71 Bible Verses about Good

I am a companion of all those who reverence you and keep your precepts.

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

The one who walks with wise men will be wise. A companion of fools will be destroyed.

I wrote you not to keep company with any man who is called a brother who is a fornicator, or who is greedy, or who worships idols, or constantly gets drunk, or cheats people. Do not even eat with such a person.

Do not be partakers with them.

I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household; and that they may remain in the righteous and just way of Jehovah. Jehovah will bring to Abraham what he told him.

He was a devout man who respected God with his entire household. He gave many gifts of mercy to the people and prayed to God always.

If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve Jehovah.'

A centurion's servant, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and at the point of death.

Jacob said to his family and those who were with him: Get rid of the foreign gods that you have. Wash yourselves until you are ritually clean. Change your clothes.

A good name is better than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

A good name (honor) (renown) (reputation) is better than pleasant ointment and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Hurry back to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of Egypt. Come here to me immediately! Live in the land of Goshen. You will be near me. Live there with your children and your grandchildren, as well as your flocks, your herds, and everything you have. I will provide for you in Egypt. For there will be five more years of famine. Then you, your family, and all who belong to you will not lose all that you have.'

Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all the rest of his father's family, including the very youngest.

You teach that a man should tell his father or mother that what he has that could help them, is given to God.

Correct your son, and he will give you rest. Yes, he will give you delight.

A wise son makes a father glad: but a foolish son is sorrow (depression) (grief) for his mother.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he who gives birth to a wise child will receive joy from him.

My son, do not forget my law. Let your heart obey my commandments. My precepts will give you a long, peaceful, and prosperous life. Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. read more.
You will find kindness and understanding in the sight of God and man.

Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise. Then it will go well with you, and you may live long on the earth.

I want to be buried where my fathers are. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried. Joseph answered: I will do as you say.

Jacob did as his father and mother said. He went to Paddan-aram.

Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said: 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.'

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing in the Lord.

Joseph got in his chariot and went to Goshen to meet his father. When they met, Joseph threw his arms around his father's neck and cried for a long time.

From childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Samuel grew up. Jehovah was with him and did not let any of his words go unfulfilled (fail).

He said: Truly I tell you, if you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.

He who humbles himself to become like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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)

A wise son heeds his father's instruction (discipline). A scoffer does not listen to discipline (reproof).

One man said: Master, what good thing must I do, so that I may have eternal life?

The one who walks with wise men will be wise. A companion of fools will be destroyed.

My instruction shall drop as the rain; my words shall descend like dew, as the gentle rains on the tender plant, and as the showers on vegetation.

I give you good instruction. Do not abandon my Law!

If you tell the brothers about these things, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed until now.

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to reprove (refute) (rebuke) those who contradict.

Teach sound doctrine.

Remember those who are taking the lead among you, men that spoke the Word of God to you. Consider their behavior and imitate their faith.

Let no man look down on your youth. Be an example to the believers in speech and conduct, in love, in faith and chasteness.

Do not lord it over your charge, but make yourselves examples to the flock.

Be an example of good works in all things, showing no corruption in your doctrine. Have sound speech that cannot be condemned so the man opposing us may be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

I said to them: We have given whatever we were able to give, to make our brothers the Jews free. They were servants and prisoners of the nations. Would you now give up your brothers for a price? Are they to become our property? They said nothing. They answered not a word! I said: What you are doing is not good. Is it not necessary for you to walk out of respect for our God, because of the shame the nations put on us? Even I and my servants have been collecting interest (Usury) for the money and the grain we have let them have. So now, let us give this up. read more.
Give back to them this very day their fields, their vine-gardens, their olive-gardens, and their houses, as well as a hundredth part of the money and the grain and the wine and the oil that you have taken from them. They said: We will give them back, and take nothing for them. We will do as you say. Then I sent for the priests and made them take an oath that they would keep this agreement. Shaking out the folds of my robe, I said: So, may God send out from his house and his work every man who does not keep this agreement. Even so let him be sent out and made as nothing. All the people said: Amen! They praised Jehovah. The people did as they said. From the time when I was made ruler of the people in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year till the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, for twelve years, my servants and I have never taken the food that was the right of the ruler. Earlier rulers who came before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver. Even their servants were lords over the people. But I did not do so, out of reverence for God. I kept on with the work of this wall. We got no land for ourselves. All my servants helped with the work. There is more, a hundred and fifty of the Jews and the rulers were guests at my table, in addition to those who came to us from the nations nearby. The food for one day included: one bull and six fat sheep, as well as fowls; and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. All the same, I did not take the food to which the ruler had a right, because the people were crushed under a hard yoke. Keep in mind, O my God, for my good, all I have done for this people.

