{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "This is the book of the origins of Jesus the Anointed, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac fathered Jacob. Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez fathered Hezron. Hezron fathered Ram."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "Ram fathered AmiNadab. AmiNadab fathered Nashon. Nashon fathered Salmon."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "Salmon fathered Boaz by RaHab. Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth. Obed fathered Jesse."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "Jesse fathered David, the king. David fathered Solomon by the wife of UriJah."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "Solomon fathered RehoBoam. RehoBoam fathered AbiJah. AbiJah fathered Asa."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Asa fathered JehoShaphat. JehoShaphat fathered JehoRam. JehoRam fathered UzziJah."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "UzziJah fathered JoTham. JoTham fathered Ahaz. Ahaz fathered HezekiJah."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "HezekiJah fathered ManasSeh. ManasSeh fathered Amon. Amon fathered JosiJah."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "JosiJah fathered JeconiJah and his brothers before the deportation to Babylon."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "After the deportation to Babylon, JeconiJah fathered ShealtiEl. ShealtiEl fathered ZerubBabel."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "ZerubBabel fathered AbiUd. AbiUd fathered EliAkim. EliAkim fathered Azor."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "Azor fathered Zadok. Zadok fathered Achim. Achim fathered EliUd."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "EliUd fathered EliAzar. EliAzar fathered MatThan. MatThan fathered Jacob."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "Jacob fathered Joseph the father of Mary, from whom Jesus was born, who is called the Anointed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "So, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David until the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to [the coming of] the Anointed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "This is the way that Jesus the Anointed started out: While his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by [God’s] Holy Breath before the marriage was consummated."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "However, because Joseph her husband was righteous and didn’t want to make [Mary] a public spectacle, he planned to release her secretly."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "But after he came to that conclusion, {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David; Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been fathered in her is from [God’s] Holy Breath."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "She will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus (Jehovah is Salvation), because he will save his people from their sins.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "This whole thing happened so that, what was spoken by Jehovah through the Prophet would be fulfilled:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "‘{Look!} The virgin will become pregnant, And she will give birth to a son, And they will name him ImManuEl’ (which translates as, God is with us)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Then, after he woke up, Joseph did what Jehovah’s messenger told him to do and took the woman along with him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "However, [Joseph] didn’t have sexual relations with her until after she gave birth to a son, who he named Jesus."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "After Jesus was born in BethLehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, {Look!} Magi from the east came to Jerusalem,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "asking, ‘Where is the one who was born king of the Judeans? We saw his star in the east and we came to bow before him.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Well, on hearing about this, King Herod was very disturbed (as was all of Jerusalem)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "Then he gathered all the Chief Priests and the peoples’ scribes and asked them where this Anointed One was to be born."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "And they replied, ‘In BethLehem of Judea, because this is what was written through the Prophet:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "And you, O BethLehem, in the land of Judea, Are certainly not least among the rulers of Judah. For a ruler will come out of you, To shepherd Israel, My people.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Herod secretly called for those Magi and carefully determined from them when the star had appeared."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "And as he sent them on to BethLehem, he said: ‘Search carefully for the young child; and when you find him, report back to me, so I can go and bow before him also.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, after listening to what the king had to say, they went on their way. And {Look!} the star that they saw in the east went ahead of them until it stood directly over [the place] where the young child was."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, when they saw the star [do this], they were beside themselves with joy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "And when they entered the house, they saw the little boy with Mary his mother, and they fell down and bowed before him. Then they opened their treasures and gave the child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "However, because they had been given a divine warning in a dream that they weren’t to return to Herod, they went back home via another route."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "After they left, {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, ‘Get up! Take the boy and his mother, then hurry to Egypt and stay there until I tell you otherwise, because Herod is going to search for the boy to destroy him!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "So, he got up during the night and took the child and his mother, then they left for Egypt,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "where he stayed until Herod died, so the thing that was said by Jehovah through the Prophet was fulfilled, ‘I called my son out of Egypt’."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "Well, when Herod saw that the Magi had outwitted him, he was furious. So he sent out [a proclamation] in BethLehem and its districts to have all the boys who were two-years-old and younger to be gathered [for destruction], since that was the period he had determined so carefully from the Magi."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "And that’s when the thing spoken through the Prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, which said,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "‘A voice was heard crying and wailing in RamAh. It was Rachel crying for her children, And she wouldn’t take any comfort, Because they aren’t anymore.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "Well, when Herod died, {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger appeared in a dream to Joseph while he was in Egypt"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "and said, ‘Get up; Take the child and his mother and go [back] to the land of Israel, because those who wanted the child’s life are now dead!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "So [Joseph] got up, took the child and his mother, and returned to the land of Israel."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "But when he heard that ArcheLaus had taken over as ruler in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there because of a divine warning that had been given to him in a dream. As the result, he traveled to the territory of Galilee"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "and started living in a city named Nazareth, so the thing spoken through the Prophets might be fulfilled that said: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "It was in those days that John the Baptist came preaching in the desert of Judea,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "saying, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "He’s the one that the Prophet IsaiJah spoke about in the words, ‘A voice is calling out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord! Make the roads straight before him.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "John wore clothes made of camel hair; he wore a thick leather belt around his waist; and what he ate was locusts and wild honey."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "Then [people from] Jerusalem, the rest of Judea, and all the area around the Jordan came to him"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "to be baptized in the Jordan River, openly admitting their sins."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Well, when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the baptism, he said to them, ‘Children of vipers; Who has shown you the need to run from the coming rage?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Produce the [type of] fruitage that shows you are worthy of repentance."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "And don’t be so bold as to say Abraham is our father. Let me tell you that God can make children of Abraham from these stones!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, the ax is already lying at the roots of the trees, and every tree that isn’t producing good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Indeed, I baptize you in water [to show your] repentance. But the one who is coming after me is greater than I am. In fact, I’m unfit to take off his sandals! He will baptize you in fire and Spirit…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "he will [take] his shovel in hand and completely clean his threshing floor, then he will gather his wheat into the storehouse and burn the chaff with a fire that can’t be put out!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Then Jesus came from Galilee to see John at the Jordan River and to be baptized by him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "But [John] tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I’m the one who should be baptized by you! So, why are you coming to me?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "But Jesus said, ‘Let it be for now. This is the right thing for us to do, so we can fulfill everything that is righteous.’ And at that, [John] no longer tried to stop him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Well, after being baptized, Jesus came up out of the water. Then {Look!} the heavens opened and [John] saw God’s Breath coming down upon [Jesus] like a dove."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "And {Look!} there was a voice that came from the sky, which said, ‘This is my loved Son. I am very pleased with him.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Afterward, [God’s] Breath led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Slanderer."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "And after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the Tempter came to him and said, ‘If you’re a Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "And [Jesus] replied: ‘It is written; Man doesn’t need just bread to survive, But all that is said by God’s mouth.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Then the Slanderer took him to the Holy City, put him up on one of the Temple’s high battle towers,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "and said: ‘If you’re a Son of God, jump down! Because it’s written, He’ll assign [His] messengers around you, And on their hands they will lift you, So you won’t hit your foot on a stone.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "But Jesus told him: ‘Again, it is written; You shouldn’t put Jehovah your God to the test.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "Then, once again, the Slanderer took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "And he told him: ‘I will give all of these to you, if you’ll just bow down and show me your respect.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "But Jesus said: ‘Go away Slanderer, because it’s written: It is Jehovah your God you must worship, And He’s the only One you must serve.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Then the Slanderer left him, and {Look!} [God’s] messengers came and started serving [Jesus’] needs."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, after hearing that John had been arrested, [Jesus] went back to Galilee…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "he moved out of Nazareth and started living in CaperNaum (which is by the sea in the districts of ZebuLun and NaphTali)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "This was done so [the prophecy] that was spoken through the Prophet Isaiah could be fulfilled:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "‘O lands of ZebuLun and NaphTali, On the road by the sea cross the Jordan (Galilee of the gentiles);"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "People who were sitting in darkness saw great light; And the light arose upon those who sat In the place of the shadow of death.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, from that time on, Jesus started preaching and saying: ‘Repent, because the Kingdom of Heaven has drawn near!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "It was while he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee that he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew… fishermen who were casting their nets on the sea."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "And he said to them, ‘Follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, right away, they dropped their nets and followed him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "And traveling on from there, he saw two more brothers, James [the son] of ZebEdaiOu, and his brother John. They were in the boat with ZebEdaiOu their father, repairing their nets, when he called them,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "and they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "Then [Jesus] traveled throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and curing all the diseases and infirmities that the people had."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "Why, they had even heard of him throughout the land of Syria, and these [people] also brought their sick to him – those with various diseases and ailments, the demon-possessed, as well as epileptics and paralyzed persons – and he cured them all."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "As the result, huge crowds of people followed [Jesus] from Galilee, the DecaPolis, Jerusalem and the rest of Judea, and from the other side of the Jordan."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Well when [Jesus] saw the crowds, he climbed a mountain and sat down, and his disciples came to him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "Then he started teaching them, saying:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "‘The spiritually impoverished are blest, For the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs to them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "‘The sad are also blest, For, comfort they will then find."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "‘The meek are also blest, For they will inherit the earth."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "‘Those hungering and thirsting for righteousness are blest, For they will find satisfaction."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "‘The merciful are [also] blest, For mercy they will be shown."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "‘Those with pure hearts are blest, For they will come to see God."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Those who make peace are blest, For Sons of God they’ll be called."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "‘Those who [must suffer] persecution, For doing what’s righteous are blest, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "‘You’re blest when people say bad things about you, And when they persecute you; [You’re blest] when they lie about you, Or slander you for my sake."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "Yes, happily shout and jump for joy, For, you have great rewards in the heavens, Since this is the very same way, That they treated the Prophets before you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "‘You are the salt of the earth, But if salt should lose all its strength, In what will it then taste salty? It will be strong in nothing at all, And thrown outside to be walked on."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "‘You are the light of the world. And as a city cannot be hidden, On the top of a mountain,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "And as lit lamps aren’t put under baskets (they’re put on lampstands instead; Where they can shine throughout the house),"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "So, before men, you should let your light shine, Then they can see your good deeds, And give glory to your Father in heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Don’t think that I came in order to destroy, The Law or the [words of the] Prophets. I came to fulfill, not to destroy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "I tell you the truth; More likely would heaven and earth pass away, Than for an iota, or a piece of a letter, To pass from the Law before this should happen."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "For, he who breaks the least of the Commandments, And teaches others to do the same, Will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But all who teach and follow [the Law], Will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "‘And I also say this to you; If you aren’t more righteous than Pharisees and scribes, You won’t stand a chance in the Kingdom of Heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "‘You heard it was said long ago, That [you must] not commit murder; For, he who murders must answer to the courts."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "However, I tell you this; Whoever stays angry with his brother, Must answer in the [day] of the Judgment; And though he who calls his brother worthless, Will have to answer to the courts; He who [calls his brother] a moron, Will be sentenced to the garbage-dump fires."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "‘If you bring a gift to [God’s] Altar, But while you’re on the way you remember, That your brother holds something against you,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "Leave your gift at the Altar and go. First make peace with your brother, And then return to offer your gift."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "‘If someone has a lawsuit against you, Settle it quickly before going to court. Then there will be not a chance, That you’ll fall into the hands of the judge, And from the judge to the bailiff, And you end up being thrown into prison."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "I tell you this for a fact: If that happens to you, You won’t be released ‘til you’ve paid your last cent."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "‘You’ve also heard that it was said: You must not commit adultery."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "But I tell you that he who stares at a woman, And develops a desire [to have] her, Has already committed adultery in his heart."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "29", "text": "‘If your right eye should be a trap, Pull it out and throw it away; For it’s better to lose a piece of yourself, Than to the garbage lose your body."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "30", "text": "And if your right hand should be a trap, Cut it off and throw it away, For it’s better to lose a piece of yourself, Than into the garbage lose your body."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "31", "text": "‘It was said that whoever divorces his wife, Should give her a certificate of rejection."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "32", "text": "But I say: He who divorces his wife, For reasons other than being unfaithful, [Marks her] her as an adulteress. And whoever marries this divorced woman, [Is viewed as] committing adultery"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "33", "text": "‘Again, you heard it was said long ago: You should not swear a false oath; You must do as you vow before Jehovah."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "34", "text": "However, I tell you this: Don’t swear an oath by anything at all! Don’t swear by heaven, for that is God’s throne;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "35", "text": "Don’t swear by the earth, for that is His footstool; Nor should you swear by Jerusalem, For that’s the city of the great king;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "36", "text": "And do not swear by your head, For you can’t turn a hair black or white!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "37", "text": "Let your yes mean just yes, And your no mean just no, For all beyond that is from the wicked one."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "38", "text": "‘You’ve heard that it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "39", "text": "But I say: Don’t fight a man who is wicked. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, Turn the other to him also."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "40", "text": "And if someone should take you to court, To sue you for your underwear, Give him the rest of your clothes!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "41", "text": "Or if someone forces you to serve for a mile, Go with him for two miles."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "42", "text": "Give freely to all those who ask, And don’t turn down those who wish to borrow."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "43", "text": "‘You’ve heard that it was said: You must love your neighbor and your enemies you must dislike."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "44", "text": "But I say: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "45", "text": "For, if you do this, You’ll prove yourselves sons of your Father in heaven. Because, upon both the wicked and good, He allows the sun to arise, And to the righteous and unrighteous, He also sends rain."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "46", "text": "‘If you love just those who love you, Where then is your reward? Don’t tax collectors also do that?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "47", "text": "And if you just greet your brothers, What’s so unusual about that? Don’t the people of the nations do the same?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "48", "text": "Rather, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "‘Be very careful not to do, What is righteous before men, So they can see what you’re doing, Or you’ll receive no reward, From your Father in heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "So when you give gifts to the needy, Don’t blow a trumpet in the synagogue, Or on the streets as the hypocrites do, So they can be praised by [other] men. For, I tell you the truth; They’re getting their reward in full measure."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "But when you give gifts to the needy, Don’t [tell] your left hand what your right hand has done,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "So your gifts to the needy can be given in secret. Then your Father who watches in secret, Will be [the One] who repays you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "‘And do not pray like the hypocrites do, For they pray as they stand in synagogues, And on the corners of main streets, So they can be seen by other men. I tell you the truth; They’re getting their reward in full measure."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "But when you pray, go into your room, And after shutting the door, Pray to your Father in secret. Then you’ll be repaid by your Father, Who is watching in secret."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "‘When praying don’t say the same things, As people of the nations all do, For they think that by [repeating] they will be heard."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "But do not act as they do, For your God and Father knows all that you need, Even before you should ask Him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Pray like this: O our Father in heaven, May Your Name be held Holy;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "May Your Kingdom [soon] come, And may all that delights You happen on earth, As [it has] in the heavens."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Give us the bread that we need for this day,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "And forgive us for the things that we owe, As we have forgiven those who owe us."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "[Please] don’t let us be tempted, But from the Wicked One save us."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "‘For, if you overlook the mistakes of [other] men, Your Father in heaven will overlook yours."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "But, if you don’t overlook their mistakes, Your Father won’t overlook yours."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "‘When you fast, don’t wear a sad face, As the hypocrites do, Who contort their faces to show that they fast. I tell you the truth; they’re getting their reward in full measure."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "But, whenever you fast; Put oil on your head and wash your face,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "So to men you don’t look like you’re fasting… Just to your Father who watches in secret. Then your Father who watches in secret, Will be [the One] who repays you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Stop saving up treasures on earth, Which are eaten by rust and by moths, And where thieves can break in and steal them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "Rather, store up treasures in heaven, Where they’ll not be consumed by moths or by rust, And thieves can’t break in and steal them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "Because, wherever your treasures may be, That’s where your heart will be also."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "22", "text": "‘The body’s lamp is the eye, And if [you keep] your eye simple, Your whole body will be bright."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "23", "text": "But if your eye is just wicked, Your whole body will be dark. And if the only light within you is dark, How great that darkness will be!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "24", "text": "‘No one can slave for two masters; You won’t care for one but love the other, Or you’ll stick with that one, and the other despise… You can’t slave for God and for wealth!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "25", "text": "This is why I tell you not to worry, About your lives and the things that you eat --- Or about your bodies and what you will wear. Isn’t life more important than food, And [your] body more important than clothes?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "26", "text": "‘Pay attention to the birds in the sky; For, they don’t plant seeds or harvest, Nor do they put things in stores; Yet, your Father in heaven also feeds them. And are you not [greater than] they are?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "27", "text": "So, which of you can through worry, Add a smidgen to your lives?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "28", "text": "‘When it comes to clothes, why [should you] worry? Learn from the lilies in the fields, And from the way that they grow. For, they don’t work or make cloth;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "29", "text": "But, I tell you this: Not even Solomon in all of his glory, Was dressed as well as are they."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "30", "text": "So, if God so well dresses plants in the fields (Which are here today and thrown in the oven tomorrow), Wouldn’t He rather clothe you… You with so little faith?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "31", "text": "‘So, never be worried and ask: What will we eat and drink, And what will we wear?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "32", "text": "For, these are the things that the nations chase after. But your Father in heaven already knows, That you need all these things."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "33", "text": "‘Put first the Kingdom and righteousness, Then all these things will be given to you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "34", "text": "So about tomorrow don’t worry, For tomorrow will have its own worries, And each day will have its own badness."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "‘Do not judge [others] so you won’t be judged."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "For, the [rules] that you use to judge others, Are the rules they will use to judge you, And the standards you are setting for them, Are the standards that they’ll set for you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "‘Why look for straw in your brother’s eye, When you can’t see the rafter in yours?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "How can you say to your brother, Let me remove this straw from your eye, When {Look!} there’s a rafter in yours?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "Hypocrites! First remove the rafter from your eye, And then you will clearly see, How to take straw from your brother’s eye."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "‘Don’t give holy things to the dogs, Or throw your pearls before pigs, So they can’t trample them under their feet, And then turn around and gore you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Keep asking and it will be given. Keep searching and you will find. Keep on knocking and it will be opened."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "For, all will receive who keep asking; All who keep searching will find; And [the door] will be opened to all who keep knocking."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "For, of which man is this not true; When his son asks him for bread, He will not hand him a stone;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "Or if he should ask for a fish, He won’t hand him a snake."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "So, if you in your wicked condition, Give good gifts to your children, How much more will your Father in heaven, Give good things to those who keep asking?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "‘Whatever you want men to do for you, So should you do for them. For a fact; that is [the point] of the Law and the Prophets."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "‘Go through the gate that is narrow, For the road to destruction is wide, And that’s the way that most others go."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "But the gate to life is narrow and tight, And not many will find it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Beware for false prophets who come dressed as sheep, For on the inside they’re just hungry wolves."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "By their fruitage you’ll recognize them… For grapes aren’t picked from the briers, And figs aren’t picked from the thistles, are they?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "All good trees give fruit that is good, But those that are rotten give fruit that is bad."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "A good tree won’t bear what is bad, And the rotten cannot produce what is good."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "Trees that don’t bear fruit that is good, Are cut down and thrown in the fire."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "Really then; By their fruit you’ll recognize them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Not all who say Lord, Lord, to me, Will get into the Kingdom of Heaven; Just those doing the will of my Father in heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "But in that day many will say, Lord, O Lord; In your name did we not prophesy, Or in your name cast out demons… And perform great works in your name?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "Then I’ll tell them, I never knew you! Get away from me you lawbreakers!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Those who hear what I say and then act, Are like a wise man who built his home, Upon rock that is firm."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "So, when rains poured and the floods came… And the winds beat on that house, It didn’t fall, for upon rock it was built."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "But those who hear what I say and don’t act, Are like the moron who built his house on the sand."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "Then the rains poured down and the floods came; And the wind blew and beat on his house, Until it fell and collapsed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, when Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were awe-struck by his way of teaching."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "29", "text": "Because, unlike their scribes, he taught with authority."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, when he came down the mountain, large crowds followed him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "And {Look!} a man with leprosy came up and bowed low saying: ‘Lord, if you just want to, you can make me clean.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, ‘I want to. Be clean.’ Well, immediately [the man] was wiped clean of his leprosy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "Then Jesus told him, ‘Don’t tell anyone [about this], but go and show yourself to the Priests and offer the gift that Moses specified, so they can testify to what happened.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "And when he entered CaperNaum, a [Roman] Centurion came to him pleading,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "‘Lord; My [house]boy is so paralyzed that he can’t leave home, and he’s in a lot of pain!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "And [Jesus] said to him, ‘I’ll cure him when I get there.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "However, the Centurion said, ‘Sir, I’m unfit to have you enter my house. Just say the word and I know that my boy will be healed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "You see, I’m also a man who has been given authority, because I have soldiers under me. And if I tell this one, Be on your way, he’s on his way; or to another, Come, he comes; or to my slave, Do this, he does it.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, Jesus was amazed, and he said to those who were following him, ‘I tell you the truth; I haven’t found anyone in Israel with so great a faith."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "So, I say that many from the sunrise and sunset will come and recline [at the table] with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "However, the Sons of the Kingdom will be thrown into the darkness outside, and there they will cry and grind their teeth.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "Then Jesus said to the Centurion, ‘Go! Let it be just as you have believed.’ And the [house]boy was healed in that very hour."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, when he got to Peter’s house, Jesus saw [Peter’s] mother-in-law lying down and burning up with a fever."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "So he touched her hand and the fever left her. Then she got up and started serving him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "That evening, people brought him many who were demon-possessed. So, he cast out the spirits with a word and he cured all those who were in poor health,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "so that the words spoken through the Prophet IsaiJah might be fulfilled; ‘He took our sicknesses and carried our diseases on himself.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "When Jesus saw that people were starting to crowd around him, he gave orders to leave for the other side [of the Sea of Galilee]."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "But then a scribe came up to him and said, ‘Teacher, I’ll follow you wherever you go.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "However, Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have burrows and birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "Then another disciple said to him, ‘Lord; First let me go and bury my father.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "But Jesus told him: ‘Keep following me and let the dead bury their own dead.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "Then he stepped into a boat and his disciples followed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "However, {Look!} the sea started shaking and waves were crashing over the boat; and at the time, [Jesus] was sleeping."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "25", "text": "So [the disciples] came and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us, because we’re about to be destroyed!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "26", "text": "But [Jesus] asked, ‘Why are you so afraid… you with so little faith?’ Then he got up and scolded the winds and the sea, and a great calm set in."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "27", "text": "So the [disciples] wondered at this and asked, ‘What kind of person is this? Why, even the wind and sea obey him!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, when they got to the other side [of the sea], into the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him [as they were] coming out from among the tombs. They were so unusually fierce that no one else had the courage to pass that way."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "29", "text": "And {Look!} they shouted, ‘What do you want with us, O Son of God? Did you come here before the appointed time to torment us?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "30", "text": "Well, a long way off was a large herd of pigs that were feeding [in a field]."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "31", "text": "So, the demons begged [Jesus], saying, ‘If you throw us out, send us into that herd of pigs!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "32", "text": "And [Jesus] said to them, ‘Go on!’ Then they came out and went into the pigs. And {Look!} the entire herd ran down a steep cliff into the sea, where they died in the water."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "33", "text": "Well, those who were keeping watch over the pigs in the pasture ran away. And when they got to the city, they told about everything that had happened, including the story of the demon-possessed men."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "34", "text": "Then {Look!} everyone in the city came out to meet Jesus. But after they saw him, they begged him to cross back [over the sea], away from their districts."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "So, stepping into the boat, he crossed [the sea] and traveled [back] to the town where he was staying."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "And there {Look!} they brought him a paralyzed man lying on a cot. And on seeing such faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage child; your sins are forgiven.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "However, {Look!} some scribes [who overheard this] were thinking to themselves: ‘He’s blaspheming!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "But Jesus (who knew what they were thinking) said, ‘Why are you thinking such wicked things in your hearts?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven, or just get up and walk?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "I want you to know that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins here on the earth.’ Then he told the paralytic, ‘Get up, pick up your cot, and go home.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "And with that, he got up and went home."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, when the crowds saw this, they were frightened and started praising God who gives such powers to men."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "It was while traveling on from there, that Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting in the tax office. And he said to him, ‘Be my follower.’ And immediately, [Matthew] stood up and followed him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "Then later, while [Jesus] was reclining at the table in [Matthew’s] home, {Look!} many tax collectors and sinners came in and reclined along with Jesus and his disciples."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "But on seeing this, the Pharisees asked [Jesus’] disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "Overhearing that, [Jesus] answered, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor… only the sick do."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "So, go and learn the meaning of the words, I want mercy, not sacrifice. For, I didn’t come to call the righteous, just the sinners.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "Then some of John’s disciples came to [Jesus] and asked, ‘Why is it that; Although the Pharisees and we fast regularly, your disciples don’t fast?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "And Jesus answered: ‘The bridegroom’s friends don’t have any reason to be sad as long as the bridegroom is with them, do they? But the day is coming when the bridegroom will be taken away from them… and then they will fast."