| A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent person conceals dishonor. | A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. |
| A person has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! | Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! |
| But if the wicked person turns from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. | But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. |
| Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. | Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. |
| Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. | 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. |
| For if the willingness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. | Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. |
| How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. | How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. |
| A wicked person earns deceptive wages, But one who sows righteousness gets a true reward. | Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. |
| Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. | Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. |
| Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. |
| The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. | The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. |
| A prudent person sees evil and hides himself; But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty. | A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
| I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind. | Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. |
| For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? | And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? |
| We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles; nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified. | You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law. |
| Or can a person walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched? | Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? |
| A fool always loses his temper, But a wise person holds it back. | Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. |
| The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
| The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the Lord rescues him from them all. | The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. |
| Avoiding strife is an honor for a person, But any fool will quarrel. | Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |
| Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. | This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! |
| You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. | Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. |
| Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, he is still guilty and shall bear his punishment. | Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin. |
| Each one must do just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” |
| For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? | And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? |
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Bible verse of the day
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.