Jehovah is good and decent. That is why he teaches sinners the way they should live.

You are good and do good. Teach me your statutes.

Keep a good conscience. When you are spoken against, those who revile your good manner of life in Christ may be put to shame.

Keep the faith and maintain a good conscience! Some have rejected these things and have suffered shipwreck to their faith.

This is our pride and testimony of conscience. In holiness and Godly sincerity we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. It was not by fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.

Faithful is the saying, and worthy of acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.

I exercise myself always, to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men.

A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there.

They said: We come from Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man who respects God. He has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so he could hear what you have to say.

A good name is better than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

A good name (honor) (renown) (reputation) is better than pleasant ointment and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business.

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! It is not the result of works. So no man should boast.

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.

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.

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.

Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of evil.'

I know your works, and your labor, and your patience. I also know how you cannot tolerate those who are evil. You tested those who say they are apostles. They are not apostles. You found them to be liars.

A disciple named Tabitha was at Joppa. Her name, when translated means Dorcas. This woman did many good works and gave gifts of mercy.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.'

We continually remember your work of faith, labor of love, and patience, and your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

Nehemiah's prayer: Keep me in mind, O my God, in connection with this, and do not let the good which I have done for the house of my God and its worship go from your memory completely.

I am a companion of all those who reverence you and keep your precepts.

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

The one who walks with wise men will be wise. A companion of fools will be destroyed.

I wrote you not to keep company with any man who is called a brother who is a fornicator, or who is greedy, or who worships idols, or constantly gets drunk, or cheats people. Do not even eat with such a person.

Do not be partakers with them.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Through this he was commended as righteous. God testified about his gifts. Thus through faith he still speaks even though he is dead.

Brothers, accept the example of suffering and patience by the prophets who spoke in the name of God.

I have given you an example. You should also do as I have done to you.

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.

It is not because we do not have the right, but to make ourselves an example for you to imitate us.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, because Jehovah has anointed me to announce good news to the lowly and meek. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace and who bring good tidings of good things! For they proclaim salvation and say to Zion: Your God reigns as king! (Hebrew: Elohiym' malak': God rules!)

The angel answered: I am Gabriel, whose place is before God. I have been sent to give you this good news.

You bring good news to Zion. Go up on a high mountain. You bring good news to Jerusalem. Lift up your voice with a shout! Lift it up and do not be afraid! Say to the towns of Judah: Here is your God!

Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings. Who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah and perform your vows! The wicked will no more pass through (invade) you. They will be completely destroyed.

My instruction shall drop as the rain; my words shall descend like dew, as the gentle rains on the tender plant, and as the showers on vegetation.

I give you good instruction. Do not abandon my Law!

If you tell the brothers about these things, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed until now.

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to reprove (refute) (rebuke) those who contradict.

Teach sound doctrine.

They said to each other: We should not do this! We have good news. We should not keep it to ourselves. If we wait until morning to tell it we will be punished. Let us go tell the king's officers!

The watchman said: It appears the first one runs like Ahimaaz, Zadok's son. He's a good man, the king said. He must be coming with good news.

As cold waters to a thirsty man, so is good news from a far country.

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.

Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Be an example of good works in all things, showing no corruption in your doctrine.

Likewise, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Walk worthily of God, fully pleasing him. Bear fruit in every good work, and increase in the knowledge (Greek: epignosis: full discernment, recognition) of God.

Maintain fine behavior among the nations. That way when they speak badly about you, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation (inspection).

Even so, faith without works is dead. It is alone and by itself! A man will say: You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

You are the salt of the earth. If its taste goes away, how will you restore it? It is good for nothing. All you can do is throw it on the ground and walk on it.

Salt is good. If it loses its saltiness how can you make it salty again? Have the salt or seasoning of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.

For not only did the message about God go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing that we need to say.

Wife how do you know that you will save your husband? Husband how do you know whether you will save your wife?

I know you are ready and I boast about to the Macedonians. That Achaia has been prepared since last year. Your zeal stirred up many of them.

They should do good works and be rich in good works, that they are ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

Let us consider one another to encourage love and good works:

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Through this he was commended as righteous. God testified about his gifts. Thus through faith he still speaks even though he is dead.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and good hope by grace,

He sinned against Jehovah, following the wicked example of his father Ahab, his mother Jezebel, and King Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin.

Prompted by her mother, she said: Give me John the Baptist's head on a platter.

I said to their children in the desert: Do not live by the laws of your ancestors. Do not obey their rules or dishonor yourselves with their disgusting idols.

Ahaziah also followed the ways of Ahab's family, because his mother gave him advice that led him to sin.

They have walked after the stubbornness of their heart and after the Baals as their fathers taught them.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Through this he was commended as righteous. God testified about his gifts. Thus through faith he still speaks even though he is dead.

While they were burying a dead man they saw a band coming. They put the man quickly into the place where Elisha's body was. The dead man's body touched Elisha's bones. The man came to life again and got up on his feet.

I tell you, Everywhere this good news is preached in the entire world, this good deed done by this woman will be spoken of in memory of her.

I will be diligent so that every time after my departure you will remember these things.

You are the salt of the earth. If its taste goes away, how will you restore it? It is good for nothing. All you can do is throw it on the ground and walk on it.

Salt is good. If it loses its saltiness how can you make it salty again? Have the salt or seasoning of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.

For not only did the message about God go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing that we need to say.

Wife how do you know that you will save your husband? Husband how do you know whether you will save your wife?

I know you are ready and I boast about to the Macedonians. That Achaia has been prepared since last year. Your zeal stirred up many of them.

While Ezra was saying his prayer and his confession of wrongdoing he wept and fell down before the house of God. A very great number of men and women and children out of Israel came together around him, for the people were weeping bitterly.

When he experienced distress, he begged Jehovah his God to be kind and humbled himself in front of the God of his ancestors. He prayed to Jehovah. And Jehovah accepted his prayer and listened to his request. Jehovah brought him back to his kingdom in Jerusalem. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah is God. Then Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of Gihon Spring in the valley to the entrance of Fish Gate. He made the wall go around the Ophel. He built it very high. He put army commanders in every fortified city in Judah. read more.
Manasseh also removed the foreign gods and the idol in Jehovah's Temple. He eliminated the altars he had built in the Temple on Jehovah's mountain and in Jerusalem. He built Jehovah's altar and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it. And he told Judah to serve Jehovah the God of Israel. However the people continued to sacrifice at the illegal places of worship. But they sacrificed only to Jehovah their God. Everything else about Manasseh, including his prayer to his God and the words that the seers spoke to him in the name of Jehovah the God of Israel are in the records of the kings of Israel. His prayer and how God accepted it are written in the records of Hozai. The things he did before he humbled himself are also written there. This includes all his sins and unfaithfulness and the places where he built illegal worship sites and set up idols and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah.

Jeroboam had been king of Israel twenty years. Asa became king of Judah. He was king for forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. Asa did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, as David his father did. read more.
He banished perverted persons from the land. He removed those used for sex purposes in the worship of the gods. He removed all the idols his fathers had made. He would not let Maacah his mother be queen, because she had made a disgusting image for Asherah. Asa had the obscene image cut down and burned by the Kidron Stream. The high places were not taken away. Nevertheless Asa's heart was true to Jehovah all his life. He brought into the Temple of Jehovah all the things he and his father made holy, silver and gold and vessels. There was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, through out their reigns. And Baasha, king of Israel, went up against Judah. He fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or in to Asa the king of Judah. Then Asa took all the silver and gold still stored in Jehovah's Temple, and in the king's house, and delivered them, in the care of his servants, to Ben-hadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Rezon, king of Aram, at Damascus. He said: Let there be an agreement between us just as there was between my father and your father. I have sent you an offering of silver and gold. End your agreement with Baasha, king of Israel that he may give up attacking me. Ben-hadad agreed to King Asa's request and sent his armies to attack Israel. He conquered Ijon and Dan and Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth as far as the land of Naphtali. When Baasha heard this he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah. Every man came to carry away the stone and the timber Baasha used to fortify Ramah. King Asa used them for building Geba in the land of Benjamin, and Mizpah. The rest of the events of Asa's reign, the extent of his power and the names of the cities he built are all recorded in the Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. His feet became diseased, as he grew old. So Asa went to rest with his fathers and was buried in the town of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place.

Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah. It was in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel. Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king. He ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah as David his father had done. read more.
He removed the high places. He broke the stone pillars to bits, and cut down the Asherah poles. The brass snake that Moses had made was crushed to powder at his command, because in those days the children of Israel had offerings burned before it, and he gave it the name Nehushtan. Hezekiah had faith in Jehovah, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah who were before him. For his heart was fixed on Jehovah. He did not turn from his ways. Hezekiah obeyed Jehovah's commandments that Jehovah gave to Moses. Jehovah was with Hezekiah. He did well in everything he did. He took up arms against the king of Assyria and was his servant no longer. He defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its limits, from the tower of the watchman to the walled town.

Answer me, Jehovah, for your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, turn to me.

If you tell the brothers about these things, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed until now.

But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment.

A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there.

They said: We come from Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man who respects God. He has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so he could hear what you have to say.

A good name is better than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

A good name (honor) (renown) (reputation) is better than pleasant ointment and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business.

THANKS TO JEHOVAH! He has given his people Israel rest, as he has promised. None of the good promises he made through his servant Moses has failed to come true.

A good name is better than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

A good name (honor) (renown) (reputation) is better than pleasant ointment and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands. Even if your husband does not obey God's word, he may be won without a word by observing the way you live. Your husband could see your chaste behavior coupled with respect (reverence).

Wife how do you know that you will save your husband? Husband how do you know whether you will save your wife?

And the woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the wife sanctifies the unbelieving husband, and the husband sanctifies the unbelieving wife. Otherwise your children would be unclean. But now they are holy.

A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband. She who acts shameful is rottenness in his bones.

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her value is far above corals.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Let women keep silent in the congregations. They are not permitted to speak. They must be in submission as it says in the law.

She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships for she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household, and a portion to her maidens. read more.
She considers a field and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She fortifies herself with strength and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good. Her candle does not go out at night. She stretches her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff. She stretches out her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household. All her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes herself coverings of tapestry. Her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes fine linen and sells it. She supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing. She will rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness (she speaks kind things). She watches over her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

The man who finds a wife finds a good thing. He obtains favor from Jehovah.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her. He will have no lack of gain.

She stretches out her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

Her children arise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her.

Real estate and riches are the inheritance of fathers. A prudent (wise) (sensible) wife is from Jehovah.

After Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices so they could anoint him.

Traveling with him were the women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. This included Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.

Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb early on the first day of the week while it was still dark. She saw the stone was taken away from the tomb. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them: They have taken the Lord away out of the tomb. We do not know where they laid him.

Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. She stooped and looked into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Woman why do you weep, they asked? She told them: They have taken my Lord and I do not know where they laid him. read more.
She turned and look there was Jesus standing nearby. She did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her: Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for? She thought he was the gardener. She said: Sir, if you have carried him somewhere else tell me where you laid him and I will take him away. Jesus said: Mary. She turned and said to him in Hebrew: Rabboni, which is to say, Teacher.

However one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the proper way and it shall not be taken away from her.

Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

He was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. While he was dining a woman with an alabaster vase filled with costly perfume, of pure nard (spikenard), brake it open and poured it over his head. Some were very indignant over this. They asked, What was the purpose of this waste of ointment? This ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii. And the money could have been given to the poor. They scolded her. read more.
Jesus said: Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She did a good thing to me. You always have the poor with you and you can do them good. You do not always have me. She did what she could! She anointed my body beforehand for burying. Truly I tell you everywhere the good news is preached through out the whole world, that which this woman has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Then he saw a poor widow putting in two small coins. I tell you a truth, he said: This poor widow gave more than all of them. They all gave out of their surplus but she gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she had for living expenses.

He sat down near the collection boxes and observed how the crowd dropped money into the boxes. Many that were rich dropped in much. A poor widow came along and dropped in two mites. He told his disciples: Truly I tell you this poor widow gave more then all the others who gave to the collection box. read more.
They all gave out of their surplus. She gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she owned, all her living.

After she weaned him she took him to Shiloh. She also took a three-year-old bull, a bushel of flour, and a leather bag full of wine. She took Samuel, young as he was, to the Temple of Jehovah at Shiloh. First they slaughtered the bull. Then they took the child to Eli the priest. Hannah said to him: My lord. Do you remember me? I am the woman you saw standing here, praying to Jehovah. read more.
I asked him for this child. He gave me what I asked of him. So I am dedicating (giving) (granting) him to Jehovah. As long as he lives, he will belong to Jehovah. Then they worshiped Jehovah there.

