You must live in harmony,
Be sympathetic to all;
Easing any agony,
By your brothers that may fall.
Show compassion with your love,
While you remain humble;
Let your faith in God above,
Remain strong and not crumble.
Give not evil for evil,
Ridicule for ridicule;
That is work of the devil,
And being mindless and cruel.
Rather give them a blessing,
Because you will inherit;
The wisdom for expressing,
Rewarded for your merit.
Those who desire to live,
Enjoyment of a full life;
Then you must always forgive,
Those who are causing you strife.
Keep your tongues from evil things,
Your mind from all evil thought;
For any deceit it brings,
Distance from what the Lord sought.
You must never go astray,
Remember in doing good;
From evil to turn away,
So you can do as you should.
Always seek peace to pursue,
The eyes of the Lord approves;
Hearing confessions from you,
Iniquities He removes.
The Lord hears every prayer.
And rewards the humble man;
Because of love God will share,
Continues within His plan.
C Copyright © 2015 Richard Newton Sherrer
1 Peter 3:8-12