when they are not as close to God as they should be. Let the Bible be your ultimate guide as to how you should think and behave. The righteous have integrity.

Proverbs 3:33 “ The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. “ (NET)

(glc) Do you want God to be helping you? Put your faith in Jesus. Seek to be righteous.

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day. “ (NET)

(glc) Those who are righteous have godly guidance for the way they live in this world. This guidance illuminates the circumstances that come into their life and shows them the best way to proceed.

Proverbs 8:17-21 “ I will love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, long-lasting wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than the purest gold, and my harvest is better than choice silver. 20 I walk in the path of righteousness, in the pathway of justice, 21 that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, and that I may fill their treasuries. “ (NET)

(glc) This passage is discussing having wisdom active in your life. Godly wisdom leads to righteousness and other blessings. Judge wisely. The things that look good in this world (wealth, possessions) are temporary and don’t have eternal value. (Matthew 6:33 … seek first the kingdom of God)

Proverbs 10:3 “The Lord satisfies the appetite of the righteous, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. “ (NET)

(glc) God provides for the righteous. Part of this is that the righteous don’t have overreaching expectations or demands. (Paul Philippians 4:11-13 … content in all circumstances)

Proverbs 10:6 “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the speech of the wicked conceals violence.” (NET)

(glc) God’s approval is on the righteous person. This verse also makes me think that the righteous person should exude blessings that impact the lives of others.

Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person leaves behind a good reputation for the way they believed and the way they acted in this life. People will remember the righteous person with thanksgiving to God that the person was righteous. The memory can even lead those that are still living to seek to be righteous and do the good deeds that God wants people to do. (Ephesians 2:10 - God has prepared good works for us to do)

Proverbs 10:16 “The reward that the righteous receive is life; the recompense that the wicked receive is judgment. “ (NET)

(glc) To me this is saying that the righteous live a good life, and, in the context of the whole verse, they receive God’s approval.

Proverbs 10:24 “What the wicked fears will come on him; what the righteous desire will be granted. “ (NET)

(glc) This is a hard verse to fully trust in. I know that there are righteous people who do not have all that they want. Perhaps we need to be careful of what desires we build up in our minds. Our expectations may not line up with God’s plan for our lives. I do know that God will lead us to what is best in our lives. Of course, eternal life with God is the ultimate best. But I would lean to say that even in this life we don’t know what is best for us and that we should trust God and let God lead us through the circumstances we encounter in this life.

Proverbs 10:25 ”When the storm passes through, the wicked are swept away, but the righteous are an everlasting foundation. “ (NET)
Proverbs 10:30 “The righteous will never be moved, but the wicked will not inhabit the land. “ (NET)

(glc) Troubles will overwhelm a person if they are not righteous. The righteous can look through the trouble and see God on the other side, in the future.

Proverbs 10:28 “ The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked perishes. “ (NET)

(glc) Those who have faith in Jesus have a certain hope, a hope that what is unseen is reality.
(Hebrews 11:1)

Proverbs 11:8,9 “A righteous person was delivered out of trouble, then a wicked person took his place. 9 With his speech the godless person destroys his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous will be delivered. “ (NET)

(glc) This world has trouble available for all people but those who are righteous avoid some of this trouble by the choices they make. (e.g. A righteous person may leave a party at an appropriate time before becoming too tired - or intoxicated- while an unrighteous person may seek to stay and have more “fun” but be tired and impaired in driving home and have an accident - or do something inappropriate at the party.) V9 If someone accuses you (who are righteous) their accusations are baseless and won’t hurt you as much as when the accusations have basis in facts. The righteous are protected by God. They can also be protected by people who recognize the goodness in the righteous person. They can also be protected by the godly knowledge and wisdom they have acquired so their actions don’t lead to trouble. The wicked don’t have this protection and fall into the troubles that the righteous person escaped from.

Proverbs 11:10 “When the righteous do well, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is joy. “ (NET)

(glc) V10 When a city has righteous people who are behaving properly the city will do better and be a better place to live for all. The unrighteous give bad advice that is self-centered and not in the best interests of the city. The righteous people are doing good things so other people celebrate as those good activities increase. People are relieved when evil people lose their influence.

Proverbs 11:21 “Be assured that the evil person will not be unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous have escaped harm. “ (NET)

(glc) You can leave a godly legacy that will benefit your descendants. These descendants don’t necessarily have to be your children. You can have spiritual descendants on Earth in those people to whom you impart spiritual wisdom and godly living.

