| In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Indeed, persecution will afflict all who want to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus. |
| Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. | Such godly sorrow results in repentance that leads to salvation and causes no regret, whereas worldly sorrow produces death. |
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| If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. | Therefore, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials and to hold the wicked for punishment until the Day of Judgment. |
| For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. | For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to the entire human race. It teaches us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and in the present age to lead lives that are temperate, just, and godly. |
| His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. | His divine power has bestowed on us everything that is necessary for life and for devotion through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue. |
| The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. | The wicked man borrows but neglects to repay, whereas the righteous man is generous in giving. |
| All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
| Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. | Preferable is the little that the righteous possess than the great wealth of the wicked. For the power of the wicked will be overcome, but the Lord protects the righteous. |
| Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. | Truly, you bless the righteous, O Lord; you surround them with your goodwill as with a shield. |
| A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
| The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
| The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. | The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. |
| The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. | The Lord makes a man’s steps secure when he approves of his conduct. |
| The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. | The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. |
| Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. | Blessings are showered on the head of the righteous, but sorrow will cover the face of the wicked. |
| The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. | The lips of the righteous utter words of kindness, but the mouth of the wicked knows only how to pervert. |
| The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
| The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. | The hope of the righteous brings them joy, but the expectations of the wicked are frustrated. |
| Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. | Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will uphold you; he will never allow the righteous to waver. |
| The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. | And opens the eyes of those who cannot see. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. |
| Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. | Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he protects the souls of his faithful ones and rescues them from the hand of the wicked. |
| For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. | For the Lord loves the just, and he will not forsake his faithful ones. Those who follow evil paths will be destroyed, and the children of the wicked will be cut off. |
| Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. | Do not envy a violent man or choose to emulate any of his ways. For the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord whose friendship is bestowed only upon the upright. |
| But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. | But as for you, man of God, you must shun all this. Rather, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, fortitude, and gentleness. |
| This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” | These are the words of the Lord of hosts: Stand at the crossroads and look around; ask for the ancient paths. When you are shown where the good way lies, walk along it and your souls will find rest. However, they said, “We will not take it.” |
