BIBLETEXTS.COM - Online Bible Commentary
for Sunday, September 30, 2001 (version 1.01)
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<GT> 1 Thessalonians 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 21 …hold fast that which is good <Strongs' Greek #2570>.
NRSV - 21 ...hold fast to what is good <Strongs' Greek #2570>;
TEV - "Final Instructions and Greetings" - 19 Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; 20 do not despise inspired messages. 21 Put all things to the test: keep what is good <Strongs' Greek #2570> 22 and avoid every kind of evil. 23 May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being -- spirit, soul, and body -- free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful. 25 Pray also for us, brothers. 26 Greet all the believers with a brotherly kiss. 27 I urge you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
KJV - 1 It is a good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
4 For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. 5 O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; 15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
NRSV - 1 It is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
13 They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, 15 showing that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
TEV - "A Song of Praise" - 1 How good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> it is to give thanks to you, O LORD, to sing in your honor, O Most High God, 2 to proclaim your constant love every morning and your faithfulness every night, 3 with the music of stringed instruments and with melody on the harp. 4 Your mighty deeds, O LORD, make me glad; because of what you have done, I sing for joy. 5 How great are your actions, LORD! How deep are your thoughts! 6 This is something a fool cannot know; a stupid man cannot understand: 7 the wicked may grow like weeds, those who do wrong may prosper; yet they will be totally destroyed, 8 because you, LORD, are supreme forever. 9 We know that your enemies will die, and all the wicked will be defeated. 10 You have made me as strong as a wild ox; you have blessed me with happiness. 11 I have seen the defeat of my enemies and heard the cries of the wicked. 12 The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They are like trees planted in the house of the LORD, that flourish in the Temple of our God, 14 that still bear fruit in old age and are always green and strong. 15 This shows that the LORD is just, that there is no wrong in my protector.
KJV - 1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896>; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
NRSV - 1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896>; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
TEV - "A Hymn of Praise" - 1 Sing to the LORD, all the world! 2 Worship the LORD with joy; come before him with happy songs! 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock. 4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. 5 The LORD is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896>; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.
<B1> Genesis 1 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896>…
NRSV - 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896>...
TEV - "The Story of Creation" - 27 So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, 28 blessed them, and said, "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. 29 I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; 30 but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food" -- and it was done. 31 God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased <Strongs' Hebrew #2896>. Evening passed and morning came -- that was the sixth day.
KJV - 1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:
12 And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness <Strongs' Hebrew #2898> pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
NRSV - 1 The LORD said to Moses, "Go, leave this place, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, "To your descendants I will give it.'
12 Moses said to the LORD, "See, you have said to me, "Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' 13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." 14 He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
18 Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray." 19 And he said, "I will make all my goodness <Strongs' Hebrew #2898> pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, "The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
TEV - "The LORD Orders Israel to Leave Mount Sinai" - 1 The LORD said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought out of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to their descendants. 2 I will send an angel to guide you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 3 You are going to a rich and fertile land. But I will not go with you myself, because you are a stubborn people, and I might destroy you on the way."
"The LORD Promises to Be with His People" - 12 Moses said to the LORD, "It is true that you have told me to lead these people to that land, but you did not tell me whom you would send with me. You have said that you know me well and are pleased with me. 13 Now if you are, tell me your plans, so that I may serve you and continue to please you. Remember also that you have chosen this nation to be your own." 14 The LORD said, "I will go with you, and I will give you victory." 15 Moses replied, "If you do not go with us, don't make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth." 17 The LORD said to Moses, "I will do just as you have asked, because I know you very well and I am pleased with you." 18 Then Moses requested, "Please, let me see the dazzling light of your presence." 19 The LORD answered, "I will make all my splendor <Strongs' Hebrew #2898> pass before you and in your presence I will pronounce my sacred name. I am the LORD, and I show compassion and pity on those I choose. 20 I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive, 21 but here is a place beside me where you can stand on a rock. 22 When the dazzling light of my presence passes by, I will put you in an opening in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back but not my face."
KJV - 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
NRSV - 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
TEV - "Jeremiah's Letter to the Jews in Babylonia" - 10 "The LORD says, "When Babylonia's seventy years are over, I will show my concern for you and keep my promise to bring you back home. 11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. 12 Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. 13 You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart. 14 Yes, I say, you will find me, and I will restore you to your land. I will gather you from every country and from every place to which I have scattered you, and I will bring you back to the land from which I had sent you away into exile. I, the LORD, have spoken.'
<B4> 2 Kings 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. 13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
NRSV - 8 Once when the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he took counsel with his officers. He said, "At such and such a place shall be my camp." 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, "Take care not to pass this place, because the Arameans are going down there." 10 The king of Israel sent word to the place of which the man of God spoke. More than once or twice he warned such a place so that it was on the alert. 11 The mind of the king of Aram was greatly perturbed because of this; he called his officers and said to them, "Now tell me who among us sides with the king of Israel?" 12 Then one of his officers said, "No one, my lord king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber." 13 He said, "Go and find where he is; I will send and seize him." He was told, "He is in Dothan." 14 So he sent horses and chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and surrounded the city. 15 When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, "Alas, master! What shall we do?" 16 He replied, "Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them." 17 Then Elisha prayed: "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." So the LORD opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
TEV - "The Syrian Army Is Defeated" - 8 The king of Syria was at war with Israel. He consulted his officers and chose a place to set up his camp. 9 But Elisha sent word to the king of Israel, warning him not to go near that place, because the Syrians were waiting in ambush there. 10 So the king of Israel warned the men who lived in that place, and they were on guard. This happened several times. 11 The Syrian king became greatly upset over this; he called in his officers and asked them, "Which one of you is on the side of the king of Israel?" 12 One of them answered, "No one is, Your Majesty. The prophet Elisha tells the king of Israel what you say even in the privacy of your own room." 13 "Find out where he is," the king ordered, "and I will capture him." When he was told that Elisha was in Dothan, 14 he sent a large force there with horses and chariots. They reached the town at night and surrounded it. 15 Early the next morning Elisha's servant got up, went out of the house, and saw the Syrian troops with their horses and chariots surrounding the town. He went back to Elisha and exclaimed, "We are doomed, sir! What shall we do?" 16 "Don't be afraid," Elisha answered. "We have more on our side than they have on theirs." 17 Then he prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!" The LORD answered his prayer, and Elisha's servant looked up and saw the hillside covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
<B5> Psalms 145 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 9 The Lord is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
NRSV - 9 The LORD is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. 10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your faithful shall bless you. 11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power,
TEV - "A Hymn of Praise" - 4 What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next; they will proclaim your mighty acts. 5 They will speak of your glory and majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. 6 People will speak of your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim your greatness. 7 They will tell about all your goodness and sing about your kindness. 8 The LORD is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love. 9 He is good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> to everyone and has compassion on all he made. 10 All your creatures, LORD, will praise you, and all your people will give you thanks. 11 They will speak of the glory of your royal power and tell of your might, 12 so that everyone will know your mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of your kingdom. 13 Your rule is eternal, and you are king forever. The LORD is faithful to his promises; he is merciful in all his acts. 14 He helps those who are in trouble; he lifts those who have fallen.
KJV - 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
NRSV - 15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
TEV - "The Prayer of an Innocent Man" - 13 Come, LORD! Oppose my enemies and defeat them! Save me from the wicked by your sword; 14 save me from those who in this life have all they want. Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them; may there be enough for their children and some left over for their children's children! 15 But I will see you, because I have done no wrong; and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.
KJV - 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
NRSV - 22 For all his ordinances were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me.
TEV - "David's Song of Victory" - 20 The LORD rewards me because I do what is right; he blesses me because I am innocent. 21 I have obeyed the law of the LORD; I have not turned away from my God. 22 I have observed all his laws; I have not disobeyed his commands. 23 He knows that I am faultless, that I have kept myself from doing wrong. 24 And so he rewards me because I do what is right, because he knows that I am innocent.
KJV - 21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> shall come unto thee. 22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
26 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
NRSV - 21 "Agree with God, and be at peace; in this way good <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> will come to you. 22 Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
26 then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.
TEV - "The Third Dialogue" - 21 Now, Job, make peace with God and stop treating him like an enemy; if you do, then he will bless <Strongs' Hebrew #2896> you. 22 Accept the teaching he gives; keep his words in your heart. 23 Yes, you must humbly return to God and put an end to all the evil that is done in your house. 24 Throw away your gold; dump your finest gold in the dry stream bed. 25 Let Almighty God be your gold, and let him be silver, piled high for you. 26 Then you will always trust in God and find that he is the source of your joy. 27 When you pray, he will answer you, and you will keep the vows you made. 28 You will succeed in all you do, and light will shine on your path. 29 God brings down the proud and saves the humble. 30 He will rescue you if you are innocent, if what you do is right.
<B9> Isaiah 52 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good <Strongs' Hebrew #1319> tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
NRSV - 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good <Strongs' Hebrew #1319> news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
TEV - "God Will Rescue Jerusalem" - 7 How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good <Strongs' Hebrew #1319> news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, "Your God is king!" 8 Those who guard the city are shouting, shouting together for joy. They can see with their own eyes the return of the LORD to Zion.
