In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. | Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. |
I, I am he who comforts you; why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die, a human being who fades like grass? | I, I alone, am the one who comforts you. Why then do you fear mortal men who must die, human beings who must perish like grass? |
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With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? | With the Lord to protect me I am not afraid. What can mortals do to me? |
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. | Be doers of the word and not just hearers who only deceive themselves. |
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me? | In God, whose word I praise, in God I place my trust and know no fear; what can people do to me? |
So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” | Therefore, we can say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” |
What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? | What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? |
For they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.” It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. | For they said to you, “In the final age there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly passions.” It is these people who create divisions, who follow their natural instincts and do not possess the Spirit. |
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. | For you are aware that you were ransomed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. |
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. | Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. |
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. | The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. |
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. | When you pray do not go on babbling endlessly as the pagans do, for they believe that they are more likely to be heard because of their many words. |
Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God's sight. | Do not seek to adorn yourself externally—by the braiding of your hair and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothing. Rather, let your adornment be of your inner self, the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. |