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "‘No one sews a patch of un-shrunk cloth onto old clothes, because its [shrinking] strength would pull the clothes and make the tear worse."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins, for if they did, the wineskins would burst, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskins. Therefore, people put new wine into new wineskins, so both things are preserved,’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, as he was telling them this, {Look!} a certain ruler came up and bowed low saying, ‘By now my daughter must be dead… but come and lay your hands on her and she will come back to life!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "Then Jesus got up and followed the man, as did his disciples."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "{Look!} But [on the way], a woman who had suffered from a blood flow for some twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe on [Jesus’] clothes."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "[She did this] because she kept saying to herself, ‘If I can just touch his clothes I’ll be saved [from this illness].’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, Jesus turned around and saw her, then said, ‘Take courage daughter; Your faith has saved you.’ And from that hour on, the woman became well."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "Then, when he entered the ruler’s house and saw flute players and a wailing crowd,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "Jesus said, ‘Leave! The little girl didn’t die, she’s just sleeping!’ And they all started to laugh and make fun of him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "But after the crowd had been ushered outside, [Jesus] went in, took hold of her hand, and the little girl got up."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "Well, word of this spread throughout all that area."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "And as Jesus was leaving there, two blind men started following him, hoarsely shouting, ‘Have pity on us, O Son of David!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "And when he went inside the house, these blind men followed him in. So, Jesus asked, ‘Do you really believe that I can do this?’ And they answered, ‘Yes, Lord!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "29", "text": "Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘As you believed, may it happen to you;’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "30", "text": "and their eyes were opened. Then Jesus warned them sternly: ‘Make sure that no one hears about this!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "31", "text": "But after going outside, they spread the news about what he did throughout all that area."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, as they were leaving, {Look!} people brought him a man who couldn’t speak, because he was demon possessed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "33", "text": "However, after the demon had been thrown out, the man was able to speak. Well, the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "34", "text": "But the Pharisees were saying, ‘He throws out demons by the ruler of the demons.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "35", "text": "Then Jesus traveled around to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and curing every sort of disease and infirmity."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "36", "text": "But on seeing the crowds, he felt sad for them, because they were scraped and knocked about like sheep without a shepherd."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "37", "text": "Then he said to his disciples, ‘There is in fact a huge harvest, but too few workers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "38", "text": "So, beg the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the field to do His harvesting.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he called his twelve disciples to him and gave them the power to dominate and throw out unclean spirits, and to cure every sort of disease and infirmity."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "These are the names of the twelve Apostles: First there is Simon (who is called Peter), and Andrew his brother. And there’s James the son of ZebEdaiOu and his brother, John."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "Then there are Philip, BarTholomew ([NathaniEl]), Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alpheus, ThadDeus ([Judas]),"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "Simon the Cananaean, and Judas IsCariot (who [later] betrayed him)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "Jesus sent these twelve out, giving them the orders: ‘Don’t go to the nations and don’t go into Samaritan cities."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "Just go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "[You may each] go your own way, but as you go, preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is near."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "Cure sick people, raise the dead, make lepers clean, and throw out demons… you received free, so give free."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "Don’t get gold, silver, or copper to carry in your waist sashes,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "or a food pouch for the trip… or two pairs of underwear, or sandals, or a walking stick… because a worker deserves his food."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Whenever you enter a city or village, search for those who are worthy and stay with them until you leave."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "When you enter a house, offer the household a greeting of peace."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "And if the house is worthy, let peace come into it. But if it isn’t worthy, let the peace return to you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "‘Wherever anyone doesn’t take you in or listen to your words; On leaving that house or city, shake the dust off your feet."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "I tell you the truth; On the Judgment Day, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and GomorRah than for that city."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "‘Look, I’m sending you out as sheep among wolves. So, prove yourselves as cautious as snakes but as innocent as doves."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "Watch out for men who will take you to local courts and whip you in their synagogues."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "Why, you will be taken before governors and kings for my sake, as a witness to them and to the nations."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "However, when they bring you up [for trial]; don’t worry about what to say or how to say it, because what you should say will be given to you at that time…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "you won’t be the only ones talking; your Father’s Breath will be speaking through you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Brothers will betray brothers for death, as fathers will do to their children. Children will rise against parents, and have them put to death…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "and all will hate you because of my name. But, he who endures to the end will be saved."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "‘When they persecute you in this city, [you should just] run to another. Because, I tell you the truth; You may not call on all of Israel’s cities, before the Son of Man arrives."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "‘A disciple isn’t higher than his teacher, nor is a slave over his master."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "It should be good enough for a disciple, to become just like his teacher, and a slave to become like his master. But, if the people called the master of the house BeelZebub, then how much moreo [will they say it] of the rest in his home."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "So, of them don’t be afraid! ‘There’s nothing that’s covered which won’t be uncovered, and there’s no secret that will not be known."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "What I tell you in the darkness [you must] say in the light. And whatever is whispered in your ear, [you should] preach from the housetops!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Don’t fear those who can kill the body, but are unable to kill the person. Rather, fear Him who can destroy, both person and body in the garbage dump."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Don’t two sparrows sell for just little? Yet, none of them falls to the ground, without [the knowledge] of your Father."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "Why, the hairs of your head are all counted,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "so don’t be afraid, because you’re worth more than many sparrows!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "‘For all who admit before men that they’re with me, I will admit that I’m with them also, before my Father in the heavens."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "But whoever denies knowing me before men, I’ll also deny that I know him, before my Father in the heavens."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Don’t think that I came to bring peace on the earth… I didn’t came to bring peace, but the sword!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "35", "text": "I came to divide a man and his father, a daughter against her own mother, and a bride against her mother-in-law."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "36", "text": "For a fact; A man’s enemies will be those in his own home!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "37", "text": "But he who cares less for me, than for his father or mother, isn’t worthy of me. And he who cares less for me, than for his sons or his daughters, isn’t worthy of me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "38", "text": "And he who won’t carry his pole, and always follow after me, isn’t worthy of me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "39", "text": "For, those who find life will lose it, and those loosing their lives for my sake, will [be the ones who will] find it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "40", "text": "‘Those who invite you into [their homes], are also inviting me in. And those who are inviting me [into their homes], also invite Him who sent me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "41", "text": "Those inviting a Prophet because he is a Prophet, will get a Prophet’s reward. And those who invite a righteous man in, because [of his] righteousness, will get the reward of the righteous."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "42", "text": "And whoever gives one of these least ones, so much as a cold cup of water, because he is my disciple; he will not lose his reward… I promise that.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went out to preach and teach in their cities."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "But John [the Baptist], who was in jail, heard about the things that the Anointed One was doing, so he sent his disciples"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "In reply, Jesus said to them, ‘Go back and report to John what you are hearing and seeing."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "The blind are seeing, the lame are walking, lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, and the poor are being told the good news."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "So, he who doesn’t stumble over me is blest.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "Then, after [John’s disciples] had gone, Jesus asked the crowd about John: ‘What did you go to the desert to see; reeds being blown in the wind?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "Yes, what did you go out to see; a man who was dressed in soft clothes? Those wearing soft clothes live in mansions."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "So really, why did you go… [did you go] to see one who’s a Prophet? Yes! And I tell you; one who’s far more than a Prophet,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "for this is he about whom it’s written, {Look!} I’m sending my messenger ahead, to prepare the way that’s before you!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; Of all those born to women, there has never been anyone raised who is greater than John the Baptist. But a person who is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, is [someone] who is greater than he."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "From the time of John [until now], the Kingdom of Heaven was the goal for which men have been reaching… and those who keep reaching will catch it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "Because, all the Prophets and the Law prophesied about this (until John)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "And he’s the EliJah who was [prophesied] to come."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "Let those who have ears now listen!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "‘To whom can I compare this generation? You’re like young children who sit in the markets, and then shout at their playmates:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "We played the flute, but you didn’t dance. We wailed, but you did not beat yourselves!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "‘When John came; he didn’t eat fine meals and he drank no [wine], so people say that he has demon."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "However, because the Son of Man eats good food, and drinks [wine], people say: {Look!} He’s an alchoholic and glutton… a friend of tax collectors and sinners! So, wisdom is proven righteous by the things that it does.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he started to scold the cities where he had done most of his powerful deeds, because they hadn’t repented."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Woe to you ChoraZin, and woe to you O BethSaida; for if the powerful deeds that have happened in you, as had happened in Tyre and Sidon, long ago they would have repented, [wearing] sackcloth and ashes."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "That’s why I say that the Judgment Day, will be easier to bear for Tyre and Sidon, than [it will be] for you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "‘And you O CaperNaum; Will you be lifted to heaven? You will go into your grave! For if the powerful deeds that happened in you, as had also happened in Sodom, it would still be here today."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "That’s why I say it will be easier to bear, for the land of Sodom on the Judgment Day, than it will be for you,’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "It was concerning this, that Jesus prayed: ‘I praise you publicly Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for You’ve hidden these things from the smart and the wise, and uncovered them to those who are babes."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "Yes, Father; This is the way You approved."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "‘My Father has given it all to me… and no one knows the Son like his Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son (and anyone to whom the Son should wish to reveal Him)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Come to me, all you who work hard, and you who are overburdened, and I will give you refreshment."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "Learn from me and put on my yoke, for I’m meek and have a gentle heart, and you’ll find refreshment for your lives…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "my yoke is gentle and my load is light.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, at the time, Jesus was traveling through the grain fields on the Sabbath; and on the way, his disciples got hungry and started picking the grain and eating it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "But when the Pharisees saw this, they said, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what isn’t legal on the Sabbath!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "And [Jesus] replied, ‘Haven’t you read what David did when he and his men got hungry;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "how they entered the House of God and ate the show bread… something that wasn’t legal for them to eat, since it was only for the Priests?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "Or, haven’t you read in the Law that the Priests in the Temple can violate the Sabbath and still not be guilty?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, I’m telling you that; Something greater than the Temple is here!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "And if you understood what the words mean, I want mercy, not sacrifice, you probably wouldn’t be condemning these innocent ones,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "because, the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, after leaving there, he entered their synagogue,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "{Look!} where he found a man with a withered hand. So [the Pharisees] asked [Jesus], ‘Is curing on the Sabbath allowed?’ (They said this so they could find something that they could accuse him of doing.)"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "But he answered, ‘Which of you who has a sheep, and if it should fall into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you go and lift it out?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, how much more is a man worth than a sheep? So, it’s legal to do good things on the Sabbath.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "Then he told the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So, he stretched it out and it became healthy, just like the other hand."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "However, the Pharisees went out and assembled a counsel to destroy him,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "and Jesus knew this, so he left that place. Yet, many followed him and he cured them all."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "However, he sternly warned them not to expose him,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "so that the words spoken through the Prophet IsaiJah might be fulfilled, which said,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "‘{Look!} My chosen child… My loved one who’s approved by My soul! I will put My Breath in him, and he’ll report My judgments to the nations."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "He will not argue or shout, nor will they hear his voice in the main streets."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "He will not crush a bruised stalk, or extinguish a smoking linen wick, until he brings triumph to justice."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "And nations will hope in his name.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and couldn’t speak, and he cured him, so he could both speak and see."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "Well, all the crowds were amazed and started asking, ‘Isn’t this the Son of David?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "But on hearing that, the Pharisees said, ‘He’s throwing out demons by [the power of] BeelZebub, the ruler of the demons!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "And because he knew what they were thinking, [Jesus] said to them, ‘All kingdoms that are divided will fall, and divided cities or houses won’t stand;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "26", "text": "So, if the Opposer throws out the Opposer, he is just fighting himself, and how can his kingdom then stand?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "27", "text": "If I use BeelZebub to cast out demons; what do your sons use to cast them out? So this is why they’ll condemn you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "28", "text": "However, if I cast out demons by [the power of] God’s Breath, then God’s Kingdom has now overrun you!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "29", "text": "‘How can you break into the house of a strong man, and steal his things before tying [him up]? For, only then can his house be sacked."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "30", "text": "Now, those that aren’t with me are against me, and those not on my side will be scattered."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "31", "text": "‘So, I’m now telling you this: Men can be forgiven, for all their sins and blasphemies, except for blaspheming [God’s Holy] Breath… that will not be forgiven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "32", "text": "If someone should speak against the Son of Man; this can be forgiven. But if someone speaks against [God’s] Holy Breath, he will not be forgiven… no, not in this age or in that to come."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "33", "text": "So, declare the tree and its fruit to be good, or make the tree and [all] its fruit rotten; for it’s by their fruit that you recognize trees."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Children of vipers; How can you speak good, when you’re so wicked? For, your mouths speak of the things that fill your hearts."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "35", "text": "A good man speaks from the good treasures [in his heart]; but a wicked man speaks wicked things, because of the wickedness [in his heart]."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "36", "text": "And I tell you that on the Judgment Day, they will have to answer for the things, which they’ve said to mislead others."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "37", "text": "Because, either you’ll be found to be righteous, or you’ll be condemned by the things that you say.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "38", "text": "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him: ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "39", "text": "And [Jesus] replied: ‘A wicked and adulterous generation, looks for signs, but they will receive none, other than the sign of JonAh the Prophet."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "40", "text": "For, just as JonAh was there in the belly, of the sea creature three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will then be, in the heart of the earth three days and three nights."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "41", "text": "‘Men of Nineveh will be resurrected, in the Judgment Day with this generation, and they too will condemn it; For they repented at what Jonah preached. But look… something more than Jonah is here!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "42", "text": "‘The Queen of the South will be resurrected, in the Judgment Day with this generation, and she will also condemn it; For she came from the ends of the earth, to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. But look… something more than Solomon is here!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "43", "text": "‘When an unclean spirit leaves a man, it travels through [many] dry places, searching for a place to rest, but finds none."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "44", "text": "Then it says, I’ll just go back to the house that I moved from. And then upon its return; it finds [the house] empty, swept clean, and furnished."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "45", "text": "So, soon it moves back in, but brings along seven more spirits, that are even more wicked than he. And after [they all] get inside him, they will dwell in him also. So as it turns out; The man is worse off than when he started… and that’s how this wicked generation will be.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "46", "text": "Well, while he was still talking to the crowds, {Look!} his mother and brothers were waiting outside to speak to him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "47", "text": "So, someone told [Jesus], ‘Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak with you.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "48", "text": "But he asked that person, ‘Just who is my mother and who are my brothers?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "49", "text": "Then he held out his hand toward his disciples and said, ‘Look… my mother and my brothers,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "50", "text": "because; Those who do the wishes of my Father in heaven, are my brothers, sisters, and mother.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "And then there was the day when Jesus came out of the house and was sitting by the sea,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "as huge crowds gathered around him. So, he stepped into a boat and sat down, while the crowd stood on the beach."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "Then he started speaking to them in illustrations, saying, ‘{Look!} A farmer went out to do planting."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "And as he was doing his planting, some [seeds] fell by the side of the road, where birds came up and ate them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "Others fell among rocks, where there wasn’t much soil, but quickly grew although it was shallow."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "And when the sun rose they were scorched, and they withered because they didn’t root."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "Others fell among briers, which [quickly] grew and choked them out."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "Still others fell on the good soil, and started producing [much] fruit; this one a hundred, that one just sixty, and the other one produced thirty."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "Let he who has ears now listen!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "So, the disciples came and asked, ‘Why are you talking to them in illustrations?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "And he replied: ‘You’ve been allowed to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but they haven’t."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "For, whoever has, will be given more, and then he will have more than enough. But from those who don’t have, even the things that they own will be taken."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "This is why I speak to them in illustrations; because when they look, they don’t see, and when they listen, they don’t hear or understand the meaning."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "The prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled in them that says, By listening, you will hear, but not understand, and by looking, you will look, but not see."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "‘The hearts of these people have grown thick, their ears listen heavily, and their eyes are closed, so they’ll never see with their eyes, hear with their ears, or understand with their hearts, then turn around so I can heal them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "However, your eyes are blest, because they can see… as are your ears, because they can hear."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "I tell you the truth; Many of the Prophets and righteous men wished to see the things you’re seeing, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things you’re hearing, and didn’t hear them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "‘So now, listen to the [meaning of the] illustration of the farmer who planted:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "19", "text": "Whenever someone hears about the Kingdom, but doesn’t understand it, the wicked one comes and snatches away what has been planted in his heart. This one was planted beside the road."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "20", "text": "‘As for the one that was planted among the rocks; He’s the one who hears the word and quickly accepts it with joy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "21", "text": "But because he has no roots, he’s just here for a short time. For, when hard times or persecution come along because of the Word, he’s immediately trapped."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "22", "text": "‘As for the one planted among the thistles; This one hears the word, but the concerns of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke-out the Word and he doesn’t produce fruit."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "23", "text": "‘But, as for the one planted on good soil; He hears the Word, understands it, and actually puts out fruit… this one a hundred, that one sixty, and the other thirty.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "24", "text": "He gave them another illustration, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man, who had good seeds planted in his field."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "25", "text": "But while his men were all sleeping, an enemy came and then scattered, weed [seeds] over the wheat, and then left."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "26", "text": "So, when the blades sprouted with fruit, the weeds also appeared."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "27", "text": "‘Then the master’s slaves came and asked, Lord, weren’t those good seeds [you gave us], for us to plant in your field? So, why are there so many weeds?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "28", "text": "‘And he replied, It was an enemy of mine who did this. ‘So, they asked, Then, do you want us to go and pull up [the weeds]?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "29", "text": "‘And he replied, No, for as you pull out the weeds, you might uproot the wheat!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "30", "text": "Just let them all both grow together, until it is time for the harvest. Then I’ll tell the reapers to first collect weeds, into bundles and burn them. Then gather the wheat to my storehouse.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "31", "text": "He told them another illustration, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is as a mustard seed, that a man had planted in his field."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "32", "text": "For a fact, it’s the smallest of seeds. But when it grows, it then becomes, the largest among the vegetables, and actually grows [as larges as] a tree; so the birds of the sky can roost in its branches.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "33", "text": "He told them another illustration: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like fermentation, that a woman hid in three scoops of flour, until it was filled with fermentation.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "34", "text": "Jesus said all these things to the crowds in illustrations. It’s a fact that if he wasn’t using illustrations, he wasn’t talking to them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "35", "text": "This was done to fulfill what was spoken through the Prophet, which said, ‘I will open my mouth with illustrations. I will talk about things that were hidden, since the founding [of the world].’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "36", "text": "Then, after dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. And there, his disciples came to him and said, ‘Explain the illustration of the weeds in the field to us.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "37", "text": "So [Jesus] said, ‘The one who planted the good seeds is the Son of Man,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "38", "text": "and the field is the world. As for the good seeds; They are the sons of the Kingdom, but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "39", "text": "and the enemy who planted them is the Slanderer. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are [God’s] messengers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "40", "text": "‘So, just as the weeds are collected and burned in a fire, that’s how it will be at the end of the age."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "41", "text": "The Son of Man will send his messengers to collect all the snares and all the lawless people out of his Kingdom,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "42", "text": "and they will be thrown into a flaming furnace, where they will cry and grind [their] teeth."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "43", "text": "Then the righteous will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father… Let those with ears listen!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "44", "text": "‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man found and hid in a field; and to [get the treasure], he went and sold everything he had to buy that field."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "45", "text": "‘Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a traveling merchant who was searching for good pearls,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "46", "text": "and when he found one very valuable pearl, he went away and quickly sold everything he had to buy it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "47", "text": "‘Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that is dropped into the sea to collect every sort [of sea creature];"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "48", "text": "then when it is full, they haul it onto the beach and sit down to collect the good ones into containers and to throw the bad ones away."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "49", "text": "That’s how it will be at the end of the age; for the messengers will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "50", "text": "and they will throw [the wicked] into a flaming furnace, where they will cry and grind their teeth.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "51", "text": "[He then asked], ‘Did you understand all these things?’ And they answered, ‘Yes.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "52", "text": "Then he said: ‘So, every instructor (when serving as a disciple of the Kingdom of Heaven) is like a man, a master of his house, who brings both old and new things out of his treasures.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "53", "text": "Now, when Jesus had finished explaining these illustrations, he left that area."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "54", "text": "And going to the place where he was raised, he started teaching in their synagogue. However, they were dumbfounded and asked, ‘Where did this man get such wisdom and powers?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "55", "text": "Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "56", "text": "And his sisters… aren’t they all with us? Where did he get all these things?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "57", "text": "So, they were trapped by him. But Jesus said, ‘A Prophet isn’t [treated] without honor, except in the area where he was raised and in his own home.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "58", "text": "And he didn’t do many powerful deeds there, because of their lack of faith."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "It was about this time that the district ruler, Herod, heard about Jesus."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "And he said to his boys, ‘This is John the Baptist. He was raised from the dead, and this is why he can do such powerful things.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "Herod had arrested John and thrown him in prison because of his Brother Philip’s wife."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "For John kept telling him: ‘It’s against the Law for you to have her.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "And although [Herod] wanted to kill [John], he was afraid of the masses, because they believed he was a Prophet."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "But during Herod’s birthday party, Herodias’ daughter danced, which pleased Herod so much"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "that he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked for."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "So (with her mother’s coaching) she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, the king was really saddened by this; but because he had given his word (and because of those who were eating at the table with him), [Herod] gave the command"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "and sent to have John beheaded in prison."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "Then, when his head was brought in on a platter, it was given to the young girl, and she took it to her mother."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "Later, [John’s] disciples came to get his body and buried him. Then they went back and reported this to Jesus."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "And when Jesus heard about it, he took a boat to a quiet place where he could be alone. But when the crowds heard [where Jesus was going], they followed him on foot from the cities."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "So, when he got there, he saw a huge crowd of people. And feeling sorry for them, he cured their sick."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "Then that evening, [Jesus’] disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place and it’s really late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy something to eat!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "But Jesus replied, ‘They don’t have to go; you give them something to eat!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "However, [the disciples] answered, ‘All we have is five loaves [of bread] and two fish.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "Then he said, ‘Bring them to me.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "Next, he told the crowd to lie down on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he spoke a blessing, and then he broke the bread and handed it to the disciples, and the disciples distributed in to the crowds."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "So, all ate until they were full. And when they picked up the scraps, there were twelve baskets full."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "Yet, almost five thousand men ate, not counting the women and children."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "Then [Jesus] immediately sent the crowds away and had his disciples take the boat in order to go to the other side [of the sea] ahead of him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "And once the crowds were gone, he went up the mountain to a private spot to pray. And although it was getting dark, he stayed there alone."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "24", "text": "Well, by then the boat was already a long way from land, and it was fighting the waves, because [a strong] wind was blowing against it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "25", "text": "Then, [sometime before sunrise, Jesus] came to them, walking over the sea."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "26", "text": "And when they saw him walking on the sea, the disciples were terrified and said, ‘It’s a phantom!’ And they screamed in fear."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "27", "text": "But right away, Jesus told them, ‘Be brave… don’t be afraid, it’s me!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "28", "text": "In reply, Peter said, ‘Lord; If it’s you, command me to come to you on top of the water!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "29", "text": "So [Jesus] said, ‘Come!’ Then Peter got out of the boat and walked across the water toward Jesus."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "30", "text": "But he got distracted by the windstorm and became afraid, and then he started to sink and shouted, ‘Lord, save me!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "31", "text": "Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him, then said, ‘You with so little faith; Why did you start to doubt?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "32", "text": "And after they got into the boat, the windstorm subsided."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "33", "text": "Then the others in the boat bowed low to him, saying: ‘You really are God’s Son.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "34", "text": "Finally, they finished the crossing and came to land in GenNesaret."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "35", "text": "There the men recognized him and sent word throughout the surrounding countryside, and people brought him all those who weren’t doing well."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "36", "text": "They all begged to just touch the fringes on his clothes. And everyone who touched them was made completely well."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, to ask,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "‘Why do your disciples overstep the traditions of the elders? For example, they don’t wash their hands before they eat bread.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "But [Jesus] asked, ‘Why is it that you overstep the Commands of God with your traditions?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "God told you to honor your father and mother, and to have those who speak badly to their fathers or mothers be put to death!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "Yet, you say: You may tell your father and mother that if they get any help from you, it will be a gift."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "So, [what you are really saying] is that they shouldn’t honor their parents at all. And when you do this, you are voiding the Word of God with your traditions."