Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. |
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. | So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. |
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Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” | Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” |
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. | God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. |
He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. | One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty. |
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! | Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! |
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. | Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. |
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. | If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. |
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. | Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. |
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. | Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. |
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. | In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. |
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. | So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. |
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. | The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. |
But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. | But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. |
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. | The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. |
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” | So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” |
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. | Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. |
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. | So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. |
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. | Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. |
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. |
So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. | So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. |
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” | Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” |
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? | Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? |
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. | And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! |