If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands. But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you. Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! 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. May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble. Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.Next verse!With image