But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things. Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The father of a righteous child has great joy;
a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops. They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles. Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave. My son, keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.Next verse!With image