A settlement has been reached in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation case against Fox News, the judge for the case announced. The network will pay more than $787 million to Dominion, a lawyer for the company said.
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• 20-year-old woman shot after friend turned into the wrong driveway in upstate New York, officials say
Newly released body camera footage shows firefighters and sheriff's deputies rushing to help actor Jeremy Renner after a near-fatal snowplow accident in January. The "Avengers" actor broke more than 30 bones and suffered other severe injuries. CNN's Chloe Melas has more.
Jamie Foxx remains hospitalized in Georgia nearly a week after his daughter revealed the actor experienced a "medical complication," a source with knowledge of the matter told CNN on Monday.
A 13-year-old in Ohio has died after "he took a bunch of Benadryl," trying a dangerous TikTok challenge that's circulating online, according to a CNN affiliate and a GoFundMe account from his family.
Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT could lead to a "turbocharging" of consumer harms including fraud and scams, and the US government has substantial authority to crack down on AI-driven consumer harms under existing law, members of the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday.
Gobbling up too many refined wheat and rice products, along with eating too few whole grains, is fueling the growth of new cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide, according to a new study that models data through 2018.
At some middle and high schools in the United States, 1 in 4 teens report they've abused prescription stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during the year prior, a new study found.
CEO Tim Cook personally welcomed customers to the new Apple store in Mumbai as the tech company opens its first retail stores in India. CNN's Vedika Sud reports.
Senate Democrats railed against Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday amid reports that the Supreme Court conservative failed to disclose luxury travel, gifts and a real estate transaction involving a GOP megadonor, but their plan to investigate the conservative jurist remains unclear.
• Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich denied detention appeal in Moscow
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• Watch moment WSJ journalist appears in Russian court
Two Russian men who claim to be former Wagner Group commanders have told a human rights activist that they killed children and civilians during their time in Ukraine.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday that he hopes to replace Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee with Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland and aims to set up a floor vote on the issue this afternoon, which Republicans are expected to block.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy traveled to Wall Street on Monday to deliver a fresh warning that the House GOP majority will refuse to lift a cap on government borrowing unless Biden agrees to spending cuts that would effectively neutralize his domestic agenda.
The US has sensitive nuclear technology at a nuclear power plant inside Ukraine and is warning Russia not to touch it, according to a letter the US Department of Energy sent to Russia's state-owned nuclear energy firm Rosatom last month.
Atiq Ahmed, a former lawmaker in India's parliament, convicted of kidnapping, was shot dead along with his brother while police were escorting them for a medical check-up in a slaying caught on live television on Saturday. CNN's Vedika Sud reports.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the terms of its emergency use authorizations for the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines on Tuesday, allowing people ages 65 and older and certain people with weakened immunity to get additional doses before this fall's vaccination campaigns.
Maine authorities have detained a person of interest and continue to investigate after two shooting incidents that appear to be connected left at least four people dead and three others injured, state police said.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who has been cleared to resume football activities, said Tuesday his cardiac arrest during an NFL game in January was caused by commotio cordis.
The top US Navy admiral ardently defended a non-binary sailor on Tuesday amid some criticism from Republican lawmakers, saying he is "particularly proud of this sailor."
The Fulton County District Attorney's office said some fake electors for Donald Trump have implicated each other in potential criminal activity and is seeking to disqualify their lawyer, according to a new court filing.
It's April 18, the official deadline to file your federal and state income tax returns for 2022. (It is also, apparently, National Animal Crackers Day for those who celebrate.)
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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has found two of three ships that sank in the same Lake Superior storm more than a century ago, locating one in 2021 and the other in 2022.
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The ruling earlier this month by a Texas federal judge to suspend the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of a drug that is used frequently for medication abortions, is very personal for me.
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In 1917, British analysts deciphered a coded message the German foreign minister sent to one of his country's diplomats vowing to begin "unrestricted submarine warfare" and seeking to win over Mexico with a promise to "reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona" if the US entered the world war. When it became public, the Zimmerman Telegram caused a sensation, helping propel the US into the conflict against Germany.
Four years ago, almost to the day, the people of Sudan were celebrating a revolution after overthrowing longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir. Now the East African country faces the possibility of a complete collapse similar to the chaos we see today in Yemen or Libya.
After the shock came the aftershocks, the power vacuum, and perhaps most significantly and impressively, the laughs, as "Succession" pivoted to face life after Logan Roy, in an episode that finally put the HBO show's title into full flower.
