Reference: Ethics
Hastings
The present article will be confined to Biblical Ethics. As there is no systematic presentation of the subject, all that can be done is to gather from the Jewish and Christian writings the moral conceptions that were formed by historians, prophets, poets, apostles. The old history culminates in the story of the perfect One, the Lord Jesus Christ, from whom there issued a life of higher order and ampler range.
I. OT Ethics.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And God saw everything that he had made and, behold, [it was] very good. And there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.
Then Yahweh God said, "[it is] not good [that] the man is alone. I will make for him a helper {as his counterpart}."
For God knows that on the day you [both] eat from it, then your eyes will be opened and you [both] shall be like gods, knowing good and evil."
And I will put hostility between you and between the woman, and between your offspring and between her offspring; he will strike you [on the] head, and you will strike him [on the] heel." To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase {your pain in childbearing}; in pain you shall bear children. And to your husband [shall be] your desire. And he shall rule over you." read more. And to Adam he said, "Because you listened to the voice of your wife and you ate from the tree {from which I forbade you to eat}, the ground [shall be] cursed on your account. In pain you shall eat [from] it all the days of your life. And thorns and thistles shall sprout for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, until your return to the ground. For from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
If you do well {will I not accept you}? But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. And its desire [is] for you, but you must rule over it."
And Yahweh saw that the evil of humankind [was] great upon the earth, and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart [was] always only evil.
And Yahweh smelled the soothing fragrance, and Yahweh said {to himself}, "{Never again will I curse} the ground for the sake of humankind, because the inclination of the heart of humankind [is] evil from his youth. {Nor will I ever again destroy} all life as I have done.
And he said, "Cursed [be] Canaan, a slave of slaves he shall be to his brothers."
Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you did this, and I also {kept you from sinning} against me. Therefore, I did not allow you to touch her.
And Abimelech called for Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you that you brought upon me and upon my kingdom a great sin? You have done things to me that should not be done."
He has no greater [authority] in this house than me, and he has not withheld anything from me except you, since you [are] his wife. Now how could I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"
{And} when your children say to you, 'What [is] this {religious custom} for you?'
And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'This [is] because of what Yahweh did for me when I came out from Egypt.'
And when your son asks you {in the future}, saying, 'What [is] this?' you will say to him, 'With strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from a house of slaves.
You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I [am] Yahweh your God, a jealous God, punishing [the] guilt of [the] parents on the children on [the] third and on [the] fourth [generations] of those hating me,
You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I [am] Yahweh your God, a jealous God, punishing [the] guilt of [the] parents on the children on [the] third and on [the] fourth [generations] of those hating me,
"Honor your father and your mother, so that your days can be long on the land that Yahweh your God [is] giving you.
'If you buy a Hebrew slave, he will serve six years, and in the seventh he will go out as free for nothing.
" 'You will not let a witch live. " 'Anyone lying with an animal will surely be put to death. read more. " 'Whoever sacrifices to the gods--not to Yahweh, to him alone--will be destroyed.
But the seventh you will let it rest and leave it fallow, and the poor of your people will eat, and their remainder the animals of the field will eat. You will do likewise for your vineyard and for your olive trees.
And he took the scroll of the covenant and read [it] in the hearing of the people, and they said, "All that Yahweh has spoken we will do, and we will listen." And Moses took the blood and sprinkled [it] on the people, and he said, "Look, the blood of the covenant that Yahweh has made with you in accordance with all these words."
And you must keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you; defilers of it will surely be put to death, because anyone who does work on it--that person will be cut off from among his people. [On] six days work can be done, and on the seventh {is a Sabbath of complete rest}, {a holy day} for Yahweh; anyone doing work on the Sabbath day will surely be put to death.
And Moses returned to Yahweh, and he said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin and made for themselves gods of gold. And now if you will forgive their sin--and if not, please blot me from your scroll that you have written."
And he said, "Please show me your glory." And he said, "I myself will cause all my goodness to pass over before you, and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you, and I will be gracious [to] whom I will be gracious, and I will show compassion [to] whom I will show compassion."
And Yahweh passed over before him, and he proclaimed, "Yahweh, Yahweh, God, [who is] compassionate and gracious, {slow to anger}, and abounding with loyal love and faithfulness, keeping loyal love to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and he does not leave utterly unpunished, punishing [the] guilt of fathers on sons and on sons of sons on third and fourth [generations]."
[On] six days work can be done, and on the seventh there will be for you a holy [day], a {Sabbath of complete rest}, for Yahweh; anyone doing work on it will be put to death. You will not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the day of the Sabbath."
And he took and he put the testimony into the ark, and he placed the poles on the ark, and he put the atonement cover on the ark, above [it].
You shall not curse [the] deaf, and you shall not put a stumbling block {before} a blind person, but you shall revere your God; I [am] Yahweh.
" 'You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke your fellow citizen, so that you do not incur sin {along with} him. You shall not seek vengeance, and you shall not harbor a grudge [against] {your fellow citizens}; and you shall love your neighbor like yourself; I [am] Yahweh.
