| Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. | Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. |
| But the one who did not know it, and committed acts deserving of a beating, will receive only a few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. | But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. |
| For I give plenty of water to the weary ones, and refresh everyone who languishes. | For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing. |
| Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. | Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. |
| For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. | For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. |
| But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. | But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. |
| See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people. | See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. |
| Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. |
| Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. | Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. |
| Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. | Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. |
| Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established 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. |
| For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. | Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. |
| Therefore you have no excuse, you foolish person, everyone of you who passes judgment; for in that matter in which you judge someone else, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. | You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. |
| So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. | Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. |
| Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. | Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. |
| And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you. | And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. |
| The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. | That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. |
| As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. | We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. |
| Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. | No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. |
| For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” | As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” |
| And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” | And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” |
| The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. | The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. |
| The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. | But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. |
| Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. | I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. |
| A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
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Bible verse of the day
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.