It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. | For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. |
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. | This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. |
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Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. | Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. |
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. |
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. |
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. | So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. |
My child, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. | In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents. |
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. | And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. |
And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” | “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” |
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. | Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. |
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. |
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. | But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. |
I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. | I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. |
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” | Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” |
For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. | Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. |
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. | So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. |
Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” | Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” |
But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. | But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. |
As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. | For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. |
You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. | For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. |
And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever. | And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. |
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. | May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. |
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. | I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. |
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” | Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” |