" '{Before} old age you shall get up, and you shall show respect for an old person; and you shall revere your God; I [am] Yahweh.
" 'And a man or a woman, if a spirit of the dead or a spirit of divination is in them, they shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones--their blood [is] on them.'"
and all its yield shall be for your domestic animal and for the wild animal, which [are] in your land to eat.
Because they [are] my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt, they shall not be sold {as a slave}. You shall not rule over him with ruthlessness, but you shall revere your God. read more. " 'As for your slave and your slave woman who are yours, from the nations that [are] all around you, from them you may buy a slave or a slave woman. And you may buy also from the children of the temporary residents who are dwelling with you as aliens and from their clan who are with you, who have children in your land; indeed, they may be as property for you. And you may pass them on as an inheritance to your sons after you to take possession of as property {for all time}--you may let them work. But [as for] your countrymen, the {Israelites}, you shall not rule with ruthlessness over {one another}. " 'And if [the] alien or [the] temporary resident [who are] with you {prosper}, but your countryman [who is] with him becomes poor and he is sold to an alien, a temporary resident [who is] with you, or to a descendant of an alien's clan, after he is sold redemption shall be for him; one of his brothers may redeem him, or his uncle or his uncle's son may redeem him, or {one of} {his close relatives} from his clan may redeem him; or [if] {he prospers}, he may redeem himself.
Because he despised the word of Yahweh and broke his command, that person will be surely cut off and bear the guilt.'" When the {Israelites} were in the desert, they found a man who was gathering wood on the day of the Sabbath. read more. The ones who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and to all the community. And they put him under watch because it was not made clear what should be done to him. And Yahweh said to Moses, "Surely the man must be put to death by stoning him; all the community [must stone him] with stones from outside the camp." So the entire community brought him out to a place outside the camp, and {they stoned him to death} just as Yahweh commanded Moses.
"However, {take care} for yourself and watch your inner self closely, so that you do not forget the things that your eyes have seen, so that they do not slip from your mind all the days of your life; and you shall make them known to your children and to {your grandchildren}.
'Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you, so that it will be good for you {in the land} that Yahweh your God [is] giving to you.
And you shall love Yahweh your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your might. And these words that I am commanding you {today} shall be on your heart. read more. And you shall recite them to your children, and you shall talk about them at [the time of] your living in your house and at [the time of] your going on the road and at [the time of] your lying down and at [the time of] your rising [up].
"When your child asks you in the future, {saying}, 'What [is the meaning of] the legal provisions and the rules and the regulations that Yahweh our God commanded for you?' Then you shall say to your child, 'We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and Yahweh brought us out from Egypt with a strong hand. read more. And Yahweh gave great and awesome signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and against his entire household {in our presence}. But [he] brought us out from there in order to bring us [here] to give us the land that he swore to our ancestors. And [so] Yahweh commanded us to observe all [of] these rules [and] to revere Yahweh our God {for our benefit} {all the days that we live}, {as it is today}. And it shall be righteousness for us if we diligently observe [and] do all [of] this commandment {before} Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us.'
but {because of} the love of Yahweh [for] you and because of his keeping [of] the sworn oath that he swore to your ancestors, Yahweh brought you [out] with a strong hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
And I turned, and I came down from the mountain, and I put the tablets in the ark that I had made, and they are there, [just] as Yahweh commanded me.
[And he] executes justice for the orphan and widow, and [he is] one who loves [the] alien, to give to them food and clothing. And you shall love the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
And you shall teach them to your children by talking about them when you sit in your house and when you travel on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.
But that prophet or the dreamer of that dream shall be executed, for he spoke falsely about Yahweh your God, the [one] bringing you out from the land of Egypt and the [one] redeeming you from the house of slavery, in order to seduce you from the way that Yahweh your God commanded you to go in it; so [in this way] you shall purge the evil from your midst.
And [then] you shall gather all of its booty into the middle of its public square, and you shall burn the town and all [of] its war-booty totally for Yahweh your God, and it shall be {a pile of rubble forever}; it shall not be built again.
If [there] is a poor [person] among you from [among] one of your brothers in one of your {towns} that Yahweh your God [is] giving to you, you shall not harden your heart, and you shall not shut your hand toward {your brother who is poor}. But you shall certainly open your hand for him, and {you shall willingly lend} [to] him enough to meet his need, {whatever it is}. read more. {Take care} so that there will not be {a thought of wickedness} in your heart, {saying}, 'The seventh year, the year of the remission of debt is near,' {and you view your needy neighbor with hostility}, and [so] you [do] not give to him, and he might cry [out] against you to Yahweh, and {you would incur guilt against yourself}. By all means you must give to him, and {you must not be discontented} at your giving to him, because on account of this [very] thing, Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and {in all that you undertake}. For the poor will not cease to be {among you} [in] the land; therefore I [am] commanding you, {saying}, 'You shall willingly open your hand to your brother, to your needy and to your poor [that are] in your land.'
