Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. | I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. |
Now a mediator involves more than one party; 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. |
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Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. | That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. |
A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. | Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. |
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. | A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. |
Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice. | Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. | There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. |
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals. | It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. |
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. |
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. | Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. |
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. | The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth. | I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. |
Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. | Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one. |
What is desirable in a person is loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. | Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. |
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. | Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. |
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? | That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? |
Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. | There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. |
How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath. | And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath. |
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. | Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. |
Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. | Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. |
The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. | The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these. |
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? | Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? |
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. | Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! |
Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who 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. |