| This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. | This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. |
| Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. | All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” |
|
| For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. | For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. |
| And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. | If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. |
| Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. | Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. |
| Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. | Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham. |
| As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. | God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. |
| Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. | But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. |
| As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. | God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. |
| And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. | And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
| Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. | Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. |
| O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. | Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! |
| Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. | You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. |
| And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? | Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? |
| The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. | The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. |
| He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. | He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! |
| There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. | There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. |
| For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. | For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. |
| For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. |
| Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? | And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. |
| Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. | Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. |
| Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. | What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. |
| Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
| Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
| The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. | Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. |
