And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. | And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. |
The fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure. | Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. |
|
Repent and renounce all your transgressions. Otherwise your iniquity will prove to be your downfall. | Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! |
Who among you is wise and understanding? Prove by your good life that your works are done with the humility that comes from wisdom. | If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. |
Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so that you will be able to discern the will of God and to know what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. |
The way of God is blameless, and the Lord’s promise proves true; he is a shield to all who flee to him for safety. | God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. |
The way of God is blameless; the Lord’s promise has proved true. He is a shield to all who take refuge 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. |
I intend to prove the holiness of my great name which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. Thus, the nations will know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I will display my holiness in their sight. | I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord. |
Every word of God has proved to be true; he is a shield to those who trust in him. | Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. |
God is our refuge and our strength, a well-proved help in times of trouble. | God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. |
This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you love one another. | Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. |
Produce good fruit as proof of your repentance. | Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. |
By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. | When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. |
Test everything, and hold fast to what is good. Avoid every form of evil. | But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. |
Blessed is the man who perseveres when he is tempted, for when he has been proven, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. | God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. |
Indeed, it is seldom that anyone will die for a just person, although perhaps for a good person someone might be willing to die. Thus, God proved his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. | Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. |
Bring the tithes in full into the treasury so that there may be food in my house. Put me thus to the test, says the Lord of hosts, and see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down blessings upon you without measure. | “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” |
Therefore, brethren, be diligent in providing a firm foundation for your call and election. If you do this, you will never stumble, and you will receive a glorious welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
You might say to yourself, “How can we know that the Lord did not speak the message?” If what the prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord is not true and it does not happen, then the message was not proclaimed by the Lord. The prophet has spoken presumptuously, you should not fear him. | But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared. |
Hatred stirs up strife, but love overlooks all offenses. | Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. |
My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad. | My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! |
It is honorable to avoid strife, but every fool is quarrelsome. | Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. |
Or can a man walk on red-hot coals without scorching his feet? | Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? |
A gentle reply turns away wrath, but a harsh word arouses anger. | A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. |
A man’s ways may seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. | People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. |