| In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents. | Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. |
| I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. | That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. |
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| May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. |
| Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. | Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. |
| For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” | For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. |
| Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. | Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. |
| We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. | Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. |
| So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. | There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. |
| 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. | And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. |
| Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” | And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. |
| Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. | And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. |
| Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. | Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. |
| He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. | In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. |
| May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. | And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. |
| The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. | But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. |
| The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. | For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. |
| The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. | The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. |
| Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. | As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. |
| You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. | Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. |
| Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. | The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. |
| So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. | Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. |
| Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. |
| But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. | But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. |
| What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? | What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? |
| Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. | Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. |
