| For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. | For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. |
| And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. | With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints. |
| Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. | Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. |
| They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. | For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper. |
| Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. | Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves. |
| For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. | For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. |
| Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. | Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. |
| When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. | When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul. |
| Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. | Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. |
| Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. | A fool does not delight in understanding, But in revealing his own mind. |
| When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. | When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their evil way, then God relented of the disaster which He had declared He would bring on them. So He did not do it. |
| Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. | A fool always loses his temper, But a wise person holds it back. |
| Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. | Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. |
| The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. | The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little. |
| So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. | So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. |
| Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. | Therefore know today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. |
| Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. | Sober up morally and stop sinning, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. |
| Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. | For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. |
| Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
| Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. | So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. |
| Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. | Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. |
| They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. | All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. |
| Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! | If only they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it would go well with them and with their sons forever! |
| My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart. | My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. They are not to escape from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. |
| Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. | Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments. |
Bible verse of the day
Defend the weak and the fatherless;uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.