I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man. | I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. |
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. | Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. |
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And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. | Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. |
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. | No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. |
Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. | Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. |
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. | And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. |
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. | And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. | We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. |
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! | Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. |
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. | Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. |
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. | You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. |
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” | I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” |
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. | Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. |
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. | This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. |
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way. | The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. |
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. | For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. |
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. | Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. |
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. | In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. |
And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” | Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” |
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. | Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. |
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. | Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. |
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! | He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” |
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. | Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. |
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. |
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. |