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "You hypocrites! How well Isaiah prophesied about you when he said,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "It’s a waste for them to keep worshiping Me, because they preach the teachings of men as commandments.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "With that, he called the crowds closer and said to them, ‘Listen and understand:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "It isn’t what goes into his mouth that dirty a man, it’s the things that come out of his mouth that pollute him!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "Then the disciples came up and asked, ‘Don’t you know that the Pharisees were stumbled by what you said?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "But he replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "So, let them go, for they’re blind guides; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "Then Peter said, ‘Then explain that illustration to us.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "And [Jesus] asked, ‘Don’t you get the point?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "Don’t you realize that whatever you put into your mouth goes into your belly and then into the sewer?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart… these are the things that dirty a man."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "Because, out of the heart comes wicked thinking, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, thievery, false testimony, and blasphemy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "These are the things that pollute a man! But eating with unwashed hands doesn’t dirty a man.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "Well, on leaving that place, Jesus next traveled up into areas of Tyre and Sidon."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "And {Look!} a Phoenician woman who was there, came and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me Lord, O Son of David, for my daughter is badly demonized.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "However, [Jesus] wouldn’t answer her. Then his disciples asked him to [do something for her], because ‘she keeps following us and shouting at us.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "And he answered, ‘I wasn’t sent to [help] any of those, other than just the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "But when the woman came closer, she bowed low to [Jesus] and begged him, ‘Lord, help me!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "So he said to her, ‘It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the puppies.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "But she replied, ‘Yes Lord; But aren’t puppies allowed to eat crumbs that fall from the tables of their masters?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "28", "text": "Then Jesus answered, ‘O woman, you have a lot of faith. May it be as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed from that hour on."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, going cross-country from there, Jesus traveled close to the Sea of Galilee. Here he climbed a mountain and sat down."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "30", "text": "Then large crowds came to him, bringing along people who were lame, injured, blind, and unable to speak (along with many others). They almost threw them at his feet, and he cured them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "31", "text": "So the crowds were amazed when they saw the speechless talking, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they praised the God of Israel."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "32", "text": "Finally, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I feel sorry for the crowds, because they’ve stayed with me for three days and they don’t have anything to eat. I certainly don’t want to send them away hungry, because they might give out on the road!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "33", "text": "However, the disciples asked: ‘Where are we going to get enough bread to satisfy this large a crowd in such a remote location?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "34", "text": "And Jesus asked: ‘How many loaves do you have?’ They replied, ‘Seven, and a few little fish.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "35", "text": "So, he told the crowd to lie down on the ground."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "36", "text": "Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after offering thanks, broke them, gave them to the disciples, and the disciples in turn [gave them] to the crowd,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "37", "text": "and they all ate and were satisfied. And [afterward], they picked up seven full provision baskets of scraps."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "38", "text": "Yet, there were four thousand men, plus women and children, who ate!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "39", "text": "Finally, after sending the crowd away, he got into the boat and traveled to the area of Magadan."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to [Jesus] and tried to tempt him by asking for a sign from heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "---"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "--- But he said,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "‘A wicked and adulterous generation, Keeps on looking for signs, But no sign will be given [to them], Other than the sign of Jonah.’ And he just walked away, leaving them there."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "Then, when the disciples got to the other side [of the sea], they [realized that they] had forgotten to bring along any bread."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "So, when Jesus told them: ‘Keep your eyes open and watch out for the fermentation of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "they said to each other, ‘Why? We didn’t bring any bread along!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, knowing this, Jesus said, ‘You with so little faith; Why are you talking about not having bread?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "Don’t you get the point… don’t you remember how [we fed] five thousand [with just] five loaves, and how many baskets you picked up;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "or how we fed four thousand with the other seven loaves, and how many provision baskets you picked up?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "So, why do you fail to recognize that I’m not talking to you about bread? [I’m telling you to] watch out for the fermentation of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, with that, they [finally] realized that he wasn’t telling them to watch out for the fermentation in the bread, but for the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "Then, when he went to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, ‘Who are people saying the Son of Man is?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "And they replied, ‘Some say you’re John the Baptist, others EliJah, and still others say you are JeremiJah or one of the Prophets.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "And he asked, ‘But, who do you say that I am?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "And Simon Peter answered: ‘You’re the Anointed; the Son of the Living God.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "Then Jesus said to him, ‘You are blest, Simon, son of Jonah, because this wasn’t shown to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in the heavens."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "‘I also tell you this: You are Rock (Peter); but I will build my congregation on this bedrock so that the gates of the grave won’t overpower it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in the heavens. And whatever you set free on the earth will be set free in the heavens.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he is the Anointed One."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "And that’s when Jesus (the Anointed) started showing his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at [the hands of] the elders, Chief Priests, and scribes. Then he would be killed, but [he would be] raised on the third day."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "22", "text": "But Peter took him aside and started scolding him, saying, ‘Be kind to yourself Lord; this isn’t going to happen to you!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "23", "text": "Then [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me opposer! You’re a trap to me, because you aren’t thinking God’s thoughts, but those of men.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "24", "text": "And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny his own needs, pick up his impaling pole, and keep following me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "25", "text": "For, whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "26", "text": "Why, what good does it do for a man to gain the whole world if he loses his life? Or what will a man give [to save] his life?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "27", "text": "‘Now, the Son of Man is about to go into the glory of his Father and His messengers, and then he will repay each one for the things that they did."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "28", "text": "I tell you the truth; Some of you who are standing here won’t taste death until you see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, six days later, Jesus took along Peter, James, and John (the brother of James), and brought them to a private spot on a high mountain,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "2", "text": "where he changed form in front of them… his face became as bright as the sun and his clothes were as white as light."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "3", "text": "And {Look!} they saw Moses and EliJah talking to [Jesus]."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "4", "text": "In reaction, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it’s good for us to be here! And if you want, I’ll erect three temporary structures; one for you, one for Moses, and one for EliJah.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "5", "text": "But as he spoke {Look!}, a bright cloud covered them and {Look!} a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my loved Son whom I’ve approve… listen to him!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "6", "text": "Well, at hearing this, the disciples were frightened and they fell to their faces."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Jesus came over to them and touched them, saying, ‘Get up; don’t be afraid.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "8", "text": "And when they looked up, they saw just Jesus by himself."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, as they walked down the mountain, Jesus came up and warned them saying: ‘Don’t tell anyone what you saw until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "10", "text": "Thereafter, these disciples asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that EliJah must come first?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "11", "text": "And he told them, ‘EliJah does indeed come, and he restores everything."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "12", "text": "However, I tell you that EliJah has already come and they didn’t recognize him, so they did whatever they wanted to him… and this is the same way that the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "13", "text": "And it was then that the disciples realized he was talking to them about John the Baptist."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, as they were approaching a crowd, a man came up to him, kneeled down, and said,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Lord, have mercy on my son! He has epilepsy and often falls into the fire or into the water."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "16", "text": "I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t cure him.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "17", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘O faithless and twisted generation; How much longer must I be with you… how much longer will I have to put up with you? Bring him here to me!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "18", "text": "So, Jesus scolded the demon and it came out, and the boy was cured from that hour on."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "19", "text": "Later on, the disciples came to Jesus while he was alone and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we cast it out?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "20", "text": "And he answered, ‘Because of your lack of faith! I tell you the truth; If your faith was the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it would go… nothing would be impossible for you!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "21", "text": "(21-22) Then, it was while they were all gathered in Galilee that Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "23", "text": "who will kill him… but he will be raised the third day.’ And this made them all very sad."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "24", "text": "Well, after they arrived in CaperNaum, the men collecting the double-silver [tax] came to Peter and asked, ‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the double-silver [tax]?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "25", "text": "And he replied, ‘Yes.’ However, when he went into the house, Jesus was already ahead of him and asked, ‘What do you think, Simon; Who do the kings of the earth get their duties or head taxes from, their sons or from strangers?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "26", "text": "And [Peter] answered, ‘From strangers.’ And Jesus said, ‘Then the sons are really tax-free!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "27", "text": "But, so that we don’t [become] a trap to them; go to the sea, cast out a hook, and take the first fish you catch. Then, when you open its mouth, you’ll find a coin. Take that and give it to them for both you and me.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "1", "text": "It was less than an hour later that the disciples came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Which [of us] will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "2", "text": "Then [Jesus] called a little boy over and stood him in their midst,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "3", "text": "and said: ‘I tell you the truth; Unless you change your ways and become like little boys, you won’t get into the Kingdom of Heaven!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "4", "text": "But, whoever humbles himself like this little boy is the one who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "5", "text": "And whoever welcomes such a little boy in my name, welcomes me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "6", "text": "But if anyone should set a trap for one of these little ones that believes in me; it would be better for him to have the type of millstone that’s turned by a burro hung around his neck, and then to be dropped into the open sea."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Woe to this world because of its traps! Of course, traps will be there, but woe to the man who sets them!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "8", "text": "If your hand or your foot traps you, cut it off and throw it away. For it’s better to enter life maimed or lame than to be thrown into the fire of the age with two hands or two feet."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "9", "text": "Also, if your eye is a trap to you, tear it out and throw it away. For it’s better for you to enter life with one eye than to be thrown with two eyes into the fiery garbage dump."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "10", "text": "‘And make sure that you don’t dislike one of these little ones, because I tell you; Their messengers look on the face of my Father in the heavens throughout all time!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "11", "text": "——"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "12", "text": "‘What do you think… if a man comes to have a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine --- and search for the one that strayed?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "13", "text": "And if he happens to find it, I tell you; he’s happier over that one than over the ninety-nine which didn’t stray!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "14", "text": "So, my Father in the heavens doesn’t want even one of these little ones to perish."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "15", "text": "Therefore, if your brother should sin, take him aside and discuss it between you and him alone; and if he listens to you, you have gained your brother."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "16", "text": "But if he doesn’t listen, bring along one or two others, so that whatever is said can be proven by the mouths of two or three witnesses."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "17", "text": "And if he refuses to listen to them, then speak to the congregation. But if he refuses to listen to even the congregation, then let him become as a man of the nations or a tax collector to you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "18", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; Everything that you make binding on earth will be bound in heaven. And everything that you set free on earth will be set free in heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "19", "text": "Again, I tell you truthfully; If two of you agree to anything on earth that you ever need to ask for, it will happen because of my Father in heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "20", "text": "For, wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I will be there among them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "21", "text": "Then Peter came up to him and asked, ‘Lord, how many times am I required to forgive my brother when he sins against me… up to seven times?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "22", "text": "But Jesus replied, ‘I tell you; Not up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "23", "text": "To illustrate; The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man, a king, who wanted to settle some words with his slaves."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "24", "text": "So, he started by bringing in one who owed him ten thousand valuable silver coins."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "25", "text": "But because he couldn’t repay it, the master ordered that he, his wife, his children, and all the things that he owned were to be sold to make the payment."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "26", "text": "However, the slave fell down, bowing to his face before [the master], begging, Be patient with me and I’ll pay back everything that I owe!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, moved to pity at this, the master forgave him and freed him from all his debt."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "28", "text": "‘But that slave thereafter went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him just a hundred small coins. And he grabbed him and started choking him, saying: Pay back everything that you owe me!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Well, the fellow slave fell down and started begging him, saying, Be patient with me and I’ll pay you back."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "30", "text": "‘However, he wasn’t willing; so he had him thrown in jail until he could pay everything he owed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "31", "text": "‘And when all the other slaves saw this, they became very upset; so they went and told their master what had happened."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "32", "text": "Then his master summoned him and said, Wicked slave; I canceled all that debt for you because you begged me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "33", "text": "So, why didn’t you see the need to show the same type of mercy to your fellow slave that I showed for you?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "34", "text": "And the master became so furious that he had him taken off to jail until he could repay all that he owed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "35", "text": "This is how my heavenly Father will deal with you if you don’t forgive your brothers from your hearts.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, when Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and traveled to the Judean border across the Jordan River,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "2", "text": "and huge crowds followed along, and he cured them there."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "3", "text": "However, the Pharisees came to test him, asking, ‘Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife on just any sort of grounds?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "4", "text": "And [Jesus] replied: ‘Didn’t you read that the One who created them long ago made them male and female,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "5", "text": "and said, This is the reason why a man will leave his father and mother and stick to his wife, because the two will be one flesh?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "6", "text": "So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has put together under the same yoke shouldn’t be separated by any man!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "7", "text": "Then they asked, ‘So, why did Moses say that we could give her a divorce certificate and dismiss her?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "8", "text": "And he answered: ‘Moses, realizing how hardhearted you are, allowed that you would divorce your wives. But it hasn’t always been that way!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "9", "text": "I tell you that; Whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual infidelity, and marries another, is an adulterer!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "10", "text": "Then his disciples said to him, ‘If this is true of a man and his wife, it’s best not to marry!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "11", "text": "And he replied, ‘This is something that not every man can do… just those who have the gift."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "12", "text": "Because, there are eunuchs who were born that way, eunuchs who were made that way by men, and those who have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. Let those who can make room for it, make room for it!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "13", "text": "Then [people] started bringing their young children to him, so he could lay his hands on them and offer a prayer… but the disciples scolded them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "14", "text": "However, Jesus said: ‘Leave the children alone and don’t stop them from coming to me, because the Kingdom of Heaven is for people like this!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "15", "text": "And after he laid his hands on them, he traveled on."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, {Look!} a person came up and asked, ‘Teacher, what sort of good things must I do to get life in the age?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "17", "text": "And [Jesus] replied, ‘Why do you ask me about doing good things? There’s just One who is truly good. But if you want to enter into life, just obey the Commandments!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "18", "text": "Then [the man] asked, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus replied: ‘Why, you must not murder; you must not commit adultery; you must not steal; you must not give false testimony;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "19", "text": "honor [your] father and mother; and you must love your neighbor as [you love] yourself.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "20", "text": "Then the young man said to him, ‘Why, I’ve kept all these things… so what else am I lacking?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "21", "text": "And Jesus said to him: ‘If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor; then come be my follower, and you will have treasures in heaven.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "22", "text": "But after the young man heard this, he left very sad, because he owned many things."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "23", "text": "Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you the truth; It will be difficult for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of Heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "24", "text": "Let me put it this way; It’s easier [to thread] a rope through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "25", "text": "Well, the disciples were very surprised at hearing this, and they asked, ‘Then, who can really be saved?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "26", "text": "And looking them straight in the face, Jesus said, ‘With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "27", "text": "Then Peter said to him: ‘Look, we’ve left everything and followed you. So, what will we really get?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "28", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth; In the rebirth – when the Son of Man sits down on his glorious throne – you who have followed me will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "29", "text": "And everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands for the sake of my name, will receive many times more, and they will inherit life in the age."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "30", "text": "But, many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "1", "text": "‘For, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man, the master of his house, who went out very early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "2", "text": "And when he agreed with the workers on one silver coin per day, he sent them out to work in his field."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "3", "text": "But when he went out again (about the third hour), he saw others standing around unemployed in the marketplace."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "4", "text": "So he said, You go into the vineyard also, and I’ll pay you whatever is fair."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "5", "text": "And off they went. ‘Then he went out again about the sixth and the ninth hours and did the same thing."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "6", "text": "And finally (about the eleventh hour), he went out and found more workers standing around, and he asked them, Why have you been standing here all day long unemployed?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "7", "text": "‘And they answered, Because nobody has hired us. ‘So he said to them: You go into the vineyard also."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "8", "text": "‘Then that evening, the master of the vineyard said to his man in charge: Call all the workers and pay them their wages. However, proceed from the last to the first."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Well, [after] the eleventh-hour, the men came in and they were each [paid] a silver coin."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "10", "text": "So, when it came time [to pay] the first, they figured that they would be getting more… but they were also paid a [single] silver coin."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "11", "text": "And as they were receiving it, they started complaining about the master,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "12", "text": "saying: These last ones just put in one hour’s work; but you paid them the same as those of us who worked all day long in the burning heat!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "13", "text": "‘And in reply to one of them, [the master] said: Man, I haven’t done you any wrong! Didn’t we agree on one silver coin?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "14", "text": "Take what is yours and go. I paid the last ones the same as you, because I wanted to!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "15", "text": "Isn’t it legal for me to do whatever I want with my own things? Or are you looking at things in a wicked way because I am good?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "16", "text": "‘So, the last will be first and the first will be last.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "17", "text": "Then, starting on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples off privately and explained this to them:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Look, we’re going up to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "19", "text": "Then they will hand him over to the ethnics, who will make fun of him, whip him, and impale him. But on the third day, he will be raised!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, afterward, the mother of the sons of ZebEdaiOu came to him with her sons, and she bowed low as if to request something."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "21", "text": "So he asked her, ‘What do you want?’ And she said, ‘Give the word that my two sons will sit, one at your right hand and one on your left, in your Kingdom.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "22", "text": "But Jesus replied: ‘You don’t know what you’re asking… can you drink from the cup that I’m about to drink?’ And they answered: ‘We can.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "23", "text": "So he said to them: ‘You will indeed drink my cup! But, sitting at my right hand and left hand isn’t mine to give… it belongs to those for whom my Father has prepared it.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "24", "text": "Then, when the ten other [disciples] heard about this, they were irritated at the two brothers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "25", "text": "But Jesus called them all to him and said, ‘You know how the rulers of the nations like to be masters over [the people] and subdue them;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "26", "text": "You shouldn’t be like that! But, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "27", "text": "and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "28", "text": "Why, this is how the Son of Man came… not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, as they were leaving Jericho, there was a large crowd following him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "30", "text": "And {Look!} when two blind men that were sitting alongside the road heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted: ‘Lord; Have mercy on us, Son of David!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "31", "text": "However, whe the crowd told them to be quiet, they shouted even louder: ‘Lord; Have mercy on us, Son of David!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "32", "text": "So Jesus stopped, and then called them over and asked, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "33", "text": "And they replied: ‘Lord; We want you to open our eyes!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "34", "text": "So, moved with pity, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they were able to see, and they started following him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, when they got close to Jerusalem and arrived at BethPhage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "2", "text": "telling them, ‘Go to the village, the one that’s across from us, and you will immediately find a burro that’s tied with its colt. Untie them and bring them to me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "3", "text": "And if anyone says anything, just say that the Lord needs them, and he will immediately send them with you.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "4", "text": "The reason why this happened is so the thing spoken through the Prophet might be fulfilled,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "5", "text": "‘Tell this to the daughter of Zion Look! Your King is coming to you! [He’s] gentle and comes riding the colt of a burro; The son of an animal that labors.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "6", "text": "So, the disciples went and did just as Jesus told them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "7", "text": "They brought the burro and its colt, put a robe [over the back of the colt], and he sat on it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "8", "text": "And most of the crowd also spread their robes on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, part of the crowd walked ahead of him and those who followed behind were shouting: ‘[God] save the Son of David! Praise the one who comes in Jehovah’s Name… may [God] in the highest places save him!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up [as people asked], ‘Who is this?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "11", "text": "But the crowd [that was with Jesus] answered, ‘He’s Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "12", "text": "Then Jesus went into the Temple and threw out all those who were buying and selling there, and he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those who were selling doves."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "13", "text": "He told them, ‘It’s written, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you’re making it a den of thieves!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "14", "text": "Then people who were blind and lame came to him in the Temple, and he cured them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "15", "text": "But when the Chief Priests and scribes saw the wonderful things he was doing, and the children who were shouting in the Temple, ‘[God] save the Son of David,’ they became very upset"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "16", "text": "and said, ‘Do you hear what they’re saying?’ And Jesus replied, ‘Yes! Haven’t you ever read this: You’ve provided praise from the mouths of infants and babies.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "17", "text": "And leaving them, he walked out of the city and went to BethAny, where he spent the night."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "18", "text": "Then on the way back to the city early the next morning, he felt hungry"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "19", "text": "and he saw a fig tree by the road. But when he walked over to it, he found nothing on it but leaves. So he said: ‘Let no fruit come from you anymore through the rest of the age.’ And the fig tree withered instantly."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, when the disciples saw this, they wondered, ‘How can a fig tree wither instantly?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "21", "text": "And Jesus told them: ‘I tell you the truth; If you have faith (and you must not doubt), not only will you do what I did to the fig tree, but you could say to this mountain, Lift up and be thrown into the sea, and it will happen…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "22", "text": "you will receive anything you ask for in prayer, if you have faith.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, after going into the Temple, the Chief Priests and the peoples’ elders came up to him as he was teaching and asked, ‘Where did you get the authority to do these things… and just who gave you that authority?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "24", "text": "In reply, Jesus said: ‘Let me ask you something, and if you answer me, then I’ll tell you where I got the authority to do these things."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "25", "text": "What was the source of John’s baptizing… did it come from heaven or from men?’ So they started reasoning among themselves and were saying: ‘If we answer, from heaven, he’ll ask us, Then why didn’t you believe him?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "26", "text": "But if we say from men, we will have the crowd to fear, because they think John was a Prophet.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "27", "text": "So they told Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ And he told them: ‘Then, I’m not going to tell you where I got the authority to do the things that I’m doing."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "28", "text": "‘What do you think? There was a man who had two children. He went to the first one and said, Son, go work in the vineyard today."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "29", "text": "This one answered, Yes sir! But he didn’t [do it]."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "30", "text": "Then [the man] went to the second son and said the same thing. But he replied, I don’t want to. Yet, later he felt sorry [for what said] and went out [to work in the vineyard]."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "31", "text": "Now, which of the two did what their father wanted?’ And they replied, ‘The second one.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth; Tax collectors and whores are going ahead of you into the Kingdom of God,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "32", "text": "because John came to you [preaching] the ways of righteousness, but you didn’t believe him. However, tax collectors and whores believed him… and although you saw this, you didn’t feel sorry later and start believing him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "33", "text": "‘Listen to another illustration: There was a man – the master of his house – who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, built a tower [to protect it], and hired [people to] cultivate it; then he traveled abroad."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "34", "text": "Well, when the [harvest] season came around, he sent his slaves to the farmers to get the fruit."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "35", "text": "However, the farmers took his slaves and beat one up, threw stones at the next, and killed the third one."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "36", "text": "Then he sent other slaves (more than the first), but they did the same to these."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Finally, he sent his son to them, saying, They will respect my son."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "38", "text": "But when they saw the son, the farmers said, This is the heir! Let’s kill him and get his inheritance!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "39", "text": "So they grabbed him and threw him out of the vineyard, then killed him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "40", "text": "‘Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives, what will he do to those farmers?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "41", "text": "And they replied: ‘Because they’re so bad, he’ll destroy them painfully, and then hire others to cultivate the vineyard who’ll give him the fruit when it’s due.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "42", "text": "And Jesus said to them, ‘Didn’t you ever read in the Scriptures, The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner… and it’s a wonderful thing in our eyes?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "43", "text": "This is why I tell you; The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that produces its fruit."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "44", "text": "For, the person who falls on this stone will be shattered, and anyone it falls on will be smashed!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "45", "text": "Now, when the Chief Priests and the Pharisees heard these illustrations, they realized that he was talking about them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "46", "text": "But, although they were looking to grab him, they were afraid of the masses, because they viewed him as a Prophet."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "1", "text": "Then Jesus gave them another illustration:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "2", "text": "‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man… a king, who arranged a wedding banquet for his son."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "3", "text": "Then he sent his slaves to call those who were invited. However, they didn’t want to come."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "4", "text": "‘Again he sent other slaves, saying, Tell those I invited that {Look!} the dinner is prepared, bulls and fattened animals have been slaughtered, and everything is ready, so come to the banquet!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "5", "text": "But, nobody paid any attention. One went out to his field, another to his business,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "6", "text": "and the rest grabbed his slaves, abused them, and then killed them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "7", "text": "‘This sent the king into a rage, so he sent his army to destroy the murderers and burn their city."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "8", "text": "Then he told his slaves: The marriage feast is indeed ready, but those who I invited weren’t worthy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "9", "text": "So, go to the roads leading out of the city and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "10", "text": "‘Then the slaves went out to the roads and gathered everyone they could find (both the wicked and the good), and the wedding hall was filled with those reclining at the tables."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "11", "text": "But, when the king came in to inspect the guests, he saw a man who wasn’t properly dressed for a wedding."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "12", "text": "So he asked him, How did you get in here [dressed like that]? ‘Well, the man was speechless."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "13", "text": "Then the king said to his servants, Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside into the darkness. There is where he will cry and grind his teeth."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "14", "text": "For, many are the called, but few are the chosen.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "15", "text": "Then the Pharisees all went off to hold a meeting [to discuss ways to] trap [Jesus] in his speech."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "16", "text": "So they sent some of their disciples and some of the followers of Herod to ask him, ‘Teacher, we know that you tell the truth, and what you teach about the way of God is right. And we know that you aren’t overly impressed by anyone, because you don’t look at what men seem to be on the outside."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "17", "text": "So, tell us what you think; Is it right for us to pay a head tax to Caesar, or not?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "18", "text": "But Jesus (knowing their wickedness) said, ‘Why are you testing me, hypocrites?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "19", "text": "Show me the coin that you pay the head tax with.’ So, they brought him a silver coin,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "20", "text": "and he asked them: ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "21", "text": "And they replied: ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them: ‘Give Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, when they heard that, they were bewildered. So they left him and went away."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "23", "text": "It was on that same day that the Sadducees (who don’t believe in a resurrection) approached [Jesus] and asked,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Teacher; Moses said that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the wife and sire [children] for his brother."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, let’s say there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without having [children], leaving his wife to his brother."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "26", "text": "The same thing happened to the second, and the third, until [she had gone] through all seven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "27", "text": "Finally, the woman died."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "28", "text": "So, to which of the seven will she be married in the resurrection, because they all had her?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "29", "text": "And Jesus replied: ‘This is why you’re headed in the wrong direction, for you don’t understand the Scriptures or the power of God."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "30", "text": "In the resurrection, men won’t marry, nor will women be given in marriage, but they are like the messengers in heaven."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "31", "text": "Haven’t you read what God told you about the resurrection of the dead [when he said],"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "32", "text": "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He isn’t the God of the dead, but of the living!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "33", "text": "Well, upon hearing that, the crowds were amazed by his teachings."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "34", "text": "And after the Pharisees heard how he had muzzled the Sadducees, they came to him as a group."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "35", "text": "And one of them (who was well versed in the Law) asked (to test him),"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "36", "text": "‘Teacher, which is the greatest Commandment of the Law?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "37", "text": "And he replied: You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart, life, and mind."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "38", "text": "This is the first and the greatest Commandment."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "39", "text": "The second, like it, is: You must love your neighbor as yourself."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "40", "text": "These two commandments are the basis of the whole Law and the Prophets.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "41", "text": "Then, while the Pharisees were all there in front of him, Jesus asked,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "42", "text": "‘What do you believe about the Anointed One… whose son is he?’ And they replied, ‘David’s.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "43", "text": "So he said: ‘Then, why did David (through the Breath [of God]) call him Lord, saying,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "44", "text": "Jehovah said to my Lord; Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "45", "text": "So, if David called him Lord, how could he be his son?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "46", "text": "And nobody was able to say a word in reply to him, nor did anyone dare to ask him any more questions from that day on."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "1", "text": "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, saying,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "2", "text": "‘The scribes and Pharisees have put themselves in the seat of Moses."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "3", "text": "So, do everything they tell you to do… yes, do and pay attention! But don’t do what they do, because they talk but they don’t perform."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "4", "text": "They assemble heavy packages and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they aren’t willing to budge them with a finger."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "5", "text": "‘Everything they do is just done to be seen by men. For they broaden the [scripture-carrying] cases they wear and make the fringes [on their clothes] longer;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "6", "text": "they like the first place at meals and [to sit in] the front seats in the synagogue;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "7", "text": "and they like to be greeted in the markets and to have people call them Rabbi."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "8", "text": "But not you! Don’t [have people] call you rabbi, for you have but one teacher, and you are all brothers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "9", "text": "So, don’t address anyone on earth as Father, because there’s just One who is your Father, the Heavenly One."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "10", "text": "Nor should you be called leaders, for you have but one Leader, the Anointed One."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "11", "text": "However, the greatest among you must be your servant."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "12", "text": "For, whoever promotes himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be promoted."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "13", "text": "‘Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites – because you block out the Kingdom of heaven before men, but you don’t enter it, and you don’t allow others who are on their way to enter it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "14", "text": "——"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "15", "text": "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites – because you travel land and sea to make a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of the garbage dump as yourselves!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "16", "text": "‘Woe to you blind guides who say, If anyone swears an oath by the Temple, it’s nothing. But if they swear by the gold in the Temple, the oath is binding."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "17", "text": "Morons and blind men! Which is really greater, the gold, or the Temple that makes the gold holy?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "18", "text": "‘You also say, If anyone swears an oath by the Altar, it’s nothing. But if anyone swears by the gift on [the Altar], the oath is binding."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "19", "text": "Blind men! Which is really greater, the gift, or the Altar that makes the gift holy?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "20", "text": "Those who swear an oath by the Altar are swearing by it and by everything that’s on it;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "21", "text": "those who swear an oath by the Temple are swearing by the One who lives there;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "22", "text": "and those who swear an oath by heaven are swearing by the throne of God and by the One who sits on it!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites – because [when you tithe], you even contribute a tenth of [your herbs, such as] mint, dill, and cumin; but you ignore the deeper things of the Law, like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Yes, you should do those things also… in addition to the rest."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "24", "text": "[You are] blind guides who strain out the weevils but swallow camels!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites – because you clean just the outsides of cups and dishes that are filled with theft and excesses on the inside."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "26", "text": "Blind Pharisees; First clean the insides of the cups and dishes, and then the outsides can also be clean!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "27", "text": "‘Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites – because you’re like whitewashed graves that look beautiful on the outside, but are full of dead men’s bones and every sort of filth on the inside…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "28", "text": "you look like righteous men on the outside, but inside you’re full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites – because you build places to bury dead Prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "30", "text": "then say, If we had lived back in the days of our forefathers, we wouldn’t have shared in [spilling] the blood of the Prophets."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "31", "text": "But when you say this, you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the Prophets…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "32", "text": "and now, fully measure up to your ancestors!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "33", "text": "‘Snakes and children of vipers; How can you escape the judgment of the garbage dump?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "34", "text": "Look! I’m sending you Prophets, wise men, and writers, whom you will kill; and you’ll hang some on poles, while you’ll whip others in your synagogues and persecute them from city to city."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "35", "text": "And then you will become responsible for all the righteous blood that was spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of ZechariJah (the son of BarachiJah), whom you murdered between the Holy Place and the Altar."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "36", "text": "I tell you the truth; All that [guilt] will be laid on this generation!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "37", "text": "‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… you killer of Prophets and stoner of those who were sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you didn’t want it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "38", "text": "Look! Your house has been taken from you!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "39", "text": "I tell you the truth; You won’t see me again until you say, Praise him who comes in the Name of the Lord!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, as Jesus was walking along (after leaving the Temple), his disciples came up to him, and they were pointing admiringly toward the Temple buildings."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "2", "text": "Then he said to them: ‘Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth; There won’t be a stone left on top of a stone here that won’t be thrown down.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, while he was sitting in a quiet spot on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Tell us; When will these things happen… what will be the signs when you are to arrive and this age will come to its conclusion?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "4", "text": "And Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one misleads you,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "5", "text": "for many will come in my name, saying, I’m the Anointed, and many will stray."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "6", "text": "‘You will hear of wars and reports about wars, but don’t be frightened, for all of these things must happen… but the end is yet to come."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "7", "text": "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom [will rise] against kingdom, and there’ll be famines and shakings in many places."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "8", "text": "But all these things are just the start of the birth pains.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Then people will deliver you to hard times and they’ll kill you. For, you’ll be hated by all nations because of my name."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "10", "text": "Many will be stumbled, they’ll hand each other over, and they’ll even dislike one other."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "11", "text": "False prophets will come and mislead many,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "12", "text": "and because of the increasing lawlessness, the love of most will cool off…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "13", "text": "but he who endures to the end will be saved."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "14", "text": "‘However, this good news of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the earth as a witness to the nations… and then the end will come."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "15", "text": "‘So, when you see the disgusting destroyer (which was spoken of through Daniel the Prophet) standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand),"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "16", "text": "those in Judea should flee to the mountains."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "17", "text": "The man who is standing on his roof shouldn’t go down to remove things from his house,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "18", "text": "and the man who is standing in his field shouldn’t return to get his clothes."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in those days…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "20", "text": "keep praying that your time to run doesn’t come in the winter or on a Sabbath."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "21", "text": "Because, then there will come a difficult time such as hasn’t happened from the beginning until now, nor should ever happen again."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "22", "text": "And if those days aren’t cut short, no one will be saved. But those days will be shortened, for the sake of the elected."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Then, if any should say, {Look!} Here (or there) is the Anointed, don’t believe it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "24", "text": "Because, false anointed and false prophets will arise, and they’ll perform great omens and signs to mislead (if possible) even the elected!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Now, I’ve warned you;"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "26", "text": "So, if people should say, Look! He’s there in the desert, don’t go there; or Look! He’s there in the storehouse, don’t believe it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "27", "text": "For as lightning flashes ‘cross the sky from the east to the west; that’s how you’ll know the Son of Man is near…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "28", "text": "the vultures will gather at the carcass."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "29", "text": "‘In the days which follow that difficult time, the sun will grow dark and the moon will not light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "30", "text": "Then the Son of Man’s sign will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with great power and glory."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "31", "text": "Then he’ll send his messengers [blowing] loud trumpets, and collect his elected from the four winds… from one end of the sky to the other."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "32", "text": "‘Now, learn this point from the story of the fig tree: When its young branches grow tender, And it starts putting out leaves, You know that summer is near."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "33", "text": "Likewise, when you see all of these things, know that he’s near… at the doors!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "34", "text": "I tell you the truth; That generation will not pass away until all these things have happened."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "35", "text": "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "36", "text": "‘No one knows the day or the hour… not the messengers of heaven or the Son (just the Father)."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "37", "text": "For, the same as it was in Noah’s day, is how it will be when the Son of Man is near."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "38", "text": "Why, [people] in those days (before the downpour) were feeding themselves and drinking, marrying and being taken in marriage, right up to the day when Noah entered the Chest…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "39", "text": "they were unaware ‘til [the day of] the downpour, and then it swept them all away. That’s how it will also be when the Son of Man is nearby."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "40", "text": "‘Then two men will be in a field; one will be taken and the other abandoned."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "41", "text": "Two --- will be grinding at a mill; one will be taken and the other abandoned."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "42", "text": "So, [you should all] stay awake, for you don't know the day that your Lord will arrive."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "43", "text": "‘I want you to recognize this: If the master of the house would have known in what watch the thief would be coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "44", "text": "So, prove yourself always ready; for the Son of Man will arrive at a time when he isn’t expected."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "45", "text": "‘Who really is the faithful and sensible slave that the master has put in charge of his servants to give them their meals at proper times?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "46", "text": "The slave will be blest if he’s found doing so, when his master arrives."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "47", "text": "I tell you the truth; He will put him in charge of all his possessions!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "48", "text": "But if that bad slave should say in his heart, My master is taking his time,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "49", "text": "and he starts beating his fellow slaves, and eating and drinking with the drunkards,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "50", "text": "that slave’s master will arrive on a day and hour that he doesn’t expect."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "51", "text": "Then he’ll cut him down, and assign him among the hypocrites… and that’s where he’ll weep and grind his teeth.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "1", "text": "‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom and his bride."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "2", "text": "Five were wise, but five just didn’t care."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "3", "text": "Those who didn’t care brought their lamps, but they failed to bring any oil,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "4", "text": "while the wise brought jars of oil for their lamps."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "5", "text": "‘Well, as the bridegroom was taking his time, they all nodded off and went to sleep."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "6", "text": "But in the middle of the night someone shouted, Look, it’s the bridegroom… [let us all] go to meet him!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Then all the virgins got up and started preparing their lamps."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "8", "text": "But those who didn’t care said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are about to go out!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "9", "text": "‘However, the wise replied, There probably isn’t enough for us all, so you’d best go to the store to buy your own."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "10", "text": "And as they were leaving, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready entered the banquet along with him… then the door was closed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Later, the other virgins arrived and said, Lord! Lord! Open to us!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "12", "text": "‘But in reply he told them: I tell you the truth; I don’t know you."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "13", "text": "‘So stay awake, for you don’t know the day or the hour!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "14", "text": "‘It’s [the same] as when a man was about to travel abroad, and he called his slaves to entrust his belongings to them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "15", "text": "To one he gave five [silver] coins; to another he gave just two; and to another he gave just one (each according to his ability), and thereafter he traveled abroad."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "16", "text": "Immediately, the one who got five, went out and put them to work, gaining five more of the coins."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "17", "text": "The same was true of the slave who got two; he gained two more."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "18", "text": "But [the slave] who received just one, went and dug a hole in the ground, and it was there that he buried his master’s silver."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Well, after some time, the master of those slaves [finally] returned, and he called for an accounting."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "20", "text": "So, the one who’d received the five coins came forward, carrying the five more and said: Master, You gave me five coins, and see; I’ve gained you five more!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Then his master told him: Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things, so I will appoint you over many… enjoy the favor of your master!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "22", "text": "‘Next, the one who received the two coins came forward and said to his master: Master, You gave me two coins, and see; I’ve gained you two more!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "23", "text": "‘And his master said to him: You’ve done well, my good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things, so I will appoint you over many… share in the joy of your master!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Finally, the [slave] who was given the one coin came up to his master and said: Master, I know that you’re a hard man, reaping where you don’t sow, and harvesting where you don’t plant."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "25", "text": "And because I was afraid, I hid your coin in the ground. Now, see; I give you what is yours!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "26", "text": "‘In reply, his master then said: O you wicked and lazy slave; So you knew that I reap where I don’t sow, and harvest where I don’t plant, do you?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "27", "text": "Then you should have deposited my silver with the bankers, and when I returned, I would have received what is mine with interest!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "28", "text": "So, take the coin away, and give it to the one who has ten coins."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "29", "text": "Because, more will be given to all those who have; and then they will have plenty. But all will be taken from those who don’t have."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "30", "text": "Now, throw this useless slave in the darkness outside! That’s where he’ll weep and grind his teeth!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "31", "text": "‘When the Son of Man arrives in his glory, along with all of the messengers, he’ll sit down on his glorious throne"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "32", "text": "and all nations will be led before him. Then he’ll separate the people, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "33", "text": "And he’ll put the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "34", "text": "Then the king will say to those on his right: Come, you who’ve been praised by my Father; Inherit the Kingdom that’ s been prepared for you since the founding of the world."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "35", "text": "For, when I was hungry you fed me, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you took me in,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "36", "text": "and when I was naked, you clothed me. When I was sick, you looked after me, and when I was in prison, you came to me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Then the righteous will ask, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "38", "text": "When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "39", "text": "When did we see you sick or in prison, and come to your [aid]?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "40", "text": "‘And the king will say: I tell you the truth; When you did it for the least of my brothers, you also did it for me.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "41", "text": "‘Then he will say to those on his left: Leave me, O you who’ve been cursed into the fire of the age that was prepared for the Opposer and his messengers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "42", "text": "For, when I was hungry, you didn’t feed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "43", "text": "When I was a stranger, you didn’t take me in. When I was naked, you didn’t clothe me. And when I was sick and in prison, you didn’t come to my aid."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "44", "text": "‘Then they also will ask, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger; or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not serve your needs?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "45", "text": "‘And he will answer: I tell you the truth; When you didn’t do it for one of these least ones, you didn’t do it for me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "46", "text": "‘Then they’ll leave to be cut off [through] the ages, but the righteous into ages of life.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "2", "text": "‘You know that the Passover will be here in just two days, and the Son of Man is going to be betrayed and hung on a pole.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the Chief Priests and the peoples’ elders gathered in the courtyard of the High Priest (who was called CaiAphas)"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "4", "text": "to discuss sneaky ways to grab Jesus and kill him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "5", "text": "However, they decided not [to do it] at the festival, because that would have created a commotion among the people."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "6", "text": "Well, while Jesus was in BethAny, at the house of Simon the leper,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "7", "text": "a woman carrying an expensive alabaster case of perfumed oil came to him as he lay in a reclined position, and she started pouring it over his head."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "8", "text": "But when the disciples saw that, they were irritated and asked, ‘Why all this waste?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "9", "text": "We could have sold this for a lot [of money] and given it to the poor!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "10", "text": "Being aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She did a good thing for me!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "11", "text": "You’ll always have the poor, but you won’t always have me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "12", "text": "When this woman poured the oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for my burial."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "13", "text": "And I tell you the truth; Wherever this good news is preached in the entire world, what this woman did will be told in memory of her.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "14", "text": "Then, one of the twelve (the one called Judas IsCariot) went to the Chief Priests"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "15", "text": "and asked, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ And they arranged to give him thirty silver coins."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "16", "text": "So from that point on, he kept looking for a good opportunity to betray him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "17", "text": "It was on the first day of No Fermentation that the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "18", "text": "And he said: ‘Go into the city to (a certain person), and tell him that the Teacher says, My appointed time is near, so I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your home.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "19", "text": "Then the disciples did just as Jesus ordered and got things ready for the Passover."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "20", "text": "It was that evening, while [Jesus] was reclining at the table"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "21", "text": "eating with the twelve disciples, that he said: ‘I tell you the truth; One of you will betray me.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "22", "text": "And deeply saddened at this, they all asked him, ‘Lord, it isn’t me, is it?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "23", "text": "And he answered, ‘One who has dipped his hand in this bowl with me will betray me."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "24", "text": "It’s true; The Son of Man is going to be buried, just as it was written about him. But woe to the one through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "25", "text": "Then Judas (the one who was about to betray him) asked, ‘That isn’t what I am, is it Rabbi?’ And [Jesus] replied, ‘You said it yourself.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "26", "text": "Then, as they ate, Jesus took a loaf, and after giving thanks, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying: ‘Take some and eat it, because this is my body.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "27", "text": "He also took a cup [of wine], and after giving thanks, gave it to them saying, ‘All of you drink from it,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "28", "text": "because this is my blood of the New Sacred Agreement, which will be poured out for many to forgive [their] sins."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "29", "text": "But I tell you that I definitely won’t drink of this product of the vine anymore, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the Kingdom of my Father.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "30", "text": "Finally, after singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "31", "text": "[It was there that] Jesus said to them: ‘All of you will be stumbled [by what will happen to] me tonight, because it’s written: I will beat the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "32", "text": "But after I wake up, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "33", "text": "However, Peter said to him: ‘Although all the others may be stumbled, I’ll never be trapped!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "34", "text": "Then Jesus said: ‘I tell you the truth; Before a rooster crows tonight, you will have denied knowing me three times.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "35", "text": "But Peter said: ‘Even if I have to die with you, I’ll never deny knowing you!’ And all the other disciples said the same thing."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "36", "text": "Then Jesus went with them to the spot called GethSemane (the Olive Press), and he told his disciples: ‘Sit here while I go over there to pray.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "37", "text": "And taking along Peter and the two sons of ZebEdaiOu, he became very sad and deeply disturbed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "38", "text": "Then he said to them: ‘My soul is sad to the point of death, so wait here, and stay awake with me.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "39", "text": "And going a little way forward, he fell to his face praying and said, ‘My Father; If it’s possible, let this cup pass from me; however, not my will, but Yours.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "40", "text": "Then, when he returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping, and he asked Peter, ‘Aren’t you strong enough to stay awake with me for just one hour?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "41", "text": "Stay awake and pray that you won’t be put to the test! Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "42", "text": "So, he went off and prayed a second time, saying: ‘My Father; If this can’t pass and I have to drink it, then may Your will be done.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "43", "text": "And he returned to find them sleeping again, because their eyes were heavy."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "44", "text": "So, he left them and went to pray a third time, saying the same things again."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "45", "text": "Then he came back to the disciples and told them: ‘Here you are resting and sleeping… and look! The time has come when the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "46", "text": "Get up… let’s go! Look! Here comes my betrayer!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "47", "text": "And while he was still speaking, {Look!} Judas (one of the twelve) came with a large mob of Priests and elders who were all carrying swords and clubs!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "48", "text": "Now, the betrayer gave them a sign to watch for. He said, ‘Whoever I kiss is the one… grab him!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "49", "text": "And going straight up to Jesus, he greeted him with the words, ‘Rejoice, Rabbi!’ and kissed him tenderly."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "50", "text": "But Jesus said to him: ‘Man, just why are you here?’ Then [some of the mob] came up, laid their hands on Jesus, and grabbed him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "51", "text": "But {Look!} someone who was there with Jesus reached and unsheathed his sword, and struck the Chief Priest’s slave, taking off his ear."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "52", "text": "Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword away, for all who take the sword will be destroyed by the sword."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "53", "text": "Don’t you think that I can ask my Father to send more than twelve legions of messengers immediately?"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "54", "text": "But if [I did] that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "55", "text": "Then Jesus asked the mob, ‘Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like some robber? Why, I used to sit and teach in the Temple each day, and you didn’t choose to grab me then."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "56", "text": "But all this has happened so that the writings of the Prophets can be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples ran away and left him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "57", "text": "Thereafter, those who grabbed Jesus took him off to [the house of] CaiAphas the High Priest, where the scribes and the elders had already gathered."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "58", "text": "But Peter followed a long way behind him, until he got to the courtyard of the High Priest. There he went inside and sat with the building supervisory staff to see how everything came out."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "59", "text": "Meanwhile, the Chief Priests and the entire Judean High Court were looking for [someone who would] lie about Jesus, so they could have him put to death."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "60", "text": "However, of all those who came forward, no one was willing to perjure himself. But then, later on, two did come forward"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "61", "text": "and say: ‘This man said, I can to tear down the Temple of God and build it back in three days.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "62", "text": "Well, at that, the High Priest stood up and said to [Jesus], ‘Don’t you have an answer? What is it that these people are accusing you of?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "63", "text": "But Jesus just kept silent. So the High Priest said to him: ‘By the living God; I put you under oath to tell us whether you’re the Anointed One, the Son of God!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "64", "text": "And Jesus answered: ‘Why, you have said it yourself! Let me tell you something; From this point on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on clouds in the sky!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "65", "text": "Then the High Priest ripped his clothes, shouting: ‘He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See… now you’ve heard the blasphemy!"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "66", "text": "What’s your opinion?’ And they answered, ‘Hold him for death!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "67", "text": "Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him in the face,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "68", "text": "saying, ‘Prophesy to us, O Anointed One. Who hit you?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "69", "text": "Now, while Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came up and said, ‘You were also with Jesus the Galilean!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "70", "text": "But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "71", "text": "Then, after he had gone out to the gatehouse, another girl noticed him and said to everyone there, ‘This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "72", "text": "Again he denied it with an oath, saying, ‘I never knew the man!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "73", "text": "And a little while later, all those who were standing around came up and said to Peter, ‘Sure, you’re one of them! Why, your accent gives you away!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "74", "text": "Then he started to curse them and swore: ‘I don’t know the man!’ And immediately a rooster crowed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "75", "text": "Then Peter remembered Jesus’ words, ‘Before a rooster crows, you’ll deny that you know me three times.’ And he went outside and cried bitterly."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "1", "text": "The next morning, all the Chief Priests and peoples’ elders held a meeting to talk about putting Jesus to death."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "2", "text": "So they bound him and took him to be handed over to Governor Pilate."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "3", "text": "It was then that Judas (who had betrayed [Jesus]) realized that he was condemned. So, feeling deeply regretful about what he had done, he tried to return the thirty silver pieces to the Chief Priests and elders,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "4", "text": "saying, ‘I sinned when I betrayed righteous blood.’ But they replied: ‘What’s that to us? You’ll see!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "5", "text": "So, he threw the silver into the Temple and left, and then he went outside and hung himself."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "6", "text": "But the Chief Priests [picked up] the silver pieces and said, ‘It isn’t legal to put them into the sacred treasury, because they’re the price of blood.