So after they finished eating and drinking in Shiloh Hannah got up. The priest Eli sat by the pillars near the door in the Temple of Jehovah. Hannah was filled with grief and wept bitterly. She prayed and pledged an oath to Jehovah: O Jehovah of Hosts: If you will truly notice the sorrow of your servant. Remember me. Do not turn away from me. If you will give me a son, then I will give him to you, Jehovah, all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut. read more.
Hannah prayed to Jehovah for a long time. Eli watched her lips. She prayed silently. Her lips were moving, but she made no sound. So Eli thought that she was drunk. He said to her: Stop making a drunken show of yourself! Stop your drinking and sober up! No, I am not drunk, she answered. I have not been drinking! I am desperate. I have prayed and poured out my troubles to Jehovah. Do not consider your maidservant a worthless woman. I pray like this because I am miserable and filled with grief. Eli answered: Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him. Let your maidservant find favor in your sight, she replied. Then she went away, ate some food, and was no longer sad (self-concerned).

They were both righteous before God. They blamelessly obeyed all the commandments and ordinances of God (Greek: kurios: God).

When Elisabeth heard the greeting from Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. She shouted loudly: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? read more.
When I heard your greeting the baby leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believes. That which God spoke will be fulfilled.

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her: My daughter, Should I try to find a secure home for you where you will be well treated?

They took two women of Moab as their wives. One was Orpah and the other Ruth. They made their home there for about ten years.

They started crying again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye and went back home. Ruth held on to her. Naomi said to her: Ruth, your sister-in-law went back to her people and her gods. Go back home with her. Ruth replied: Do not ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. read more.
Wherever you die, I will die. That is where I will be buried. May Jehovah's worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you! When she saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said no more. The two of them traveled to Bethlehem. When they arrived at Bethlehem the whole town was excited because of them. The women said: Is this Naomi? She said: Do not call me Naomi (meaning pleasant). Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life bitter. I went away full, and Jehovah sent me back empty. Why do you give me the name Naomi, seeing that Jehovah has given witness against me, and the Almighty has brought sorrow to me? So Naomi came back out of the country of Moab. Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, came with her. They came to Bethlehem in the first days of the barley harvest.

Then the word of Jehovah came to him, saying: Go now to Zarephath, in Zidon, and live there. I have given orders to a widow woman there to see that you have food. He went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, he saw a widow woman gathering sticks. He said to her: Will you give me a little water in a vessel for my drink? read more.
As she was going to get it, he said: And get me some bread. Then she said: By the life of Jehovah your God, I have nothing but a little meal, and a drop of oil in the bottle; and now I am getting two sticks together so that I may go in and make it ready for me and my son, so that we may have a meal before our death. Elijah said to her: Have no fear. Go and do as you said, but first make me a little cake of it and come and give it to me. Then make something for yourself and your son. For this is the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel: 'Your supply of meal will not come to an end. The bottle will never be without oil, till the day when Jehovah sends rain on the earth.' She did as Elijah told her and they all had food for a long time. The store of meal did not come to an end. The bottle was never without oil. This was just as Jehovah said through the mouth of Elijah. After this the son of the woman of the house became ill. He was so ill that there was no breath in him. She said to Elijah: What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to put God in mind of my sin, and to put my son to death? He said: Give your son to me. And lifting him out of her arms, he took him up to his room and put him down on his bed. Crying to Jehovah he said: O Jehovah my God, have you sent evil even on the widow I now visit, by causing her son's death? Stretching himself out on the child three times, he made his prayer to Jehovah. He said: O Jehovah my God, be pleased to let this child's life come back to him again. Jehovah listened to the voice of Elijah. The child began to breath and came back to life. Elijah took the child down from his room into the house and gave him to his mother. See, your son is alive. He said. Then the woman said to Elijah: Now I am certain that you are a man of God, and that the word of Jehovah in your mouth is truth.

