| For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. | To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. |
| For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. |
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| “Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. | Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. |
| Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. | Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. |
| I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. | My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. |
| We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. | In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. |
| How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. | How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. |
| You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. | All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. |
| God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. | Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. |
| For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. | For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. |
| Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ | Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ |
| God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. | If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. |
| For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. | For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. |
| Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. | Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. | Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. |
| “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” | “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” |
| 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. | Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
| Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. | Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. |
| I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. | I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. |
| Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. | Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. |
| For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. | For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. |
| Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. | Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. |
| I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. | I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. |
| Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt. | Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. |
| People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. | Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. |
