Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. | What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. |
The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he. | He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! |
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Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. | Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. |
Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
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. |
Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. | And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath. |
For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. | So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. |
Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. | Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! |
Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another? | God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? |
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” | “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” |
Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. | Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. |
The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. | The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these. |
Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good? | Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? |
My salvation and my honor is with God. The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. | My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. |
Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. | I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. |
Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful. | You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. |
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. | And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. |
For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” | This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” |
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. | Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. | So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. |
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. | Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. |
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken. | He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. |
But I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. | But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. |