KJV - 5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
NRSV - 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." 8 The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it." 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
13 And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." And the servant was healed in that hour.
TEV - "Jesus Heals a Roman Officer's Servant" - 5 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman officer met him and begged for help: 6 "Sir, my servant is sick in bed at home, unable to move and suffering terribly." 7 "I will go and make him well," Jesus said. 8 "Oh no, sir," answered the officer. "I do not deserve to have you come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9 I, too, am a man under the authority of superior officers, and I have soldiers under me. I order this one, "Go!' and he goes; and I order that one, "Come!' and he comes; and I order my slave, "Do this!' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he was surprised and said to the people following him, "I tell you, I have never found anyone in Israel with faith like this. 11 I assure you that many will come from the east and the west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of heaven. 12 But those who should be in the Kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness, where they will cry and gnash their teeth." 13 Then Jesus said to the officer, "Go home, and what you believe will be done for you." And the officer's servant was healed that very moment.
<B11> Luke 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good <Strongs' Greek #2570> to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good <Strongs' Greek #15>, and lend, hoping for nothing again;…
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
NRSV - 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles:
20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.
27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good <Strongs' Greek #2570> to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
35 But love your enemies, do good <Strongs' Greek #15>, and lend, expecting nothing in return...
TEV - "Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles" - 12 At that time Jesus went up a hill to pray and spent the whole night there praying to God. 13 When day came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon (who was called the Patriot), 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became the traitor.
"Happiness and Sorrow" - 20 Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "Happy are you poor; the Kingdom of God is yours! 21 "Happy are you who are hungry now; you will be filled! "Happy are you who weep now; you will laugh! 22 "Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man! 23 Be glad when that happens and dance for joy, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. For their ancestors did the very same things to the prophets. 24 "But how terrible for you who are rich now; you have had your easy life! 25 "How terrible for you who are full now; you will go hungry! "How terrible for you who laugh now; you will mourn and weep! 26 "How terrible when all people speak well of you; their ancestors said the very same things about the false prophets.
"Love for Enemies" - 27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good <Strongs' Greek #2570> to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. 30 Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back. 31 Do for others just what you want them to do for you. 32 "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! 34 And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! 35 No! Love your enemies and do good <Strongs' Greek #15> to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.
The Greek language has three words for love, which enable us to distinguish Christian love (agape) from passionate devotion (eros) and warm affection (philia). Jesus did not tell his disciples to fall in love with their enemies or to feel for them as they felt for their families and friends. Agape is a gracious, determined, and active interest in the true welfare of others, which is not deterred even by hatred, cursing, and abuse, not limited by calculation of deserts or results, based solely on the nature of God. Love does not retaliate (vv. 27-31), seeks no reward (vv. 32-36), is not censorious (vv. 37-38).
The men who were bidden to love their enemies were living in enemy-occupied territory, where resentment was natural and provocation frequent. They were not just to submit to aggression, but to rob it of its sting by voluntarily going beyond its demands. To those who believe in standing up for their individual or national rights this teaching has always seemed idealistic, if not actually immoral. But those who are concerned with the victory of the kingdom of God over the kingdom of Satan can see that it is the only realism. He who retaliates thinks that he is manfully resisting aggression; in fact, he is making an unconditional surrender to evil. Where before there was one under the control of evil, now there are two. Evil propagates by contagion. It can be contained and defeated only when hatred, insult, and injury are absorbed and neutralized by Love...
<B12> Matthew 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]
KJV - 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
NRSV - 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
TEV - "Love for Enemies" - 43 "You have heard that it was said, "Love your friends, hate your enemies.' 44 But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may become the sons of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil. 46 Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that! 47 And if you speak only to your friends, have you done anything out of the ordinary? Even the pagans do that! 48 You must be perfect -- just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
KJV - 17 Every good <Strongs' Greek #18> gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
NRSV - 17 Every generous <Strongs' Greek #18> act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act -- they will be blessed in their doing.
TEV - "Testing and Tempting" - 16 Do not be deceived, my dear brothers! 17 Every good <Strongs' Greek #18> gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning. 18 By his own will he brought us into being through the word of truth, so that we should have first place among all his creatures.
"Hearing and Doing" - 22 Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. 23 Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. 24 He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keeps on paying attention to it and does not simply listen and then forget it, but puts it into practice -- that person will be blessed by God in what he does.
KJV - 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure <Strongs' Greek #2107> .
NRSV - 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure <Strongs' Greek #2107>.
TEV - "Shining as Lights in the World" - 12 So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, 13 because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose <Strongs' Greek #2107>. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, 16 as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.
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