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "7", "text": "So after discussing it further, they decided to buy a potter’s field as a place to bury strangers."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "8", "text": "And to this day, that field has been called The Field of Blood."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "9", "text": "It was then that the words of the Prophet were fulfilled: ‘And they took the thirty silver pieces, The price that was put on a man By some of the sons of Israel,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "10", "text": "And used them to pay for the potter’s field, Just as Jehovah had told me.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "11", "text": "Jesus next stood before the governor, who asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ And Jesus replied, ‘You’re saying it yourself.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "12", "text": "However, when the Chief Priests and elders were accusing him, he didn’t say anything."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "13", "text": "Then Pilate asked, ‘Don’t you hear all the things that they’re saying against you?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "14", "text": "But [Jesus] wouldn’t answer him – not a word – and that really got the governor to wondering."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, it was the governor’s custom to release whichever prisoner the crowd wanted during these festivals."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "16", "text": "And at that time, they were holding a particularly notorious criminal called BarAbbas."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "17", "text": "So, when the people gathered before him, Pilate asked, ‘Which do you want me to release to you, BarAbbas, or Jesus, the so-called Anointed One?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "18", "text": "[Pilate] knew that the only reason they had bound [Jesus] over, was because they were jealous of him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "19", "text": "Also, while he was sitting on his judgment seat, [Pilate’s] wife sent [a message] to him, saying, ‘Don’t have anything to do with that righteous man, because I suffered a lot in a dream today because to him.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "20", "text": "But the Chief Priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for BarAbbas, and they demanded to have Jesus destroyed."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "21", "text": "So, when the governor asked which of the two they wanted released, they shouted, ‘BarAbbas.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "22", "text": "And when Pilate asked, ‘Then, what should I do with Jesus, the so-called Anointed One?’ They all said, ‘Hang him on a pole!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "23", "text": "But he asked, ‘Why? What bad thing did he do?’ But they all kept shouting louder and louder, ‘Hang him on a pole!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "24", "text": "Well, when he saw that he wasn’t doing any good and he was just inciting a riot, Pilate got some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, ‘I’m innocent of this man’s blood… you take the responsibility for this on yourselves!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "25", "text": "And all the people said, ‘May we and our children be responsible for his blood!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "26", "text": "Then he released BarAbbas to them, but he had Jesus whipped and bound over for impaling."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "27", "text": "Next, the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the palace and brought in all the troops."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "28", "text": "There they took [Jesus’] clothes off, wrapped a scarlet cape around him,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "29", "text": "braided a crown of thorns and slipped it over his head, and they put a reed in his right hand. Then kneeling down, they made fun of him by shouting the greeting, ‘Rejoice, O you King of the Jews!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "30", "text": "Then they spit on him, and took the reed and started hitting him on the head."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "31", "text": "Finally, after they had tired of their fun, they took off the cape, put his clothes back on, and took him out to be impaled."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "32", "text": "Then, as they were leading him out, they found a man from Cyrene [Libya], whose name was Simon, and forced him to carry the pole."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "33", "text": "And when they got to the place called GolGotha (or Skull Place),"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "34", "text": "they offered [Jesus] some wine mixed with gall to drink. But after he tasted it, he wouldn’t drink it."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "35", "text": "It was after [they had nailed] him on the pole that [the soldiers] divided his clothes by throwing lots."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "36", "text": "Then they all just sat around and watched him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "37", "text": "They also put a sign over his head that showed the charge against him: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "38", "text": "Then two robbers were hung on poles beside him; one on his right and the other on his left."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "39", "text": "And those that were passing by shouted terrible things at [Jesus], shaking their heads"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "40", "text": "and saying: ‘O you who would tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days; Save yourself… if you’re a son of God, come down off the pole!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "41", "text": "That’s the way the Chief Priests, scribes, and elders also made fun of him, saying:"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "42", "text": "‘He saved others, but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel, so let him get down from the pole and then we’ll believe in him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "43", "text": "He has put his trust in God, so let [God] rescue him if He wants. After all, he says: I’m God’s Son.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "44", "text": "In fact, even the robbers who were hung on poles with him started saying mean things to him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "45", "text": "Then, from the sixth to the ninth hours, darkness fell over the whole land."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "46", "text": "And about the ninth hour, Jesus called out in a loud voice: ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is, ‘My God, my God, why have you let me down?’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "47", "text": "Well, when some of those who were standing around heard this, they thought he was calling for EliJah."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "48", "text": "And immediately, one of them ran and took a sponge, soaked it in vinegar, then lifted it on a reed to give him something to drink."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "49", "text": "But the rest of them said, ‘Leave him alone! Let’s see if EliJah comes to save him!’ Finally, a man took a spear, jabbed it into his side, and blood mixed with water poured out."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "50", "text": "Then Jesus cried out loudly and gave up his breath."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "51", "text": "And at that, {Look!} the Temple’s [inner] curtain ripped in half from top to bottom, as the earth shook and rocks split."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "52", "text": "And it is established that tombs were opened and [the bones of] several holy ones (who had fallen asleep) were ejected, and seen"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "53", "text": "after [they were] raised, by many who were entering the Holy City."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "54", "text": "But the army officer and those with him who were watching over Jesus (after they saw the earthquake and the other things that had happened) were really frightened and said: ‘This really was God’s Son!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "55", "text": "Well, during this entire time, many women stood looking on from a distance… they were those who had traveled with Jesus from Galilee to serve him,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "56", "text": "such as Mary from Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of ZebEdaiOu."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "57", "text": "Then later that afternoon, a rich man from AriMathea named Joseph (who was also a disciple of Jesus)"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "58", "text": "went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. So, Pilate commanded that it should be given to him."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "59", "text": "Then Joseph took the body, wrapped it up in good clean linen,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "60", "text": "and laid it in a new tomb, which had just been quarried in the bedrock. Then, after rolling a big stone against the tomb entrance, he left."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "61", "text": "But Mary from Magdala and the other Mary just sat there across from the grave."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "62", "text": "Then the next day (after the Preparation), the Chief Priests and Pharisees gathered and came before Pilate,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "63", "text": "saying, ‘Lord; We remembered that while he was alive, that impostor said: Yet, in three days I will be raised."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "64", "text": "So, order the grave to be made secure until the third day, so his disciples don’t come and steal him, then tell people that he was raised from the dead. For, that would make this last deceit worse than the first!’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "65", "text": "But Pilate replied: ‘You have watchmen; Go make it as secure as you know how.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "66", "text": "So, they went and made the grave secure by sealing the stone and posting guards."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "1", "text": "It was after the Sabbaths, in the early morning light of the first day of the week, that Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the grave."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "2", "text": "And {Look!} a great shaking had happened, because Jehovah’s messenger had come down from heaven and rolled away the stone, and he was sitting on top of it…"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "3", "text": "he looked like lightning and his clothes were as white as snow."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "4", "text": "This made the watchmen shake in fear and become as dead men."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "5", "text": "But the messenger said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid, for I know that you’re looking for Jesus who was impaled."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "6", "text": "He isn’t here, because he was raised… just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "7", "text": "then hurry and tell his disciples that he was raised from the dead. Why look… he has gone ahead of you into Galilee! {Look!} You’ll see him there, just as I said.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "8", "text": "So, quickly leaving the tomb (with both fear and great joy), they ran to report this to his disciples."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, {Look!} Jesus met them, greeting them with the word, ‘Rejoice!’ So, they went up to him, caught him by his feet, and bowed low."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "10", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘Don’t be afraid! Go and report this to my brothers, so they will go to Galilee… they’ll see me there.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, while [the women] were on their way, {Look!} some of the guards went to the city to report everything that had happened to the Chief Priests."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "12", "text": "And after holding a conference and meeting with the elders to ask for advice, they [bribed] the soldiers with enough silver,"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "13", "text": "and said: ‘Tell the people that his disciples came in the night and stole him while you were sleeping."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "14", "text": "And if the governor hears about this, don’t worry; we’ll persuade [him] to set you free.’"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "15", "text": "So [the guards] took the silver and did as they were instructed. And the story they told has been spread among Judeans everywhere down to this day."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "16", "text": "However, the eleven disciples went to Galilee… to the mountain where Jesus had arranged [to meet] them."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "17", "text": "And when they saw him, they bowed low… but some were doubtful."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "18", "text": "Then, coming toward them, Jesus spoke, saying, ‘All power has been given me in heaven and on earth."}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "19", "text": "So, go and make disciples in all nations in my name, ---"}
{"book": "MAT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "20", "text": "teaching them to obey all the things that I commanded you. And {Look!} I’ll be with you every day until the end of the age.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Anointed One."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "It was written [in the book of] the Prophet Isaiah, ‘{Look!} I’m sending my messenger ahead, To prepare the way before you."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "Listen! Someone is calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, you people; Straighten out all of his roads!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "Well, John was in the desert, and he came baptizing, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "And all those in Judea and Jerusalem went out to be baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they openly confessed their sins."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "John wore clothes made of camel’s hair and a wide leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "He also preached, ‘Someone greater is coming behind me, The laces of whose sandals I’m unworthy to untie."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "I baptized you with water, But he’ll baptize you with the Holy Breath.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Back then, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee to be baptized in the Jordan by John."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "And immediately after coming up out of the water, [John] saw the sky split open and the Breath [of God] coming down upon [Jesus] like a dove."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "Then a voice came from the sky, which said, ‘You are My loved Son and I think well of you.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Then, [God’s] Breath immediately forced [Jesus] into the desert,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "where he spent forty days among the wild animals, as he was being tempted by the Opposer. However, the messengers [of God] were serving [his needs]."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "It was after John was arrested that Jesus went into Galilee to preach the good news of God,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "saying, ‘The period has been fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is near. So, repent and believe in the good news!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "Then, while he was walking alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets on the sea (they were fishermen)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "So Jesus said to them, ‘Come follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "And right away, they released their nets and followed him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "Then, going a little farther, he saw James the son of ZebediOu and his brother John. They were in their boat mending their nets."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "And right away he called them. So, they left their father ZebediOu in the boat with the hired men and followed him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "Then they entered CaperNaum; and as soon as the Sabbath came around, he went to the synagogue and started teaching."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "[Well, everyone] was amazed by his way of teaching, because he taught with authority, not like the scribes."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "And at the time, there was a man in the synagogue who was under the influence of an unclean spirit, which shouted out,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "‘What dealings do we have with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are; you’re The Holy One of God!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "But Jesus scolded it, saying, ‘Put a muzzle on it and come out of him!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "Then the unclean spirit (after throwing him into convulsions and yelling loudly) came out."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, the people were shocked and started asking each other, ‘What is this, some new teaching? He has the power to give orders to unclean spirits and they obey him!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "So, the story about him was immediately spread throughout all the country around Galilee."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "Thereafter, [Jesus] (along with James and John) walked out of the synagogue and went directly to the home of Simon and Andrew."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "30", "text": "And there Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law was lying down burning up with a fever, which they immediately pointed out to [Jesus]."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "31", "text": "So, he took her by the hand to help her stand, and then the fever left her, so she started serving them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "32", "text": "Then that evening, after sunset, the people started bringing him all those who weren’t doing well and the demon-possessed…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "33", "text": "why, the whole city gathered at the door!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "34", "text": "So he cured many with various illnesses, and he expelled many demons. But he wouldn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew that he was the Anointed One."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "35", "text": "Then early the next morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went outside to a lonely place and started praying."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "36", "text": "However, Simon (and those who were with him) searched"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "37", "text": "for him and found him, then said, ‘Every one is looking for you!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "38", "text": "But he replied, ‘Let’s go somewhere else… into the nearby villages, so I can preach there also. That’s why I came outside.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "39", "text": "And he went preaching in the synagogues throughout all of Galilee and casting out demons."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "40", "text": "Then a leper came to him, begging on his knees saying, ‘If you just want to, you can make me clean!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "41", "text": "And moved with pity, he reached out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I want to… be clean.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "42", "text": "Well, immediately the leprosy left him and he was clean."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "43", "text": "Then he gave [the man] strict orders and sent him directly away,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "44", "text": "telling him, ‘Don’t talk about this to anyone! But go show yourself to the Priests and give the offering of cleansing that was specified by Moses, as a witness to them.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "45", "text": "However, after he left, [the man] started telling everyone and spreading the word around, so that Jesus wasn’t able to enter the cities openly. As the result, he stayed out in lonely places, but [people] kept coming to him from all directions."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "When he entered CaperNaum several days later, word got out that he was at home,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "and so many people came to him that there wasn’t any room around the door. Then he started preaching the Word to them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "In the meantime, they were bringing him a man who was paralyzed and being carried by four people."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "But, because of the huge crowd, they couldn’t carry him straight to [Jesus]. So, they removed part of the roof over where he was, digging an opening to lower the cot that the [man] was lying on."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, some of the scribes who were sitting there were reasoning in their hearts,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Why is this man talking that way? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except the one God?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "But Jesus (who immediately realized in his spirit that they were thinking like that inside themselves) asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Which is easier, to tell the paralyzed man, Your sins are forgiven, or, Get up, pick up your cot, and walk?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "But [I said this so that] you men would know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth.’ Then he said to the paralytic,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "‘I tell you; Get up, pick up your cot, and go home.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "And he got right up, picked up his cot, and walked out in front of them all. Why, all were simply beside themselves and they glorified God, saying, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "Thereafter, he went outside again to the seashore, where huge crowds came to him and he taught them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "It was as he was passing by the tax office that he noticed Levi (Matthew), the son of AlphaEus, sitting there. And [he] said to him, ‘Be my follower.’ So, he got up and followed him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "Later on, Jesus was reclining at the table in [Levi’s] home, and many tax collectors and sinners were reclining there with him and his disciples, because several of them had started following him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "But when the Pharisee scribes saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, ‘Does he eat with the tax collectors and sinners?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Having overheard this, Jesus said to them, ‘Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but those who are ill do. I didn’t come to call the righteous, just the sinners.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, John’s disciples and the Pharisees both practiced fasting. So they came to him and asked, ‘Why is it that the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘Do the bridegroom’s best men fast while the groom is with them? [No, for] as long as the groom is with them, they can’t fast."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "But the days are coming when the groom will be taken away… and then they will fast."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "‘No one sews an unshrunk cloth patch onto old clothes; for if they do, the [shrinking] strength of the new [cloth] will pull the old [fabric], and the tear will become worse."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "Also, no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For if they do, the [new] wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins will be lost. So, people put new wine into new wineskins.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "Well, one day, [Jesus] was traveling through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and his disciples started plucking the heads of grain as they walked along."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "So the Pharisees asked him, ‘{Look!} Why are they doing something that’s illegal on the Sabbath?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "But he replied, ‘Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was in need, and he and the men with him got hungry…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "how he entered the [Temple] of God (in the account about AbiAthar, the High Priest) and ate the presentation bread, which isn’t legal for anyone to eat except the Priests… and how he also gave some to the men who were with him?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "Then [Jesus] said this: ‘The Sabbath came into existence for the sake of men, not men for the Sabbath."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "Besides, the Son of Man is also the Lord of the Sabbath.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Once again he entered a synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "So they were watching [Jesus] closely to see if he would cure the man on the Sabbath, so they could accuse him of something."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Then he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Get up and come to the center.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "And he asked, ‘Is it legal to do something good or bad, or to save a life or destroy it, on the Sabbath?’ But they remained silent."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "Then, after looking around at them angrily (because he was saddened by the dullness of their hearts), he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So, he stretched it out, and his hand was restored."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "With that, the Pharisees went outside and immediately met with the followers of Herod to discuss ways to destroy him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Jesus and his disciples walked to the sea, followed by a huge crowd from Galilee and Judea."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, even people from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from across the Jordan, and from around Tyre and Sidon (a huge number), when they heard the things he was doing, came to him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, to keep the crowds at bay, [Jesus] had instructed his disciples to always keep a little boat available for him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "This is because he cured so many people that those with terrible diseases were virtually falling on him just to touch him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "And when unclean spirits saw him, they would bow low before him and shout, ‘You’re the Son of God!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "But he would scold them, telling them not to expose him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "[Jesus] walked up a mountain, then he called the ones he wanted, and they came to him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "There he formed a [special] group of twelve that he called Apostles (Sent Ones), who were to stay with him, and he would send them out to preach"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "and to have the authority to cast-out demons."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Well, the names of those in the group of twelve that he formed were, Simon Peter,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "James (the son of ZebediOu) and John his brother (he called them BoanErges, which means Sons of Thunder),"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "Andrew, Philip, BarTholomew ([NathaniEl]), Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of AlphaEus), ThadDaeus (Judas), Simon the CanaNaean,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "and Judas IsCariot (who later betrayed him). Well, whenever he went into a house,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "so many would show up that they couldn’t even eat a meal."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "And when his relatives heard about this, they tried to take him away, because they claimed that he had lost his mind."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "Then scribes (who had come down from Jerusalem) were saying that he was [under the influence of] BeelZebub and that he was casting out demons by the ruler of the demons."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "So, after calling [the scribes] to him, he reasoned with them using [these] illustrations: ‘How can the Opposer throw out the Opposer?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "Why, if a kingdom is divided against itself, That kingdom won’t be able to stand."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "And if a house is divided against itself, That house won’t be able to stand."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "26", "text": "So, if the Opposer is divided against himself, He won’t stand, but is reaching his end."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "27", "text": "‘Nobody can enter the house of a strong man, And rob him of all his things, Unless he first ties up the strong man… Only then can he loot his house."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "28", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; The sons of men will be forgiven everything… no matter what sins they commit or what terrible things they say in blasphemy."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "29", "text": "But, whoever blasphemes the Holy Breath won’t be forgiven in that age, and it remains as a sin of the ages’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "30", "text": "([Jesus was saying] this to them, because they were saying he has an unclean spirit.)"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "31", "text": "Now, [Jesus’] mother and brothers came and were standing outside, and they asked [someone] to call him,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "32", "text": "because there was a crowd sitting around him. And they said: ‘Look; Your mother and brothers are outside searching for you!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "33", "text": "But he replied to them, ‘Who are my mother and brothers?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "34", "text": "Then he looked at those who were sitting around him in a circle, and said, ‘See… my mother and my brothers!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "35", "text": "For, whoever does the will of God are my brothers, sisters, and mother.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Again he started teaching by the seaside. And such a huge crowd came to him there that he stepped into a boat and sat out on the sea, while the crowd stood on the shore."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "So, he started teaching them many things using illustrations. He said:"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "‘Pay attention; {Look!} A farmer went out to do some planting."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "And as he was scattering seeds, Some of them fell beside the road, Which were eaten by birds that came along."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Other seeds fell in the rocks Where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprouted. But, since they had so little soil,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "When the sun arose they were scorched. And they withered, because they didn’t have roots."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Other seeds fell into the briers, Which came up and choked them out, So they did not produce any fruit."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "But others fell on the good soil, Where they then grew and flourished, Bearing fruit thirty, sixty, and one hundred times.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Then he added, ‘Let he who has ears to hear, listen!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "However, those who were around him and the twelve asked him about the illustrations."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "And he told them, ‘The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been given to you. But those on the outside only hear the illustrations."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "So, although they can look, they can’t see. And although they can hear, they don’t listen and understand, so they can ever turn back and be forgiven.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Then he asked, ‘If you don’t understand this illustration, how will you understand all the other illustrations?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "‘The one who scatters the seed is planting the Word."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "And as for those where the Word is planted alongside the road; as soon as they hear it, the Opposer comes and snatches the Word that was planted in them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "‘The same is true of those who are planted among the rocks; for as soon as they hear the Word, they accept it with joy."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "However, because they don’t have roots, they only last a little while. Because, when some difficulty or persecution comes along over the Word, they are trapped."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Those who are planted among the thorns are the ones who hear the Word,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "but the cares of this life, the allure of wealth, and desire for other things comes in and chokes-out the Word, and it becomes unfruitful."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "‘But, those who are planted on the fine soil are the ones who listen to the Word, accept it, and bear fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "Then he went on to tell them: ‘A lamp isn’t put under a measuring basket or under a bed, is it? Shouldn’t it be put on a lampstand?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "So, nothing has been made a secret that shouldn’t be made known, and nothing has been hidden away that shouldn’t be shown."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "Whoever has ears to hear; let him listen!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "He continued, ‘Pay attention to what you’re hearing! For, whatever amount you measure out, is the amount that you will be given… and more will also be added to it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "For, he who has will be given more. But he who doesn’t have, will have everything taken from him.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "26", "text": "He went on to say, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "27", "text": "Then he goes to sleep that night and gets up the next day, to find that the seeds have sprouted and grown… and just how, he doesn’t know,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "28", "text": "for the earth produces fruit all by itself… first the grass blade, then the stalk head, and finally the full head of grain."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "29", "text": "Then just as soon as it’s ripe, he comes with the sickle, because it’s time for the harvest.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "30", "text": "And he asked, ‘To what [else] can we compare the Kingdom of God… what illustration can we use to describe it?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "31", "text": "It’s like a mustard seed, which, before it’s planted in the ground, is the smallest of all seeds on the earth."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "32", "text": "But after it’s planted it comes up and becomes larger than all other vegetation, producing big branches so the birds of the sky find places to live under its shadow.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "33", "text": "This is how he taught the Word to them, using many illustrations… for as long as they were able to pay attention."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "34", "text": "It’s a fact that if he wasn’t using illustrations, he wasn’t talking to them. However, when they were alone he explained everything to his disciples."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "35", "text": "Then that evening, he said to them: ‘Let’s cross over to the other shore.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "36", "text": "So, after they dismissed the crowd, they took him out in the same boat that he was teaching from (and there were also some other boats with them)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "37", "text": "Now, there came a typhoon with violent winds; and waves were pouring into the boat --- ."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "38", "text": "And at the time, [Jesus] was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow. So they woke him up and asked, ‘Teacher, aren’t you worried that we’re about to die?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "39", "text": "Then he got up and scolded the wind, and told the sea, ‘Be quiet! Hush!’ And at that, the wind died down and a great calm set in."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "40", "text": "Then he asked them, ‘Why are you so cowardly? Don’t you have any faith yet?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "41", "text": "This really scared them and they asked each other, ‘Who really is this; because the wind and the sea also obey him!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, when they got to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "[Jesus] got out of the boat and was immediately confronted by a man with an unclean spirit, who came from the tombs."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "He lived there among the tombs and absolutely no one had been able to restrain him, even with chains."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "In fact, he had often been bound with leg irons and chains, but he broke the chains and smashed the leg irons… nobody had enough strength to hold him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "So, all day and all night long he would go yelling crazily amid the tombs and in the mountains, while he beat himself with rocks."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "But when he saw Jesus in the distance, he ran to him and bowed low."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he screamed, ‘What dealings do I have with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I put you under oath by God not to torment me!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "[He said this] because [Jesus] had told [the spirit], ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Then [Jesus] asked him, ‘What’s your name?’ And it replied, ‘My name is Legion, because there are many of us!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "And he begged [Jesus] many times not to send the spirits away."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, there was a large herd of pigs feeding up on the mountain."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "So, [the demons] begged him, saying, ‘Send us to the pigs, so we can go into them!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "And he gave them permission. With that, the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs. Then the herd ran down a steep drop-off into the sea, and about two thousand of them drowned in the sea."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, the herders ran off and reported [what had happened, to those] in the city and in the fields. So, people came there to see."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "And when they reached Jesus, they noticed the demonized man who had once been possessed by the legion [of demons], sitting, wearing clothes, and in his right mind. And this frightened them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "Then those who were watching explained what had happened to the demon-possessed man, and about the pigs."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "So, they started begging [Jesus] to leave their districts."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, when [Jesus] got into the boat, the man who used to be demonized begged him to let him come along with them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "However, [Jesus] wouldn’t allow this, but said, ‘Go back to your home and family and tell them all the things that Jehovah has done for you, and about the mercy He has shown you.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "So, [the man] went off to the Five Cities and started telling everyone about the many things that Jesus did for him, which amazed all the people."