By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. | This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. |
A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. | Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! |
|
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. | And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. |
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. | Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. |
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. | You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it. |
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. |
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. | For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. |
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. | The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. |
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. | Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. |
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. | What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. |
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. | That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. |
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. | All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. |
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places. | You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live. |
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. | Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. |
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. |
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. | Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. |
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. | The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. |
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. | My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. |
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. | A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. |
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything. |
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. | Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. |
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. | I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. |
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. | For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. |
Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? | And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. |