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 as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. |
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 the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. |
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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 from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor 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, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of 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. | So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, 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. | Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was 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 one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has 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 who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” |
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 wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the 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 the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has 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 whoever believes 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 who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has 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 became 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 the 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. | No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor 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, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? |
For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? | For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except 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 my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. |
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 is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to 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 hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what 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 testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. |
Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. | What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. |