| So we must not fall asleep as the others do, but we must stay alert and sober. | So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. |
| The grass may wither and the flower may fade, but the word of our God will endure forever. | The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. |
| O Lord, you have examined me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I stand; you perceive my thoughts from a distance. | You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. |
| But I have had help from God to this very day, and I stand here and testify to both the lowly and the great. I assert nothing more than what the Prophets and Moses said would occur: that the Christ must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to the people and to the Gentiles. | But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles. |
| No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a pot or places it under a bed. Rather he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. | No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. |
| Therefore, my beloved brethren, stand firm and immovable, devoting yourselves completely to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. | Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. |
| While he was departing as they gazed upward toward the sky, suddenly two men dressed in white robes stood beside them, and they said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking up into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” | They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” |
| But as for me, I will look to the Lord. I place my hope in God my savior; my God will hear me. | But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. |
| No trial has confronted you except what a person can stand. God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. But together with the trial he will also provide a way out and the strength to bear it. | No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. |
| You are from your father, the devil, and you choose to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he does not abide by the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks in accord with his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. | You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. |
| Nor would someone light a lamp and then put it under a basket; rather, it is placed upon a lampstand so that it may afford light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine so that it can be seen by others; this will enable them to observe your good works and give praise to your Father in heaven. | Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. |
| Persevere in prayer, with alert minds and thankful hearts. | Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. |
| My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come to behold the face of God? | My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? |
| Ensure that the path you tread is level, and then your ways will be sure. | Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. |
| Brethren, if anyone is detected committing a transgression, you who are spiritual must set him right in a spirit of gentleness. Meanwhile, you should take care so that you yourselves are not tempted. | Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. |
| Guard your heart with all possible vigilance, for from it flow the wellsprings of life. | Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. |
| The end of all things is near. Therefore, lead disciplined lives and be watchful in prayer. | The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. |
| Every word you utter is true, and all your righteous judgments are everlasting. | All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. |
| The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. | The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry. |
| I will instruct you and guide you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and keep my eyes upon you. | I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. |
| Be on guard against false prophets who come to you disguised in sheep’s clothing, but who inwardly are ravenous wolves. | Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. |
| O Lord, do not withhold your mercy from me; may your kindness and your truth keep me safe forever. | Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. |
| Therefore, take care to live as intelligent people, and do not be like those who are senseless. Make the most of the present time, for this is a wicked age. | Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. |
| Remain sober and alert, for your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. | Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. |
| Can anyone withhold the water of baptism from these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? | Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. |
Bible verse of the day
A man may plan his own course,but the Lord makes his steps secure.