"You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or sheep {that has a physical defect} {of anything seriously wrong}, for that [is] a detestable thing to Yahweh your God. If [there] is found in one of your {towns} that Yahweh your God [is] giving to you a man or a woman that does evil in the eyes of Yahweh your God to transgress his covenant read more. and by going and serving other gods and [so] he bows down to them and to the sun or to the moon or to any [of] the host of heaven {which I have forbidden}, and it is reported to you or you hear [about it] and you enquire [about it] thoroughly and, indeed, [the] trustworthiness of the deed [has] been established, it {has occurred}, this detestable thing, in Israel, then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gates; that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them with stones {to death}.
However, the prophet that behaves presumptuously by speaking a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, and who speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet shall die.'
{You must show no pity}: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
"When you go out for battle against your enemies, and Yahweh your God gives them into your hand, and you lead the captives away, and you see among the captives a woman beautiful in appearance, and you become attached to her and you want to take her as wife, read more. then you shall bring her into your household, and she shall shave her head, and she shall trim her nails. And she shall remove the clothing of her captivity from her, and she shall remain in your house, and she shall mourn her father and her mother {a full month}, and after this {you may have sex with her}, and you may marry her, and she may {become your wife}. And then if you do not take delight in her, then you shall let her go {to do whatever she wants}, but you shall not treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her.
"You shall not see the donkey of your neighbor or his ox fallen on the road and you ignore them; certainly you must help them [get] up [along] with him.
"If a bird's nest is found {before you} on the road in any tree or on the ground, [and there are] chicks or eggs, and the mother [is] lying down on the chicks or the eggs, you shall not take the mother along with the young;
You shall not subvert the rights of an alien [or] an orphan, and you shall not take as pledge [the] garment of a widow.
"You shall not muzzle an ox {when he is threshing}.
Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little children and your aliens that are in your {towns}, so that they may hear and so that they may learn and they may revere Yahweh your God, and {they shall diligently observe} all the words of this law. And [then] their children, who have not known, they [too] may hear, and they may learn to revere Yahweh their God all the days {that you live} on the land that you [are] crossing the Jordan {to get there} to take possession of it."
then he said to them, "{Take to heart all the words} that I [am] admonishing [against] you {today} [concerning] which you should instruct them [with respect to] your children {so that they will observe diligently} all the words of this law,
(But she had taken them to the roof and had hidden them {in the stalks of flax} that she {had spread out} on the roof.)
Joshua rose early in the morning, and they set out from Acacia Grove. And they came up to the Jordan, he and all the {Israelites}, and they spent the night there before they crossed [over]. At the end of the three days the officers passed through the midst of the camp,
At the end of the three days the officers passed through the midst of the camp, and they commanded the people: "When you see the Levitical priests carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God you must set out from your place and go after it.
and they commanded the people: "When you see the Levitical priests carrying the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God you must set out from your place and go after it.
And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, because tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders in your midst."
And Joshua said to Achan, "My son, please, give glory to Yahweh the God of Israel, and give him a doxology in court. Tell me, please, what you have done; do not hide [it] from me." And Achan answered Joshua and said, "It is true. I have sinned against Yahweh the God of Israel, and this is what I did: read more. I saw among the spoil a beautiful robe from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and one bar of gold [that] weighed fifty shekels; I coveted them and took them. They [are] hidden in the ground inside my tent, and the silver [is] under it." Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there [they were], hidden in his tent, and the silver [was] under it. And they took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the {Israelites}. And they spread them out before the presence of Yahweh. Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his cattle and donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and everything that [was] his, and they brought them [to] the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Why did you bring us trouble? Yahweh will bring you trouble on this day." And all Israel stoned them [with] stones; and they burned them with fire [after] they stoned them with stones. Then {they placed} on top of him a great pile of stones [that remains] to this day. And Yahweh {turned from his burning anger}, and thus the name of that place to this day is called the valley of Achor.
And the chiefs in Issachar [were] with Deborah; and Issachar likewise [was with] Barak; into the valley {he was sent to get him from behind}. Among the clans of Reuben [were] great {decisions of the heart}. Why do you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear [the] calling sounds of the herds? For the clans of Reuben, [there were] great searchings of the heart. read more. Gilead has remained beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan dwell as a foreigner [with] ships? Asher sat at [the] coast of [the] waters, and by his coves he has been settling down. Zebulun [is] a people who scorned death, and Naphtali, on the heights of [the] field.
But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For [God does] not [see] what man sees, for a man {looks on the outward appearance}, but Yahweh {looks on the heart}."
The God of Israel said to me, the rock of Israel has spoken; 'He who rules over mankind rules righteously, in the fear of God. Like the light of [the] morning when the sun rises, shining with no clouds, [bringing] vegetation from the earth apart from rain.'
"If I have withheld [the] desire of [the] poor from [them], or I have caused [the] widow's eyes to fail,
Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish [the] righteous, and test the hearts and innermost being, O righteous God.
Who may ascend [the] mountain of Yahweh? And who may stand in his holy place? He who is innocent of hands and pure of heart, who does not lift up his soul to falseness, and does not swear deceitfully.
Remember your compassion, O Yahweh, and your acts of loyal love, because they [are] from of old.
