Therefore, brothers, at last let us repent. Let us become sober-minded for what is good, for we are full of great foolishness and wickedness. Let us wipe away our former sins and, repenting from the heart, be saved. Let us not become people-pleasers or seek only to please ourselves, but by our righteousness let us also seek to please those outside, so that the name may not be blasphemed because of us.
For the Lord says, “My name is continually blasphemed among all the nations,” and again, “Woe to the one because of whom My name is blasphemed.” How is it blasphemed? By your not doing what I want.
For when the nations hear from our mouths the words of God, they marvel at how good and great they are. But afterward, when they learn that our deeds are unworthy of the words we speak, they turn from this to blasphemy, saying that it is some myth and delusion.
For when they hear us say that God declares, “There is no credit to you if you love those who love you, but there is credit to you if you love your enemies and those who hate you,” they marvel at such extraordinary goodness. But when they see that we not only fail to love those who hate us, but do not even love those who love us, they laugh at us, and the name is blasphemed.