| Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. | Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! |
| No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. | 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. |
| How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” | How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” |
| By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. | By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. |
| And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. | While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. |
| Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. | Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. |
| In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. | This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. |
| Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. | Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. |
| For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. | For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. |
| As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. | Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. |
| And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. |
| Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. | Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. |
| Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. | Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. |
| For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. | For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. |
| Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. | This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. |
| There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. | There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. |
| And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. | So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. |
| For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? | For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? |
| Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. | Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. |
| For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? | For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? |
| What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. | What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. |
| Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. | Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. |
| The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. | The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. |
| Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. | Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. |
| This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. | This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. |
Bible verse of the day
Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.