Indeed, persecution will afflict all who want to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus. | Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. |
Therefore, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials and to hold the wicked for punishment until the Day of Judgment. | Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. |
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Such godly sorrow results in repentance that leads to salvation and causes no regret, whereas worldly sorrow produces death. | For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. |
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. | For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. |
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. | As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. |
The wicked man borrows but neglects to repay, whereas the righteous man is generous in giving. | The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives. |
All day long the godless man continues to covet, whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly. | He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. |
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. | A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous. |
Truly, you bless the righteous, O Lord; you surround them with your goodwill as with a shield. | For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield. |
The labors of the wicked man produce little profit, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. | The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. |
The name of the Lord is a tower of strength; the upright man runs to it and finds refuge. | The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. |
The righteous is remembered with blessings, but the name of the wicked fades away. | The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. |
The Lord makes a man’s steps secure when he approves of his conduct. | The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. |
The tongue of the just man is like pure silver; the heart of the wicked is without worth. | The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. |
Blessings are showered on the head of the righteous, but sorrow will cover the face of the wicked. | Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. |
The lips of the righteous utter words of kindness, but the mouth of the wicked knows only how to pervert. | The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse. |
The father of a good man will rejoice; he who begets a wise son will delight in him. | The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. |
The hope of the righteous brings them joy, but the expectations of the wicked are frustrated. | The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. |
Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will uphold you; he will never allow the righteous to waver. | Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. |
And opens the eyes of those who cannot see. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. | The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous. |
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. | You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. |
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. | For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. |
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. | Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. |
But as for you, man of God, you must shun all this. Rather, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, fortitude, and gentleness. | But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. |
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.” | Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” |