But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” | But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or how tall he stands, for the Lord has rejected him. He does not see the way that men see, for men look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” |
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? | If anyone is rich in worldly possessions and sees a brother in need but refuses to open his heart, how can the love of God abide in him? |
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But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. | But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees everything that is done in secret will reward you. |
But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. | But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Your almsgiving must be done in secret. And your Father who sees everything that is done in secret will reward you. |
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. | But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that the fact that you are fasting will not be obvious to others but only to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees everything that is done in secret will reward you. |
And he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ | In the netherworld, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham, far off, and Lazarus by his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ |
For we live by believing and not by seeing. | For we walk by faith, not by sight. |
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” | Then Jesus said to him, “You have come to believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” |
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. | There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it leads to death. |
For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. | For the Son of Man has come to seek out and to save what was lost. |
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. | A perverse man sows strife, and a tale-bearer destroys close friendships. |
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. | Reflect on the Lord and his strength; seek his face continually. |
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. | For our eyes are fixed not on what is seen but rather on that which cannot be seen. What is visible is transitory; what is invisible is eternal. |
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. | Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. |
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. | Seek the Lord while he still may be found; call to him when he is close at hand. |
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. | And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are peacemakers. |
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. |
And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. | Therefore, I say to you: ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. |
Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction. | Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land who obey his commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; then perhaps you may find shelter on the day of the Lord’s anger. |
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; if he closes his lips, he is regarded as intelligent. |
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. | Rather, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. |
If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. 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. |
But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval. | Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal. |
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. | And learn to do good. Pursue justice and rescue the oppressed; listen to the plea of the orphan and defend the widow. |
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. | Remember this: if you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly, and if you sow generously, you will reap generously as well. |