Romans 4 Cross References - NSB

¹ What shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? ² If Abraham was declared righteous by works, he could boast, but not to God. ³ For what does the scriptures say? »Abraham believed Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.« (Genesis 15:6) ⁴ The pay is counted to the man who works. It is not as grace but as a debt. ⁵ He who does not work but believes in him who justifies (absolves) the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ⁶ David also pronounces blessing on the man, to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, ⁷ saying: »Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. ⁸ »Blessed is the man to whom, Jehovah will not impute sin.« (Psalm 32:2) ⁹ Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say: »To Abraham his faith was counted for righteousness.« ¹⁰ How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: ¹¹ He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while he was not circumcised. That way he could be the father of all those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them. ¹² The father of circumcision to those who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham that he had when he was not circumcised. ¹³ The promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world was not through the law but through righteousness by faith. ¹⁴ If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. ¹⁵ The law produces wrath (violent passion) (indignation). But where there is no law there is no sin. ¹⁶ For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace (divine influence) (loving-kindness). The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. ¹⁷ It is written: »I have made you a father of many nations.« [This was] in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist. ¹⁸ In hope against hope Abraham believed that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken: »So your descendants will be.« ¹⁹ Not being weak in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ Yet, he looked to the promise of God. He did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith. He gave the glory to God! ²¹ He was fully assured that what he had promised, he was able to perform. ²² »It was counted to him as righteousness.« ²³ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was counted to him. ²⁴ It is also for our sake, to whom it shall be counted, who believe in him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵ who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification (acquittal).

³ »I will bless those who bless you. I will curse whoever curses you. All the people on earth will be blessed through you.«

¹² »When the Egyptians see you, they will say: ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but will let you live. ¹³ »Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake, and my life will be spared because of you.«

¹⁸ So Pharaoh summoned Abram. »What have you done to me?« he asked. »Why did you not tell me she was your wife?

²⁰ Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

⁵ He brought him outside and said: »Look toward heaven and count the stars. Are you able to count them?« He continued: »So shall your descendants be.« ⁶ He believed in Jehovah. Jehovah considered Abram’s faith as his righteousness.

⁶ He believed in Jehovah. Jehovah considered Abram’s faith as his righteousness.

¹⁶ »They shall come back here in the fourth generation. The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.«

¹ Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. ² She said to Abram: »Jehovah has kept me from having children. Go sleep with my maidservant. Perhaps I can build a family through her.« Abram agreed to what Sarai said. ³ After Abram lived in Canaan ten years, Sarai, his wife, gave her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to her husband to be his wife.

¹ Abram was ninety-nine years old. Jehovah appeared to him and said: »I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless.

⁴ »This is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.

⁴ »This is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. ⁵ »You will no longer be called Abram (Exalted Father). Your name will be Abraham (means Father of Many). I have made you a father of many nations.

⁵ »You will no longer be called Abram (Exalted Father). Your name will be Abraham (means Father of Many). I have made you a father of many nations. ⁶ »I will make you very fruitful. I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.

¹⁰ »This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

¹⁰ »This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. ¹¹ »You are to undergo circumcision. It will be the sign of the covenant between us.

¹⁶ »I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.« ¹⁷ Abraham fell to his face. He laughed and said to himself: »Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?«

²⁰ »Concerning Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him. I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

²³ On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. ²⁴ Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised. ²⁵ His son Ishmael was thirteen. ²⁶ Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that same day. ²⁷ Every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

¹¹ Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age. Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. ¹² Therefore Sarah laughed within herself. She said to herself: »After I have grown old, shall I have a baby? My lord is old also.« ¹³ Jehovah said to Abraham: »Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' ¹⁴ »Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life. Sarah shall have a son!«

¹⁴ »Is anything too hard for Jehovah? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life. Sarah shall have a son!«

⁹ Then Abimelech called Abraham. He said to him: »What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you? You have brought a great sin on me and on my kingdom. You have done to me things that ought not to be done.« ¹⁰ Abimelech also asked Abraham: »What were you thinking when you did this?« ¹¹ Abraham said: »I thought that because there are no people who reverence God in this place, I would be killed because of my wife. ¹² »Besides, she is my sister. She is my father’s daughter, but not my mother’s. She is also my wife. ¹³ »When God had me leave my father’s home and travel around, I said to her: 'Do me a favor: Wherever we go, say that I am your brother.'«

¹⁷ ‘»I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of their enemies’ cities. ¹⁸ ‘»All the nations will ask me to bless them as I have blessed your descendants. This is because you obeyed my command.’«

¹ Abraham married another woman. Her name was Keturah. ² She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. ³ Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan, and the descendants of Dedan were the Asshurim, the Letushim, and the Leummim. ⁴ The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah’s descendants. ⁵ Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. ⁶ While Abraham was still alive, he gave gifts to the sons of Hagar and Keturah. He also sent their sons to live in the east far from his son Isaac. ⁷ Abraham lived one hundred and seventy-five years. ⁸ Then he took his last breath and died at a very old age. After a long and full life, he joined his ancestors in death. ⁹ His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre. ¹⁰ This was the field Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. Abraham and Sarah his wife were buried there. ¹¹ After the death of Abraham, God blessed his son Isaac. Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi. (The Well of the Living One, My Beholder). ¹² This is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maid, bore to Abraham. ¹³ These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam ¹⁴ and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, ¹⁵ Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. ¹⁶ These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps: twelve leaders according to their tribes. ¹⁷ Ishmael lived one hundred and thirty-seven years. Then he died and was gathered to his ancestors. ¹⁸ His descendants lived as nomads from the region of Havilah to Shur. This is near Egypt, in the direction of Assyria. He died in the presence of all his brothers. ¹⁹ This is the genealogy of Abraham’s son Isaac and his descendants. Abraham was the father of Isaac. ²⁰ Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram, and sister of Laban the Aramean. ²¹ Isaac prayed to Jehovah for his wife because she was childless. Jehovah answered his prayer. His wife Rebekah became pregnant. ²² She was going to have twins. Before they were born they struggled against each other in her womb. She said: »Why should something like this happen to me?« She asked Jehovah for an answer. ²³ Jehovah said: »Two nations are within you. You will give birth to two rival peoples. One will be stronger than the other. The older will serve the younger.« ²⁴ The time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to twin sons. ²⁵ The first one was reddish. His skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau. ²⁶ The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born. ²⁷ The boys grew up. Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoors. Jacob was an upright man who stayed at home. ²⁸ Isaac preferred Esau. This is because he enjoyed eating the animals Esau killed. Rebecca preferred Jacob. ²⁹ One day while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry. ³⁰ He said to Jacob: »I am starving! Give me some of that red stuff.« (That is why he was named Edom.) ³¹ Jacob answered: »I will give it to you if you give me your birthright as the firstborn son.« ³² Esau said: »All right! I am about to die. What good are rights as firstborn to me?« ³³ Jacob answered: »First make a vow that you will give me your birthright.« Esau made the vow and gave his rights as firstborn to Jacob. ³⁴ Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. Esau did not care about his birthright.

