| Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. | Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. |
| For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. | For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. |
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| The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. | So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. |
| For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. | For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. |
| According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. | By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. |
| The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. | The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. |
| He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
| A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. | It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. |
| For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. | For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. |
| The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. | Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. |
| The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
| The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. | We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. |
| The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. | The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. |
| The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. | The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. |
| Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. | The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. |
| The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. | The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. |
| The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
| The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. | The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. |
| Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. | Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. |
| The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous. | The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. |
| Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. | You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. |
| For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. | For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. |
| Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous. | Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. |
| But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. | But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. |
| Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. | This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” |
