Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. | If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. |
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. | For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. |
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Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. | Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. |
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. | Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. |
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. | You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. |
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. | I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. |
The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others. | Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. |
This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. | Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. |
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. | Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. |
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. | So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! |
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. |
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. | Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. |
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. |
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. | I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. |
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. | Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. |
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. | Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. |
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. | Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. |
The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. | A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. | Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. |
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! | I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live! |
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. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! |
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge 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. |
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. | I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. |