Proverbs 11:28 “The one who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. “ (NET)

(glc) It is not just wealth that helps us in this life. Living the way God expects leads to success in life.

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life, and the one who wins souls is wise. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person will bear godly fruit. The effect of righteousness extends beyond the person and into the world to help those around the person. Use your connection to God to influence people to seek God.

Proverbs 12:2-13 “A good person obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a person with wicked schemes. 3 No one can be established through wickedness, but a righteous root cannot be moved. 4 A noble wife is the crown of her husband, but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The plans of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood, but the words of the upright will deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the righteous household will stand. 8 A person will be praised in accordance with his wisdom, but the one with a bewildered mind will be despised. 9 Better is a person of humble standing who works for himself, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food. 10 A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks sense. 12 The wicked person has desired the stronghold of the wicked, but the root of the righteous will yield fruit. 13 The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech,
but the righteous person escapes out of trouble. “ (NET)

(glc) v3 The righteous have a secure foundation (root). The life of a righteous person will not be free from trouble but the faith a righteous person has in good will sustain them through troubles. And I believe God will give more help in this world to a righteous person than to an unrighteous person. v5 A righteous person has good thinking and does not plan evil. v6 The upright (righteous) person talks in a way that does not get them into trouble. v7 The people around a righteous person benefit. v10 A righteous person does what is right, even to his animals. v12 and 13 repeat some of the ideas of previous verses. The righteous person will be productive and not cause trouble for herself or himself by what she/he says..

Proverbs 12:21 “No harm will be directed at the righteous, but the wicked are filled with calamity. “ (NET)

(glc) The notes for the NET Bible remind us that surrounding nations believed their god might make a mistake and hurt a good person.

Proverbs 12:28 “28 In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death. “ (NET)

(glc) Being righteous leads to eternal life in God’s presence.

Proverbs 13:21,22 “Calamity pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous. 22 A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous are in line for earthly rewards. Not all righteous people receive earthly rewards, and a person should not behave righteously because they want to earn earthly rewards. But, having righteous thinking and behavior will lead the earthly prosperity in material and spiritual ways. And, the descendents of the righteous will benefit.

Proverbs 13:25 “The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked will be empty. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person will have enough. (Paul was content …Philippians 4:11-13 ).

Proverbs 15:6 “In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked will be ruined. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous will have material wealth. This wealth comes from having God’s favor and having a good reputation among people, who then will do business with the righteous person who can be trusted.

Proverbs 15:9 “The Lord abhors the way of the wicked, but he will love those who pursue righteousness.“ (NET)

(glc) God wants the best for all people, but the decisions of people affect their relationship to God. God has a special relationship to those who seek to follow his ways.

Proverbs 15:29 “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.“ (NET)

(glc) God is close to the righteous in a spiritual sense. God pays attention to the prayers of the righteous.

Proverbs 16:31 “Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous tend to have longer lives than those who are not righteous. God works through the lives of the righteous and allows many of the righteous to remain a long time on the Earth, doing his will.

Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person knows God and knows to turn to God when there is trouble in his/her life. God does not abandon the righteous. He provides for them.

Proverbs 21:21 “The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor.“ (NET)

(glc) We should make being righteous a priority for our lives. Doing so will have benefits for our current life and for our eternal life.

Proverbs 23:24 “The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him. “ (NET)

(glc) A child who is righteous makes the parents happy. The parents see the good in the child and rejoice that the child has a good relationship to God and a good behavior in the world.

Proverbs 24:16 “Indeed a righteous person will fall seven times, and then get up again, but the guilty will collapse in calamity. “ (NET)

(glc) Righteous people do have troubles in this world. But the troubles don’t overcome the person. The righteous person has confidence in God that helps them keep on going. And the righteous person will have developed relationships with friends who help in times of trouble.

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked person fled, though no one was pursuing, but the righteous person can be as confident as a lion. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person has a firm foundation with his/her relationship with God and other good people. The righteous person knows the right thing to do and can act in confidence.

Proverbs 28:12 “When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory, but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out. “ (NET)
Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. “ (NET)

(glc) There is a good celebration among the people when the righteous are celebrating.
Having many righteous people helps all the people have a good life and a good outlook on life.

Proverbs 29:6 “In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare, but a righteous person can sing and rejoice. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person does not need to look over their shoulder in fear of consequences for his/her actions and decisions. The righteous person has a more relaxed life and lives in confidence.

