| So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. | So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. |
| Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! | Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is 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 recognition to those widows who are really in need. |
| Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. | Surely the Sovereign Lord 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. | In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. |
| 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 obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole 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 do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.” |
| 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. |
| 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. | We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. |
| In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. | In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with 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 build each other up, just as in fact 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, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of 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. | We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. |
| 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. | Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And 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 after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. 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. | Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. |
| For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” | For, “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? | For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? |
| For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. | For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. |
| 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’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in 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.” | To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then 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. | Since you are 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 is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. |
| We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. | For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. |
| 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. | For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. |
