As long as the goodwill is present, the gift will be acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. | For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. |
If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. | If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. |
The entire community of believers was united in heart and soul. No one claimed any of his possessions as his own, for everything was held in common. | Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. |
Therefore, prepare your minds for action. Be calm and fix your hopes completely on the grace that you will be granted at the revelation of Jesus Christ. | Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. |
When my anxious thoughts multiplied, your comfort filled my soul with joy. | In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. |
Persevere in prayer, with alert minds and thankful hearts. | Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. |
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only delights in expressing his own opinions. | A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. |
For as it is written, “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has the human heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” | But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” |
When God saw by their actions that they had turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not inflict upon them the punishment that he had threatened. | Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. |
A fool gives free rein to his anger, but a wise man bides his time and calms it. | A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. |
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and offered worship and service to the creature rather than to the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural practices. Likewise, men gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameful acts with men and received in their own persons the fitting penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since these people did not see fit to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their depraved way of thinking and to all types of vile behavior. | Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. |
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. | Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. |
The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. | The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. |
Remain sober and alert, for your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. |
Banish grief from your heart and ignore the sufferings of your body, for youth and the prime of life are fleeting. | Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity. |
So today acknowledge it and take it to heart that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. There is no other. | Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. |
Come to your senses and sin no more. For some of you have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. | Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. |
Those who live according to the flesh fix their attention on the things of the flesh, while those who live according to the Spirit set their thoughts on spiritual things. | For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. |
Each person should give as much as he has decided in his heart, not with reluctance or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. |
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. | Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering. |
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled; be not afraid. | Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. |
All of these were constantly engaged in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. | These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. |
Therefore, let us cease passing judgment on one another, but rather judge never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. | Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. |
Oh, that they would have fear of me in their hearts and they would observe all of my commandments always. Then things would go well with them and their children forever. | Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever! |
In all of your prayers and entreaties, pray always in the Spirit. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. | Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. |
Related topics
World
Do not love the...
Spirit
Now this Lord is...
Joy
Rejoice always; pray continually...
Worrying
Do not worry about...
Prayer
Rejoice always; pray continually...
Encouragement
Do not be afraid...