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "Then, after Jesus had crossed back to the other side by boat, a huge crowd gathered to him as he stood by the sea."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "And one of the synagogue’s head people (named JaIrus) saw him and fell at his feet, continuously"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "begging, saying: ‘My little daughter is [about to breathe her] last. Come and put your hands on her so she can recover and live!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "And at that, [Jesus] went off with him, as a huge number followed, all crowded against him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "Well, there was a woman who had [endured] a blood flow for twelve years,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "and she had suffered a lot at the hands of the healers, spending everything she had to no avail (she only got worse)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "And when she heard about Jesus, she came up behind [him] in the crowd and touched his clothes,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "because she kept saying, ‘If I can just touch his clothes I will be saved [from this condition].’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "29", "text": "And right away, her fountain of blood dried up and she knew in her body that she had been healed of this plague."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "30", "text": "But Jesus recognized in himself that power had gone out of him. So, he turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "31", "text": "And his disciples replied, ‘You see all these people crowded around you and you ask, Who touched me?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "32", "text": "But he kept looking around to see who did this."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "33", "text": "Then the woman (who was frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her) came and fell down before him, telling the truth about the whole thing."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "34", "text": "And he said to her, ‘Daughter; Your faith has saved you! Go in peace, and may this be the last of the plague.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "35", "text": "However, while he was still speaking, a message came from the home of the synagogue chief, saying, ‘Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "36", "text": "But when Jesus overheard this, he told the chief of the synagogue, ‘Don’t be afraid, just have faith.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "37", "text": "Then he didn’t allow anyone to follow along, other than Peter, James, and John (James’ brother)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "38", "text": "And when he got to the synagogue chief’s house and saw all the confusion, crying, and wailing,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "39", "text": "he went in and asked, ‘Why are you creating such an uproar and crying? The little child isn’t dead, she’s just sleeping!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "40", "text": "Well, they all started laughing at him. But, after ushering them outside, he took the father, mother, and those with him into [the room] where the child was."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "41", "text": "Then he took her hand and said, ‘Talitha; Cumi!’ (which translates as, ‘Little girl; Wake up!’)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "42", "text": "And the twelve-year-old girl got up right away and started walking around. Well, [the parents] were ecstatic."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "43", "text": "Then he told them to give her something to eat, and he ordered them repeatedly not to tell anyone what had happened."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "He left from there and traveled with his disciples to the place where he was raised."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "And when it got to be Sabbath, he started teaching in the synagogue. Well, most of those who heard him were shocked, and asked, ‘Where did he get these things? Why has such wisdom been given to this man, and why are such powerful deeds being performed through his hands?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "For this is the carpenter – the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon – isn’t it? And aren’t his sisters here among us?’ So they were stumbled at him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "But Jesus told them, ‘A Prophet doesn’t go without honor, except in his home territory, among his relatives, and in his own house.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "As the result, he wasn’t able to do any powerful deeds there, except to lay his hands on a few who were sick and cure them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "And he was amazed by their lack of faith. From there he traveled around the villages in a circuit, teaching."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he called the twelve and started sending them out by twos, and he gave them power over the unclean spirits."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "He also ordered them not to carry anything along the way, except a staff… no bread, food pouch, or copper money in their sashes."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "[He also told them to] tie on their sandals and not to wear two pairs of underclothes."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "Then he said: ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you get ready to leave that place."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "But wherever they won’t welcome you or listen to you; as you leave, shake off the dirt that’s under your feet as a witness to them.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "So, they went out and preached, calling for people to repent."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "They also cast out many demons, and greased many sick people with oil and cured them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "Now, King Herod heard about [Jesus’] name becoming famous. And people were saying, ‘John (who did the baptizing) has been raised from the dead. And because of this, great powers are working in him.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "But others said, ‘He’s EliJah,’ while still others were saying, ‘He’s a Prophet like one of the Prophets [of old].’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "But, having heard all this, Herod concluded: ‘The John who I beheaded has been raised!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "It was Herod himself who had John arrested and locked in prison. This was because he married Herodias, the wife of his brother."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "John kept telling Herod, ‘It isn’t legal for you to take the wife of your brother.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "As the result, Herodias hated him and wanted to kill him, but she wasn’t able to do so."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "Herod was afraid of John, because he knew that he was a righteous and holy man, so he kept him safe. And after listening to him, he was at a loss as to what to do, so he gladly continued listening to him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "But there came a day that turned out to be convenient for Herod… it was when he held a supper to celebrate his birthday. He had invited high-ranking men, military commanders, and the foremost people of Galilee;"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "22", "text": "and then the daughter of Herod and Herodias came in and danced. This pleased Herod and those at the table so much that the king said to the little girl: ‘Ask for whatever you wish and I’ll give it to you.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "23", "text": "Yes, he swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask of me I’ll give you… up to half of my kingdom!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "24", "text": "Well, she went out and asked her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ And [her mother] replied, ‘The head of John… the one who does the baptizing.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "25", "text": "Then she ran back to the king and said, ‘I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter… right now.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "26", "text": "And although this deeply disturbed the king, he didn’t want to ignore her, because of the oaths and because of those who were reclining at the table."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "27", "text": "So, the king immediately sent his bodyguard and commanded him to bring back [John’s] head. And [the guard] went off and beheaded him in prison,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "28", "text": "brought in his head on a platter, gave it to the young girl, and the girl gave it to her mother."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, when [John’s] disciples heard about this, they came and took his corpse, and laid it in a tomb."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "30", "text": "All of the Apostles had assembled to meet with Jesus to report to him about everything they had done and taught."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "31", "text": "And he said to them, ‘I want you to come with me to a private place where you can rest up for a while,’ (because there were so many coming and going that they virtually had no free time… not even to eat a meal)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "32", "text": "So, they went off in the boat to a remote place by themselves."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "33", "text": "However, people saw them leaving and many others got to know about it, and they all ran from the cities on foot and got ahead of them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "34", "text": "Well, on getting out of the boat, [Jesus] saw an enormous crowd. But he felt sorry for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he started teaching them many things."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "35", "text": "Well, by then it was getting quite late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This place is isolated and it’s getting late."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "36", "text": "Send them off to the countryside and villages around here, so they can buy themselves something to eat.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "37", "text": "But [Jesus] said, ‘You give them something to eat.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "38", "text": "Then [Jesus] asked, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go see!’ And after checking, they said, ‘Five, plus two fish.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "39", "text": "So he told all the people to recline on the green grass in rows,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "40", "text": "and they reclined in rows of fifties and hundreds."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "41", "text": "Then [Jesus] took the five loaves [of bread] and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and spoke a blessing. Then he broke up the bread and divided the two fish, giving them to the disciples so they could set them in front of the people,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "42", "text": "and they all ate and were satisfied."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "43", "text": "And when they picked up the scraps, there were twelve baskets full – in addition to the fish –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "44", "text": "but there were five thousand men who ate the bread!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "45", "text": "Well right away, [Jesus] instructed his disciples to get into the boat and to go on ahead of him, toward BethSaida on the opposite shore, while he dismissed the crowd."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "46", "text": "Then after excusing himself, he went off to a mountain to pray."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "47", "text": "It was late in the evening and the boat was well out to sea, leaving [Jesus] alone on the land."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "48", "text": "And he could see that they were rowing with all their might, because they had a strong headwind blowing against them. Then, while it was still dark the next morning, he came toward them walking on the sea. But he started to walk straight past them;"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "49", "text": "and when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought, ‘It’s a phantom!’ And they screamed in fright."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "50", "text": "For, they all saw him and were deeply disturbed. But right away he spoke to them and said, ‘Be brave, it’s me! Don’t be afraid.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "51", "text": "Then he got into the boat with them and the wind died down. However, all these events left them stunned,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "52", "text": "because they really didn’t understand the meaning of the bread, and their hearts had been dulled."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "53", "text": "Well, when they got across to the land, they arrived at GenNesaret and they anchored nearby."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "54", "text": "But as soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized [Jesus],"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "55", "text": "and they ran throughout all that area and carried those who weren’t doing well to the place where they heard he was, on cots."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "56", "text": "Thereafter, wherever he went into a village, city, or even into the fields, they would bring the sick people into the markets, and there they would beg him just to let them touch the fringes of his clothes. And all who touched them were healed."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, some Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem and surrounded him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "This is because they had seen some of his disciples eating bread with unwashed hands…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "for none of the Pharisees or any of the Judeans would eat [anything] unless they vigorously washed their hands first, because they followed the traditions of the elders."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "Nor did they eat anything that they brought [home] from the market until they rinsed it first. And they observed many other traditions that had been passed down, such as soaking cups, pitchers, and copper pots in water."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "So these Pharisees and scribes asked him: ‘Why don’t your disciples follow the traditions of the elders, for they eat bread with unwashed hands!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "But [Jesus] replied, ‘Isaiah prophesied well about you hypocrites when he wrote, These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "So, it’s a waste for them to keep worshiping me, because they teach commandments of men as doctrines."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, you ignore the Commandments of God, but you hang onto the traditions of men!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "Then he said, ‘You go to a lot of trouble to set aside the Commandments of God, just so you can observe your traditions."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "For example, Moses said: Honor your father and mother, and Let the one who says bad things to his father or mother die!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "But you say that if a man tells his father or his mother, everything that I have that I might help you is a Corban… a [sacred] gift!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "So you don’t allow him to do anything at all [to help] his father or mother,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "and you are nullifying the Word of God by the traditions you pass on… and you do many other things like that!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "Then he called the crowd to him again and told them, ‘All of you, listen to me and make sure that you understand;"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "There’s nothing on the outside that goes into a man which can make him unclean. Rather, it’s the things that come out of a man that make him unclean.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "– –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "Then, after he left the crowd and went into the house, his disciples asked him about the illustration."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "So he said, ‘Don’t you understand either? Don’t you realize that nothing from the outside that enters a man can make him unclean,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "for it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his belly and then into the sewer… and this makes everything that can be eaten clean!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he added; ‘It’s what comes out of a man that makes him unclean."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "It’s the things on the inside – from the heart – that bad thoughts come… things such as immorality, thefts, murders,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "adulteries, selfish desires, wicked actions, deceit, lack of restraint, eyes that are wicked, blasphemy, arrogance, and unreasonableness."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "All these wicked things that come from the inside are what make a man unclean.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "Then he got up and left, traveling [north] into the area of Tyre and Sidon, where he entered a house. And although he didn’t want anyone to know about it, he was unable escape their notice;"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "so immediately, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about him and came, bowing at his feet."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "The woman was a Greek of Syrian-Phoenician extraction. And she kept asking [Jesus] to cast a demon out of her daughter."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "But he told her, ‘The children should be satisfied first; and it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the puppies.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "But, she replied, ‘Yes Lord; But don’t the puppies under the table eat the crumbs [that fall from] the little children?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "29", "text": "So he said to her, ‘Because you said this, go! The demon has left your daughter.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "30", "text": "Then she went back home and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "31", "text": "[After that], he left the area of Tyre, traveling through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, and then up through the middle of the region called Five Cities."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "32", "text": "And here they brought him a man who was deaf and dumb, and they begged [Jesus] to lay his hands on him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "33", "text": "Then [Jesus] took him away from the crowd to a private spot and put his fingers into the man’s ears. And after spitting, he touched his tongue,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "34", "text": "and looked up to the sky and groaned. Then he said: ‘Eph phatha,’ (which means, ‘Be opened).’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "35", "text": "Well, the man’s hearing ability was opened and the thing that held his tongue was loosened, and he started speaking normally…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "36", "text": "and Jesus commanded [the crowd] not to tell anyone. But, the more he commanded them, the more they told it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "37", "text": "Everyone was amazed beyond belief, and said, ‘He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and those who can’t talk, speak!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "In those days, there was another huge crowd that had nothing to eat. So, he called the disciples and said to them:"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "‘I feel sorry for the crowd, because they’ve stayed here with me for three days, and they have nothing to eat."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "If I send them home hungry, they will give out on the road, for some of them have for a fact come a long way.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "But his disciples asked: ‘Where will anyone find enough loaves [of bread] here in this isolated place to satisfy all these people?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "And he asked: ‘How many loaves do you have?’ And they answered: ‘Seven.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "Next, he told the crowd to get down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve; and they passed them out to the crowd."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "They also had a few little fish. And after offering a blessing over them, he told [the disciples] to serve these also."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "So, everyone ate and was satisfied. And when they picked up the leftovers, [they filled] seven provision baskets."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "Yet, [they fed] about four thousand men. Finally, he sent them away,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "and he immediately got into the boat with his disciples and traveled to parts of DalmaNutha."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "Here the Pharisees came up and started arguing with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "So, he breathed a deep sigh and asked, ‘Why is this generation always looking for a sign? I tell you the truth; This generation won’t be given a sign!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "And with that, he walked away, got back into the boat, and traveled to the opposite shore."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "However, [the Apostles] forgot to bring any [extra] loaves [of bread] along, and except for one loaf, they had nothing with them in the boat."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "So when [Jesus] started warning them, saying, ‘Keep your eyes open… watch out for the fermentation of the Pharisees and the fermentation of Herod,’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "they started arguing with each other over the fact that they didn’t have any bread."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, when he realized this, he asked them: ‘Why are you arguing about not having any bread… don’t you understand yet and get the meaning… are your hearts dull when it comes to understanding?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "You have eyes; Can’t you see? And you have ears; Can’t you hear? Do you remember"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "when I broke the five loaves [to feed] five thousand men? Just how many baskets full of scraps did you pick up?’ They replied, ‘Twelve.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Then, when I broke the seven loaves [to serve] four thousand men, how many provision baskets full of leftovers did you pick up?’ And they said, ‘Seven.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "Then he asked them, ‘Don’t you get the meaning yet?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "Next, they went to BethSaida, where people brought him a blind man, begging [Jesus] to touch him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "So he took the blind man by the hand, brought him outside of the village, and spit on his eyes. Then he laid his hands on him and asked, ‘Do you see anything?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "Well, the man looked up and said, ‘I see men. They look a little like trees, but they are walking around.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "25", "text": "Then [Jesus] laid his hands on the man’s eyes again, and he started to see through. Finally, [his eyesight] was restored and he started seeing everything clearly."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "26", "text": "So [Jesus] sent him home with the warning, ‘Don’t go [back] into the village.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, Jesus and his disciples then left for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, he asked his disciples: ‘Who are people saying that I am?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "28", "text": "And they replied: ‘[Some say you are] John the Baptist, others EliJah, while others say [you’re] one of the Prophets.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "29", "text": "Then he asked, ‘So, who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘You’re the Anointed One.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "30", "text": "Then he ordered them not to tell anyone about him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "31", "text": "And that’s when he started teaching them that the Son of Man would have to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, Chief Priests, and scribes, and be killed; then [he would] wake up three days later."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "32", "text": "He told them plainly [what was going to happen], but Peter took him aside and started scolding him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "33", "text": "Well, [Jesus] turned and looked at his disciples, and then scolded Peter saying, ‘Get behind me opposer, because you aren’t thinking God’s thoughts, but those of men.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "34", "text": "Then he called the crowd and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be my follower, [he will have to] deny his own wants, then pick up his impaling pole and follow me continuously."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "35", "text": "Because, whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake and for the [sake of the] good news, will save it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "36", "text": "‘What good does it do a man to gain the whole world if he loses his life;"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "37", "text": "and what would a man give in exchange for his life?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "38", "text": "If anyone becomes ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he arrives in the glory of his Father with the holy messengers.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he went on to say to them: ‘I tell you the truth; Some of you who are standing here won’t taste death before you see the Kingdom of God coming in power.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "And six days later, Jesus took just Peter, James, and John along and brought them to a private spot on a high mountain. There he changed form in front of them,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "and his clothes started to glow much whiter than anyone on earth who washes and bleaches clothes could whiten them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "Then EliJah and Moses also appeared, and they were talking to Jesus."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "Well, in reaction, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here, so let’s make three tents… one for you, one for Moses, and one for EliJah.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "(For a fact, he didn’t know what he was saying, because they were all really scared.)"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "Next, a cloud formed that covered them, and a voice came from the cloud that said, ‘This is My loved Son; Listen to him!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "Then they looked around and suddenly they didn’t see anyone but Jesus by himself."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "And as they were coming down the mountain, [Jesus] ordered them not to tell anyone what they saw until after the Son of Man had been resurrected from the dead."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, they took these words to heart, but they talked among themselves about what [he meant by] being resurrected from the dead."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that EliJah must come first?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "And [Jesus] answered, ‘EliJah does come first and he restores everything. However, why do you suppose it was written about the Son of Man, that he will be tried, suffer greatly, and be treated as a no-account?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "I tell you this; EliJah has in fact come and they did whatever they wanted to him, just as it was written would happen to him.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, when they got back to the rest of the disciples, they noticed a large crowd standing around them, and some scribes arguing with them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "However, as soon as the crowd saw [Jesus], they were stunned and they ran up to him and started greeting him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "Then he asked [the disciples], ‘What are you arguing about?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "And someone in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to you, because he has a spirit that won’t allow him talk."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "Whenever it takes control of him, it throws him on the ground, he foams [at the mouth] and grinds his teeth; and then he just goes limp. I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they couldn’t.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "And Jesus replied: ‘O faithless generation; How much longer do I have to be with you… how much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "So they brought [the boy] to him. And at the sight [of Jesus], the spirit immediately threw [the child] into convulsions… he fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming [at the mouth]."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "Then [Jesus] asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he replied, ‘Since he was a child…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "it has thrown him into the fire and into the water repeatedly to destroy him. If you can do anything, [please] pity us and help us.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "And Jesus told him, ‘You said, If you can! Why, everything is possible for one who has faith.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "Then the father of the young boy immediately shouted, ‘I have faith… but help me out where I need faith!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, Jesus saw that a crowd was running toward [them], so he scolded the unclean spirit saying, ‘I order you to come out of him, you spirit of speechlessness and deafness… and don’t go back into him anymore!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "Then, after shouting and going through several convulsions, [the spirit] came out, and [the boy] looked like he was dead. So, most of the crowd was saying ‘He’s dead!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and he stood erect."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, after [Jesus] went into the house, his disciples came to ask him in private, ‘Why couldn’t we cast it out?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "29", "text": "And [Jesus] replied: ‘This is the kind that will only come out by means of prayer.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "30", "text": "Thereafter, they left that place and traveled through Galilee. But [Jesus] didn’t want anyone to know [where they were going],"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "31", "text": "because he was teaching his disciples and telling them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men and they will kill him. Then after being dead for three days, he will be resurrected.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "32", "text": "However, they just didn’t grasp what he was saying, and they were afraid to ask him any more questions."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "33", "text": "Then they returned to CaperNaum. And when [Jesus] got home, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "34", "text": "Well, they didn’t answer, because while they were on the road they had been arguing about which of them is the greatest."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "35", "text": "So he sat down and called the twelve over, then he said to them: ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all, and a servant to all.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "36", "text": "Then he took a little boy and stood him in their midst, put his arms around him, and said,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Whoever welcomes someone like this little boy in my name, welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me, doesn’t just welcome me, [he also welcomes] the One who sent me.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "38", "text": "[Later], John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he isn’t one of our followers.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "39", "text": "But Jesus said, ‘Don’t stop him, because nobody who does powerful deeds in my name will be too quick to say bad things about me."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "40", "text": "So, anyone who isn’t against us is for us."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "41", "text": "Why, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you walk in the name of the Anointed One, I tell you the truth; he won’t lose his reward."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "42", "text": "But whoever traps one of these little ones that believes; it would be better if a millstone – the type that’s turned by a burro – was hung around his neck and he was thrown into the sea."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "43", "text": "‘Why, if your hand traps you, cut it off; for it’s better for you to go through life physically handicapped than to have both hands and go into the garbage dump… into the fire that can’t be put out."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "44", "text": "– –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "45", "text": "If your foot traps you, cut it off; for it’s better for you to go through life lame than to have both feet and end up in the garbage dump."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "46", "text": "– –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "47", "text": "If your eye traps you, throw it away; for it’s better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye, than to have both eyes and to be thrown into the garbage dump,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "48", "text": "where there are always maggots and the fire is never put out."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "49", "text": "‘Everyone must be salted with fire."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "50", "text": "Salt is good; but if salt loses its salty flavor, what will you use it for seasoning in? Have salt in yourselves and stay at peace with each other.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "From there, he traveled on to the border of Judea and crossed the Jordan. But the crowds still came to him; and as was his custom, he started teaching them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "And it was there that the Pharisees came, and to test him, asked whether it was legal for a man to divorce his wife."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "So [Jesus] asked, ‘What Commandment did Moses give you?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "And they answered, ‘Moses allowed [us to] write out a certificate of dismissal and divorce [her].’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘He wrote this commandment for you because you’re so hardhearted."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "But from the early [days] of their creation, He made them male and female [and said]:"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "This is why a man will leave his father and mother,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "Thus, what God has put together under the same yoke should be separated by no man.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, when they got back home again, the disciples asked him about this."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "And he told them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "And if a woman who is divorced from her husband ever marries another, she commits adultery.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "Thereafter, people started bringing their young children for [Jesus] to touch them, but the disciples discouraged them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "And when Jesus saw this, he was irritated and said to them, ‘Let the young children come to me! Don’t try to stop them, because God’s Kingdom belongs to people like this."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "I tell you the truth; Whoever doesn’t welcome the Kingdom of God like a young child, won’t ever get into it.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "Then he took the children in his arms and started blessing them, laying his hands on them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, while Jesus was on his way out, someone ran up and fell to his knees before him, then asked, ‘Good Teacher; what must do to be able to inherit life in the age?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except one; God."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "You know the Commandments: don’t murder; don’t commit adultery; don’t steal; don’t give false testimony; don’t defraud; honor your father and mother.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "Then the man said, ‘Teacher, I’ve kept all these things since my youth.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "Well, Jesus saw what he was on the inside, and feeling love for him, said: ‘Then just one thing is missing; Go and sell all the things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come be my follower.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "But [the young man] grew very sad at what [Jesus] said and went off grieving, because he owned many things."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "Well, Jesus looked around, and then he said to his disciples, ‘What a difficult thing it is for those with money to enter the Kingdom of God!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "But the disciples were surprised at those words. So Jesus added, ‘Children; It’s difficult to enter the Kingdom of God."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "Why, it’s easier [to thread a rope] through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "And at that, they were even more shocked and asked, ‘Then, who can be saved?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, looking straight at them, Jesus said: ‘With men it’s impossible. But that isn’t true of God, for all things are possible with [Him].’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "Then Peter said, ‘Look! We’ve left everything to follow you.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth; There is no one who has left a house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "that won’t get a hundred times more now, --- and in the coming era, life in the age."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "However, many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, while they were on their way up to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking out in front of them, and they were all amazed [by this]; so his followers started to worry. Then he took the twelve aside to tell them the things that were about to happen to him, saying,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "‘{Look!} We are walking up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be handed over to the Chief Priests and scribes, who will condemn him to death, then turn him over to [men of] the nations,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "34", "text": "who will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and then kill him. But three days later, he will be resurrected.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "35", "text": "[Then later], James and John (the two sons of ZebediOu) came up to him and said: ‘Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "36", "text": "And he replied: ‘What do you want?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "37", "text": "They said: ‘Allow us to sit, one at your right hand and the other on your left, in your glory.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "38", "text": "But Jesus replied: ‘You don’t know what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup that I’m drinking, or to be baptized in the baptism that I’m being baptized with?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "39", "text": "And they answered, ‘We can.’ Then Jesus told them, ‘You will indeed drink the cup that I’m drinking and you will be baptized in the baptism that I’m being baptized with."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "40", "text": "However, sitting at my right or left isn’t mine to give. That belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "41", "text": "Well, when the ten others heard about [this request], they were very irritated at James and John."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "42", "text": "But Jesus called [them all] to him and said: ‘You know that those who appear to be ruling the nations act like masters over [their subjects], and how the greatest of them like to use their power."