³ »Almighty God will bless your marriage and give you many children. You will become the father of many nations!

¹⁴ »Your descendants will be like the dust on the earth. You will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. Every family on earth will be blessed through you and through your descendants.

¹⁰ »The royal scepter shall not depart from Judah. His descendants will always rule. Nations will bring him tribute and bow in obedience before him. This, until Shiloh comes and all will obey him.

¹³ »The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you live. When I see the blood I will pass over you. No plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

¹³ »Speak to the people of Israel. Say: ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This is a sign between you and me throughout your generations that you may know that I am Jehovah, the one who sanctifies you.

¹⁷ »‘It is a long lasting sign between the people of Israel and me for the reason that Jehovah made heaven and earth in six days. Then He ceased from work and was refreshed on the seventh day.’«

¹³ »Where can I get meat for all these people? They continually cry for me to give them meat to eat. ¹⁴ »I am not able to take care of all these people by myself. This is too much work for me! ¹⁵ »If you treat me like this have pity on me and kill me. That way I will not have to endure my shame any longer.« ¹⁶ Jehovah replied to Moses: »Assemble seventy respected men who are recognized as elders of the people. Bring them to me at the tent of my presence, and tell them to stand there beside you. ¹⁷ »I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the spirit I have given and give it to them. Then they can help you bear the responsibility for these people. You will not have to bear it alone. ¹⁸ »Tell the people: ‘Purify yourselves for tomorrow. You will have meat to eat! Jehovah has heard you whining and saying that you wished you had some meat and that you were better off in Egypt. Jehovah will now give you meat, and you will have to eat it. ¹⁹ »‘You will have to eat it not just for one or two days, or five, or ten, or even twenty days. ²⁰ »‘You will eat it for a whole month, until it comes out of your nose, until you are sick of it. This will happen because you have rejected Jehovah who is here among you and have complained to him that you should not have left Egypt.’« ²¹ Moses said to Jehovah: »Here I am leading six hundred thousand people, and you say that you will give them enough meat for a month?« ²² »Could enough cattle and sheep even be killed to satisfy them? Are all the fish in the sea enough for them? ²³ »Is there a limit to my power?« Jehovah answered. »You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not!«

¹² »But if her husband cancels it when he hears about it, nothing she said in her vow or oath has to be kept. Her husband has canceled it. Jehovah will free her from this vow or oath.

¹⁵ »If he cancels it later, he will suffer the consequences.«

¹⁴ »You are just like your parents! You are a bunch of sinners trying to make Jehovah angry at Israel again.

²⁰ Jehovah will never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of Jehovah and / His jealousy will burn against that man. Every curse which is written in this book will rest on him. Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven. ²¹ »Jehovah will destroy you by piling on you all the curses that are written in this book of Law. You will be forgotten forever. ²² »The next generation of your children and foreigners who come from distant countries will see the plagues that have happened in this land and the diseases Jehovah sent here. ²³ »All its land is brimstone and salt. It is a burning waste, unsown and unproductive. No grass grows on it. Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Jehovah overthrew in his anger and in his wrath. ²⁴ »All the nations will say: Why has Jehovah done thus to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?' ²⁵ »Then men will say: ‘Because they forsook the covenant of Jehovah, the God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. ²⁶ »‘They served other gods and worshiped them. These are gods whom they have not known and whom he had not allotted to them. ²⁷ »‘Jehovah became angry against this land and brought on it all the curses described in this book. ²⁸ »‘His fierce anger and fury caused Jehovah to uproot these people from their land and deported them to another country. This is where they still are today.’

⁶ »Jehovah your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, to LOVE JEHOVAH YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR BEING, that you may live.

²⁹ »You are blessed O Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Jehovah? He is the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you and you will tread upon their high places.«

² Joshua said to all the people: »This is what Jehovah, the God of Israel says: ‘Long ago your ancestors lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. One of those ancestors was Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor.

¹¹ »You must go back, my daughters,« Naomi replied. »Why do you want to come with me? Do you think I could have sons again for you to marry? ¹² »Return home, my daughters. I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought there was still hope, and got married and had sons, ¹³ »would you wait for them to grow up? Would this keep you from marrying someone else? No, my daughters, you know that is not possible. Jehovah has turned against me. I feel sorry for you.«

² The personal attendant of the king said to Elisha: »If Jehovah could make floodgates in the heavens could this happen?« Elisha replied: »You will see it with your own eyes. But you will not eat from it.«

¹⁹ The king’s attendant answered: »If Jehovah could open floodgates in the heavens could this happen?« Elisha had replied: »You shall see with your own eyes. But you will not eat from it.«

¹³ »Go inquire of Jehovah on my behalf and for the people. This is concerning the words in this book that has been found. Jehovah’s fierce anger is directed towards us because our ancestors did not obey the things in this book or do everything written in it.«

¹⁵ Jahaziel said: »Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Jehovah says to you: ‘Do not be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle is not yours. It is God’s. ¹⁶ »‘Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. Meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel. ¹⁷ »‘You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait. You will see Jehovah give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid.’ Go out to battle. Jehovah will be with you! ¹⁸ »Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low. His face was touching the ground. All the people bowed with him and worshiped Jehovah. ¹⁹ »The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised Jehovah, the God of Israel. ²⁰ »Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. Before they began Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: ‘People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in Jehovah your God. You will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed.

¹¹ »He fastens my feet in shackles and he keeps close watch on all my paths.

¹ Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful mockers. ² But his delight is in the law of Jehovah (YHWH), and on his law he meditates (ponders) (speaks softly with deep thought) (studies) (contemplates) day and night. ³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water. It yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

⁸ »Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

¹ ([Psalm of David]) Blessed is the person whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. ² Blessed is the person whom Jehovah no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts.

² Blessed is the person whom Jehovah no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts.

¹¹ Yes, all kings will bow down before him. All nations will serve him.

⁸ Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness. Let the bones that you have broken rejoice. ⁹ Hide your face (turn away) from my sins, and wipe out (erase) all that I have done wrong.