Elisha went to Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She invited him to a meal. From that time on every time he went to Shunem he would have his meals at her house. She said to her husband: I know that this man who comes here often is a holy man. Let us build a small room on the roof, and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp in it. He can stay there when he visits us. read more.
One day Elisha returned to Shunem and went to his room to rest. He told his servant Gehazi to call the woman. When she came, he said to Gehazi: Ask her what I can do for her in return for all the trouble she has had in providing for our needs. Maybe she would like me to go to the king or the army commander and put in a good word for her. I have all I need here among my own people, she answered. Elisha asked Gehazi: What can I do for her? He answered: She has no son, and her husband is an old man. Tell her to come here, Elisha ordered. She came and stood in the doorway. Elisha said to her: By this time next year you will hold a son in your arms. Please do not lie to me. You are a man of God! She said. Just as Elisha said, about that time the following year she gave birth to a son. Years later at harvest time, the boy went out one morning to join his father, who was in the field with the harvest workers. Suddenly he cried out to his father: My head hurts! My head hurts! Carry the boy to his mother, the father said to a servant. The servant carried the boy back to his mother. She held him in her lap until noon. Then the boy died. She carried him up to Elisha's room and put him on the bed. She closed the door behind her and left. She called her husband and said to him: Send a servant here with a donkey. I need to go to the prophet Elisha. I will be back as soon as I can. Why must you go today? Her husband asked. It is neither a Sabbath nor a New Moon Festival. She replied: Never mind. She had the donkey saddled, and ordered the servant: Make the donkey go as fast as it can. Do not slow down unless I tell you. She left for Mount Carmel, where Elisha was. Elisha saw her coming while she was still far off. He said to his servant Gehazi: Look, there comes the woman from Shunem! Hurry to her and find out if everything is all right with her and her family. She told Gehazi that everything was all right, but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away. Elisha said: Do not bother her. You can see she is deeply distressed. Jehovah has not told me a thing about it. The woman said to him: Did I ask you for a son? Did I not tell you not to get my hopes up? Elisha told Gehazi: Hurry! Take my walking stick. Do not stop to talk to anyone. If anyone speaks to you do not respond. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy. The woman said to Elisha: I swear by my loyalty to the living God Jehovah and to you that I will not leave you! So the two of them started back together. Gehazi went ahead and held Elisha's stick over the child. There was no sound or any other sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and said: The boy did not wake up. When Elisha arrived he went alone into the room. He saw the boy lying dead on the bed. He closed the door and prayed to Jehovah. Then he lay down on the boy, placing his mouth, eyes, and hands on the boy's mouth, eyes, and hands. As he lay stretched out over the boy, the boy's body started to get warm. Elisha got up and walked around the room. He returned and again stretched himself over the boy. The boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes. Elisha called Gehazi and told him to call the boy's mother. When she came in, he said to her: Take your son! She fell at Elisha's feet with her face on the ground. Then she took her son and left. When there was a famine throughout the land, Elisha returned to Gilgal. He was teaching a group of prophets. He told his servant to put a big pot on the fire and make some stew for them.

That Vashti the queen was to come before him, with her royal crown, and let the people and the captains see her beauty: for she was very beautiful. But when the servants gave her the king's order, Vashti the queen said she would not come. The king was very angry. His heart was burning with wrath.

Esther sent them back to Mordecai with this answer: Go assemble all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me. Take no food or drink night or day for three days. My women and I will do the same. Then I will go in to the king even though it is against the law. If death is to be my fate, then let it come. So Mordecai went away and did everything that Esther said.

The next month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said: Greetings highly favored one. God is with you. read more.
She was greatly troubled by this and wondered about the meaning of this salutation. The angel said to Mary: Do not fear for you have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son. You will call his name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David. (Isaiah 11:1-10) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will not end. Mary asked the angel: How is this to be for I have had no intercourse with a man? The angel replied: Holy Spirit would come to you and the power of the Most High will envelope you. Because of this the newborn will be called the Son of God. Your relative Elisabeth has also conceived a son even in her old age. This so-called barren woman is in her sixth month. When God speaks, these things are possible. Mary said: Look, Jehovah's servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke. The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11)

Greet Mary for she labored much to help us.

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a minister of the congregation at Cenchrea. Receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones. Assist her in whatever business she has need of from you. She has been a great help to many people including me.

He spoke boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him home and explained God's word more accurately.

His wife answered: If Jehovah wanted to kill us he would not accept our offerings. He would not have shown us all this or told us these things.

While he was seated in judgment his wife sent a message to him. She said, Do not judge that righteous man. I have had much trouble this day in a dream because of him.

A woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple came from Thyatira. She worshipped God because God opened her heart to listen to the things spoken by Paul.

Greet Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the holy ones with them.

Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the good news, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

A disciple named Tabitha was at Joppa. Her name, when translated means Dorcas. This woman did many good works and gave gifts of mercy.