Blessed [is the one who] has regard for [the] poor; in [the] day of disaster, Yahweh delivers him.
The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children, so that [the] next generation might know-- children [yet to] be born-- [that] they might rise up and tell their children,
Yahweh [is] compassionate and gracious, {slow to anger} and abundant in loyal love.
They give drink for every beast of [the] field. [The] wild donkeys {quench} their thirst. Along them the birds of the heavens abide. From among [the] branches they {sing}.
If you, O Yah, should {keep track of} iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
You know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thought from afar. You search out my wandering and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
And do not enter into judgment with your servant, because no one alive [is] righteous before you.
Go to the ant, lazy! Consider its ways and be wise. It has no chief, officer, or ruler. read more. In the summer, it prepares its food; in the harvest, it gathers its sustenance. How long will you lie down, lazy? When will you rise up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands for rest-- like a {robber} shall your poverty come, and what you lack like an armed man.
The righteous knows the life of his animal, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but he who has mercy on the poor blesses him.
A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and in the midst of brothers he will share his inheritance.
{Fine speech} [is] not becoming a fool, {still less} [is] {false speech} for a ruler.
Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field; afterward, then you shall build your house.
What [is the] abundance of your sacrifices to me? says Yahweh. I have had enough [of] burnt offerings of rams and [the] fat [of] fattened animals and I do not delight in [the] blood of bulls and ram-lambs and goats.
He will {destroy} death forever, and the Lord Yahweh will wipe off [the] tears from all faces, and he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth, for Yahweh has spoken.
Is this not [the] fast I choose: to release [the] bonds of injustice, to untie [the] ropes of [the] yoke, and to let [the] oppressed go free, and {tear} every yoke to pieces?
In all their distress, {there was no distress}, and the messenger of his {presence} saved them, in his love and compassion he himself redeemed them, and he lifted them up, and he supported them all [the] days of old.
Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, 'Return, apostate Israel,' {declares} Yahweh. 'I will not cause my {anger} to fall on you. For I [am] loyal,' {declares} Yahweh. 'I will not be angry {forever}.
What [is] this to me? Frankincense comes from Sheba, and the precious spice reed from a distant land. Your burnt offerings [are] not {acceptable}, your sacrifices are not pleasing to me."
For if you truly make your ways and your deeds good, if you truly do justice between a man and his neighbor,
Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat [the] flesh.
I, Yahweh, examine [the] {mind}, test [the] {heart}, and give to each one according to his way, according to the fruit of his deeds.
Thus says Yahweh, "Act [with] justice and righteousness, and deliver [the] one who has been seized from the hand of [the] oppressor. And you must not oppress [the] immigrant, [the] orphan, and [the] widow. And you must not shed innocent blood in this place.
From afar Yahweh appeared to me, [saying], "I have loved you [with] an everlasting love. {Therefore} I have drawn you [with] loyal love.
"In those days they will say no longer, '{Parents} have eaten unripe fruit, and [the] teeth of [the] children {are set on edge}.' {But} each will die because of his iniquity, {everyone} who eats the unripe fruit, their teeth will {be set on edge}.
"But this [is] the covenant that I will {make} with the house of Israel after those days," {declares} Yahweh: "I will put my law in their inward parts and on their hearts I will write it, and I will be to them God, and they themselves will be to me people.
And I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and I will rebuild them as in the beginning.
"{What do you mean by} quoting this proverb about the land of Israel, {saying}, 'The fathers, they ate unripe fruit, and the teeth of the child became blunt.' {As I live}, {declares} the Lord Yahweh, it will surely not any longer be {appropriate for you} to quote this proverb in Israel!
"Yet you say, 'Why [does] the son not bear the guilt of the father?' And [since] the son does justice and righteousness and he keeps all of my statutes and does them, he shall surely live! The person, the [one] sinning, will die. A son shall not bear the guilt of the father, and a father shall not bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be on him; the wickedness of the wicked shall be on him.
The hand of Yahweh was upon me, and he brought me by the Spirit of Yahweh, and he {let me rest} in the midst of the valley, and it [was] full of bones. And he led me {all around} over them, and look, very many on the surface of the valley, and look, very dry. read more. And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I said, "Lord Yahweh, you know." And he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and you must say to them, [to] the dry bones, 'Hear the word of Yahweh! Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: "Look! I [am] bringing into you breath, and you will live! And I will lay on you sinews, and I will let flesh come upon you, and I will cover you over [with] skin, and I will put breath into you, and you will live, and you will know that I [am] Yahweh." '" And I prophesied {just as} I had been commanded, and [there] was a sound at my prophesying, and look! A rattling, and they came together--[the] bones! Bone to its bone! And I looked, and indeed, sinews [were] on them, and flesh went up, and skin covered over them {upward}, but breath [was] not in them. And he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and you must say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh {from the four winds}, "Come, O spirit and breath, on these dead ones, so that they may live!" '" And I prophesied {as} he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they became alive, and they stood on their feet, a very, very large group. And he said to me, "Son of man, these bones [are] all of the house of Israel; look! [they are] saying, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is destroyed; {we are cut off as far as we are concerned}.' Therefore prophesy, and you must say to them, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "Look! I [am] opening your graves, and I will bring you up from your graves, my people, and I will bring you to the land of Israel! And you will know that I [am] Yahweh when I open your graves when I bring you up from your graves, my people! And I will put my breath into you so that you may live, and I will cause you to rest on your soil, and you will know that I, Yahweh, I have spoken, and I will act!" ' {declares} Yahweh."
