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After he had decided to follow this course of action, an angel… Matthew 1:20

After he had decided to follow this course of action, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to receive Mary into your home as your wife. For this child has been conceived in her womb through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20	But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” angels Holy Spirit christmas
A good man produces good from the store of goodness in his heart, whereas an evil man produces evil from the store of evil within him. For the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart. Luke 6:45	The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. sin speaking blessing

But for that very reason I was treated mercifully, so that in me Jesus Christ might exhibit his inexhaustible patience, making me an example for those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16	However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. eternal life Jesus patience
Remember that you were once a slave in the land of Egypt. The Lord, your God, brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the Lord, your God, has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 5:15	You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. sabbath slavery
Now in regard to the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, we know that idols are nothing in the world and that there is only one God. 1 Corinthians 8:4	Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one. idols food
If you are angry, do not sin. Do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not give the devil an opening. Ephesians 4:26-27	“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil. sin anger evil
I will praise you in sincerity of heart as I ponder your righteous judgments. Psalm 119:7	I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments. law worship heart
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but an undisciplined tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4	A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. speaking Spirit lying
The love of the Lord is never exhausted, nor do his deeds of mercy ever come to an end. They are renewed every morning; his faithfulness never ceases. Lamentations 3:22-23	It is because of Yahweh’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. reliability love compassion
And God is able to enrich you with an abundance of every grace, so that, with all of your needs provided for, you may be able to produce a surplus of good works. 2 Corinthians 9:8	And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. blessing worrying goodness
An ignorant man causes strife by his insolence, but wisdom is found with those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10	Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. wisdom anger
Nor should you present any part of your body as an instrument for wickedness leading to sin. Rather, present yourselves to God as having been raised from death to life and the parts of your body to God as instruments for righteousness. Romans 6:13	Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. sin righteousness sacrifice
Yet even so, because of your great compassion, you did not completely destroy them, nor did you forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Nehemiah 9:31	Nevertheless in your manifold mercies you didn’t make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for you are a gracious and merciful God. grace mercy nearness
Anyone who leads an honorable life walks in safety, but whoever pursues wicked ways will be found out. Proverbs 10:9	He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. sin safety life
After this, he said to the crowd, “Take care to be on your guard against all kinds of greed. Life does not depend upon an abundance of one’s possessions.” Luke 12:15	He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” money greed materialism
The Lord is good, an unfailing refuge in a time of distress. He takes care of those who place their trust in him. Nahum 1:7	Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him. protection goodness safety
An honorable name is more to be desired than great riches, and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1	A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. money materialism relationships
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a sacrificial offering whose fragrance is pleasing to God. Ephesians 5:2	Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. love sacrifice Jesus
A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness lies incessantly. Proverbs 14:5	A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. lying truth reliability
Who can find a worthy wife? She is far more precious than pearls. Proverbs 31:10	Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. valuable marriage relationships
Until a spirit from on high is poured out upon us, and the wilderness becomes an orchard and the fruitful field becomes a forest. Isaiah 32:15	Until the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is considered a forest. Spirit pentecost
Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not for others, since you know that you will receive from the Lord an inheritance as your reward for you are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24	And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. reward life receiving
Persevere in prayer, with alert minds and thankful hearts. Colossians 4:2	Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving. gratitude prayer
Examine me, O God, and know my heart; test me and understand my thoughts. See if I follow an evil way, and guide me on the way to eternity. Psalm 139:23-24	Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. eternal life holiness righteousness
He gives a home to those who are forsaken and leads out prisoners amid chants of exultation, while rebels are forced to live in an arid land. Psalm 68:7	God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land. freedom obedience friendship

This water prefigured Baptism, which now saves you. It does so not by the washing away of dirt from the body but by the pledge of a good conscience given to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.