Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Indeed, persecution will afflict all who want to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus. |
Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment. | Therefore, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials and to hold the wicked for punishment until the Day of Judgment. |
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For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. | Such godly sorrow results in repentance that leads to salvation and causes no regret, whereas worldly sorrow produces death. |
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. | For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to the entire human race. It teaches us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and in the present age to lead lives that are temperate, just, and godly. |
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. | His divine power has bestowed on us everything that is necessary for life and for devotion through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue. |
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. | The wicked man borrows but neglects to repay, whereas the righteous man is generous in giving. |
All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. | All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. |
Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. | Preferable is the little that the righteous possess than the great wealth of the wicked. For the power of the wicked will be overcome, but the Lord protects the righteous. |
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield. | Truly, you bless the righteous, O Lord; you surround them with your goodwill as with a shield. |
The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. | The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. |
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. | The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. |
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. | The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. |
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way. | The Lord makes a man’s steps secure when he approves of his conduct. |
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. | The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. |
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. | Blessings are showered on the head of the righteous, but sorrow will cover the face of the wicked. |
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. | The lips of the righteous utter words of kindness, but the mouth of the wicked knows only how to pervert. |
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. | The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. |
The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. | The hope of the righteous brings them joy, but the expectations of the wicked are frustrated. |
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. | Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will uphold you; he will never allow the righteous to waver. |
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. | And opens the eyes of those who cannot see. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. |
O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. | Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he protects the souls of his faithful ones and rescues them from the hand of the wicked. |
For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. | For the Lord loves the just, and he will not forsake his faithful ones. Those who follow evil paths will be destroyed, and the children of the wicked will be cut off. |
Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. | Do not envy a violent man or choose to emulate any of his ways. For the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord whose friendship is bestowed only upon the upright. |
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. | But as for you, man of God, you must shun all this. Rather, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, fortitude, and gentleness. |
Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” | These are the words of the Lord of hosts: Stand at the crossroads and look around; ask for the ancient paths. When you are shown where the good way lies, walk along it and your souls will find rest. However, they said, “We will not take it.” |