Because I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But like Adam, they transgressed [the] covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.
[Put] to your lips [the] trumpet like a vulture over the house of Yahweh, because they have {broken my covenant} and rebelled against my law.
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
Should I redeem them from {the power} of Sheol? Should I deliver them from death? Where [are] your plagues, Death? Where [is] your destruction, Sheol? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely because my anger has turned back from them.
Hear this word that Yahweh has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole clan that I brought up from the land of Egypt: "You only have I {chosen} of all the clans of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. read more. Do two walk together unless they have met?
"I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your assemblies.
And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, the great city, {in which there are} more {than one hundred and twenty thousand} people who do not know right from left, plus many animals?"
Who [is] a God like you, forgiving sin and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, for he delights in loyal love.
"Thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'Judge [with] trustworthy justice, and show steadfast love and compassion {to one another}.
And the word of Yahweh of hosts came, saying, "Thus says Yahweh of hosts: '{I am exceedingly jealous for Zion}; I am jealous for it [with] great wrath.' read more. Thus says Yahweh: 'I have returned to Zion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem will be called the faithful city, and the mountain of Yahweh of hosts [will be called] the holy mountain.' Thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'Old men and old women shall again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand {because of great age}. And the public squares of the city will be filled [with] boys and girls playing in its public squares.' Thus says Yahweh of hosts: '[Even] if it seems impossible {to the remnant} of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible {to me}?' {declares} Yahweh of hosts. Thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'Look! I [am] going to save my people from the land of the east, and from the land of the west, and I will bring them and they will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They will be my people and I will be their God in faithfulness and in righteousness.'
"My covenant with him was [one of] life and peace, and I gave them to him. [This required] reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe {before} my name. [The] instruction of truth was in his mouth, and wickedness was not found on his lips. In peace and in uprightness he walked with me, and he brought back many from sin. read more. For the lips of [the] priest should guard knowledge, and they should seek instruction from his mouth, for he [is] the messenger of Yahweh of hosts.
Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil, and [after he] had fasted forty days and forty nights, then he was hungry. read more. And the tempter approached [and] said to him, "If you are the Son of God, order that these stones become bread." But he answered [and] said, "It is written, 'Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God." Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the highest point of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down! For it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On [their] hands they will lift you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand it is written, 'You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him, "I will give to you all these things, if you will fall down [and] worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and began ministering to him.
Now [when he] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and [after he] sat down, his disciples approached him.
Now [when he] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain and [after he] sat down, his disciples approached him. And opening his mouth he began to teach them, saying,
And opening his mouth he began to teach them, saying, "Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [are] the ones who mourn, because they will be comforted.
Blessed [are] the ones who mourn, because they will be comforted. Blessed [are] the meek, because they will inherit the earth.
Blessed [are] the meek, because they will inherit the earth. Blessed [are] the ones who hunger and thirst [for] righteousness, because they will be satisfied.
Blessed [are] the ones who hunger and thirst [for] righteousness, because they will be satisfied. Blessed [are] the merciful, because they will be shown mercy.
Blessed [are] the merciful, because they will be shown mercy. Blessed [are] the pure in heart, because they will see God.
Blessed [are] the pure in heart, because they will see God. Blessed [are] the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.
Blessed [are] the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God. Blessed [are] those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed [are] those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed [are] those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute [you] and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute [you] and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward [is] great in heaven, for in the [same] way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Rejoice and be glad, because your reward [is] great in heaven, for in the [same] way they persecuted the prophets before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, by what will it be made salty? It is good for nothing any longer except to be thrown outside [and] trampled under foot by people. read more. You are the light of the world. A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and place it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house. In the [same] way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have not come to destroy [them] but to fulfill [them].
"You have heard that it was said to the {people of old}, 'Do not commit murder,' and 'whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.'
"You have heard that it was said to the {people of old}, 'Do not commit murder,' and 'whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Stupid fool!' will be subject to the council, and whoever says, 'Obstinate fool!' will be subject to fiery hell. read more. Therefore if you present your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and first go be reconciled to your brother, and then come [and] present your gift.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.
"And take care not to practice your righteousness before people to be seen by them; {otherwise} you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
in order that your charitable giving may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
But whenever you pray, enter into your inner room and shut your door [and] pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
For if you forgive people their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people, neither will your Father forgive your sins.
so that you will not be seen by people as fasting, but to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it did not collapse, because its foundation was laid on the rock. read more. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed, and its fall was great."
For which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your stretcher and go to your home."
The one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and the one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. read more. The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it.
Truly I say to you, among [those] born of women there has not arisen [one] greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say good things [when you] are evil? For from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person from his good treasury brings out good [things], and the evil person from his evil treasury brings out evil [things].