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "43", "text": "This isn’t the way it should be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "44", "text": "And whoever wants to be first among you must be everyone’s slave."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "45", "text": "Because, even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served; [he came] to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "46", "text": "Well, before long, they arrived at Jericho. And while [Jesus] (along with his disciples and quite a crowd) was leaving Jericho, BarTimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting alongside the road."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "47", "text": "And when he heard that Jesus the Nazarene [was passing], he started shouting, ‘Jesus; Son of David; Have mercy on me!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "48", "text": "But many [in the crowd] told him to be quiet. Yet he kept shouting even louder, ‘Son of David; Have mercy on me!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "49", "text": "So Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him over.’ Then they called the blind man and told him, ‘Don’t be afraid… Get up; He’s calling you!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "50", "text": "Well, he threw off his robe, jumped to his feet, and went to Jesus."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "51", "text": "Then Jesus asked: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And the blind man replied: ‘My Teacher; Let me see again!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "52", "text": "And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he started to see, and he followed [Jesus] down the road."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when they got close to Jerusalem (to BethPhage and BethAny at the Mount of Olives), he sent two of his disciples ahead,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "telling them: ‘Go into the village across from us, and as soon as you enter, you’ll find a colt that is tied, which no man has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "And if anyone asks why you’re doing this, say, The Lord needs it. And he will immediately let you take it.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "So, they went and found the colt tied outside a door on a side street, and they untied it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "But some of those who were standing there asked, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "Then [the disciples] told them what Jesus said, and they let them take it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "So, they brought the colt to Jesus, put a robe over it, and he sat on it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "Also, many [who were there] spread their robes on the road, while others cut branches from trees in the fields."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "And those who walked in front of him and behind him were shouting, ‘May [God] save him! Praised is he who comes in Jehovah’s Name!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "Praised is the Kingdom of our Father David that is coming! May [God] in the highest places save him!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "Then he rode into Jerusalem, went into the Temple, and looked around at everything; but because it was late, he [went back] to BethAny with the twelve."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "The next morning, as he was leaving BethAny, he became hungry,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "and noticing leaves on a fig tree from a distance, he went over to see if he could find some [fruit] on it. But when he got there, he found nothing other than just leaves, because it was [a little early in the year] for figs."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "Then [Jesus] said to [the tree], ‘May no one eat fruit from you for the rest of the age’ (and his disciples heard [him say] it)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "Well from there, they went on into Jerusalem. Then [Jesus] went into the Temple and started throwing out those who were buying and selling. He also pushed over the moneychangers’ tables, and the seats of those who sold doves,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "and he wouldn’t allow anyone to carry things through the Temple."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "He kept teaching and saying, ‘Isn’t it written, My house will be called a House of Prayer for all the nations? Yet, you’ve made it a den of thieves!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, the Chief Priests and scribes heard this and started looking for ways to destroy him. But they were afraid of him, because his teaching always amazed the crowds."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "Then, after it got late, they left the city."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "But as they were traveling along early the [next] morning, they saw that fig tree all withered up from the roots."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "Peter remembered it and said to [Jesus], ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Have faith in God."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "I tell you the truth; Whoever would tell this mountain to rise and be thrown into the sea – if he doesn’t doubt in his heart, but has faith – what he says will happen is what’s going to happen."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "This is why I tell you; Have faith that you will receive everything you pray and ask for, and you will have them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "And whenever you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against others, so that your Father who is in the heavens will also forgive your mistakes.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "– –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "So they returned to Jerusalem. And as he was walking around in the Temple, the Chief Priests, scribes, and elders came up to him"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "and asked, ‘Where did you get the authority to do these things; and who gave you that authority?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "Then Jesus replied, ‘I’m going to ask you a question. And if you answer me, then I’ll tell you where I got the authority to do these things:"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "Did the baptism by John come from heaven or from men? Answer me!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "So, they started to reason among themselves saying, ‘If we say it was from heaven, he will ask; So, why didn’t you believe him?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "But if we say, from men… ’ You see, they were afraid of the crowds, because [the people] believed that John was a Prophet."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "So they told Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’ And Jesus told them, ‘Then I’m not telling you where I got the authority to do these things.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he started teaching them by means of illustrations, ‘A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a vat for the wine press, built a tower [to protect it], and contracted its care to some farmers, and then he traveled abroad."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "‘Now, when the [harvest] season came, he sent a slave to the farmers to get some of the vineyard’s fruit."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "But they grabbed [the slave], beat him up, and sent him away with nothing."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "Again [the master] sent another slave to them. They hit this one on the head and treated him dishonorably."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "So, he sent another, and they killed this one… and [he sent] many others, some of whom they flayed with whips, and others whom they killed."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "‘Well, [the master] had one more [he could send], a dearly loved son. He sent [his son] to them last, saying, Surely they will respect my son!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "‘But those farmers said to each other, This is the heir! Let’s kill him and the inheritance will be ours!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "Then they grabbed him and killed him, and threw [his body] outside of the vineyard."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "‘So, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, then entrust the vineyard to others."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "‘Didn’t you ever read the scripture, The stone that the builders rejected, became the head of the corner?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "This came by Jehovah, and we think it’s just great.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, they recognized that the illustration applied to them, so they started looking for ways to grab him. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they released him and left."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "Next, they sent some of the Pharisees and followers of Herod to him to try to get [Jesus] to say something [that they could accuse him of]."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "And when they got there, they said, ‘Teacher; We know that you tell the truth and you aren’t impressed by anyone. You don’t look at what men are on the outside, but you truly teach the way of God. So, is it legal to pay the head tax to Caesar or not…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "should we pay, or shouldn’t we?’ But noting their hypocrisy, he said, ‘Why are you testing me? Bring me a silver coin to look at.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "So they brought one, and he asked, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ And they replied, ‘Caesar’s.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Pay Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.’ And he bewildered them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "Now. the Sadducees (who say there’s no such thing as a resurrection) came to [Jesus] and asked,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Teacher; Moses wrote to us that if anyone has a brother who dies and leaves a wife without a child, his brother should take the wife and raise offspring for his brother."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, let’s say that there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, but he died without offspring."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "Then the second took her, but he also died without offspring, as did the third…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "none of the seven left any offspring. And finally, the woman also died."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "So, whose wife will she be in the resurrection, since all seven had her as a wife?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "Then Jesus answered, ‘This is why you’re so misled; for you don’t understand the Scriptures or the power of God!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "When the dead are resurrected, they won’t marry or be married, for they are as the messengers in heaven."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "26", "text": "‘As for the dead who are raised; Didn’t you read in the book of Moses – in the story about the thorn bush – how God said to him, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "27", "text": "He isn’t a God of the dead, but of the living! Yes, you are very misled!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "28", "text": "Now, one of the scribes (who came up and heard the arguing), knew that [Jesus] had given a good answer. So he asked, ‘Then, which is the primary Commandment?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "29", "text": "And Jesus answered: ‘The primary one is: Hear, O Israel; Jehovah our God is one Lord,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "30", "text": "and you must love your God our Lord with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "31", "text": "The second is this: You must love your neighbor as yourself. No Commandments are greater than these.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "32", "text": "Then the scribe said: ‘Good! You told the truth, teacher, when you say that He is One and there is no other."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "33", "text": "And loving Him with your whole heart, understanding, and strength; and loving neighbor as yourself, is worth much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "34", "text": "So Jesus (recognizing that he responded intelligently) said to him, ‘You aren’t far from the Kingdom of God.’ And from then on, no one else had enough courage to ask him any more questions."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "35", "text": "Well, in reply to a question that was raised while Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he asked, ‘Why do the scribes say that the Anointed One is David’s son?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "36", "text": "For, through the Holy Breath [of God], David said this: Jehovah said to my Lord; Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "37", "text": "So, since David called him Lord, how can he be his son?’ [All the while], the huge crowd was listening to him with a lot of pleasure."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "38", "text": "Then, as he was teaching, he warned, ‘Watch out for the scribes who like to walk around in robes and who wish to be greeted in the markets."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "39", "text": "[They want] the front seats in the synagogues and the front positions at suppers."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "40", "text": "Yet, these devour the homes of widows while putting on a show and delivering long prayers; so they will receive a heavier judgment.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "41", "text": "Then he sat down across from the sacred Treasury and noticed the crowd dropping money into the boxes… and the rich people were dropping in many coins."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "42", "text": "However, a poor widow came and dropped in two small copper coins that weren’t worth much."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "43", "text": "So, [Jesus] called his disciples over and said, ‘I tell you the truth; This poor widow put in more than all the rest who threw money into the treasury chest."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "44", "text": "Because, they all threw in what they had plenty of, but [this woman] who is in need, dropped in everything she had… her whole [means of] living.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "As he was leaving the Temple, one of his disciples said, ‘Teacher; Look at these stones and these buildings!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "However, Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There won’t be a stone left on top of a stone here that won’t be thrown down.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "And as he was sitting in a quiet spot on the Mount of Olives (across from the Temple), Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "‘Tell us; when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to end?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "And Jesus answered: ‘Be careful so that no one misleads you."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "For, many will come in my name, saying, I am [he], and will mislead many."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "And when you hear of wars and reports of wars, don’t be afraid, because [these things] must happen… but that isn’t the end."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "For nation will war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be rumblings in one place after another, and there will be food shortages. Yet these things are just the beginnings of the birth pains."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Watch out for yourselves, because you will be betrayed to local courts and you will be whipped in synagogues, then be put on the stand before governors and kings for my sake, as a witness to them."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "Also, the good news has to be preached among all the nations first."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "But, as they are carrying you off to face accusation, don’t worry ahead of time about what you will say. Just say whatever is given to you in that hour, because you aren’t the ones speaking… the Holy Breath [of God] is."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "‘Then brothers will betray brothers for death, as will a father his own child; and children will stand against their parents and have them put to death."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "Everyone will hate you because of my name; but he who endures to the end will be saved."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "‘Whenever you see the disgusting destroyer standing where it shouldn’t be (readers should pay attention to this), then those in Judea should flee to the mountains."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "The one who is standing on his roof shouldn’t come down or go inside to take anything out of his house,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "and the one who is standing in the field shouldn’t go back to pick up his clothes."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Woe to those who are pregnant and those nursing babies in those days…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "keep praying that it doesn’t happen during the winter."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "19", "text": "Because, in those days there will be a time of difficulty such as hasn’t happened since the earliest of creation by God until then, and shouldn’t happen [again]."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "20", "text": "In fact, if Jehovah doesn’t shorten the days, it’s likely that no flesh will be saved. But due to the chosen ones that He elected, He has shortened the days."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Then if anyone says to you, Look; Here’s the Anointed One, or, Look, there he is; don’t believe it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "22", "text": "Because, false anointed and false prophets will arise and they will give signs and omens to mislead, if possible, even the elected!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, you be careful, because I’ve warned you!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Then, in the days following that difficult time, the sun will be darkened, the moon won’t shine,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "25", "text": "stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will shake."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "26", "text": "And they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with much power and glory."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "27", "text": "Then he will send the messengers off to gather his elected ones from the four winds… from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Now learn from the illustration of the fig tree: When its branches become tender and it puts out leaves, You know that summer is near."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "29", "text": "So, when you see these things happening, know that he is near… at the doors."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "30", "text": "I tell you the truth; That generation definitely won’t pass away until all these things occur…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "31", "text": "the earth and sky will pass away, but my words won’t pass away."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "32", "text": "Nobody knows that day or hour… neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, just the Father."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "33", "text": "So, stay awake and keep watching, because you don’t know the time when he’s coming!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "34", "text": "‘It’s like a man, who, before leaving his house and traveling abroad, instructed each of his slaves to just go on doing their jobs… but he commanded his doorkeeper to stay awake."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "35", "text": "So, stay awake, because you don’t know when the Master of the house is coming – whether it’s late, or at midnight, or at rooster crowing, or early in the morning –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "36", "text": "so that when he suddenly arrives, he doesn’t find you sleeping."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "37", "text": "What I’m saying to you I’m saying to everyone… Stay awake!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, it was just two days before Passover and the festival of No fermentation. And the Chief Priests and the scribes were trying to come up with devious ways to grab [Jesus] and kill him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "But they said, ‘Not at the festival… not at any time when it will create a scene!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, while he was reclining at a meal in the house of Simon the leper (in BethAny), a woman came in with a very expensive alabaster case of perfumed oil… genuine nard. And after breaking open the alabaster, she poured it over his head."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "But some were grumbling among themselves, asking, ‘Why this waste of perfumed oil?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "This ointment could have been sold for up to three hundred silver coins and given to the poor!’ And they were very displeased with her."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "But Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone… why are you trying to make trouble for her? For she did a good thing for me!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "You always have the poor with you, and you can do good things for them whenever you want… but you won’t always have me."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "She did what she could… she put perfumed ointment on my body ahead of time, for my burial."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "And I tell you the truth; Wherever the Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman did will be told in memory of her.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "[Meanwhile], Judas Iscariot (one of the twelve) had gone to the Chief Priests to betray him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "And when they heard [his offer], they were delighted and promised to pay him in silver. So he started looking for an opportunity to betray [Jesus]."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "Then, toward the first day of No Fermentation (when the Passover sacrifice is offered), [Jesus’] disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go to prepare for you to eat the Passover?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "So he sent two of his disciples off, telling them, ‘Go into the city and you will meet a man there who is carrying a clay pot full of water… follow him,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "and wherever he goes inside, tell the master of the house that the Teacher asks: Where is the guest room that I can eat the Passover with my disciples?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "And he will show you a large upper room that’s already furnished. Prepare [the meal] for us there.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "So the disciples left and went into the city, and there they found everything just as he said; and they prepared for the Passover."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "That evening, [Jesus] came with the twelve."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "And as they were reclining and eating at the table, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth; One of you who is eating with me will betray me!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "Well at this, they were all deeply saddened and asked, ‘It isn’t me, is it?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he answered: ‘It’s one of the twelve who is dipping into the common bowl with me."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "It’s a fact that the Son of Man is going to be taken away, just as it was written about him… but woe to the one who betrays the Son of Man, for it would be better for him if he had never been born!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "And as they ate, [Jesus] took a loaf, then offered a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them saying: ‘Take it; for this is my body.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "Then he took a cup, offered thanks, gave it to them, and they all drank from it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "24", "text": "And he said to them: ‘This is my blood of the Sacred Agreement, which is poured out over many."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "25", "text": "I tell you the truth; I definitely won’t drink of the product of the vine anymore until the Day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of The God.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "26", "text": "Finally, after singing praises, they went out to the Mount of Olives."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "27", "text": "Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be stumbled, because it’s written, I will beat the shepherd and the sheep will all be scattered."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "28", "text": "But after I’ve been raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "29", "text": "However, Peter said to him, ‘Even if all the others are stumbled, I won’t be!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "30", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth; Today… tonight… before a rooster crows, you will deny knowing me three times.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "31", "text": "But [Peter] kept on talking, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I definitely won’t deny you.’ And all the others were saying the same thing."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "32", "text": "So, when they came to a spot named GethSemane, he said to his disciples, ‘Sit down here while I pray.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "33", "text": "Then he took Peter, James, and John along with him, and he became deeply upset and bothered."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "34", "text": "So he said to them: ‘My soul is grieved to the point of death… so wait here and stay awake!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "35", "text": "And then he went a little way forward and fell to the ground, praying that, if it was possible, he could be freed from that hour."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "36", "text": "And he said, ‘Papa! Father! Everything is possible for you! Remove this cup from me! Yet, not as I wish, but as You wish it to be.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "37", "text": "However, when he returned, he found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘Are you sleeping… didn’t you have enough strength to stay awake for just one hour?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "38", "text": "Now, stay awake and keep praying that you won’t be put to the test! But indeed; though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "39", "text": "Then he went off and prayed once more, saying the same things."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "40", "text": "Then, when he returned, he once again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy… and they just didn’t know what to say to him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "41", "text": "[And finally], he returned a third time and told them, ‘Here you are resting and sleeping. That’s enough! The time has come! Look! The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "42", "text": "Get up! Let’s go! Look! The one who betrayed me is nearby!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "43", "text": "And immediately (while he was still talking), Judas (one of the twelve) showed up with a mob, which included the Chief Priests, scribes, and elders, and all were carrying swords and clubs."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "44", "text": "Well, the betrayer gave [the mob] a sign that they had agreed on, saying, ‘The one that I kiss is him… grab him and take him away safely!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "45", "text": "So he came up [to Jesus] straight away and said, ‘Rabbi!’ And then he kissed him tenderly."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "46", "text": "And at that, they laid their hands on [Jesus] and grabbed him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "47", "text": "However, one of those standing there drew his sword and struck the Chief Priest’s slave, cutting off his ear."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "48", "text": "Then Jesus said to [the mob]: ‘Did you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like some robber?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "49", "text": "Yet, I was with you in the Temple, where I taught for days, but you didn’t grab me then. However, this has happened so that the Scriptures will be fulfilled.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "50", "text": "Then [the Apostles] all abandoned him and ran away."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "51", "text": "But a certain young man (who had slipped a linen nightgown over his naked body) started following close behind; and then [the mob] tried to grab him also,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "52", "text": "so he ran away naked, leaving his covering behind."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "53", "text": "From there, they led Jesus away to the High Priest, where all the Chief Priests, elders, and scribes had assembled."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "54", "text": "But Peter (who had been following him at some distance) went into the courtyard of the High Priest, and he sat there with the building supervisors, warming himself as he faced the fire."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "55", "text": "Meanwhile, the Chief Priests and the entire Jewish religious court were all trying to find witnesses against Jesus, so they could put him to death; but they couldn’t find any."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "56", "text": "Many did come forward to give false testimony against him, but their stories just didn’t agree."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "57", "text": "Then, some stood up and perjured themselves with the words,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "58", "text": "‘We heard him say, I will tear down this Temple that was made with hands and I will build another that isn’t made with hands in just three days.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "59", "text": "Yet, even these witnesses couldn’t agree."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "60", "text": "Finally, the High Priest stood up in their midst and questioned Jesus, asking: ‘Don’t you have an answer… what are they accusing you of?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "61", "text": "But [Jesus] remained silent and didn’t reply to anything. Then the High Priest started questioning him again, asking: ‘Are you the Anointed One… the Son of the Praised One?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "62", "text": "And Jesus replied: ‘I am… and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of the sky!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "63", "text": "Well at this, the High Priest ripped his clothes and said: ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "64", "text": "You heard the blasphemy! What’s your opinion?’ Then they all condemned him to be held for death."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "65", "text": "And some started spitting on him, as they covered his face and hit him with their fists, shouting, ‘Prophesy!’ [And finally], the building supervisors (after slapping him in the face) took him into custody."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "66", "text": "Now, while Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the High Priest’s servant girls"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "67", "text": "noticed him warming himself… she looked at him very hard and then said, ‘You were also with the Nazarene… this Jesus!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "68", "text": "But he denied it, saying, ‘I don’t know him and I don’t know what you’re saying.’ Then he went outside to the courtyard entrance."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "69", "text": "And there the servant girl, when she saw him again, said to those with her, ‘This is one of them!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "70", "text": "And he denied it again. Then once more, those who were standing around him said to Peter, ‘Sure you’re one of them, because you’re also a Galilean!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "71", "text": "But he started cursing and swore, ‘I don’t know the man you’re talking about!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "72", "text": "And immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him, ‘Before a rooster crows you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and cried."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, at dawn, the Chief Priests sat down with the elders and scribes to consult with the complete Jewish religious court, and there they bound Jesus and took him to be handed over to Pilate."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "So Pilate asked: ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ And he replied, ‘You said it yourself!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the Chief Priests went on to accuse him of many other things."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "Well, Pilate questioned him again asking, ‘Don’t you have any reply? Look at all the charges they’re bringing against you!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "But Jesus didn’t answer anymore, which caused Pilate to wonder."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "It was [Pilate’s] custom to release any prisoner that they asked for at the festivals."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "And at the time, there was one man in jail called BarAbbas, who was with a group of rebels that had committed murder during a rebellion."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "So when the crowd came [to Pilate] to petition him to release a prisoner (according to the custom),"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "Pilate asked, ‘Do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "(For he knew that the Chief Priests had only handed him over because they were jealous of him.)"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "But the priests urged the crowd to ask him to release BarAbbas to them instead."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "So Pilate asked: ‘Then, what shall I do with this one whom you call the King of the Jews?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "And once again, they shouted: ‘Hang him on a pole!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "But Pilate asked: ‘Why? What bad thing did he do?’ However, they just kept shouting louder and louder, ‘Hang him on the pole!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "So, to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released BarAbbas to them. Then, after having Jesus whipped, he handed him over to be impaled."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "Well, the soldiers took him out into the courtyard of the Governor’s Palace and called all the troops together,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "then they covered him with purple [cloth] and braided a crown of thorns, and slipped it on him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "Then they started greeting him saying: ‘Rejoice, you King of the Jews!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "And they were hitting him on the head with a reed and spitting on him… and after getting down on their knees, they were bowing before him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "Finally (after they’d had their fun), they stripped him of the purple [cloth], put his clothes back on, and took him out to be hung on the pole,"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "drafting a man named Simon (a Cyrenian who was coming from the fields… the father of Alexander and Rufus) to carry the pole."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "So, they took him to GolGotha (which translates as Skull Place)."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "And there they tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh; but he wouldn’t take it."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "Then they hung him on the pole and threw dice to see who would get his clothes."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "It was the third hour that they hung him on the pole."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "And there was a sign over him that showed the charge against him, ‘The King of the Jews.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "There were also two robbers who were hung on poles with him… one on his right and the other on his left."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "28", "text": "– –"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "29", "text": "Then those who were passing by were saying terrible things to him, shaking their heads and shouting, ‘Bah! O you who would tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days;"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "30", "text": "Save yourself… get down off the pole!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "31", "text": "And that’s the way that the Chief Priests and scribes were joking about him, saying, ‘He saved others, but he can’t save himself!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "32", "text": "Let the Anointed One who is the King of Israel come down off his pole, so we can see it and believe!’ And even those who were hanging with him mocked him."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "33", "text": "Then darkness came over the whole land from the sixth to the ninth hours."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "34", "text": "And at the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ (which translates as, ‘My God, my God, why have you let me down?’)"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "35", "text": "And when some of those standing there heard it, they said, ‘Look; He’s calling for EliJah!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "36", "text": "So, someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine and put it on a reed to give him something to drink. But they said, ‘Leave him alone… let’s see if EliJah comes to take him down.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "37", "text": "And then Jesus let out a loud groan and died."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "38", "text": "Well, at that, the Temple curtain ripped in two from the top to the bottom."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "39", "text": "And when the centurion who was standing across from him saw the things that happened when he died, he said, ‘This man truly was God’s Son!’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "40", "text": "At the time, there were women who were looking on from a distance. Among them was Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of Little James and Joses, and Salome."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "41", "text": "These [women] used to travel with him and serve him when he was in Galilee, along with many other women who came with him to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "42", "text": "Well, since it was already late in the afternoon, and because it was Preparation (the day before the Sabbath),"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "43", "text": "Joseph of AriMathea (a well-known member of the Council who was also awaiting God’s Kingdom) got up enough courage to go before Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "44", "text": "But, Pilate didn’t know if he was dead yet, so he called the centurion to ask if he had died."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "45", "text": "Then, after checking with the centurion, he released the corpse to Joseph."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "46", "text": "So, he went out and bought some fine linen, took him down, and wrapped him in the cloth and laid him in a tomb that was cut into the bedrock, and rolled a stone up to the tomb entrance."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "47", "text": "But Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses [just sat there], looking at the place where he had been placed."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spiced ointments to grease the body with…"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "going to the tomb early the next morning after sunrise."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "Then one asked the other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the tomb entrance for us?’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "But when they looked up, they saw that the extremely large stone had already been rolled away."}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "So they entered the tomb and saw a young man sitting on the right side wearing a white robe, and they were shocked!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "But he said to them, ‘Don’t be surprised; You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was impaled; but he arose… he isn’t here. Look… here’s the place where they laid him!"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "So, go tell his disciples and Peter that he’s going ahead of them into Galilee… you’ll see him there, just as he said.’"}
