For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. “No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
do not trust your own cleverness. He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another. Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him. No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.Next verse!With image