For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. | Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. |
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. | Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
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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. |
He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. | He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. |
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. | Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. |
It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. | Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. |
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? | No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” | And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” |
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. | For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. |
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. | Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. |
As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. | And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. |
Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. | Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. | Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! |
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. | In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. |
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. | I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! |
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. | Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. |
Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! | Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. |
Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? | No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. |
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! | So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. |
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. | Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. |
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. | But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! |
Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. | Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. |
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. | No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. |
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. | For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. |