In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. | This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. |
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ | A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ |
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But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. | But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. |
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. | And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. |
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. | Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. |
Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. | Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. |
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” | Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” |
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. | Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. |
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. | Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. |
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. | But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. |
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. | So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. |
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. | But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. |
And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. | Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. |
For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law. | When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. |
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. | God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. |
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. | But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. |
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. | God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. |
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. | You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” |
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. |
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. | This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. |
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. |
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. |
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. | He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. |
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. | Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. |
A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. | And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. |