I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. | I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. |
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. | The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. |
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Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. | Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. |
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. | As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! |
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. | The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. |
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. | It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. |
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. | The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. |
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. | The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. |
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. | For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. |
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. | The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. |
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. | The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. |
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. | The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. |
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. | Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. |
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. | The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. |
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. | Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. |
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous. | The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. |
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. | Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” |
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. | With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous. |
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. | Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. |
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. | We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. |
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. | The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. |
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. | Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. |
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. | The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. |