The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
Honor widows who are really widows. | Give proper consideration to those widows who are truly in need. |
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Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” | Now in regard to the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, we know that idols are nothing in the world and that there is only one God. |
When you realize your guilt in any of these, you shall confess the sin that you have committed. | Therefore, when someone is guilty of any one of these things, he shall confess the sin he has committed. |
Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another. | Just as water reflects one’s face, so does one human heart reflect another. |
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. | Some friends can lead us to ruin, but a true friend is closer than a brother. |
For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. | And if one should fall, his companion will help him up. How pathetic is the man who is alone and falls and has no one to assist him to his feet. |
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. | This is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. |
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | Do you not realize that you are God’s temple, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? |
Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Therefore, do not allow anyone to pass judgment on you in regard to what you eat or drink, or about the observance of Festivals, New Moons, or Sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come. The reality is Christ. |
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. | This is how we know what love is: he laid down his life for us, and we in turn must be prepared to lay down our lives for our brethren. |
If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him. | If you know me, then you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him. You have seen him. |
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. | Their eyes were opened and they realized that they were naked. They took fig leaves and sewed them together, making themselves a covering. |
When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. | When I realized that my foot was slipping, your kindness, O Lord, raised me up. |
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. | Teach us to comprehend how few our days are so that our hearts may be filled with wisdom. |
If any of you sin without knowing it, doing any of the things that by the Lord's commandments ought not to be done, you have incurred guilt, and are subject to punishment. | When someone sins and does any of the things that the Lord has forbidden, even if he does not realize he did it, he has still committed an offense and must bear his guilt. |
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. | Blessed be the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. |
And those who are in the flesh cannot please God. | Those who live according to the flesh can never be pleasing to God. |
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. | Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the conviction about things that cannot be seen. |
As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him. | But as for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and therefore you do not need anyone to teach you. This same anointing teaches you everything and is true and not false, so abide in him just as he taught you. |
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. | Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. | Be on guard against false prophets who come to you disguised in sheep’s clothing, but who inwardly are ravenous wolves. |
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. | Let your love be sincere. Loathe what is evil and hold fast to what is good. |
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? | Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to my Father for help and he will not immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels? |
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God. | Indeed, creation itself eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God. |