For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice. Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing from their toil
that they can carry in their hands. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 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. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. For the Lord takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. “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. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”Next verse!With image