For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous [people] longed to see what you see, and did not see [it], and to hear what you hear, and did not hear [it]!
in order that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled, who said, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden since the creation."
And he said to them, "For this [reason] every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of the house who brings out of his storeroom new [things] and old [things]."
"For this [reason] the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man--a king--who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And [when] he began to settle [them], someone was brought to him who owed ten thousand talents. read more. And [because] he did not have [enough] to repay [it], the master ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children and everything that he had, and to be repaid. Then the slave threw himself to the ground [and] began to do obeisance to him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay back everything to you!' So the master of that slave, [because he] had compassion, released him and forgave him the loan. But that slave went out [and] found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and taking hold of him, he began to choke [him], saying, 'Pay back everything that you owe!' Then his fellow slave threw himself to the ground [and] began to implore him, saying, 'Be patient with me and I will repay you!' But he did not want to, but rather he went [and] threw him into prison until he would repay what was owed. So [when] his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were extremely distressed, and went [and] reported to their master everything that had happened. Then his master summoned him [and] said to him, 'Wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you implored me! Should you not also have shown mercy to your fellow slave as I also showed mercy to you?' And [because he] was angry, his master handed him over to the merciless jailers until he would repay everything that was owed. So also my heavenly Father will do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from your hearts!"
And they do all their deeds in order to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries broad and make their tassels long.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees--hypocrites!--because you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean!
Then he will also say to those on [his] left, 'Depart from me, [you] accursed ones, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you did not give me [anything] to eat, I was thirsty and you did not give me [anything] to drink, read more. I was a stranger and you did not welcome me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not care for me.' Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and not serve you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, in as much as you did not do [it] to one of the least of these, you did not do [it] to me.'
teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the age."
And the scribes of the Pharisees, [when they] saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, began to say to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" And [when] Jesus heard [it], he said to them, "Those who are healthy do not have need of a physician, but those {who are sick}. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
No one sews a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old garment. {Otherwise} the patch pulls away from it--the new from the old--and the tear becomes worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. {Otherwise} the wine will burst the wineskins and the wine is destroyed and the wineskins [too]. But new wine [is put] into new wineskins."
And they saw that some of his disciples were eating their bread with unclean--that is, unwashed--hands. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands {ritually}, [thus] holding fast to the traditions of the elders. read more. And [when they come] from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other [traditions] which they have received [and] hold fast to--[for example,] the washing of cups and pitchers and bronze kettles and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unclean hands?" So he said to them, "Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far, far away from me. And they worship me in vain, teaching [as] doctrines the commandments of men.' Abandoning the commandment of God, you hold fast to the tradition of men."
And he said to them, "So are you also without understanding? Do you not understand that everything [that is] outside that goes into a person [is] not able to defile him? For it does not enter into his heart but into his stomach, and goes out into the latrine"--[thus] declaring all foods clean. read more. And he said, "What comes out of a person, that defiles a person. For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,
For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, [acts of] greed, malicious [deeds], deceit, licentiousness, {envy}, abusive speech, pride, foolishness.
adulteries, [acts of] greed, malicious [deeds], deceit, licentiousness, {envy}, abusive speech, pride, foolishness. All these evil [things] come from within and defile a person."
And they asked him if it was permitted for a man to divorce [his] wife, [in order to] test him. And he answered [and] said to them, "What did Moses command you?" read more. So they said, "Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce and to send [her] away." But Jesus said to them, "He wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart. But from the beginning of creation 'he made them male and female. Because of this a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh,' so that they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate."
And [when they] came, they said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and {you do not care what anyone thinks}, {because you do not regard the opinion of people} but teach the way of God in truth. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?" But [because he] knew their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius so that I can look at [it]!" read more. So they brought [one]. And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription [is] this?" And they said to him, "Caesar's." And Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!" And they were utterly amazed at him.
Now [as] the sun was setting, all who had those who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and placing [his] hands on every one of them, he healed them.
{For this reason} I tell you, her sins--[which were] many--have been forgiven, for she loved much. But [the one] to whom little is forgiven loves little."
And he said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, first allow me to go [and] bury my father." But he said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead! But you go [and] proclaim the kingdom of God."
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes! But it will be more bearable for Tyre and for Sidon in the judgment than for you! read more. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No! You will be brought down to Hades! The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me. But the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me."
And behold, a certain legal expert stood up to test him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do so that I will inherit eternal life?" And he said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read [it]?" read more. And he answered [and] said, "You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" And Jesus replied [and] said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who both stripped him and beat [him]. [After] inflicting blows on [him], they went away, leaving [him] half dead. Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down on that road, and [when he] saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. And in the same way also a Levite, [when he] came down to the place and saw [him], passed by on the opposite side. But a certain Samaritan who was traveling came up to him and, [when he] saw [him], had compassion. And he came up [and] bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine, and he put him on his own animal [and] brought him to an inn and took care of him. And on the next day, he took out two denarii [and] gave [them] to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him, and whatever you spend in addition, I will repay to you when I return. Which of these three do you suppose became a neighbor of the man who fell among the robbers?" So he said, "The one who showed mercy to him." And Jesus said to him, "You go and do likewise."
