| This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. | This is the message that we have heard from him and that we declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. |
| For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. | For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all is God. |
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| If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. | If he refuses to listen to them, report it to the Church. And if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. |
| Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. | Finally, brethren, let your minds be filled with whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, whatever is excellent, whatever is worthy of praise. |
| All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). | All this took place in order to fulfill what the Lord had announced through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” a name that means “God is with us.” |
| What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. | A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. |
| For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. | For the word of the Lord is true, and he is faithful in everything he does. |
| You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. | Dear children, you are from God and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. |
| And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. | And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. |
| Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. | Love is patient; love is charitable. Love is not envious; it does not have an inflated opinion of itself; it is not filled with its own importance. Love is never rude; it does not seek its own advantage. It is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over setbacks. |
| Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. | Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. |
| As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. | The way of God is blameless, and the Lord’s promise proves true; he is a shield to all who flee to him for safety. |
| As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. | The way of God is blameless; the Lord’s promise has proved true. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. |
| A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. | Now an intermediary is not necessary when there is only one party, and God is one. |
| Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. | Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. |
| For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | For the wages of sin is death, but the gift freely given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
| The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. | The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. |
| Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. | Who indeed conquers the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? |
| Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. | Great is the Lord and worthy of the highest praise; no one can even begin to comprehend his greatness. |
| Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. | Do not withhold kindness from anyone to whom it is due when it is in your power to grant it. |
| Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. |
| Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” | He replied, “What is impossible for men is possible for God.” |
| Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? | Now who is going to harm you if you are eager to do what is right? |
| The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. |
| There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free man, there is no longer male or female. For all of you are one in Christ Jesus. |
