Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. | That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. |
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. | Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. |
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For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. | The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. |
For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. | For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. |
But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. | I have been the Lord your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but me, for there is no other savior. |
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. | Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. |
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? |
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. | Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. |
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. | And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. |
So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. | So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. |
These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. | But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. |
And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. | And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. |
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. | But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! |
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. | Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. |
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. | Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. |
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! | Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him. |
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. | Arise, O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! |
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. | I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. |
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. | God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. |
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. | Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. |
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. |
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. | Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! |
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. | I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. |
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. | Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. |
But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” | He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” |