Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” | And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” |
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. | Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one. |
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But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. | But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. |
Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come. | You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. |
He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. | If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. |
From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” | From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” |
Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. | Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. |
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you. | But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! |
Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. | Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. |
They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” | A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” |
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. | Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. |
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. | God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. |
Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. | And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath. |
Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” | Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” |
But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. | Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. |
When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.” | When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” |
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. | Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! |
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? | And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? |
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. | For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. |
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. | If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. |
I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. | And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. |
She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins. | And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. |
Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. | Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! |
Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. | Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. |
Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets. | Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. |