² You removed your people's guilt. You pardoned all their sins.

³¹ Because of this, Phinehas was considered righteous forever, throughout every generation.

¹ Praise Jehovah! Blessed is the person who respects Jehovah and is happy to obey his commandments.

¹²⁶ It is time for Jehovah to act. They have broken your law.

³ Our God is in heaven. He does whatever he pleases.

³ If You, Jehovah, should record our sins, O Jehovah, who could stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be reverenced.

⁵ How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in Jehovah his God! ⁶ He made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. He keeps truth (faith) forever!

²⁰ You must follow the example of good people and live a righteous life.

¹² Expectation deferred makes the heart sick. When the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

⁸ (The Beloved) »If you do not know, O you fairest among women, follow the footsteps of the flock. Feed your kids beside the shepherds' tents.

⁹ »‘»The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.«’«

²⁰ They should go to the teachings and to the written instructions. If people do not speak these words, it is because there is no light (truth) in them.

⁴ Tell the discouraged ones with anxious heart: »Be strong and do not be afraid! God is coming to your rescue! He is coming to punish your enemies.«

¹ »Comfort, comfort my people,« says your God. ² »Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed. Her sin has been paid for and she has received double for all her sins from Jehovah’s hand.«

⁶ »‘I will say to the north, ‘Give them up,’ and to the south, ‘do not keep them. Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

⁷ »‘Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come yes, let him foretell what will come.

¹³ »My hand laid the foundation of the earth. My right hand stretched out the heavens. When I call for them, they both stand.

⁶ He says: »It is a small thing that you are my servant. You will raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved ones of Israel. I will also make you a light to the nations that my salvation will reach to the end of the earth.«

¹² »They will come from far away. They will come from the north and from the west. They will come from the land of Sinim.«

² »Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one. I blessed him and made him many.«

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions! He was crushed for our iniquities! The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. There has been healing for us because of his wounds. ⁶ We are all like sheep. We have gone astray! Each of us has turned to his own way. Jehovah has caused the iniquity (sin) of all of us to be laid on him.

¹⁰ It was Jehovah’s will to allow him to be crushed. Even though Jehovah makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of Jehovah will prosper in his hand. ¹¹ After his suffering he will see the light and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many. He will bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great. He will divide the spoils with the strong. This is because he poured out his life unto death. He was numbered with the transgressors. He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

¹⁷ »Weapons forged against you will not prevail! You will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah and this is their vindication from me,« declares Jehovah.

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ¹² »You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

²⁴ »It will be said of me: ‘Certainly, righteousness and strength are found in Jehovah alone. All who are angry with him will come to him and be ashamed. ²⁵ »‘All the descendants of Israel will be declared righteous, and they will praise Jehovah.’«

⁸ »Dress in sackcloth, beat your breasts (mourn), and cry because Jehovah’s burning anger has not turned back from us.

²³ This is what Jehovah says: »Do not let wise people brag about their wisdom. Do not let strong people brag about their strength. Do not let rich people brag about their riches.« ²⁴ »If they want to brag, instead let them advocate (glory) (celebrate) that they understand and know me. They should advocate that I, Jehovah, act out of love, righteousness, and justice on the earth. This kind of celebration pleases me,« declares Jehovah.

⁷ »I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place. I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of those who seek their life. I will give their carcasses as food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth.

¹⁶ »After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah I prayed to Jehovah: ¹⁷ ‘Ah Lord Jehovah! You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you.

¹⁷ ‘Ah Lord Jehovah! You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you. ¹⁸ »You show loving kindness to thousands, but repay the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them. O great and mighty God. Jehovah of Hosts is his name. ¹⁹ »You are great in counsel and mighty in deed. Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men. You give to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. ²⁰ »You set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Even to this day both in Israel and among mankind you have made a name for yourself. ²¹ »You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt using signs and wonders. You did this with a strong hand, with an outstretched arm and with great terror. ²² »You gave them this land. You swore to their forefathers to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. ²³ »They came in and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your Law. They have done nothing of all that you commanded them to do. Therefore you made this calamity come upon them. ²⁴ »The siege ramps have reached the city to take it. The city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword, the famine and the pestilence. You brought all this disaster on them. ²⁵ »Yet you, Lord Jehovah, told me to buy a field with money and get witnesses to confirm it, although the city was handed over to the Babylonians.« ²⁶ Jehovah continued to speak his word to Jeremiah: ²⁷ »Behold! I am Jehovah the God of all humanity. Nothing is too hard for me.

²⁷ »Behold! I am Jehovah the God of all humanity. Nothing is too hard for me.

⁸ »I will cleanse them from all the sins that they have committed against me. I will forgive them for all the sins that they have committed against me and for rebelling against me. ⁹ »Jerusalem will be my source of joy, praise, and honor. All the nations on earth will hear about all the blessings that I will give to Jerusalem. They will be afraid and tremble because of all the prosperity that I will provide for it.’«

¹⁶ »The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called Jehovah is Our Righteousness.’«

⁶ »Jehovah says concerning the house of the king of Judah: ‘You are like Gilead to me, like the summit of Lebanon. Most assuredly I will make you like a wilderness, like cities that are not inhabited.

²² You invited my enemies to hold a festival of terror all around me. No one could escape on that day of your anger. They murdered my children, whom I had raised and loved.

¹⁹ ‘»They will throw their gold and silver away in the streets like garbage (like an abhorrent thing), because neither silver nor gold can save them when Jehovah pours out his fury. They cannot use it to satisfy their desires or fill their stomachs. Gold and silver led them into sin.

⁹ He said: »Go in and see the wicked abominations (abhorrences) that they are committing here.«

¹² ‘»»I also gave them certain days to worship me as a sign between us so that they would know that I, Jehovah, made them holy.

²⁰ ‘»»Sanctify my Sabbaths. They shall be a sign between you, and me that you may know that I am Jehovah your God.’

¹¹ Jehovah also said: »Son of man, all the people of Israel are like these bones. The people say: Our bones are dry, and our hope has vanished. We are completely destroyed.

³² »Those who act wickedly against the covenant will be perverted by flatteries. However, the people who know their God will be strong and act effectively.

²⁴ »Seventy weeks (seventy sets of seven time periods) are decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish transgression and to make an end of sin, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

²⁶ »And after the sixty-two weeks the anointed one will be cut off (destroyed) (killed) and shall have nothing. The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be by the flood of war and desolations.

