A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.” Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them? Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
without painful toil for it. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. “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. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge. I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart. Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers. He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Next verse!With image