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and furthermore, even his own life, {he cannot be} my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and {follow} me {cannot be} my disciple.
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the grassland and go after the one that was lost until he finds it? And [when he] has found [it], he places [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. read more. And [when he] returns to [his] home, he calls together [his] friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!' I tell you that in the [same] way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
And he said to them, "You are the ones who justify themselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts! For [what is] [considered] exalted among men [is] an abomination in the sight of God.
"Now a certain man was rich, and dressed [in] purple cloth and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day. And a certain poor man {named} Lazarus, covered with sores, lay at his gate, read more. and was longing to be filled with what fell from the table of the rich man. But even the dogs came [and] licked his sores. Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to {Abraham's side}. And the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes [as he] was in torment [and] saw Abraham from a distance, and Lazarus {at his side}. And he called out [and] said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you received your good [things] during your life, and Lazarus likewise bad [things]. But now he is comforted here, but you are suffering pain. And in [addition to] all these [things], a great chasm has been established between us and you, so that those who want to cross over from here to you are not able [to do so], nor can they cross over from there to us.' So he said, 'Then I ask you, father, that you send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he could warn them, in order that they also should not come to this place of torment!' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they must listen to them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent!' But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.'"
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood [and] prayed these [things] with reference to himself: 'God, I give thanks to you that I am not like other people--swindlers, unrighteous [people], adulterers, or even like this tax collector! read more. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far away, did not want even to raise his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that one! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
And Zacchaeus stopped [and] said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am paying [it] back four times [as much]!" And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.
And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"
And all the crowds that had come together for this spectacle, [when they] saw the things that had happened, returned [home] beating [their] breasts.
All [things] came into being through him, and apart from him not one [thing] came into being that has come into being. In him was life, and the life was the light of humanity.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God."
What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
For in this way God loved the world, so that he gave his one and only Son, in order that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life.
The one who believes in him is not judged, but the one who does not believe has already been judged, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
But an hour is coming--and now is [here]--when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for indeed the Father seeks such [people] [to be] his worshipers.
Thus I said to you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I am [he], you will die in your sins."
So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free.
Who among you convicts me concerning sin? If I am telling the truth, {why} do you not believe me?
"I am the good shepherd, and I know my [own], and my [own] know me,
You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you speak correctly, for I am.
"A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another--just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
Yet a little [time] and the world will see me no longer, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch that does not bear fruit in me, he removes it, and every [branch] that bears fruit, he prunes it in order that it may bear more fruit. read more. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit from itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither [can] you, unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you [are] the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him--this one bears much fruit, for apart from me you are not able to do anything. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and dries up, and they gather them and throw [them] into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you bear much fruit, and prove to be my disciples. "Just as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they do not have a valid excuse for their sin. The one who hates me hates my Father also. read more. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.
{They will expel you from the synagogue}, but an hour is coming that everyone who kills you will think they are offering service to God.
And [when he] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment:
And [when he] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me,
I have said these [things] to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world."
I have glorified you on earth [by] completing the work that you have given me {to do}.
"Father, [those] whom you have given to me--I want that those also may be with me where I am, in order that they may see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name.
(For he had not yet fallen on any of them, {but they had only been baptized} in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
So [when] they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news [to] many villages of the Samaritans. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Get up and go toward the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert [road].) read more. And he got up [and] went, and behold, [there was] a man, an Ethiopian eunuch (a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasury) who had come to worship in Jerusalem and was returning and sitting in his chariot, and reading aloud the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, "Approach and join this chariot." So Philip ran up to [it] [and] heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet and said, "So then, do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "So how could I, unless someone will guide me?" And he invited Philip to come up [and] sit with him. Now the passage of scripture that he was reading aloud was this: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer [is] silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was taken from him. Who can describe his {descendants}? For his life was taken away from the earth." And the eunuch answered [and] said to Philip, "I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this--about himself or about someone else?" So Philip opened his mouth and beginning from this scripture, proclaimed the good news to him [about] Jesus. And as they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"
And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water--Philip and the eunuch--and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer, for he went on his way rejoicing.
So it happened that when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at [his] feet, [and] worshiped [him]. But Peter helped him up, saying, "Get up! I myself am also a man!"
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called [to be] an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
For the Jew is not {one outwardly}, nor [is] circumcision {outwardly}, in the flesh. But the Jew {is one inwardly}, and circumcision [is] of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise [is] not from people but from God.
Therefore, do we nullify the law through faith? May it never be! But we uphold the law.
Therefore, [because we] have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have [obtained] access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
For only rarely will someone die on behalf of a righteous person (for on behalf of a good person possibly someone might even dare to die), but God demonstrates his own love for us, [in] that [while] we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, {sold into slavery to sin}.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person {does not belong to him}.
because [those] whom he foreknew, he also predestined [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers.
