God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We love because he first loved us.

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone

So there you have it. What God has joined together, no one has the right to split apart.

Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]

Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, but raise them up with loving discipline and counsel that brings the revelation of our Lord.

A dear friend will love you no matter what, and a family sticks together through all kinds of trouble.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.

Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord

But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers

For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.