¹⁹ He said, »O man greatly beloved, do not fear, peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong.« And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, »Let my lord speak for you have strengthened me.«

¹⁸ Who is a God like you who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? You do not keep your anger forever, because you delight in loving-kindness (unchanging love). ¹⁹ You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our iniquities under foot. You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea. ²⁰ You will give truth to Jacob, and show loving-kindness (unchanging love) to Abraham. For you have sworn this to our fathers from the days of old.

⁴ »Behold, he is proud. He is not righteous. The righteous will live by faith.

¹⁸ »Their silver and their gold will not be able to keep them safe in the Day of Jehovah’s anger (rage) (wrath). He will devour all the nations by the fire of his zeal! He will exterminate all the inhabitants of the earth!«

⁴ »Be strong Zerubbabel,« said Jehovah. »Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, said Jehovah. Work! I am with you,« said Jehovah of Hosts.

³ Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. ⁴ He spoke to those who stood before him: »Take the filthy garments from him. Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel.«

⁹ Jehovah of hosts said: »Let your hands be strong you who hear these words from the mouth of the prophets. These are words from the day that the foundation of the house of Jehovah of Hosts was laid. It was for the purpose of building the Temple.

¹³ »You were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel. I will save you! You will be blessed. Do not fear! Be strong!«

⁷ »Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow (neighbor) (companion), said Jehovah of Hosts: Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered! I will turn my hand upon (against) the little ones.

³⁰ »If God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, won’t he care for you even more? You of little faith!

¹¹ »I tell you, many will come from the east and the west, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven:

²⁶ He said to them: »Why are you afraid, you of little faith?« Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. Suddenly there was a great calm.

² A man on a bed, a paralytic, was brought to Jesus. Seeing their faith Jesus said to the sick man: »Have courage; your sins are forgiven.«

⁸ But when the people saw it, they marveled, and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

⁹ »Do not presume that Abraham is your father. I tell you that God can make descendants for Abraham from these stones!

³ »Blessed (Greek: makarios: happy, blessed) are those conscious of their spiritual need, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. ⁴ »Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ »Blessed are the meek (gentle) (mild) (humble), for they will inherit the earth. ⁶ »Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷ »Blessed are the merciful and compassionate, for they will receive mercy and compassion. ⁸ »Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹ »Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. ¹⁰ »Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ »Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. ¹² »Rejoice, and be filled with joy, for great is your reward in heaven. The prophets, who came before you, were also persecuted.

³¹ Suddenly, Jesus put out his hand and took hold of him, and said: »You of little faith, why were you in doubt?«

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered: »You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!«

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said: »With men this is not possible. All things are possible with God!«

¹ »The kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² »He made an agreement with the workmen for a penny a day. Then he sent them into his vineyard. ³ »He went out the third hour and saw others in the marketplace doing nothing.« ⁴ »He said to them: ‘Go to the vineyard with the others. I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went to work. ⁵ »He went out the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same. ⁶ »The eleventh hour, he saw others doing nothing. He asked: ‘Why are you here all the day doing nothing?’ ⁷ »They said: ‘No man has given us work.’ He told them to go work with the rest in the vineyard. ⁸ »When evening came, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager: ‘Let the workers come and pay them from the last to the first.’ ⁹ »Those men who went to work at the eleventh hour were each given a penny. ¹⁰ »Those who worked longer, expected to be paid more. They were also given a penny. ¹¹ »When they got it, they protested against the master of the house. ¹² »They said: ‘The last ones have done only one hour’s work. You have made them equal to us. We have undergone the hard work of the day and the burning heat.’ ¹³ »He told them: ‘I do you no wrong. You made an agreement with me for a penny. ¹⁴ »‘Take what is yours and leave. I wish to give to the last workers the same as to you. ¹⁵ »‘Is it lawful for me to do what I wish with what is mine? Or is your eye jealous because I am generous?’ ¹⁶ »So the last will be first, and the first last.«

²⁸ »The Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom in payment for many.«

³⁵ While he yet spoke they came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house. They said: »Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher.« ³⁶ But Jesus did not listen. He said to the ruler of the synagogue believe and do not fear.

²³ Jesus said to him: »All things are possible to him who has faith.« ²⁴ Both father and child immediately shouted: »I have faith make my faith stronger.«

¹⁰ »Have you not read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected was made the chief corner stone.’ (Psalm 118:22, 23)

¹⁶ »He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned.

¹⁸ Zechariah asked: »How might I be certain of this for my wife and I are old?«

³⁷ »When God speaks, these things are possible.«

⁴⁵ »Blessed is she that believes. That which God spoke will be fulfilled.«

³² »It is a light of revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.«

⁸ »Produce fruit that is worthy of repentance. Do not say we have Abraham for our father. I tell you, that God is able to make these stones into children for Abraham.

⁴⁷ »She loved much! She has many sins and they are forgiven. When little is forgiven, little love is shown.« ⁴⁸ He said to her: »Your sins are forgiven!« ⁴⁹ Those who ate with him said within themselves: »Who is this who even forgives sins?« ⁵⁰ He said to the woman: »You are saved because of your faith. Go in peace.«

²³ »He was in great torment in the grave (hades). He looked up and saw Abraham, far away, with Lazarus at his side. ²⁴ »He called out: Father Abraham! Take pity on me! Please send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue. I am in torment in this fire!

²⁴ »He called out: Father Abraham! Take pity on me! Please send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue. I am in torment in this fire! ²⁵ »Abraham said: Remember, my son, in your lifetime you were given good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. Now he is enjoying himself while you are in torment.

²⁵ »Abraham said: Remember, my son, in your lifetime you were given good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. Now he is enjoying himself while you are in torment. ²⁶ »There is a deep pit lying between us, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot do so. And no one can cross over to us from where you are. ²⁷ »The rich man said: I beg you, father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father’s house. ²⁸ »Have him go warn my five brothers that they will not come to this place of torment. ²⁹ »Abraham said: Your brothers have Moses and the prophets to warn them. They should listen to them. ³⁰ »The rich man responded: It is not enough father Abraham! If someone from the dead went to them they would repent. ³¹ »Abraham said: If they would not listen to Moses and the prophets, they would not listen to someone from the dead.«

⁹ Jesus said to him: »Salvation has come to this house today. He is also a son of Abraham.

