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Chinese (traditional)A gossip goes around telling secrets,
but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love. The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked.
Who really knows how bad it is?
But I, the Lord, search all hearts
and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
according to what their actions deserve. Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go. The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. A wise child brings joy to a father;
a foolish child brings grief to a mother. But in that coming day
no weapon turned against you will succeed.
You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.
These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;
their vindication will come from me.
I, the Lord, have spoken! Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge. I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers. 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.” Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.
To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.Next verse!With image