| As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” | For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. |
| Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. | Call to me and I will answer you and reveal to you great and mysterious secrets about which you are unaware. |
| And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. | I will put my Spirit in you and make you follow my statutes and my ordinances. |
| And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law. | And ‘to love him with all your heart, and with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself,’ is worth more than any burnt offerings and sacrifices. |
| For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. | Indeed, the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it pierces to the point where it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the intentions of the heart. |
| Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. | Rather, grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for all eternity. Amen. |
| We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. | We have come to know and to believe in the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. |
| Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the Lord. | Let us examine and test our ways and return to the Lord. |
| In those days when you pray, I will listen. | When you call out to me and come forth and pray to me, I will listen to you. |
| The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. | The Lord makes poor and makes rich, he humbles and he also exalts. |
| Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. | And if then my people who bear my name humble themselves and pray to me and seek my presence as they turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land. |
| Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. | Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. |
| Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. |
| Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. | Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor too. |
| Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. | Anyone who has received my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. |
| The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. | The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. |
| Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” | Come to me, all you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest. |
| Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. | Grant justice to the weak and the orphan; defend the rights of the lowly and the poor. |
| Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. | Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor. |
| So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. | Then, after completing their fasting and prayer, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. |
| “Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. | Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn back to the Lord, your God. For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and always prepared to relent from punishing. |
| Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. | Examine me, O God, and know my heart; test me and understand my thoughts. See if I follow an evil way, and guide me on the way to eternity. |
| I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. | I reprove and discipline all those whom I love. Therefore, be sincere in your desire to repent. |
| Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. | Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. |
| The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. | The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. |
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