¹⁴ »As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of man must also be lifted up. ¹⁵ »Everyone who has an active faith in him may have everlasting life. ¹⁶ »For God loved the world so much, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever has an active faith in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

³⁶ »He who puts active faith in the Son has everlasting life. He who disobeys* the Son will not see life for the wrath of God remains upon him.« (*Greek: apeitheo: willfully disobey, not having faith)

²¹ »The Father raises the dead and gives them life. The Son also gives life to those he wills.

²⁴ »Truly, Truly I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes him that sent me, has everlasting life. He will not receive judgment for he has passed out of death into life. ²⁵ »Truly I tell you, the hour is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear (listen) (understand) will live.

²⁹ Jesus answered: »This is the work of God, that you have an active faith in the one whom he has sent.«

³⁵ Jesus replied: »I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not hunger. The one who puts active faith in me will never thirst.

⁴⁰ »For this is the will of my Father. Every one who sees the Son and puts active faith in him will have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.«

⁴⁷ »Truly, truly I tell you, he who believes has everlasting life.

⁶³ »It is the spirit that gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I spoke to you are spirit and life.

³⁸ »Rivers of living water will flow from the innermost being of the man who believes in me. This is according to the scriptures.« ³⁹ He spoke this by the Spirit. Those who believed in him were to receive the Spirit. The Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.

³³ They answered him: »We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to any man. How can you say we will be made free?«

³⁷ »I know that you are Abraham’s seed. Yet you seek to kill me. That is because my word has no place among you. ³⁸ »I speak the things that I have seen and heard when I was with my Father. You also do the things that you heard from your father.« ³⁹ They answered: »Our father is Abraham.« Jesus replied: »If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.

³⁹ They answered: »Our father is Abraham.« Jesus replied: »If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. ⁴⁰ »You seek to kill me. I told you the truth! I heard it from God. Abraham did not do this.

⁴⁰ »You seek to kill me. I told you the truth! I heard it from God. Abraham did not do this. ⁴¹ »You do the works of your father.« They said: »We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God!«

⁵³ »Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died! The prophets also died. Who do you make yourself out to be?«

⁵⁶ »Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.«

²² »If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin!

²⁵ Jesus said: »I am the resurrection and the life. He who puts active faith in me will live, even if he dies. ²⁶ »Whoever lives and puts active faith in me will never die. Do you believe this?«

²⁷ Jesus said to Thomas: »Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and believe!« ²⁸ Thomas answered: »My Lord and my God!« (John 1:18; 10:36; 20:17)

²⁴ »God resurrected him, loosing the pains of death. This is because it was not possible that he should be held fast by it.

³⁹ »The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Jehovah our God calls.« (Micah 4:5) (Deuteronomy 6:4)

¹⁸ »Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

³⁰ »God overlooked the times of ignorance; but now he commands men everywhere to repent. ³¹ »He has established a day (time) in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man [Jesus] whom he has ordained. Of that he gives proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.« (John 5:22) (Isaiah 2:4) (Acts 10:42)

²⁶ »Men and brothers, children of Abraham, and you of the nations who respect God, the message of salvation is sent to you.

³⁰ »But God raised him from the dead:

³⁸ »You should know, men and brothers that it is through this man Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ »Through him all who believe are justified from all things. You could not be justified through the Law of Moses.

²⁵ »Be of good cheer. I believe God. It will happen just as he spoke to me.

¹⁷ It reveals the righteousness of God from faith-to-faith for it is written: »The righteous shall live by faith.«

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.

⁵ Thanks to your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you store up wrath for yourself, in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. ⁶ He will render to each according to his works.

¹² For all who have sinned without law will perish without law. All who have sinned under law will be judged under law. ¹³ The hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be righteous.

²⁸ He is not a Jew who is one on the outside. Neither is circumcision that which is on the outside in the flesh. ²⁹ But he is a Jew who is so on the inside with circumcision of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! I had not known sin except through the law. For I had not known coveting except the law had said: You should not covet.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! I had not known sin except through the law. For I had not known coveting except the law had said: You should not covet. ⁸ But sin, finding occasion, worked out in me through the commandment all manner of coveting. Apart from the law sin is dead. ⁹ I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ The commandment, which was to life, this I found to be to death. ¹¹ For sin, finding occasion, through the commandment deceived me, and through it killed me. ¹² The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. ¹³ Did that which is good become death to me? God forbid! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good. This way sin might be shown to be sin. Through the commandment sin could be recognized. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am fleshly and sold under sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I am doing. For what I want to do I do not do. What I hate, I do. ¹⁶ But if what I do not want to do, I do, I consent to the law that it is right. ¹⁷ Now then it is no longer I that do it, but the sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ I know that good does not live in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. ¹⁹ I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. ²⁰ If I do what I do not want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it. Instead, it is the sin that lives in me. ²¹ I find that this law is at work. When I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. ²² My inner person delights in the law of God. ²³ However I see a different law at work in my body. This law fights against the law that my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin that is at work in my body. ²⁴ Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? ²⁵ Thanks to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ! So then I can serve God’s law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin.

³ God did what the Law could not do, because human nature was weak. He sent his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering and do away with sin. So he condemned sin in sinful human nature.

¹¹ If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from among the dead dwells with you, he who raised Christ from among the dead shall also make your mortal bodies alive. This is on account of his Spirit that dwells with you.

²⁴ We are saved by this hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For does a man hope for what he sees?

²⁹ Those he first recognized, he ordained in advance that they be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ He ordained in advance the ones he called. He declared righteous the ones he called. He also glorified those he declared righteous.

³⁰ He ordained in advance the ones he called. He declared righteous the ones he called. He also glorified those he declared righteous. ³¹ What shall we then say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

³¹ What shall we then say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He that did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will he not with him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against the ones God has chosen? It is God who justifies (makes righteous). ³⁴ Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

⁶ It is not as if the word of God failed. Not all who come from Israel are really Israel.

⁶ It is not as if the word of God failed. Not all who come from Israel are really Israel. ⁷ It is not because they are Abraham’s that they are all children, but: »What will be called ‘your seed’ will be through Isaac.« (Genesis 21:12) ⁸ That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as seed.

¹⁷ The scripture says to Pharaoh: »For this reason I have raised you up, that I might through you, show my power and declare my name in all the earth.«

²³ In that way he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he had prepared in advance for glory. ²⁴ We are the ones he has also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the nations.

²⁶ In the place where it was said to them: »You are not my people, they will be called Sons of the living God.« (Hosea 2:23)

³⁰ What shall we say? The nations did not pursue righteousness. Yet they have attained to righteousness, the righteousness that is based on the principle of faith.

