This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. | Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. |
The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. | By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. |
We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. | As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. |
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. | Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. |
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. | And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. |
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. | And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. |
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. | No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. |
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! | How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! |
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. | Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. |
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. | In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. |
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. |
There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. | He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. |
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. | And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. |
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. | Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. |
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! | Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. |
No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. | There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. |
For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? | For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? |
For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? | For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? |
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. | For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. |
But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! | Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. |
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. | This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. |
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. | Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. |
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. | The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. |
And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. | And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. | The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. |
Bible verse of the day
For who is God except the Lord?Who but our God is a solid rock?