Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. | In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents. |
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. | If you would seriously consider my reproof, I would pour out my thoughts to you and make my precepts known to you. |
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The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. | My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a contrite and humble heart, O God, you will not spurn. |
Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. | Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. |
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. | Let us examine and test our ways and return to the Lord. |
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. | The tax collector, however, stood some distance away and would not even raise his eyes to heaven. Rather, he kept beating his breast as he said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ |
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. | When God saw by their actions that they had turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not inflict upon them the punishment that he had threatened. |