³² Why? It is because it was not based on the principle of faith, but on that of works. They have stumbled at the stumbling stone. ³³ It is written: »Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed.« (Isaiah 8:14)

³ They are ignorant of God’s righteousness. They seek to establish their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of God. ⁴ Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who exerts active faith.

⁶ But the righteousness of faith speaks this way: »Do not say in your heart: ‘who will ascend to heaven? That is, to bring Christ down;

⁹ If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and have active faith in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes for righteousness. And with the mouth one declares for salvation. ¹¹ The scripture says: »No one believing on him shall be disappointed.« (Isaiah 28:16) ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. The same Lord (God) of all is abounding in riches for all who call on him. ¹³ »Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.« (Joel 2:32)

² God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel?

⁶ If it is by grace then it is no longer on the basis of works. Otherwise grace is not grace (undeserved kindness). But if it is of works then it is not by grace. Otherwise works are no longer works.

³⁵ Or who has first given to him, that it shall be repaid to him again? (Job 41:11)

²⁸ God also chose the base things of the world, and things which are despised, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are. ²⁹ No human being should boast before God. ³⁰ It is because of him you are united with Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. ³¹ Let it be as it is written, »He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah!« (Jeremiah 9:24)

¹⁹ We know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law. Every mouth may be stopped and the entire world may become liable to God for punishment. ²⁰ No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law.

²⁰ No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law.

²⁰ No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law. ²¹ But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.

²¹ But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. ²² God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all.

²² God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all.

²² God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all. ²³ For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God ²⁴ being justified freely by his grace (as a gift) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

²⁴ being justified freely by his grace (as a gift) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation (atonement) by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before.

²⁵ God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation (atonement) by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before.

²⁵ God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation (atonement) by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before. ²⁶ It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus.

²⁶ It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus.

²⁶ It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus.

²⁶ It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus. ²⁷ Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith.

²⁷ Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith.

²⁷ Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith. ²⁸ We reason therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

²⁸ We reason therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the nations also? Yes, of the nations also.

²⁹ Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the nations also? Yes, of the nations also. ³⁰ If God is one he will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹ Do we nullify the law through faith? No we do not! In fact, we establish (continue) (stand by) (uphold) the law.

² If Abraham was declared righteous by works, he could boast, but not to God. ³ For what does the scriptures say? »Abraham believed Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.« (Genesis 15:6)

⁵ He who does not work but believes in him who justifies (absolves) the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ⁶ David also pronounces blessing on the man, to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

⁹ Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say: »To Abraham his faith was counted for righteousness.«

¹¹ He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while he was not circumcised. That way he could be the father of all those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them. ¹² The father of circumcision to those who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham that he had when he was not circumcised. ¹³ The promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world was not through the law but through righteousness by faith.

¹⁶ For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace (divine influence) (loving-kindness). The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

¹⁶ For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace (divine influence) (loving-kindness). The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. ¹⁷ It is written: »I have made you a father of many nations.« [This was] in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist.

¹⁷ It is written: »I have made you a father of many nations.« [This was] in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist. ¹⁸ In hope against hope Abraham believed that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken: »So your descendants will be.« ¹⁹ Not being weak in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ Yet, he looked to the promise of God. He did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith. He gave the glory to God! ²¹ He was fully assured that what he had promised, he was able to perform. ²² »It was counted to him as righteousness.« ²³ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was counted to him. ²⁴ It is also for our sake, to whom it shall be counted, who believe in him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

²⁴ It is also for our sake, to whom it shall be counted, who believe in him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

²⁴ It is also for our sake, to whom it shall be counted, who believe in him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵ who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification (acquittal).

¹ We are justified (acquitted) (made righteous) by faith. And we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵ Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. It comes through Holy Spirit, which is God’s gift to us. ⁶ While we were yet weak, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die. Perhaps for the good man some one would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates (commends) his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

¹³ Until the law sin was in the world. Sin is not imputed (put on account) when there is no law.

¹⁸ The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification (acquittal), which brings life for all men.

¹⁸ The result of one trespass was condemnation for all men. The result of righteousness was justification (acquittal), which brings life for all men. ¹⁹ Through the disobedience of one man many have been made sinners. Yet through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous. ²⁰ The law came that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased God’s loving kindness increased even more. ²¹ And what for? Just as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

⁴ Who are you to judge another man’s servant? He stands or falls before his own master. Yes, he will be made to stand for God can make him stand.

²¹ It is good neither to eat food, nor to drink wine, nor any thing that causes your brother to stumble or be offended and weakened.

⁴ The things written in earlier times were written for our instruction, that we through endurance and the encouragement from the Scriptures might have hope.

⁸ Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.

⁸ Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers. ⁹ That the nations might glorify God for his mercy as it is written: »For this cause I will confess you to the people of the nations, and sing to your name.« ¹⁰ And again he says: »Rejoice, you nations, with his people.« (Deuteronomy 32:43) ¹¹ And again: »Praise Jehovah, all you nations; and laud him, all you people.« (Psalm 117:1) ¹² And again, Isaiah says: »Then in that day the nations will search for and turn to the root of Jesse. He will stand as a signal for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious.« (Isaiah 11:10) ¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁴ I am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. ¹⁵ Nevertheless, brothers, I have written more boldly to you on some points, keeping you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me from God, ¹⁶ That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the nations, ministering the good news of God, that the offering of these nations might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ I glory in Jesus Christ in my service to God.

¹⁷ I glory in Jesus Christ in my service to God. ¹⁸ I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not accomplished through me. I will lead the nations to obey God in word and deed. ¹⁹ Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. From Jerusalem, and round about Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ.

⁷ For who made you superior to (different than) another? What do you have that you did not receive? If you did receive it, why do you brag, as if you did not receive it?

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor people who worship idols, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous (greedy), nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ That is what some of you were. You have been washed clean and now you are sanctified. The Spirit of our God declares you righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁸ Is any man called being circumcised? He should not become uncircumcised. Is any called who is not circumcised? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing. Obey the commandments of God.

³ First of all, I delivered to you what I also received, how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. ⁴ He was buried, and he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

¹⁷ And if Christ is not resurrected, your faith is worth nothing, and you are still in your sins.

²² He also sealed us, and gave us the guarantee of the Spirit in our hearts.

⁷ The ministry of death was written and engraved on stones. Glory came with it so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly upon the face of Moses. And this glory was passing away. ⁸ How shall the ministry of the Spirit not be with glory? ⁹ For if the ministry of condemnation has glory then the ministry of righteousness would exceed in glory.

