Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. (Ephesians 4:29) But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. From Him the whole body [the

I have chosen the way of truth. I have chosen the faithful way. I have chosen a life of faithfulness. I have determined to live by your regulations. Thine ordinances have I set [before me]. (Psalm 119:30) Surely you have listened to him and as his followers you have heard His voice and in Him have been taught--and this is true Christian teaching. (Ephesians 4:21) As for you, the anointing [the special gift, the preparation] which you received from Him remains [permanently] i

The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts], And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever. (Psalm 119:160) Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth. (John 17:17) It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, m

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Now therefore, if you will in fact obey My voice and keep My covenant (agreement), then you shall be My own special possession and treasure from among all peoples [of the world], for all the earth

Grace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sac

I am using a human analogy because of your natural limitations [your spiritual immaturity]. You used to let the different parts of your body be slaves of sin. But now you must make every part of your body serve God, so that you will belong completely to him. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy offering them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.

All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]. (2 Timothy 3:16) But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or spe

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. (John 1:1-4) And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actua

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or has taught Him as His counselor? With whom did He consult and who enlightened Him? Who taught Him the path of justice and taught Him knowledge And informed Him of the way of understanding? (Isaiah 40:13-14) For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond h

Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver]; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. (Proverbs 30:5) As for God, his way is upright; the word of God is pure; he is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30) The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:8) Because the command is a lamp, the teachings are a light, and the warnings from discipline a

Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. (Proverbs 3:5-6) You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness To those who keep His covenant and His testimo

When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].” (Psalm 27:8) In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God; will not seek nor inquire for Him. The wicked do not care about the LORD; in their pride they think that God doesn't matter. (Psalm 10:4) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a f

But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], So then, as the scripture says, Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our

The LORD your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. (Zechariah 3:17) But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning s

FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE [looking favorably] UPON THE RIGHTEOUS (the upright), AND HIS EARS ARE ATTENTIVE TO THEIR PRAYER (eager to answer), BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO PRACTICE EVIL. (1 Peter 3:12) In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]. For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil [person] dwells with You. The b

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes

But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6) Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13) Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies, And who [consistently] seek Him and l

And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach o

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. (Galatians 5:22-23) And he must be hospitable [to believers, as well as strangers], a lover of what is good (upright), [above reproach—whether in public or in private]. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined