If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. | If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. |
Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. | For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. |
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Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. | So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. |
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
This saying is trustworthy: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him.” | This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. |
That I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest. | Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other. |
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles 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. |
No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. | No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. |
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? | Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? |
You being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. | Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. |
Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. | You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. |
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. | And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. |
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. | The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. |
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. | Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. |
By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. | And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. |
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved! | There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. |
If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. | Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. |
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. | Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. |
Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. | Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. |
Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. | Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. |
He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? | Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? |
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. | So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. |
For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except God’s Spirit. | No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. |
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. | You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. |