And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. | Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. |
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust 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. |
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Let all your things be done with charity. | And do everything with love. |
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. | Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. |
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. | Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. |
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. | And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. |
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. | That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. |
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. | Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. |
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. | A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ |
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. | I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. |
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. | After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. |
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. | The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. |
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. | Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. |
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. | I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! |
Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. | Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes. |
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. | Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. |
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. | And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. |
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. | Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you. |
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. | Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. |
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! | How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. |
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. | There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. |
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. | So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. |
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. | I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. |
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. | But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. |
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. | Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. |