| For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. |
| Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! | This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! |
|
| The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. | The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. |
| I desire to do your will, 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. |
| We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. | And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. |
| Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. | Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. |
| A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
| The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. | God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. |
| Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. | People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. |
| For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. | For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. |
| My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. | This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. |
| The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. | The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. |
| But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” | But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” |
| God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. |
| Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. | Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. |
| Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. |
| Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. | A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
| All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. | The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom. |
| Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. | Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. |
| And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ | A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ |
| He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. | He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. |
| But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. | But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. |
| It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. |
| How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. | How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! |
| No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. | No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. |
