Bible verses about "cooperation" | NSB

¹ The entire world had one language and common words. ² As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar (Babylon) and settled there. ³ They said to each other: »Let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.« They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. ⁴ Then they said: »Let us build ourselves a city, with a lofty tower that reaches into space, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.«

¹² Finally, Moses was so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. They stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset.

³ Men came to him carrying a paralyzed man.

⁷ He summoned the twelve and sent them forth in pairs. They were given authority over the unclean spirits.

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they entered the city they went to the upper chamber where they were staying. Included were Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealous one, and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ They all continued united in earnest prayer. The women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers were also there.

¹ Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: »You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses.« ² Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question. ³ The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers. ⁴ Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them. ⁵ The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: »It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.« ⁶ The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. ⁷ After much discussion Peter got up and said: »Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. ⁸ »God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. ⁹ »He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ »Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? ¹¹ »We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are.« ¹² The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations. ¹³ When they finished talking James said: »Brothers listen to me: ¹⁴ »Simeon declared how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵ »The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: ¹⁶ »I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) ¹⁷ »That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12) ¹⁸ »Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ¹⁹ »Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. ²⁰ »We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. ²¹ »Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day.« ²² The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers. ²³ They wrote letters as follows: »The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. ²⁴ »Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! ²⁵ »It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. ²⁶ »These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ »We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. ²⁸ »For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. ²⁹ »You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).« ³⁰ So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the crowd together, they delivered the letter. ³¹ When they read it they rejoiced over the encouragement. ³² Judas and Silas, being prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. ³³ After they stayed there a while in peace, the brothers sent them back to the apostles. ³⁴ It pleased Silas to stay there. ³⁵ Paul and Barnabas stayed at Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of God, with many others also. ³⁶ After time passed Paul said to Barnabas: »Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the Word of God, and see how they are doing.« ³⁷ Barnabas decided to take John, whose surname was Mark, with them. ³⁸ Paul did not think it a good idea to take him with them. So he left them at Pamphylia. ³⁹ Their disagreement was so great between them that they parted company. So Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. ⁴⁰ Paul chose Silas, and departed, being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of God. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.

¹ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed (set apart) for the good news of God, ² He promised this long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. ³ This is about his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who came from the seed of David according to the flesh. ⁴ He was declared to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, respecting his name. ⁶ You are among those called to Jesus Christ. ⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be holy ones: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ First, I thank my God for all of you through Jesus Christ, for your faith is reported throughout the whole world. ⁹ God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (whole heart and mind) in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. ¹⁰ I pray that I might by the will of God successfully come to you. ¹¹ I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened, ¹² that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I want you to know, brothers, that I was often determined to come to you, but was hindered until now, that I might have some fruit among you as well as the rest of the nations. ¹⁴ I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise. ¹⁵ I am ready to preach the good news to you in Rome also. ¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the good news; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who exerts active faith (believes), to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ It reveals the righteousness of God from faith-to-faith for it is written: »The righteous shall live by faith.« ¹⁸ The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. ¹⁹ That which is known about God is clear to them, for God revealed it to them. ²⁰ His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse, ²¹ for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools. ²³ They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. ²⁴ God gave them up to uncleanness because of the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. ²⁵ They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ²⁶ For this cause God gave them up to vile affections for even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. ²⁷ Also the men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust, one toward another; men with men working that which is obscene. They receive full recompense due for their error. ²⁸ They did not like to retain God in their knowledge, so God gave them over to a reprobate (depraved) mind, to do things that are not fitting. ²⁹ They are filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, and unmerciful. ³² They know the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death! And yet, they not only do the same, but also approve of those who do them.

²⁰ »I pray, not for these alone but for those who will believe in me through their word. ²¹ »May they all be united (in agreement) as one. Just as you, Father, are with me, and I am with you. Help them be united with us! That way the world may believe that you sent me.

⁸ There is a man who is by himself, without a companion. He is without son or brother. There is no end to all his work. He never has enough wealth. Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. He never asks: »For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?« This too is vanity and a terrible problem. ⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. ¹⁰ If they fall, the one will lift up his companion. Woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him. ¹¹ If two lies down together they keep warm. How can one be warm alone? ¹² One can be overpowered by another, two can withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

⁴⁰ Let all things be done decently and in order.

¹ ([Psalm of David]) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

³ Diligently try to keep the unity (oneness) of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁶ So we went on building the wall. The entire wall was joined together halfway up. The people were working hard.

³ »Will two walk together, except they cooperate (collaborate) (have an agreement)?

²² But you know of his proven worth. It was like a son with his father that he served with me to further the good news. ²³ I hope to send him as soon as I see how it goes with me. ²⁴ I trust in the Lord that I also will come shortly. ²⁵ I find it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. He is my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need. ²⁶ He longed to see you and was worried because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ Indeed he was sick and near to death. But God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but also on me, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I have sent him quickly, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy. Hold such in honor ³⁰ because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

¹ If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender affection (tender mercy) and compassions, ² make my joy full by being of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one purpose. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others more important than you. ⁴ Look out for the interest of others and not only for your own personal interest. ⁵ Have this attitude (mind-set) (understanding) (mental state) in you that was also in Christ Jesus. ⁶ He existed in the form (shape and nature) of God but did not try to be equal with God. He did not even consider it! ⁷ He emptied (humbled) himself by taking the form of a servant. He was made in the likeness of men. ⁸ He obtained the appearance as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient even to death, yes, death on the stake. ⁹ For this reason God highly exalted him, and gave to him the name that is above every name, (Relative authority given by Jehovah God, the Father to His Son) (Philipians 2:11) ¹⁰ that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹² My beloved, you have always obeyed, not just in my presence, but now much more in my absence. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ It is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without complaining (grumbling) (murmuring) and questioning (disputing). ¹⁵ That way you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. You are seen as lights in the world. ¹⁶ Hold fast to the word of life so I may rejoice in the day of Christ. That way I will not have labored in vain. ¹⁷ If I am offered for the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ You should also rejoice in the same manner. ¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly that I may be encouraged when I know your circumstances. ²⁰ For I have no man likeminded, who will truly care for you. ²¹ They all seek their own interest and not the things of Jesus Christ.