And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. | And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. |
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. | God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. |
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When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken. | A newly married man must not be drafted into the army or be given any other official responsibilities. He must be free to spend one year at home, bringing happiness to the wife he has married. |
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. | Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. |
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. | Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. |
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! | So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! |
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” | Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” |
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. | I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. |
Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. | Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! |
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. | A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. |
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” | The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” |
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. | Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. |
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. | You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. |
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” | As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” |
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. | Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. |
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. | But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. |
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. | So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. |
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. | Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. |
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. | I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. |
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” | I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” |
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. | He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. |
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. | This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. |
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! | Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved. |
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. | Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. |
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. | Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. |