So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. | Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you then will truly be free. |
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! | Stay awake and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. |
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Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. | Give proper consideration to those widows who are truly in need. |
Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. | Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets. |
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. | Indeed, persecution will afflict all who want to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus. |
Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. | Now, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession from among all the peoples, for the entire earth is mine. |
“Listen to me and make up your minds to honor my name,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “or I will bring a terrible curse against you. I will curse even the blessings you receive. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you have not taken my warning to heart.” | If you refuse to listen to me and do not sincerely resolve to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse on you, and I will turn your blessings into a curse. Indeed, I have already done so because you have not heeded my warning. |
My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! | My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. |
Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. | For all of us fall short in many ways. Anyone who never makes a mistake in speech has reached perfection and is able to control every part of his body. |
In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. | Indeed, under the Law almost everything is purified by blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. |
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. | Therefore, encourage one another and strengthen one another, as indeed you are doing. |
And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. | Moreover, the one to whom God grants wealth and possessions and the ability to enjoy them and to find contentment in his toil receives a gift from God. |
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. | For we will become partners with Christ only if we maintain firmly until the end the confidence we originally had. |
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. | And let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it was for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful. |
I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. | I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I am. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. |
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. | Keep in mind, therefore, that the Lord, your God, is God. He is a faithful God who keeps his covenant of mercy to the thousandth generation toward those who love him and observe his commandments. |
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” | Indeed, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” |
For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? | Indeed, who is God except the Lord? Who is the Rock besides our God? |
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. | Indeed, creation itself eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God. |
Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” | Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” |
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” | Then Jesus said to those Jews who did believe in him, “If you remain faithful to my word, you will truly be my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” |
You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. | You are truly my rock and my fortress; for the sake of your name, lead and guide me. |
And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. | Who indeed conquers the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? |
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. | Although we are human beings, we do not engage in battle according to human standards. |
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. | Indeed, the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it pierces to the point where it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the intentions of the heart. |