Proverbs 29:16 “When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will see their downfall. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person will last through the times of trouble and will see the failure of those who are not righteous.

Habakkuk 2:4 “Look, the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness. “ (NET)

(glc) Integrity (righteousness) helps you to live because you are faithful to God’s ways of living.

Matthew 5:10 “10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” (NET)

(glc) Be committed to having righteousness.

Matthew 6:33 “ But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NET)

(glc) Read Matthew 6:25-34 Our focus in life should be on God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, not on things we need (or want).

2 Timothy 4:7,8 “7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day—and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.” (NET)

(glc) Paul expected a crown of righteousness after he died because he had faith in Jesus.

James 5:16b “ The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.” (NET)

(glc) The righteous are in tune with what God wants and will pray in line with God’s will.

1 Peter 3:12 “ For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil. “ (NET)

(glc) This is a quote from Psalm 34:12-16. God follows the righteous and listens to them and responds.

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5. Characteristics and Actions of Those Who Are Righteous

Psalm 37:21 “Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous. “ (NET)
(glc) The righteous person thinks about others and is generous.

Psalm 37:30,31 “The godly speak wise words and promote justice. 31 The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.” (NET)
(glc) Those who follow God know what is right to say and seek justice for people. God’s word is effective in their lives. The godly person stands on the principles of God and those principles guide his life away from slippery, and dangerous, situations.

Psalm 140:13 “Certainly the godly will give thanks to your name; the morally upright will live in your presence. “(NET)

(glc) The righteous know they should thank God. They are invited by God to be in his presence and they desire to be in his presence.

Psalm 141:5 “May the godly strike me in love and correct me. May my head not refuse choice oil. Indeed, my prayer is a witness against their evil deeds. “ (NET)

(glc) The end of verse 5 refers back to the evil people described in verse 4. You should welcome the godly advice and correction from a righteous person.

Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person is not arrogant or conceited, and is not closed to improving.

Proverbs 10:11 “The speech of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the speech of the wicked conceals violence. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person has good things to say. The words can help others draw closer to God.

Proverbs 10:20,21 “20 What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value. 21 The teaching of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of sense. “ (NET)

(glc) A righteous person speaks valuable words. The righteous person is taught by God’s word and passes God’s truth on to others. The words will help others move toward God and have more fulfilled lives.

Proverbs 10:31,32 “ The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, but the speech of the wicked is perverse. “ (NET)

(glc) A righteous person speaks the wisdom of God and speaks in a way that helps people instead of irritating them.

Proverbs 11:3-11 “ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. 4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless will make their way smooth,
but the wicked will fall through their own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be ensnared by their own desires. 7 When a wicked person dies, his expectation perishes, and hope based on power has perished. “ (NET)

(glc) Being righteous affects your life on Earth and your eternal life. On Earth, seeking to be righteous (aligned with God’s ways of living) leads to rewards on Earth ...fewer troubles in your life (v5 “smooth way”) ; avoiding things that enslave or ensnare you (v6 righteousness delivers); avoiding trouble (v7) that the unrighteous fall into.

Proverbs 11:23 “The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous look for, and seek out, good things. The righteous will not be focused on desires that only help them be more comfortable or wealthy.

Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (NET)

(glc) The righteous person is discerning and careful about who she/he associates with. The righteous person is aware that friends can influence your life to take on their characteristics.

Proverbs 13:5,6 “ The righteous person will reject anything false, but the wicked person will act in shameful disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards the one who lives with integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous will think about what comes into their life and turn away from what is not aligned with God’s way of thinking and acting. This righteous decision to have integrity will have the consequence of protecting the righteous person from the evil that follows bad decisions and actions.

Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous control their speech with their thinking. They don’t answer immediately or rashly.

Proverbs 20:7 “The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him. “ (NET)

(glc) The good actions of the righteous person have positive consequences for his/her descendants.

Proverbs 21:3 “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.“ (NET)

(glc) Doing religious ceremonies does not make up for not being righteous and just.

Proverbs 21:15 “Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.
“ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person wants to do the right thing.

Proverbs 21:25,26 “What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands have refused to work. 26 All day long he has craved greedily, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person does not cling to what he/she has. The righteous person shares.

Proverbs 29:7 “The righteous person cares for the legal rights of the poor; the wicked person does not understand such knowledge. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous person is fair and just with all people, not just with people who can help him/her. The righteous person knows this is what God wants and expects.

Proverbs 29:27 “An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked. “ (NET)

(glc) The righteous will not develop close relationships with the wicked and will not approve of their ways of living. The righteous should not expect to be welcomed by those who are acting against God’s wishes. The wicked will think the righteous are wasting their lives by being good. The wicked may even judge themselves to be behaving badly when they see the good behavior of the righteous person.

Proverbs 31:8,9 “Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. 9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. “ (NET)

(glc) When you are in a position of authority, base your decisions on the ways God approves.

Matthew 5:6 “6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (NET)

(glc) God will satisfy your thirst for righteousness.

1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous.” (NET)

(glc) Our behavior is fruit that shows our inner beliefs. We act as an outcome of our faith.

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6. SOME MISTAKENLY THINK THEY ARE RIGHTEOUS

Job 15:14-16 “What is man that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? 15 If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, 16 how much less man, who is abominable and corrupt, who drinks in evil like water! “(NET)

(glc) Men and women are naturally corrupt. We are not called righteous by our own efforts. God is right not to trust those who have not put their faith in Jesus. Our natural tendency is to drift towards evil.

Job 32:1,2 “So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.” (NET)

(glc) Job was righteous in his own eyes and sought to make himself look good rather than glorifying God.

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7. What About Those Who Oppose The Righteous?

Psalm 31:18 “May lying lips be silenced—lips that speak defiantly against the innocent
with arrogance and contempt. “ (NET)
(glc) Liars face the prospect of being silenced by having their lies uncovered or by dying.

Psalm 34:21 “Evil people self-destruct; those who hate the godly are punished.“ (NET)

(glc) God, and even occasionally the world, will punish those who oppose the righteous.

Psalm 37:12-15 “Evil men plot against the godly and viciously attack them. The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming. 14 Evil men draw their swords and prepare their bows, to bring down the oppressed and needy, and to slaughter those who are godly. 15 Their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.“ (NET)
Psalm 37:32 “The wicked set an ambush for the godly and try to kill them. “ (NET)
Psalm 94:21 “They conspire against the blameless and condemn to death the innocent.“ (NET)

(glc) Some will hate the righteous. But the verses near the ones above state that God will support the godly.

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8. Can You Lose Your Status of Being Called Righteous by God?
Satan was formed perfect Ezekiel 28:12,15 but he sinned and was cast out of heaven
Ezekiel 28 11-19 “ The Lord’s message came to me: 12 “Son of man, sing a lament for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘You were the sealer of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and emerald, the chrysolite, onyx, and jasper, the sapphire, turquoise, and beryl; your settings and mounts were made of gold. On the day you were created they were prepared. 14 I placed you there with an anointed guardian cherub; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked about amidst fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your behavior from the day you were created, until sin was discovered in you. 16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned; so I defiled you and banished you from the mountain of God— the guardian cherub expelled you from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom on account of your splendor. I threw you down to the ground; I placed you before kings, that they might see you. 18 By the multitude of your iniquities, through the sinfulness of your trade, you desecrated your sanctuaries. So I drew fire out from within you; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth before the eyes of all who saw you. 19 All who know you among the peoples are shocked at you; you have become terrified and will be no more.’” “ (NET)

(glc) I take this passage to confirm that people can lose their salvation. Here it is Satan who loses his place in heaven because he sought to be more important than God. For people on Earth, salvation can be lost by continuing to sin and turning away from God. I don’t fear losing my salvation for the sins I commit everyday because I ask God’s forgiveness. You are in danger of losing salvation when you think you don’t need forgiveness for sins.

Read Hebrews 6:4-6 Hebrews 10:18-20 Hebrews 10:26,27 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 1 Timothy 4:1-2
and perhaps Galatians 5:4-7; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; Revelation 2:4,5; Ezekiel 18:21-24

(glc) There is legitimate debate about losing your salvation. Those who say you cannot lose your salvation may be correct. But, I prefer to be on the conservative side and live my life seeking to keep God’s commands and seek forgiveness from God when I realize I have sinned. I don’t think my view causes me to be depressed or always looking over my shoulder to see if God is about to judge me and cut me off from heaven. My view helps me not take God for granted.

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Proverbs 25:26 “Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked. “ (NET)

(glc) A righteous person is like a clear stream or well that produces good water. But if the person does not oppose evil the righteous person will lose their good influence and reputation.

