As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. | For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. |
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. |
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Give proper consideration to those widows who are truly in need. | Honor widows who are really widows. |
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. | But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. |
Does it now appear to you that I am trying to gain the approval of human beings rather than the approval of God? Am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. | Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. |
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not allow myself to be dominated by anything. | “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. |
Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. | Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. |
And yet he is aware of everywhere I go; if he were to test me, I would emerge like pure gold. My footsteps have not strayed from the path he established; I have followed his way and never turned aside. | But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. |
The Lord abhors lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful. | Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. |
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill them. | Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. |
For our eyes are fixed not on what is seen but rather on that which cannot be seen. What is visible is transitory; what is invisible is eternal. | Because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. |
But you, O Lord, are a shield to protect me; you are my glory and the one who raises my head high. | But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. |
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. | Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. |
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in accord with the law of the Lord. | Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. |
Fix your thoughts on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. | Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. |
What right do you have to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? The master will determine whether that servant will stand or fall. But the servant will be upheld, for the Lord has the power to enable him to stand. | Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. |
Indeed, the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. | For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. |
If in speaking I use human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. | If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. |
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but humbly regard others as better than yourselves. | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. |
Or can a man walk on red-hot coals without scorching his feet? | Or can one walk on hot coals without scorching the feet? |
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. | Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. |
Do not be afraid or dismayed, the Lord will go before you; he will not fail or forsake you. | It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. |
Do not swerve either to the right or to the left; keep your foot far from evil. | Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. |
And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. |
Every good act of giving and every perfect gift are from above, coming down from the Father of all light. With him there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. | Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. |