Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. | Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with your whole heart, considering the great things he has done for you. |
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. | I consider that the sufferings we presently endure are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed in us. |
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Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! | Consider the ravens. They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn, and yet God feeds them. You are of far greater importance than birds. |
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. | When things are going well, be grateful for your blessings, and in times of adversity consider this: God has made both of them, so that we cannot predict with confidence what the future holds. |
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. | And let us consider how to spur one another to love and good works. Do not neglect to attend your assemblies, as some do, but rather encourage one another, especially since you can see the Day approaching. |
It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. | It is rash to pledge a sacred gift, or to make a vow and then have second thoughts. |
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? | Why do you take note of the splinter in your brother’s eye but do not notice the wooden plank in your own eye? |
Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. | Thus you could understand that the Lord, your God, was disciplining you, just like a father disciplines his son. |
Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. | So today acknowledge it and take it to heart that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. There is no other. |
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. | Each of us must consider his neighbor’s good for the purpose of building him up. |
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. | Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. |
Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. | Blessed is the man whom God reproves. Therefore, do not reject the discipline of the Almighty. |
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” | But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or how tall he stands, for the Lord has rejected him. He does not see the way that men see, for men look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” |
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. | If you would seriously consider my reproof, I would pour out my thoughts to you and make my precepts known to you. |
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. | You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain, for the Lord will not consider blameless those who take his name in vain. |
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. | Live in harmony with one another. Do not consider yourself to be better than others, but associate with the lowly, and never be conceited. |
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. | If anyone thinks that he is religious but does not restrain his tongue, he is deceiving himself, and his religion is worthless. |
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. | One person may consider one day to be more sacred than another, while another may judge all days to be alike. Let everyone be convinced in his own beliefs. |
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. | As for me, I do not regard my life as of any value, only that I finish the race and complete the mission that I received from the Lord Jesus—to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace. |
Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. | Recognizing that laws are not designed for the upright. They are for the lawless and insubordinate, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and irreligious; they are for those who slay their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for those who are fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which has been entrusted to me. |