¹² We are not again commending ourselves to you. But we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us. That way you may have an answer for those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

¹⁹ God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ. He was not imputing their trespasses against them, for he had committed the word of reconciliation to us. ²⁰ We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ that you be reconciled to God. ²¹ He made the one who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf. That way we might become the righteousness of God in him.

⁹ It is written in the Law of Moses: You should not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads (threshes) out the grain. Does God care only about oxen? ¹⁰ Or did he say it for our benefit? This is written for our benefit without a doubt! He who plows should plow in hope. Likewise he who threshes in hope should be a partaker of his hope.

¹⁶ Though I preach the good news I do not brag about it. Preaching the good news is my duty (obligation) and I must do it! It would be terrible if I did not preach the good news!

⁶ Now these things were examples for us. They teach us not to lust after evil things like they did.

¹¹ These things happened for examples, and they are written for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.

⁴⁵ Thus it is written: »The first man Adam was made a living being.« The last Adam became a life giving spirit!

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

¹³ Be alert (be watchful) and stand fast (be vigilant) (persevere) in the faith, carry on as men (be courageous), be strong. (Ps 31:24)

⁸ God is able to make all grace abound toward you. You have plenty of everything you need and should abound in every good work.

¹² But what I do, I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that in whatever matter they boast, they may be found equal with me.

¹⁶ Yet we know that a man is not righteous by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. We believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be righteous by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law. The works of the law justify no one. ¹⁷ We sought to be righteous in Christ. And we were found to be sinners. Is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.

²¹ I do not reject the grace (totally undeserved gift) of God: for if righteousness is [gained] through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

⁶ Abraham believed God and »Jehovah considered his faith as his righteousness.« (Genesis 15:6) ⁷ You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

⁷ You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

⁷ You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. ⁸ The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: »In you will all the nations be blessed.«

⁸ The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: »In you will all the nations be blessed.«

⁸ The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: »In you will all the nations be blessed.«

⁸ The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: »In you will all the nations be blessed.« ⁹ So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

⁹ So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

⁹ So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. ¹⁰ Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, »Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them.«

¹⁰ Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, »Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them.«

¹⁰ Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, »Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them.« ¹¹ The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith.

¹¹ The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith. ¹² The Law is not based on faith. »He that does them will live by them.«

¹² The Law is not based on faith. »He that does them will live by them.« ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It is written; »Cursed is everyone who is hung on a stake.«

¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It is written; »Cursed is everyone who is hung on a stake.« ¹⁴ This way the blessing of Abraham might come upon the nations through Christ Jesus and we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

¹⁴ This way the blessing of Abraham might come upon the nations through Christ Jesus and we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He did not say to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷ Now this I say: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. ¹⁸ If the inheritance is based on the Law, it is no longer based on a promise. However God granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

¹⁸ If the inheritance is based on the Law, it is no longer based on a promise. However God granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. ¹⁹ What then is the law? It was added (to cause awareness of sin) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

¹⁹ What then is the law? It was added (to cause awareness of sin) because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. ²⁰ A mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one. ²¹ Is the Law then against the promises of God? God forbid! If a law had been given which could impart life, righteousness would have been from the Law. ²² But the Scriptures shut up (imprisoned) (pictured) all things (mankind) under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

²² But the Scriptures shut up (imprisoned) (pictured) all things (mankind) under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ²³ But before faith came the Law held us in custody. We were locked up until faith was revealed. ²⁴ The Law was our schoolmaster (Greek: paedagogue: a combination of schoolmaster, instructor, servant and guardian in charge of us) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

²⁶ You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you who were baptized into Christ put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one (united) in Christ Jesus. (John 17:21) (Ephesians 4:4-6) ²⁹ If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

¹⁵ Where then is your positive attitude? I bear you witness, that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

²² It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the freewoman. ²³ How is it that the son by the slave woman is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise? ²⁴ This contains an allegory (symbolic drama). These women symbolize two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. ²⁵ Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia. She corresponds to the Jerusalem that now is. She is in bondage with her children. ²⁶ The Jerusalem above is free. She is our mother. ²⁷ It is written, »Rejoice, barren woman who does not give birth. Break forth and cry, you who do not labor; for there are more children of the desolate than of the one who has the husband.« ²⁸ Brothers, we are children who belong to the promise, the same as Isaac was. ²⁹ Just like then, the son who was conceived in a natural way according to the flesh persecuted the son conceived in a spiritual way. That is exactly what is happening now! ³⁰ What do the scriptures say? »Throw out the slave woman and her son. For the son of the slave woman must not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.« (Genesis 21:10) ³¹ Brothers, we are not children of a slave woman but of the free woman.

⁴ You who seek to be righteous by Law are separated from Christ. You have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision means anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

¹³ For not even those who receive circumcision obey the Law. They desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ Never should I boast except in the stake (symbolic: self-denial and atonement) of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through this stake that the world has been impaled to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision anything, but a new creature is. ¹⁶ The Israel of God will have peace and mercy. All who walk by this rule will also.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places through Christ.

¹³ You have heard the word of the truth in Christ. It is the good news about your salvation. You also believed and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ Have the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know the hope of his calling, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the holy ones, ¹⁹ and what the exceeding greatness of his power is toward us who believe, according to the operation of his mighty strength. ²⁰ He operated in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places.

¹ You were once dead because of your trespasses and sins. ² You once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power (authority and jurisdiction) of the air, the spirit that is now active in the sons of disobedience. ³ We all once lived in the lust of our flesh, indulging the desires (lusts) of the flesh and of the mind. We were by nature children of anger and violent passion, like everyone else. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. For by grace (loving-kindness) you have been saved.

⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. For by grace (loving-kindness) you have been saved.

⁸ By grace (Greek: charis, divine favor, loving-kindness) you have been saved through faith. It is not from you. It is the gift from God!

⁸ By grace (Greek: charis, divine favor, loving-kindness) you have been saved through faith. It is not from you. It is the gift from God! ⁹ It is not the result of works. So no man should boast.

⁹ It is not the result of works. So no man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship created with Christ Jesus for good works. God prepared these works in advance that we should walk in them. ¹¹ Remember that you were once people of the nations in the flesh. You are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision, in the flesh, made by human hands. ¹² You were separate from Christ at that time, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel. You were strangers from the covenants of the promise. You had no hope and were without God in the world. ¹³ You were once far off but now with Christ Jesus, the blood of Christ has brought you near.

