So we must not fall asleep as the others do, but we must stay alert and sober. | So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. |
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will have their fill. | God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. |
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For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom; from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. |
What then? Should we sin because we are not under the Law but under grace? Of course not! | 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 parents. | Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. |
Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not deviate from it, even in old age. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. | But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. |
If you forgive others for the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. | If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. |
And take the helmet of salvation as well as 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. |
For sin is no longer to have any power over you, since you are not under the 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. |
The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. | The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. |
The desires of the flesh result in death, but the desires of the Spirit result in 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. |
One who despairs should have the support of his friends even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. | One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty. |
Blessings are showered on the head of the righteous, but sorrow will cover the face of the wicked. | The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. |
Therefore, observe the commandments of the Lord, your God. Walk in his ways and fear him. | So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. |
Therefore, humble yourselves 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 armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the deceit 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. |
Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not demand the return of what is yours from the one who has taken it. | Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. |
Jesus replied, “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.” |
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do as much. | And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! |
Therefore, we can say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone 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?” |
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift freely given by 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. |
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? |
Let us never grow weary in doing what is right, for if we do not give up, we will reap our harvest in due time. | So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. |
Rather, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. | Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. |