"Barry" has taken chances from the very beginning, which is certainly true of a fourth and final season that picks up where the third left off, with its hitman-turned-wannabe actor getting arrested. That paves the way for an even darker season that accentuates the show's ensemble aspect while leaning a little too heavily on blurring lines with flights of fancy.
“See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.”—“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”—“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”—As a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.—For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.—Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
39 “‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
“She did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold. Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will take away my wool and my flax.”—“All things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance… comes from your hand and is all your own.”—From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.—Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew hope, or prospect">116 O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.
Footnotes
[1]29:15 Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew hope, or prospect
8 And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. 9 Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will take away my wool and my flax, which were to cover her nakedness.
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.—I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.—Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them.—Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds…. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus…. Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Evening:
Psalm 106:15; Psalm 131:2; Isaiah 26:3; Jeremiah 10:23; Matthew 20:22; Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42; Romans 8:26–27; 1 Corinthians 7:32; 1 Corinthians 10:6
“Your will be done.”
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.—“Not as I will, but as you will.”—But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
“You do not know what you are asking.”—He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.—Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
I want you to be free from anxieties.—You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, becauseOr that">1 the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Morning:
John 10:17–18; John 15:13; John 17:4; John 19:30; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10:10–14; Hebrews 12:2
“It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.—“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”—We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.—Canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
“I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.”—“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.”
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when ChristGreek this one">1 had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.—You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh.
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.—“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.”—We went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
61 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
“I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyGreek flesh">1 and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.Greek like the rest">2
Morning:
2 Kings 22:19; Psalm 31:19–20; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 145:18–19; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 1:50; 1 Peter 1:17
His mercy is for those who fear him.
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.—The Lord is near to all who call on him… in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
“Because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord,… and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.”—“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”—The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.
19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
Evening:
1 Samuel 2:30; Matthew 10:32; Matthew 10:37–39; 2 Corinthians 4:17; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 2:10
“Those who honor me I will honor.”
“Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”—“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer…. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.—Praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
30 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
“Your lamb shall be without blemish… and… the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it…. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.—The sprinkled blood.—Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.—“Delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.”—Because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.—Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.Hebrew between the two evenings">1
7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
23 this Jesus,Greek this one">1 delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
9 who saved us and called us toOr with">1 a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,Greek before times eternal">2
4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,Some manuscripts add for us; some for you">1 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”—[The Lord] saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.—He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.—Becoming a curse for us.
Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.—He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.—Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
“March on, my soul, with might!”—We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.—“They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall seeMasoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll he shall see light">1 and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Footnotes
[1]53:11 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll he shall see light
16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.
3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifebloodOr their juice; also verse 6">1 spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.
Morning:
Mark 9:24; John 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:6; James 2:20; 1 Peter 1:8–9; 1 John 2:5
The fruit of the Spirit is… faithfulness.
By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.—Without faith it is impossible to please him.—“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”—“I believe; help my unbelief!”
Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him.—Faith working through love.—Faith apart from works is useless.—We walk by faith, not by sight.—I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.—Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Evening:
Deuteronomy 32:11–12; Psalm 103:13; Psalm 111:4–5; Psalm 121:3–4; Lamentations 3:22–23; Matthew 10:29–31; Matthew 14:14; Hebrews 13:8; James 5:11
The Lord is compassionate and merciful.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.—The Lord is gracious and merciful…. He remembers his covenant forever.
He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.—Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the Lord alone guided him, no foreign god was with him.
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—[Jesus] went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.—Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
“Even the hairs of your head are all numbered…. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father…. Fear not, therefore.”
11 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, 12 the LORD alone guided him, no foreign god was with him.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
“I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.”—It was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.—Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God.—We are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Evening:
Psalm 133:1–2; Ephesians 2:18–22; Ephesians 4:3–4; 1 Peter 1:22
The unity of the Spirit.
There is one body and one Spirit.—Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!Or dwell together">1 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,Or sojourners">1 but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God byOr in">2 the Spirit.
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Get wisdom; get insight.—The wisdom from above.—“The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’”—We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.—God… made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
People who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.—Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility.
3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands;Or who carry out his judgment">1 seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
4 ButOr And">1 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Evening:
Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 10:32; Matthew 17:20; Matthew 26:58; John 6:37; John 7:50; John 12:42–43; 2 Timothy 1:7–8; 1 John 2:28
Nicodemus, who had gone to him before.
Peter was following him at a distance.—Many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.—The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”—A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.—“Faith like a grain of mustard seed.”
God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.—Little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.—“Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Morning:
Psalm 144:5; Song of Solomon 8:14; Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 64:1; Acts 1:11; Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 22:20
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down.
Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.—We ourselves… groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.—Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”—Christ… will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.—It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!—Our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.—But our citizenship is in heaven.
