He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me. | If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. |
For Yahweh takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. | For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. |
|
Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. | Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. |
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he 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 Yahweh your God; for Yahweh will not hold him 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 farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. | 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. |
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart; he who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man. | 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. |
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. | 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. |
Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you. | Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. |
It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man. | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. |
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in Yahweh. | So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! |
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice. | Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. |
Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh. | Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. |
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. |
And 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. |
In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. Let me never be disappointed. Deliver me in your righteousness. | O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. |
Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him. | The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. |
Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned. | But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. |
I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep 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. |
Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. | Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! |
He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” | Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” |
As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh’s word is tried. He is a shield to all those 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. |
When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out in the army, neither shall he be assigned any business. He shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife whom he has taken. | A newly married man must not be drafted into the army or be given any other official responsibilities. He must be free to spend one year at home, bringing happiness to the wife he has married. |
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. | A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. |
I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. | Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. |