No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. | No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. |
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. | Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. |
|
We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. | For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. |
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. | The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. |
The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. | Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us. |
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. | Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. |
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. | I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. |
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. | God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. |
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. | For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. |
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? | I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? |
Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. | That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. |
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. | Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. |
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. | But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. |
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. |
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. | Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. |
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. | Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. |
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? | For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? |
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. |
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? | For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? |
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. | Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. |
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. | Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. |
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. | Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. |
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” | Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” |
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. | Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. |
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. | No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. |