9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”—The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.—The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.—He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindicationOr righteousness">1 from me, declares the LORD.”
Morning:
Proverbs 10:12; Proverbs 24:17; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:35; John 13:34; Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:18
Walk in love.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”—Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.—Love covers all offenses.
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”—“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.”—Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.—Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.—If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.—Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Evening:
1 Samuel 1:9–11; 1 Samuel 1:19; Psalm 47:4; Psalm 142:2; Mark 14:36; Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 12:7–9; Philippians 4:6
Let your requests be made known to God.
“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”—A thorn was given me in the flesh…. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses.
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.—Hannah… was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and… will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.”… and the Lord remembered her.—We do not know what to pray for as we ought.—He chose our heritage for us.
9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited">1 a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Footnotes
[1]12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited
Morning:
Isaiah 40:5; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 14:9; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:14–15; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3
Christ, who is the image of God.
“The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”—No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known…. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.—“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”—He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.—He was manifested in the flesh.
In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.—Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only SonOr only One, or unique One">1 from the Father, full of grace and truth.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
And Asa cried to the Lord his God, “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”—Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.—The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God.
11 And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.”
31 As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him.
16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance.
He chose our heritage for us.—“He encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the Lord alone guided him, no foreign god was with him.”
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.”—“Who is a teacher like him?”
We walk by faith, not by sight.—Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.—Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.—“Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction.”
10 “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, 12 the LORD alone guided him, no foreign god was with him.
17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Evening:
Exodus 15:11; Job 15:15–16; Job 25:5–6; Psalm 97:12; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 4:29–30; Hebrews 12:10; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 2 Peter 3:11; 2 Peter 3:14
Give thanks to his holy name!
“The heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!”—“And the stars are not pure in his eyes; how much less man,… who is a worm!”
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness?”—“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.”
As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”—Share his holiness.
God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.—Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,… without spot or blemish.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear…. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
15 Behold, GodHebrew he">1 puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; 16 how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!
5 Behold, even the moon is not bright, and the stars are not pure in his eyes; 6 how much less man, who is a maggot, and the son of man, who is a worm!”
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Morning:
John 5:24; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:19; 1 John 3:21; 1 John 5:12; 1 John 5:19
We know that we have passed out of death into life.
“Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”—Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
It is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.—By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him…. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.—We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
You were dead in the trespasses and sins…. [God] made us alive together with Christ.—He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.Or down payment">1
Evening:
1 Samuel 12:23; Psalm 16:11; Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 35:8; Jeremiah 21:8; Hosea 6:3; Matthew 4:19; Matthew 7:13–14; John 14:2; John 14:6
You make known to me the path of life.
“Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.”—“I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—“Follow me.”
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.—“The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.—“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord.”
“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”
23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.Or if they are fools, they shall not wander in it">1
Footnotes
[1]35:8 Or if they are fools, they shall not wander in it
3 Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easySome manuscripts For the way is wide and easy">1 that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Footnotes
[1]7:13 Some manuscripts For the way is wide and easy
Morning:
1 Samuel 3:18; Job 1:21; Job 2:10; Job 9:15; Isaiah 53:3–4; John 11:35; John 16:33; Romans 12:12; Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 12:6; Hebrews 12:11
Patient in tribulation.
“It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”—“Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.”—“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”—“Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”
Jesus wept.—A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.
“The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”… For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.—May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.—“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”Or disaster; also verse 11">1 In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
[1]53:3 Or forsaken [2]53:3 Or pains; also verse 4
[3]53:3 Or and knowing [4]53:3 Or sickness; also verse 4
[5]53:3 Or as one who hides his face from us
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Evening:
Genesis 18:14; Matthew 19:26; Mark 11:22–24; Luke 17:5; Romans 4:20–21; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 11:17–19
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God.
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”—Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
He who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead.—Fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”—“With God all things are possible.”—“Increase our faith!”
14 Is anything too hardOr wonderful">1 for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have receivedSome manuscripts are receiving">1 it, and it will be yours.
20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Morning:
Mark 13:32–33; Mark 13:37; Luke 12:35–36; 1 Corinthians 15:24; James 5:8–9; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:11; Revelation 22:20
Then comes the end.
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come…. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”—The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.—The coming of the Lord is at hand…. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.—“Surely I am coming soon.”
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.—“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.33 Be on guard, keep awake.Some manuscripts add and pray">1 For you do not know when the time will come.