{"book": "MRK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, when they came out, they ran from the tomb, because they were shaking with excitement. But they didn’t say anything to anyone, because they were too afraid. NOTE: Neither of the supposed conclusions to Mark have been included, because their authenticity is in doubt."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Since many others have already taken on the job of putting together a statement of the facts of the things we believe"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "as they were given to us by those who were eyewitnesses from the earliest [times] and by caretakers of the message,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "it seemed good for me to trace everything accurately from the start, then write it down for you in the order that it happened, mighty Theophilus,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "so you can feel confident about the things you’ve been taught by word of mouth."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a Priest named ZechariJah, who was of the division of AbiJah. He had a wife named EliZabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "Both of them were found righteous by God, because they obeyed all the Commandments and requirements of Jehovah."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "However, they never had a child, because they were both well up in years, and EliZabeth was sterile."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, it was while he was assigned as the Priest before God in his division of Priests that"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "(following the custom of the Priesthood) [ZechariJah] was chosen by lot to offer incense when he went into the Holy Place of Jehovah."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "[At the time], there was a large crowd of people praying outside during the hour that the incense was being offered,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "and it was then that Jehovah’s messenger appeared to him, to the right of the incense altar."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, ZechariJah was very disturbed and frightened by what he saw."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "However, the messenger said to him, ‘Don’t be afraid ZechariJah, because the things that you begged for in prayer have been favorably heard. Your wife EliZabeth will give birth to a son for you, and you should call his name John."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "You’ll be happy and you’ll dance with joy… in fact, many people will rejoice at his birth,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "because he will be great in the eyes of Jehovah. He may not drink any wine or liquor at all, and he will be filled with [God’s] Holy Breath while he’s still in his mother’s womb;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "he will turn many sons of Israel back to Jehovah their God;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "he will go just ahead of Him with the power and breath of EliJah; and he will prepare a people for Jehovah, turning the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the [hearts] of those who don’t obey to righteous good sense.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "But ZechariJah asked the messenger, ‘How can I be sure of this? After all, I’m old and my wife is well up in years.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "Then the messenger replied, ‘I am GabriEl – he who stands before God – and I was sent to bring this good news to you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "But because you didn’t believe these words (which will come true right on time), {Look!} you will be silent and won’t able to talk until the day that these things happen.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "Meanwhile, the people [outside] were waiting for ZechariJah and they started wondering why he was taking so long in the Holy Place."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "However, when he came out he couldn’t speak, and they realized that he had just seen something unusual. He gestured signs to them, but he couldn’t talk."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "Then, after the period of his assigned [Temple] service, he went back home."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "After that, EliZabeth his wife became pregnant, and she hid herself for five months saying,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "‘This is Jehovah’s will, so people won’t laugh at me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "It was in her sixth month that the Messenger GabriEl was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph (of the house of [King] David). This virgin’s name was Mary."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "And when he came to her he said, ‘Rejoice you most cared-for person, because Jehovah is with you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "Now, those words really bothered her, because she wondered just what type of greeting that was."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "30", "text": "Then the messenger told her, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary, because you’ve found favor with God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "31", "text": "{Look!} You will conceive in your belly and give birth to a son who you are to name Jesus."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "32", "text": "He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and Jehovah God will give him the throne of his ancestor David."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "33", "text": "He will rule over the house of Jacob through the ages, and there will be no end to his Kingdom.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "34", "text": "Then Mary asked the messenger, ‘How can this be possible, since I haven’t had sex with a man?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "35", "text": "And the messenger replied, ‘The Holy Breath of God will come over you and the Power of the Most High will be a shadow over you. So, what will be born will be called Holy… God’s Son."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "36", "text": "{Look!} Why, your relative EliZabeth is also pregnant with a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month for this so-called infertile woman,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "37", "text": "because nothing is impossible unless God says so.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "38", "text": "Then Mary said, ‘{Look!} I’m Jehovah’s slave girl! May the thing you said happen to me!’ And at that, the messenger left her."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "39", "text": "So Mary got up and quickly traveled to a city of Judah in the hill country, where she"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "40", "text": "entered the home of ZechariJah, and greeted EliZabeth."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "41", "text": "Well, just as EliZabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb jumped. Then EliZabeth was filled with the Holy Breath [of God],"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "42", "text": "and she shouted aloud: ‘You’re a blest woman and the fruit of your womb is blest!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "43", "text": "So, how is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "44", "text": "Look! When I heard the sound of your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "45", "text": "The woman who believes will be blest, for all things which have been spoken to her by the Lord will come true.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "46", "text": "Then Mary said: ‘I glorify Jehovah with my life,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "47", "text": "And over my God and my Savior, My body cries out in joy,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "48", "text": "Because He looked down on His lowly slave girl. ‘{Look!} I’ll be called blest by all generations,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "49", "text": "For the Powerful One did great things for me… and His Name is so Holy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "50", "text": "‘For generations He’s shown mercy to all those who fear Him,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "51", "text": "But with His mightily arm He will scatter, All those who think in their hearts that they’re better."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "52", "text": "‘Emperors He’s removed from their thrones, And He’s put the humble in charge."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "53", "text": "He’s filled the hungry with good things, And sent the rich away empty."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "54", "text": "‘He came to the aid of Israel His boy, And called to his mind [His great] mercy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "55", "text": "This He explained to our fathers… To Abraham and his seed through the age.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "56", "text": "So Mary stayed there with EliZabeth for about three months, and then she went back home."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "57", "text": "It soon came time for EliZabeth to deliver her baby, and she had a son."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "58", "text": "So, when her neighbors and relatives heard how Jehovah had shown such magnificent mercy toward her, they were overjoyed too."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "59", "text": "Then, when they went to circumcise the boy (on the eighth day), they were going to name him after his father, ZechariJah."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "60", "text": "But his mother said, ‘Absolutely not! He’ll be called John.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "61", "text": "However, [the neighbors] said, ‘That isn’t the name of any of your relatives,’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "62", "text": "and they nodded to the father, asking what he wanted to call it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "63", "text": "He then asked for a tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And this caused them to wonder."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "64", "text": "Then suddenly he opened his mouth, his tongue came loose, and he started speaking and praising God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "65", "text": "This frightened everyone in the neighborhood. And these things were talked about throughout all the hills of Judea."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "66", "text": "Everyone who heard of it made a note in their hearts, wondering, ‘Just what will this boy [grow up to] be, because the hand of Jehovah is with him?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "67", "text": "Then ZechariJah, [the boy’s] father, was filled with [God’s] Holy Breath and he prophesied:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "68", "text": "‘Praise Jehovah Israel’s God, For He looked down and set His people free."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "69", "text": "He raised the horn of salvation for us, In the house of David his servant,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "70", "text": "Just as He said through the mouths of the holy, In the age of Prophets,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "71", "text": "To save us from our enemy’s hands, And from the hands of all those who hate us."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "72", "text": "‘[He] has been kind to our fathers, And remembered the Holy Agreement [that He made],"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "73", "text": "In the oath that He swore unto Abraham our father,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "74", "text": "To save us from our enemy’s hands, And to draw us to serve Him in most holy ways;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "75", "text": "To loyally stand there before Him, In righteousness for [the rest of] our days."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "76", "text": "‘But as for you, little boy; A Prophet of the Most High you’ll be called. You will go in front of the Lord, To make preparations for His ways;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "77", "text": "To let His people know how [they can] be saved, By forgiving their sins"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "78", "text": "through the tender mercy of God, Who will look on us from above, As though it were the [dawn] of a new day,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "79", "text": "That will shine on those in the darkness, And those who sit in the shadow of death, And to straighten [the path for] our feet, In the ways [that are leading to] peace.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 1, "verse": "80", "text": "Well, the little boy grew and kept getting stronger in the Breath [of God], and he lived in the desert until the day that he showed himself to Israel."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "Back in those days, Tiberius Caesar had decreed that everyone on earth had to be registered,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "and this first registration took place when QuiRinius was the governor of Syria."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "So, everyone had to return to his hometown to be registered."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "And as the result, Joseph had to travel from Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city of BethLehem in Judea (because he was from the house and family of David)"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "to be registered with Mary, whom he married as he promised, and who was pregnant."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "And it was while they were there that it came time for her to have her baby."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "So she gave birth to her first son and wrapped him tightly in a cloth, then laid him in a feed trough (because there wasn’t any room for them in the lodge)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "At that time, there were some shepherds staying outdoors in the surrounding countryside, keeping watch over their flocks at night."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Then Jehovah’s messenger appeared, standing over them with [His] Glory shining around them (which frightened them)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "But the messenger told them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Look! I’m bringing you good news of great joy for everyone."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "Because, a Savior – the chosen Lord – was born to you today in David’s city."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "And this is the sign to look for: You’ll find an infant wrapped tightly in a cloth and lying in a feed trough.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "Then suddenly, a large heavenly army appeared with the messenger, praising God and saying:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "‘Glory to God in highest places, And peace to men on the earth, Who’ve proven themselves to be good.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "So, after the messengers [of God] went back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to BethLehem and see this thing that Jehovah has revealed to us.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "And at that, they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the feed trough."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Then, when they saw this, they explained the things that they were told about the little boy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, all those who heard of it were amazed by the things the shepherds told them,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "and Mary started preserving all these words, drawing conclusions in her heart."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "So, the shepherds went on glorifying and praising God for all the things that they saw and heard, [telling things] just as it was told to them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "Now after eight days, it came time to circumcise him, and it was then that he was given the name Jesus (the name that [God’s] messenger said he should be called before he was conceived in [Mary’s] womb)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "Then, at the end of the [forty] days of purification that were required by the Law of Moses, they took him to Jerusalem to present him to Jehovah,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "exactly as it was written in Jehovah’s Law, ‘Every male that opens a womb must be called holy to Jehovah.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "Then they offered the sacrifice that was specified in Jehovah’s Law, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "{Look!} There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was a righteous and devout person, who had been awaiting Israel’s comforter, and [God’s] Holy Breath was with him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "So it had been divinely shown to him by the Holy Breath that he wouldn’t die before he saw the Anointed of Jehovah."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "And it was because [God’s] Breath was leading him that he then entered the Temple. Well, while the parents were bringing the boy Jesus in to do what the Law customarily required,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "[Simeon] took him in his arms and praised God saying:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Now, O Sovereign Lord, You can set Your slave free in peace as You said,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "30", "text": "For my eyes have seen the one who will save;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "31", "text": "The one You provided for all men to see;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "32", "text": "A light of revelation to all the nations, And a glory to Israel Your people.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "33", "text": "Well, [Jesus’] father and mother were amazed at all the things that were being said about him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "34", "text": "Simeon also blest them, but he told his mother Mary: ‘Look! This one is headed toward a fall. For on behalf of many in Israel he will stand, As a sign to be slandered."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "35", "text": "Your life will be pierced with a long sword, To uncover the things many think in their hearts.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "36", "text": "There was also the Prophetess Anna, a daughter of the tribe of Asher. This woman was well up in years and had only been married for seven years from her virginity."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "37", "text": "She was now an eighty-four-year-old widow who was always at the Temple, worshiping day and night, fasting, and praying."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "38", "text": "And in that same hour, she stood up and gave thanks to God and talked about [the child] to all those who were awaiting Jerusalem’s release by ransom."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "39", "text": "Then, after [Joseph and Mary] did everything that [Jehovah’s Law] required, they went back to their home in Nazareth of Galilee."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "40", "text": "So the little boy grew, became strong, and was filled with wisdom; and God continued to show favor on him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "41", "text": "Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "42", "text": "And when he was twelve years old, they again followed the custom of going to the festival."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "43", "text": "Then, after the festival days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t notice it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "44", "text": "So, assuming that he was somewhere in the company of the people traveling together, they were a day’s journey away before they finally started searching for him among their relatives and friends."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "45", "text": "But when they couldn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "46", "text": "Well after three days, they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking questions…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "47", "text": "and his understanding and answers amazed everyone who heard him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "48", "text": "Now, when [Joseph and Mary] saw him, they were shocked. And his mother asked, ‘Child; Why did you treat us this way? Here your father and I have been worried to death searching for you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "49", "text": "But he replied, ‘Why did you have to search for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in the House of my Father?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "50", "text": "However, they really didn’t understand what he was telling them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "51", "text": "Then he returned home to Nazareth with them and he always obeyed them, as his mother carefully kept all these things that were said in her heart."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 2, "verse": "52", "text": "So Jesus continued to progress in wisdom, physical growth, and in the favor of God and men."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "It was in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea and Herod was district ruler of Galilee (but Philip his brother was district ruler of the countries of Ituraea and Trachonitis), and Lysanias was district ruler of Abilene,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "in the days of High Priests AnNas and CaiAphas, that God’s Words came to John, the son of ZechariJah, [while he was] in the desert."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "So he traveled throughout all the country around the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "just as it was written about him in the book of the Prophet Isaiah: ‘Listen! Someone is shouting in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord. Make [all] his roads straight."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "Fill every gully, and level each mountain and hill. Straighten the curves and smooth-out the rough spots,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "So all flesh will then see what God has provided to save them.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "And as he saw the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, he said: ‘Children of vipers; Who has scared you into running from the coming rage?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Produce the type of fruit that shows you’re ready for repentance. And don’t say of yourselves, Abraham is our father, because I tell you that God has the power to raise children of Abraham from these stones!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "Why, the ax is now lying at the roots of the trees, and every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "So the crowds asked him, ‘Then, what should we do?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "And he answered: ‘He with two pairs of underclothes, Should share them with the man who has none, And those who have something to eat, Should do the very same thing.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, even tax collectors came to be baptized. And they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "And he replied, ‘Just collect a fair tax.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "Then, when those in the military asked him, ‘What should we do?’ he said: ‘Don’t harass or falsely accuse. Be satisfied with just your provisions.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "And because the people were looking for [the Messiah], everyone was wondering in their hearts about John, ‘Could he be the Anointed One?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "But John answered them all, saying: ‘My part is to baptize you in water. But, someone who is greater is coming, Whose sandals I’m unfit to untie. And with Breath and fire he’ll baptize you people."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "‘His shovel is now in his hand, To completely clean up his threshing floor, And to bring the wheat into his stores. But he’ll burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "Yes, he said many encouraging things as he preached the good news to the people."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "However, Herod (the district ruler) had been scolded [by John], because of Herodias (his brother’s wife), and because of all the other bad things he had done."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Then Herod added to this [badness] by locking John in prison."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "Well, it was after all the [other] people had been baptized that Jesus was also baptized. And as he was praying, the sky opened up"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "and the Holy Breath [of God] came down upon him in the shape of a dove. Then a voice came from the sky [that said], ‘You are My loved Son; I approve of you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "It was when he was about thirty years old that Jesus came into his power, being the son (as the opinion was) of Joseph, of Heli,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "of MatThat, of Levi, of Melchi, of JanNai, of Joseph,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "of MatTathias, of Amos, of Nahum, of Esli, of NagGai,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "26", "text": "of MaAth, of MatTathias, of Semein, of JoSech, of Joda,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "27", "text": "of JoAnan, of Rhesa, of ZerubBabel, of ShealtiEl, of Neri,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "28", "text": "of Melchi, of Addi, of Cosam, of ElMadam, of Er,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "29", "text": "of JoShua, of EliEzer, of JoRim, of MatThat, of Levi,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "30", "text": "of Symeon, of Judas, of JoSeph, of JoNam, of EliAkim,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "31", "text": "of Melea, of MenNa, of MatTatha, of Nathan, of David,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "32", "text": "of Jesse, of Obed, of Boaz, of Salmon, of NahShon,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "33", "text": "of AminAdab, of Arni, of Hezron, of Perez, of Judah,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "34", "text": "of Jacob, of Isaac, of Abraham, of Terah, of Nahor,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "35", "text": "of Serug, of Reu, of Peleg, of Eber, of Shelah,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "36", "text": "of Cainan, of ArpachShad, of Shem, of Noah, of Lamech,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "37", "text": "of MethuSelah, of Enoch, of Jared, of MaHalaleEl, of Cainan,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 3, "verse": "38", "text": "of Enosh, of Seth, of Adam, of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, Jesus was filled with the Holy Breath of God, so he left the Jordan, and [God’s] Breath led him into the desert,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "where he was tempted by the Slanderer for forty days. And he didn’t eat anything during that entire period, so by the end he was very hungry."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the Slanderer said to him, ‘If you’re a son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "But Jesus answered, ‘It’s written, Bread isn’t all that a man needs to survive.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "So [the Slanderer] took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth in an instant of time,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "and he said, ‘I will give you power over all of these and the glory of them, because they’ve been given to me and I can give them to whomever I wish."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "They will all be yours if you’ll just bow before me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "But Jesus answered, ‘It’s written; You must worship Jehovah your God. He’s the only One you should worship.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Then [the Slanderer] took him into Jerusalem and put him on a high battle tower of the Temple, and said, ‘If you’re a son of God, jump down from here,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "because it’s written: He will order His messengers to protect you,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "And they’ll lift you up on their hands, So you won’t bump your foot on a stone.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "But Jesus replied, ‘It is said, You shouldn’t Jehovah your God to the test.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "So after the Slanderer finished his tempting, he went away until the designated time."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "Then the Power of [God’s] Breath moved Jesus to return to Galilee, and his fame spread throughout all that area."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "He also started to teach in the synagogues, where he was honored by everyone."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "Well, when he got to Nazareth (where he was brought up), as was his custom on the Sabbath, he went into the synagogue and stood up to read."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "There he was handed the scroll of the Prophet IsaiJah. So he opened it and found the place where it said:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Jehovah’s Breath is upon me, For He chose me to tell good news to the poor. He sent me to preach freedom to the prisoners, And the regaining of sight to the blind, To remove all the pressures from the people,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "And to preach of the year that Jehovah has chosen.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down – as everyone in the synagogue stared at him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "And he said: ‘Today this scripture that you just heard has been fulfilled.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "Then, everyone started saying good things about him and marveling at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they were asking, ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "So he said, ‘You would undoubtedly like to apply the words to me, Cure yourself doctor. Do all the things we heard that you did in CaperNaum here in your own hometown.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth; No Prophet is accepted in his hometown."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, it’s a fact that there were many widows in Israel back in the days of EliJah, when the skies were closed up for three-and-a-half years, causing a terrible famine in the land."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "26", "text": "But EliJah wasn’t sent to any of them, only to a widow in the land of Sidon."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "27", "text": "And there were also many lepers in Israel during the time of the Prophet EliSha, but the only one who was cleansed was NaAman, a Syrian.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, all those who heard him say this in the synagogue then became very angry,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "29", "text": "so they got up and pushed him outside the city to the edge of the mountain that the city was built on, to throw him down headfirst."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "30", "text": "But he just walked through their midst and continued on his way."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "31", "text": "Next, he went to CaperNaum, a city in Galilee, where he also taught on the Sabbath,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "32", "text": "and [people] were amazed by his way of teaching, because he spoke with authority."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "33", "text": "Now, there was a man in the synagogue [who was possessed by] an unclean demon. And [the man] shouted aloud,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Ah! What dealing do we have with you, Jesus… you Nazarene? Did you come here to destroy us? I know exactly who you are; [You’re] the Holy One of God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "35", "text": "But Jesus scolded it saying, ‘Muzzle it and come out of him.’ So, the demon threw the man down in their midst, then it came out without hurting him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "36", "text": "At this, everyone was astonished and started speaking to each other and asking, ‘What kind of talk is this? He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power, and out they come!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "37", "text": "So the news about him echoed everywhere throughout that entire region."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "38", "text": "Then after he left that synagogue, he went to Simon’s house. Here Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever and they asked him to help her."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "39", "text": "So he stood over her, scolded the fever, and it left her. Then she got right up and started serving him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "40", "text": "Well at sunset, all those who had people that were sick with various infirmities, brought them to him. So he laid his hands on each one and cured them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "41", "text": "Demons also came out of many of them, shouting, ‘You’re the Son of God!’ But, because they knew that he was the Anointed One, he scolded them and wouldn’t allow them to say anything."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "42", "text": "Then the next day, he went out and walked to an isolated place. But the crowds started searching for him and they finally got out to where he was and tried to keep him from leaving."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "43", "text": "But he told them, ‘I have to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities, for that’s why I was sent.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 4, "verse": "44", "text": "So, thereafter he preached throughout the synagogues of Judea."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "There was an occasion when people were crowded very close to [Jesus] and listening to the Word of God, while he was standing beside Lake GenNesaret."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "So, he noticed two boats that were docked at the lakeside, where the fishermen had gotten out and were washing off their nets."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "Well, [Jesus] got into one of the boats that belonged to Simon, and asked him to pull out a little way from land. Then he sat down and started teaching the crowds from the boat."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "And when he finished talking, he said to Simon, ‘Now, pull out to where it’s deep and let down your nets for a catch.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "But Simon replied, ‘Instructor; We’ve worked all night long and didn’t catch anything. However, because you asked, I’ll lower the nets.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Well when they did this, they netted a huge number of fish. In fact, their nets started to rip,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "so they waved at their partners in another boat to come help them. And when they got there, they filled both boats to the point that they were about to sink!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "At seeing this, Simon Peter fell down at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Get away from me, because I’m a sinful man, O Lord!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "[He said this] because, when they brought in so many fish, Simon and those who were with him were amazed and overwhelmed…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "as were his partners James and John (Zebedee’s sons). But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Quit being afraid… from now on you’re going to catch living men!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "So they brought their boats back to land and just walked away from everything to follow him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "On another occasion, while he was in one of the cities, {Look!} there was a man who was full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell to his face and begged, ‘Lord; If you just want to, you can make me clean.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "So [Jesus] reached out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I want to… be clean.’ And immediately, the leprosy left him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Then he ordered the man not to tell anyone, saying, ‘Go and show yourself to the Priests and give an offering for your cleansing as a witness to them, just as Moses commanded.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "But word about him kept spreading, and huge crowds would assemble to listen and to be cured of their illnesses."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "So he retreated to the deserts to pray."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "Well several days later he was teaching, as some Pharisees and teachers of the Law were [sitting among the crowd]; and people had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem, because [Jesus] was healing by the power of Jehovah."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "Then {Look!} some men carried a paralyzed man to him who was lying on a cot. And they were looking for a way to bring the man to [Jesus],"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "because they couldn’t find a way through the crowd; so they climbed onto the roof and lowered the little cot through the tiles, down in front of Jesus."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man; Your sins are forgiven!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "Well at that, the scribes and Pharisees started asking each other, ‘Who is this that talks so blasphemously? Who can forgive sins other than God?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "But Jesus recognized what they were thinking and asked, ‘What are you concluding in your hearts?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "Which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven, or, Get up and walk?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "But, just so you will know that the Son of Man has been given the power to forgive sins on the earth,’ he then told the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you; Get up, pick up your little cot, and go home!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "Then the man immediately stood up before them all, picked up the [cot] that he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "Well, everyone was delighted and they started glorifying God. But they were also afraid, saying, ‘We’ve seen some strange things today!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "After that, [Jesus] went out and noticed a tax collector named [Matthew] Levi sitting in the tax office, and said, ‘Be my follower.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, [Levi] got up, left everything behind, and started following him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "29", "text": "Then Levi held a big reception feast for [Jesus] in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them at the meal."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "30", "text": "And at this, the Pharisees and their scribes began complaining to the disciples, asking, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "31", "text": "And Jesus replied ‘Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor, only the sick do."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "32", "text": "So I came to call sinners to repentance, not righteous people.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "33", "text": "Then later on, they said, ‘John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees fast frequently to ask things [of God]. But your [disciples] just go on eating and drinking.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "34", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘Friends of the bridegroom can’t be expected to fast while the groom is with them, can they?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "35", "text": "But the days will surely come when the groom will be taken away, and in those days they will fast.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "36", "text": "Then he gave them an illustration: ‘No one cuts a patch from new clothes And sews it onto old clothes; For if they do, the new patch will tear off… And the patch from the new won’t match the old."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "37", "text": "‘They don’t put new wine into old wineskins. For if they do, the new wine will burst the old skins, