That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Parallel translations
- WEB that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
- BSB so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
- NKJV that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
- NASB so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
- NLT so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
So that they may be blameless children of God shining as lights in a crooked world. Holy living makes believers visible witnesses.
Overview
Free from grumbling, believers become blameless and pure, distinct from the corrupt generation around them. Like lights in the darkness, they reflect God's character to the world. Their conduct itself becomes a testimony, echoing language once used of Israel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 36
- Matt 5:14–16Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
- 1 Pet 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Matt 5:45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
- Isa 60:1Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
- 1 Jn 3:1–3Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
- Deut 32:5They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
- 1 Th 5:23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Pet 1:14–17As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
- 2 Pet 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
- 1 Cor 1:8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Matt 5:48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- Eph 5:7–8Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
- Eph 5:1–2Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
- 1 Pet 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- Titus 2:10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
- Matt 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Rom 16:19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
- 1 Tim 3:10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
- Acts 2:40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
- Matt 17:17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
- Titus 2:15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
- Heb 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
- Phil 1:10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
- 1 Tim 3:2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
- Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
- Eph 5:27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
- Ps 122:5For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
- John 5:35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
- 2 Cor 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- Acts 20:30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
- Luke 1:6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
- 1 Tim 5:20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
- Titus 1:6If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
- 1 Tim 5:14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
- 1 Tim 5:7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
- Rev 3:9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
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Christ at the center
The one who, being in the form of God, emptied himself to the point of death on a cross and was exalted to the name above every name — the joy and prize of the believer.
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Original language
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