Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? | Now who is going to harm you if you are eager to do what is right? |
And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath. | How much more valuable a man is than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. |
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When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. | When you pray do not go on babbling endlessly as the pagans do, for they believe that they are more likely to be heard because of their many words. |
When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. | Therefore, whenever you give alms, do not trumpet your generosity, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets in order to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have already received their reward. |
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. | Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. |
When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. | Because the sentence for committing an evil act is not carried out quickly, people’s hearts are prone to act wickedly. |
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. | The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom, and no matter what the cost, acquire understanding. |
I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. | To do your will, O God, is my delight; your law is in my heart. |
But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. | Blessed is the man whom God reproves. Therefore, do not reject the discipline of the Almighty. |
God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. | The one who calls you is faithful, and he will accomplish this. |
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. | I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. |
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. | If you are angry, do not sin. Do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not give the devil an opening. |
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” | “But you,” he said to them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” |
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. | As much as possible, and to the extent of your ability, live in peace with everyone. |
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. | Therefore, while we have the opportunity, let us labor for the good of all, but especially for those members of the household of the faith. |
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. | I do not set aside the grace of God, for if justification comes through the Law, then Christ died for nothing. |
But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. | But to those of you who are listening to me, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. |
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. | Trust wholeheartedly in the Lord rather than relying on your own intelligence. In everything you do, acknowledge him, and he will see that your paths are straight. |
O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. | In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. |
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other. | Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render fair judgments, and show kindness and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor. Do not plot evil in your heart against one another. |
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. | Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we can approach God with confidence and receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do whatever is pleasing to him. |
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? | Why do you take note of the splinter in your brother’s eye but do not notice the wooden plank in your own eye? |
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. | “All things are lawful,” you may say—but not all things are beneficial. All things may be lawful—but not all things are constructive. |
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. | Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord, your God, is going forth with you. He will never leave you or abandon you. |
If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him! | If you know me, then you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him. You have seen him. |