⁸ To me, the very least of all the holy ones, was given grace (loving divine influence) to preach to the people of the nations the untraceable riches of Christ.

³⁰ Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in which (Greek: en hos) (in which) (Greek: hos, he ho) (whereby) (which) you were sealed to the day of release by ransom.

² Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us. He was an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling odor.

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words. It is because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

⁹ I want to be united with him. I no longer want a righteousness of my own that is gained by obeying the law. The righteousness from God is by faith in Christ.

²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I!

³⁰ If I need to boast, I will boast about the things that concern my infirmities.

¹ I must brag, although it does not do any good. I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know; or whether out of the body, I do not know; God knows), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. ³ And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows), ⁴ how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak. ⁵ I will brag about this person, but I will not brag about myself unless it is about my weaknesses. ⁶ If I ever wanted to brag, I would not be a fool. Instead, I would be telling the truth. But I am going to spare you so that no one may think more of me than what he sees or hears about me. ⁷ I was given a painful physical ailment that will keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw. It acts as Satan's messenger to beat me and keep me from being proud. ⁸ Three times I prayed to God about this and asked him to take it away. ⁹ He told me: »My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness.« Most gladly therefore, I would rather glory in my infirmities (frailities), that the power of Christ may rest upon me (cover me like a tent) (descend upon me) (abide with me). (Isaiah 40:29-31) ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

¹⁸ I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus gain you? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same mental disposition? Did we not walk in the same steps?

⁴ He (Jesus) gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us out of this present evil age. This is according to the will of our God and Father.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty strength.

⁶ Because of such things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

¹¹ There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all and in all.

¹³ I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession:

⁹ God has saved us and called us with a holy calling. This is not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace that was granted us in Christ Jesus, from all eternity.

¹² It is for this reason that I suffer these things. But I am still full of confidence, because I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to keep safe until that day what he has entrusted to me.

¹ You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace (loving-kindness) that is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ God inspired all Scripture! It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. (Greek: theopneustos: God-breathed) ¹⁷ Thus the man of God may be completely equipped for every good work.

¹⁸ But if he has wronged you and owes you anything at all, charge this to me. ¹⁹ I Paul write with my own hand. I will repay. I do not say that you owe your own self (life) to me.

¹³ I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a violent aggressor. I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Faithful is the saying, and worthy of acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.

¹⁴ He (Jesus Christ) gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify a people for himself, who are special people, zealous for good works.

³ For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. ⁴ When the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, ⁵ not by works done in righteousness, which we did, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration (restoration) (spiritual rebirth) and renewing (renovation) of the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He poured Spirit out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Being justified by his grace (loving kindness), we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

⁷ Being justified by his grace (loving kindness), we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

¹⁴ We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, so let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ We do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our infirmities (weaknesses). He was tested in all things like ourselves. Yet he was without sin! ¹⁶ Let us approach the throne of grace (loving-kindness) with confidence, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for help in time of need.

¹³ When God made a promise to Abraham, he could swear by no one greater then himself, so he swore by himself. ¹⁴ He said: »I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.« ¹⁵ After waiting patiently, Abraham received the promise. ¹⁶ Men swear by someone greater then themselves: and an oath for confirmation to them puts an end to the problem. ¹⁷ When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this to offer encouragement so we may rely on the hope offered to us. We have taken refuge in that hope and it is impossible for God to lie. These two things can never be changed. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of life. It is a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain.

¹⁹ The Law could not make anything perfect. A better hope has been provided through which we can draw near to God.

²⁸ The Law appoints men as high priests who have weakness. But the oath that came after the Law appointed the Son who is perfect forever.

²⁸ So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. He will appear the second time without sin to those who look to him for their salvation.

¹² But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting until his enemies are placed as a stool for his feet. ¹⁴ With one offering he has perfected those who are sanctified forever.

⁷ By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not seen as yet, moved with godly respect. He prepared an ark to save his house. By his faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith.

¹¹ By faith Sarah received strength to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who promised. ¹² This was to come from one man and him as good as dead. There were born children, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as uncountable as the sand by the seashore.

¹² This was to come from one man and him as good as dead. There were born children, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as uncountable as the sand by the seashore. ¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ Those who say such things declare that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they came, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Because of this, God is not ashamed to be called their God. He has prepared a city for them! ¹⁷ By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. He that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only-begotten son! ¹⁸ It was said: »In Isaac your descendants will be called.« ¹⁹ Abraham reasoned that God is able to raise him from the dead. So he figured he would receive him back.

¹⁹ Abraham reasoned that God is able to raise him from the dead. So he figured he would receive him back.

⁹ Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh that corrected us, and we gave them respect. Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

²⁰ Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, ²¹ make you perfect (mature) in every good thing. May you do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ Know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers. [The redemption] was not with corruptible things like silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ.

²¹ Through him you believe in God. God raised him from the dead, and gave him glory so that your faith and hope are in God.

¹⁰ In time past you were no people, but now you are the people of God. You had not then received, but now have received mercy (compassion) (divine kindness).

¹⁰ Brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election (choosing) sure. If you do (practice) (exercise) (apply) these things, you will never stumble!

²⁰ Know this first that no prophecy of scripture is for private interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy ever came by the will of man! Men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

⁸ Do not forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (Psalm 90:1, 4)

²³ The scripture was fulfilled which says: »Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness.« He was called »Jehovah’s friend« (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8).

⁵ Or do you think the scripture speaks to no purpose? Does the attitude of the heart (mental disposition) that he induced to live in us cause us to envy?

²¹ For this you were called because Christ also suffered for you. He left you an example (a copy for imitation) (a model) that you should follow in his steps.

²⁴ He bore our sins in his body upon the stake, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed because of his wounds (stripes).

¹⁸ Because Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.

¹ Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ:

² He is the propitiation (Greek: hilasmos: atonement, compensation) for our sins. Not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

⁴ Everyone who practices (exercises) sin also commits lawlessness, because sin is lawlessness.

⁹ The love of God was made known through us. God sent his only-begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atonement) (sacrificial payment) for our sins.

⁵ And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and released us from our sins by his blood.

⁹ They sing a new song, saying: »You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

¹⁶ They said to the mountains and rocks: »Fall on us, and hide us from the presence of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: ¹⁷ »For the great day of his wrath has come; and who will be able to stand?«

¹⁵ Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the fierceness and anger of Almighty God.

¹⁴ I said to him: »Sir, you know.« He said to me: »These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

⁴ They were commanded not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God in their foreheads.