[No], but in all these [things] we prevail completely through the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, read more. nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for [there] is no authority except by God, and those that exist are put in place by God. So then, the one who resists authority resists the ordinance [which is] from God, and those who resist will receive condemnation on themselves. read more. For rulers are not a [cause of] terror for a good deed, but for bad [conduct]. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what [is] good, and you will have praise from it, for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad. Therefore [it is] necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for [the authorities] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very [thing]. Pay to everyone [what is] owed: [pay] taxes to whom taxes [are due]; [pay] customs duties to whom customs duties [are due]; [pay] respect to whom respect [is due]; [pay] honor to whom honor [is due].
Who are you, who passes judgment on the domestic slave belonging to someone else? To his own master he stands or falls, and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus [as] Lord, and ourselves [as] your slaves for the sake of Jesus.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, in order that each one may receive back the [things] through the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that [although he] was rich, for your sake he became poor, in order that you, by his poverty, may become rich.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, read more. envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, [things] which I am telling you [in advance], just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such things [there] is no law.
gentleness, self control. Against such things [there] is no law.
Brothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you [who are] spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of humility, looking out for yourself, lest you also be tempted. Carry the burdens of one another, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For each one will carry his own burden.
And you, {although you were dead} in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, read more. among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the mind, and we were children of wrath by nature, as also the rest of [them] were. But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love [with] which he loved us, and we being dead in trespasses, he made [us] alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and raised [us] together and seated [us] together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, in order that he might show in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.
invalidating the law of commandments in ordinances, in order that he might create the two in himself into one new man, [thus] making peace,
The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands [what is] good, so that he may have [something] to share with the one who has need. {No rotten word must proceed} from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear,
--wives to their own husbands as to the Lord,
And masters, do the same [things] to them, giving up threats, knowing that both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
because to you has been graciously granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on behalf of him,
Think this in yourselves which [was] also in Christ Jesus,
Therefore my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For the one at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure, is God.
{More than that}, even consider all [things] to be loss because of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I have suffered the loss of all [things], and consider [them] dung, in order that I may gain Christ and may be found in him, not having my righteousness [which is] from the law, but [which is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith, read more. so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already received [this], or [have] already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of [that] for which also I was laid hold of by Christ. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of [it]. But [I do] one [thing], forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
whom we proclaim, [by] admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, in order that we may present every person mature in Christ,
Therefore, if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not [on] the things on earth. read more. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Therefore put to death {what is earthly in you}: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry, because of which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which also you once lived, when you used to live in them. But now you also lay aside all [these] things: anger, rage, wickedness, slander, abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, [because you] have taken off the old man together with his deeds,
Therefore, as [the] chosen of God, holy and [dearly] loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone should have a complaint against anyone, just as also the Lord forgave you, thus also you [do the same]. read more. And to all these [things] [add] love, which is [the] bond of perfection. And the peace of Christ must rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, [and] spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God, and everything {whatever} you do in word or in deed, giving thanks [for] all [things] in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a master in heaven.
and Jesus who is called Justus. These [are] the only ones who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, who have been a comfort to me.
But you, speak [the things] which are fitting for sound instruction. Older men are to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, [and] in endurance.
training us in order that, denying impiety and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled and righteously and godly in the present age,
training us in order that, denying impiety and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled and righteously and godly in the present age, looking forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, read more. who gave himself for us, in order that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good deeds.
how will we escape [if we] neglect so great a salvation which had [its] beginning [when it] was spoken through the Lord [and] was confirmed to us by those who heard,
For both the one who sanctifies and the ones who are sanctified [are] all from one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will sing in praise of you." read more. And again, "I will trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Therefore, since the children share in blood and flesh, he also in like manner shared in these [same things], in order that through death he could destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and could set free these who through fear of death were subject to slavery throughout all their lives. For surely he is not concerned with angels, but he is concerned with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he was obligated to be made like his brothers in all [respects], in order that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in the things relating to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that which he himself suffered [when he] was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all [things] in the same way, without sin.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, read more. and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning.
containing the golden incense altar and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which [were] a golden jar containing the manna and the rod of Aaron that budded and the tablets of the covenant.
[by the] new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh,
For [if] we keep on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
But remember the former days in which, [after you] were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed both to insults and to afflictions, and sometimes becoming sharers with those who were treated in this way. read more. For you both sympathized with the prisoners and put up with the seizure of your belongings with joy [because you] knew that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
And do not neglect doing good and generosity, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Greetings!
[By his] will he gave birth to us through the message of truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep oneself unstained by the world.
and [for] this same [reason], and [by] applying all diligence, supply with your faith excellence of character, and with excellence of character, knowledge,
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves {the father} also loves the [child] fathered by him.
The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give to him [some] of the hidden manna, and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, that no one knows except the one who receives [it].'
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go outside again, and I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God, and my new name.
And they were singing a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and bought [people] for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and they will see his face, and his name [will be] on their foreheads.
And I, John, [am] the one who heard and who saw these [things]. And when I heard and saw [them], I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these [things] to me. And he said to me, "{Do not do that!} I am your fellow slave, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"