For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. |
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building. | For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. |
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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Yahweh. | “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” |
While we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. | So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. |
But many will be last who are first, and first who are last. | But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. |
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. | You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. |
I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. | Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. |
Honor widows who are widows indeed. | Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. |
Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. | The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. |
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. | The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. |
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh’s law. | Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. |
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. | For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. |
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. | God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. |
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything. | You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. |
Those who are in the flesh can’t please God. | That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. |
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. | God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. |
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. |
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. | God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. |
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. | Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. |
Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. |
Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. | But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven. |
You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word. | You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. |
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. | God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. |
But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” | He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” |
But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. | But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. |