Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. | Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. |
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything. | Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. |
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The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. | The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise. |
The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. | The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. |
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. | He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. |
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. | I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. |
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” | Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” |
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” | So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” |
What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. | Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. |
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. | There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. | A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. |
Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. | For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. |
A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. |
If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him. | If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive. |
Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. | Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. |
A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. | A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. |
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. |
A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. | God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. |
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. | For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. |
The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. | We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away. |
“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” | “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.” |
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” | Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. |
For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” | The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” |
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. | Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. |