35 “Stay dressed for actionGreek Let your loins stay girded; compare Exodus 12:11">1 and keep your lamps burning,36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
Footnotes
[1]12:35 Greek Let your loins stay girded; compare Exodus 12:11
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,Some manuscripts on your account">1 not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him…. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up…. Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.—Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.—Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers.—Always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power">117 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Footnotes
[1]5:16 Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power
Morning:
Isaiah 53:12; Romans 5:8–9; Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:24–25; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 4:1–2
The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
He… was numbered with the transgressors.—Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many.—He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.—By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.—He holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.—While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,Or with the great">1 and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,Or with the numerous">2 because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Footnotes
[1]53:12 Or with the great [2]53:12 Or with the numerous
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermostThat is, completely; or at all times">1 those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,Some manuscripts add for us; some for you">1 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
Evening:
John 15:4–5; John 15:8–10; John 15:12; Romans 5:8; Galatians 5:22; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 4:16; Jude 21
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
The fruit of the Spirit is love.—“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.”—Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”—God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Much in every way.—“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts.”—“If then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham.”
Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs.—In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.—You, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and… be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and… put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
41 so that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies—if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, 42 then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
3 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
22 to put off your old self,Greek man; also verse 24">1 which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Evening:
Matthew 27:51; John 6:51; John 6:53–54; John 6:56–57; John 6:61–63; 1 Corinthians 11:23–24; Hebrews 10:20; Hebrews 10:22
The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”—“The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
“Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me…. Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail.”
The new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh… let us draw near.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.
61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is forSome manuscripts broken for">1 you. Do this in remembrance of me.”Or as my memorial; also verse 25">2
Footnotes
[1]11:24 Some manuscripts broken for [2]11:24 Or as my memorial; also verse 25
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Morning:
Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 5:14; Matthew 5:16; John 1:9; John 16:33; John 17:16; Acts 10:38; Galatians 6:10; Philippians 2:15; Hebrews 7:26
“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.—“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
It was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners.—That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.
“Jesus of Nazareth… went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”—So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.—“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
[1]53:3 Or forsaken [2]53:3 Or pains; also verse 4
[3]53:3 Or and knowing [4]53:3 Or sickness; also verse 4
[5]53:3 Or as one who hides his face from us
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”—The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.—Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.—As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.—More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings.
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Morning:
Exodus 15:11; Psalm 86:8; Psalm 89:19; Isaiah 63:1; Matthew 6:9; Luke 1:49; Luke 1:68; Ephesians 3:20–21; Revelation 15:4
“He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”—There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.—“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy.”—“Hallowed be your name.”
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.”
Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”—“I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.”
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory.
19 Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one,Some Hebrew manuscripts godly ones">1 and said: “I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
63 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Evening:
Deuteronomy 4:48; Deuteronomy 32:2; Psalm 133:2–3; Isaiah 55:10–11; Hosea 14:5; John 1:16; John 3:34
The dew of Hermon.
Mount Sirion (that is, Hermon).—There the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.—I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon.
“May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb.”—“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
[God] gives the Spirit without measure.—And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.—It is like the precious oil on the head… on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Morning:
Psalm 1:6; Song of Solomon 8:6; Isaiah 49:16; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 7:22–23; John 10:3; John 14:2–3; 2 Timothy 2:19
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”—“Many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”—The Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”—Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm.—The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
“In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousyOr ardor">1 is fierce as the grave.Hebrew as Sheol">2 Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
Evening:
Mark 9:41; Mark 14:8; Luke 17:10; Luke 21:3; 2 Corinthians 8:12; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7; James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:18
“She has done what she could.”
“This poor widow has put in more than all of them.”—“Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”—If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.—If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?—Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
“When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants;Or bondservants">1 we have only done what was our duty.’”
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifullyGreek with blessings; twice in this verse">1 will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what goodOr benefit">1 is that?
“You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”
“Please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’”
Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us…. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!—“Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.”… We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
17 And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’
8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities;Or the iniquities of former generations">1 let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!
2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.
Evening:
Song of Solomon 4:16; John 14:16; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 2 Corinthians 8:2; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9–10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Sanctification by the Spirit.
Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden, let its spices flow.
For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!—(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.”—God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.
In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruitsSome manuscripts chose you from the beginning">1 to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
Footnotes
[1]2:13 Some manuscripts chose you from the beginning
“You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
“You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God.”—But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
You shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God.—Priests of God and of Christ.
Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.—Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.—God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
6 but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
3 Therefore, holy brothers,Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12">1 you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
Evening:
Exodus 14:15; Nehemiah 4:9; Matthew 26:41; Luke 6:46; Philippians 4:6–7; Colossians 4:2; James 1:22; 1 Peter 5:7–9
We prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them.