I am mindful of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

She had been a widow eighty-four years. She never left the temple. She worshipped and fasted with supplications day and night.

The King will say to those on his right hand: 'Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.' read more.
The righteous will answer him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and dress you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?' The King will answer: 'To the extent that you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.'

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but he does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them: Go in peace, be warmed and filled; and yet you do not give them food and clothing, what good is it? read more.
Even so, faith without works is dead. It is alone and by itself! A man will say: You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well: the demons also believe, and shudder. Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)?

Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do every good work,

Command those who are rich in this present system not to be high-minded (arrogant), not to have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. They should do good works and be rich in good works, that they are ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

Help our people learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they are not unfruitful.

Nehemiah's prayer: Keep me in mind, O my God, in connection with this, and do not let the good which I have done for the house of my God and its worship go from your memory completely.

Even though we speak this way, beloved, we are convinced that you will have better things, things that belong to salvation. For God is not unrighteous (unjust) to forget your work and the love you showed for his name. You ministered to the holy ones and continue to minister.

For God will bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.

We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it is good or bad.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. God was with him.

Jesus replied to them: I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works do you stone me?

Likewise, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Maintain fine behavior among the nations. That way when they speak badly about you, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation (inspection).

having a good reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

but that which becomes a woman professing godliness through good works.

He said: A nobleman traveled to a country far away to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds, and said do business with this until I return. His citizens hated him. They sent a spokesman to him saying we do not want this man to rule us. read more.
He received the kingdom and went back to check on his servants. He wanted to know what they had gained by trading with the money he gave them. The first reported: Your pound has made ten pounds more. He said: Well done, you good servant. You were faithful in very little. Now you shall have authority over ten cities. The second said: Your pound, Lord, has made five pounds. He replied: You should be over five cities. Another reported: Lord, here is your pound. I kept it stored in a napkin. I feared you because you are an austere man. You take up what you do not lay down and you reap that which you did not sow. He said to him: Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am an austere man, taking up that which I did not lay down, and reaping that which I did not sow. Why did you not put my money in the bank? That way I could collect interest when I returned. The nobleman said: Take away the pound he was given and give it to him that has the ten pounds. They said: Lord he has ten pounds! I say to you, that every one who has more shall be given. The man who does not have what little he has shall be taken away from him. Bring my enemies that do not want me to rule over them and kill them in front of me.

When they got it, they protested against the master of the house. 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.' He told them: 'I do you no wrong. You made an agreement with me for a penny. read more.
Take what is yours and leave. I wish to give to the last workers the same as to you. Is it lawful for me to do what I wish with what is mine? Or is your eye jealous because I am generous?'

What do you think? A man had two sons. He asked the first to work today in the vineyard. The first son said in answer, 'I will not.' Later he changed his mind and went to work. He said the same to the second son. That son answered, 'Yes, I will go,' but he did not go to work. read more.
Which of the two pleased his father? They replied: The first. Jesus said to them: I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes will go into the kingdom of God before you.

It is like a man going to another country. He called his servants and put them in charge of his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one. He assigned according to the servants' ability. Then he went on his journey. Right away the servant who received the five talents traded with them and made another five talents. read more.
In like manner, he who received the two gained another two. He who received the one dug a hole in the ground and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came back to settle with them. The servant who received five talents brought another five talents. He said: 'Lord, here are your five talents, plus the five I gained.' His lord said: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, so I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' The one who received two talents said: 'Lord you gave me two talents and I gained another two talents.' His lord said: 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' The servant who received one talent said: 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man. You reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not scatter. I was afraid, so I hid your talent in the earth. See, you have what is yours.' But his lord answered: 'You wicked and lazy servant. You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter. You should have put my money in the bank. I should have received my money back plus interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. More will be given to every one who has and he will have abundance. He who does not have will have every thing taken away.

Jesus told them an illustration: There was a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He looked for figs on it but found none. So he told his gardener, I have been coming here looking for figs on this tree for three years. I have not found any. So cut it down! Why should it continue using the soil? But the gardener said: Just give it one more year, sir. I will dig around it, fertilize it and leave it alone. read more.
If the tree bears figs next year it will be good. If it does not you can have it cut down.

In like manner some good works are known publicly, and other works will be known, for they cannot be kept hidden.

My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit. You will be my disciples.

But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continues, being not a hearer who forgets but a doer who works, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Be an example of good works in all things, showing no corruption in your doctrine.