I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” | I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” |
For the Lord himself is the one who bestows wisdom; from his mouth come forth knowledge and understanding. | For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. |
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For much wisdom can result in much sorrow, and those who increase their knowledge also increase their grief. | The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow. |
The future bodes well for him who is generous in helping those in need and who conducts his affairs with justice. | Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. |
But who am I, and what are your people, that we should be able to do this? All things belong to you, and everything that we have given you is from your hand. | But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! |
I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I am. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. | I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. |
The misfortunes of the righteous man are many, but the Lord delivers him, from all of them. | The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. |
A man is joyful when he utters apt answers, and even more satisfying is a word in season. | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
The Lord is good, an unfailing refuge in a time of distress. He takes care of those who place their trust in him. | The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. | Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! |
Out of the same mouth flow blessings and curses. This should not be so, my brethren. | And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! |
For since death came into the world through a man, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man. | So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. |
The hope of the righteous brings them joy, but the expectations of the wicked are frustrated. | The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. |
Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. | For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. |
Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness clothing you, and with your feet shod in zeal to proclaim the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold in your hand the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. | Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. |
Let everyone submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which derives from God, and whatever authorities exist have been instituted by God. | Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. |
May the Lord guide your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ. | May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. |
And let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it was for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful. | And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. |
You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. | For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. |
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. | Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. |
Behold, he is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will mourn him. So shall it be. Amen. | Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! |
Therefore, put on the armor of God, so that you will be able to hold fast on the evil day and to hold your ground with all your strength. | Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. |
Beloved, do not trust every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. | Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. |
Do not seek to adorn yourself externally—by the braiding of your hair and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothing. Rather, let your adornment be of your inner self, the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. | Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. |