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”— Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.—Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”—But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
“Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Morning:
Psalm 40:8; Psalm 103:20–21; Matthew 6:10; Matthew 7:21; Matthew 26:42; John 6:38; John 13:17; Romans 2:13; Romans 12:2; James 4:17
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
“I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”—“I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”—“My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”—“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.—“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”—So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Evening:
Job 34:3; Mark 4:24; John 7:24; John 10:3–5; 1 Corinthians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 10:15; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 2:2; Revelation 2:29
“The ear tests words as the palate tastes food.”
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.—“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”—I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.—Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… in all wisdom.—“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says.”—The spiritual person judges all things.
“Pay attention to what you hear.”—“I know your works… and how you… have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”—Test everything; hold fast what is good.—“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… in all wisdom.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.—Death and life are in the power of the tongue.—The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.—Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
“We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”—I believed, even when I spoke.
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”—With the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Evening:
Psalm 42:1–2; Song of Solomon 8:14; Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 64:1; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 1:8; 3 John 14; Revelation 22:20
I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down.—As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?—Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.—Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.—God our Savior and… Christ Jesus our hope.—Though you have not seen him, you love him.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!—It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
42 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?Revocalization yields and see the face of God">2
Footnotes
[1]42:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[2]42:2 Revocalization yields and see the face of God
9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Morning:
Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 8:31; Song of Solomon 7:10; John 15:13; John 17:12; Romans 8:38–39; Romans 14:8; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:12
I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me.
I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.—For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.—“I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost.”
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.—“Delighting in the children of man.”—The great love with which he loved us.—“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.”
You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.—If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit">1
Footnotes
[1]1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”—“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.—By the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.—I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.—That through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
16 Seek and read from the book of the LORD: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the LORD has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”—“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”—In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”—Our sufficiency is from God.
“Lead us not into temptation.”—I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.—My times are in your hand.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Evening:
Genesis 2:18; Job 6:25; Ecclesiastes 4:9–10; Malachi 3:16; Matthew 18:19; Romans 14:13; Galatians 6:1–2; Hebrews 10:24; 2 Peter 3:1
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
“How forceful are upright words!”—I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder.
Those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.—“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.”—Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Let us… decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.—Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
6 Brothers,Or Brothers and sisters; also verse 18">1 if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? For thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you…. Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”—Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.—Because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.—The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
24 Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrantDead Sea Scroll, Syriac, Vulgate (see also verse 25); Masoretic Text of a righteous man">1 be rescued? 25 For thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. 26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the LORD your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
Footnotes
[1]49:24 Dead Sea Scroll, Syriac, Vulgate (see also verse 25); Masoretic Text of a righteous man
20 And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
You have tasted that the Lord is good.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water… beholding your power and glory.—My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.—My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
When I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.—“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”—They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.—“My people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.”
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Morning:
Matthew 10:24–25; John 13:13; John 15:20; John 17:14; Hebrews 12:1–4; 1 Peter 4:1
“A disciple is not above his teacher.”
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.”
“It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”—“If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”—“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.—Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servantOr bondservant; also verse 25">1 above his master.25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malignGreek lacks will they malign">2 those of his household.
Footnotes
[1]10:24 Or bondservant; also verse 25
[2]10:25 Greek lacks will they malign
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Do Not Grow Weary
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,Some manuscripts add for us; some for you">1 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
“Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!”
“Your heart is not right before God.”—For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
They gave themselves first to the Lord.—And every work that [Hezekiah] undertook,… seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life…. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.—As servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man.
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!
29 Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendantsOr sons">1 forever!
21 And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,
“I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.—We have all become like one who is unclean.—I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.—You have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.—Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but… the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
“Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him.”—The fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.—I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”
22 But the father said to his servants,Or bondservants">1 ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old selfGreek man; also as supplied in verse 10">1 with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Evening:
Jeremiah 32:18–19; John 5:22; John 5:27; Romans 2:16; Romans 14:10; Romans 14:12–13; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 4:5
The Day will disclose it.
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.
God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.—“The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son…. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.”
“O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.”
18 You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts, 19 great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Do Not Cause Another to Stumble
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Morning:
Psalm 51:3–4; Isaiah 44:22; Ezekiel 36:25; Luke 15:20; Romans 3:26; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:12; 1 John 5:6; Revelation 3:4
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”—I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.—Your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.—God in Christ forgave you.—So that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean.”—“They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.”
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
Evening:
Psalm 94:20; John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 7:26; 1 John 1:3; 1 John 3:2–3; 1 John 5:18–19
Can wicked rulers be allied with you?
Indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.—Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
“The ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.”—A high priest, holy, innocent, unstained.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.—The prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appearsOr when it appears">1 we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
