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Chinese (traditional)He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. Don’t long for “the good old days.”
This is not wise. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Wise words bring approval,
but fools are destroyed by their own words. To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful! Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty;
but even though he is just and righteous,
he does not destroy us. So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. In those days when you pray, I will listen. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. You know what I long for, Lord;
you hear my every sigh. Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins. So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God. Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!Next verse!With image