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9. Miscellaneous Verses Related to Righteous

Proverbs 11:31 “If the righteous are recompensed on earth, how much more the wicked sinner!“ (NET)

(glc) A righteous person on Earth still has sin and will suffer the consequences of that sin while living on Earth.

Proverbs 17:26 “ It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong. “ (NET)
Proverbs 18:5 “It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked by depriving a righteous man of justice. “ (NET)

(glc) In God’s view, the righteous should be treated fairly. Society should administer justice in a just and fair way.

Consequences of sin
Ezekiel 3:20,21 ““When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I set an obstacle before him, he will die. If you have not warned him, he will die for his sin. The righteous deeds he performed will not be considered, but I will hold you accountable for his death. 21 However, if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he will certainly live because he was warned, and you will have saved your own life.”” (NET)

Ezekiel 18:24-39 “ “But if a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and practices wrongdoing according to all the abominable practices the wicked carry out, will he live? All his righteous acts will not be remembered; because of the unfaithful acts he has done and the sin he has committed, he will die. 25 “Yet you say, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Hear, O house of Israel: Is my conduct unjust? Is it not your conduct that is unjust? 26 When a righteous person turns back from his righteousness and practices wrongdoing, he will die for it; because of the wrongdoing he has done, he will die. 27 When a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. 28 Because he considered and turned from all the sins he had done, he will surely live; he will not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The Lord’s conduct is unjust!’ Is my conduct unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your conduct that is unjust? 30 “Therefore, I will judge each person according to his conduct, O house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and turn from all your wickedness; then it will not be an obstacle leading to iniquity. 31 Throw away all your sins you have committed and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no delight in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! “ (NET)

Ezekiel 33:12, 13 “ “And you, son of man, say to your people, ‘The righteousness of the righteous will not deliver him if he rebels. As for the wicked, his wickedness will not make him stumble if he turns from it. The righteous will not be able to live by his righteousness if he sins.’ 13 Suppose I tell the righteous that he will certainly live, but he becomes confident in his righteousness and commits iniquity. None of his righteous deeds will be remembered; because of the iniquity he has committed he will die. “ (NET)

Ezekiel 33:18 “ When a righteous man turns from his godliness and commits iniquity, he will die for it.” (NET)

(glc) Sin has consequences for all people. Godly people havve a responsibility to lovingly warn those who sin and try to help them return to God’s way of living and thinking. Good works cannot be stored up as payment for sin. God will punish those who sin, the righteous and the wicked. There are consequences for you if you do not warning a person of their sin.

—----
Ezekiel 18:5-9 ““Suppose a man is righteous. He practices what is just and right; 6 does not eat pagan sacrifices on the mountains or pray to the idols of the house of Israel; does not defile his neighbor’s wife; does not approach a woman for marital relations during her period; 7 does not oppress anyone, but gives the debtor back whatever was given in pledge; does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and clothes the naked; 8 does not engage in usury or charge interest, but refrains from wrongdoing; promotes true justice between men; 9 and follows my statutes and observes my regulations by carrying them out. That man is righteous; he will certainly live, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (NET)

(glc) In these verses God describes some of the behaviors of righteous people.

Ezekiel 18:20 “The person who sins is the one who will die. A son will not suffer for his father’s iniquity, and a father will not suffer for his son’s iniquity; the righteous person will be judged according to his righteousness and the wicked person according to his wickedness.” (NET)

(glc) Righteousness is not passed on from a parent to a child. Each person has their own responsibility to God.

Matthew 13:47-50 “47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea that caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, they pulled it ashore, sat down, and put the good fish into containers and threw the bad away. 49 It will be this way at the end of the age. Angels will come and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (NET)

Matthew 25:45,46 “Then he will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” ” (NET)

(glc) The righteous live among the unrighteous at this time. There will come a time when God separates the two groups. The righteous (those who have faith in Jesus) will have eternal life in God’s presence. The unrighteous will have eternal life separated from God.

Mark 2:17 “ When Jesus heard this he said to them, “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”” (NET)
Luke 5:31,32 “31 Jesus answered them, “Those who are well don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” ” (NET)
Luke 18:9 “9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.” (NET)

(glc) Jesus offers help to those who admit they need help. The self-righteous, who claim to be good without God, do not receive help from Jesus. Give careful thought to your spiritual status. Judge your status on the basis of what you read in the Bible.
(read Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.” (NET) )

1 Timothy 6:10,11 “0 For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.
11 But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.” (NET)

(glc) Pursue righteousness.

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