| Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. | The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. |
| And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. | These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. |
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| Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. | He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. |
| It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. | It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. |
| “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,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” |
| I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. | I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. |
| Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. | Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. |
| All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. | All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. |
| If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. | If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. |
| He will render to each one according to his works. | God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” |
| These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. | I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. |
| But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. |
| For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” | For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. |
| But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. | But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. |
| You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. | You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. |
| No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. | No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. |
| For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” | For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” |
| And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. | And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. |
| And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. | But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. |
| My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! | My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. |
| Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. | I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. |
| There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? | There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? |
| It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. | It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
| And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. | Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. |
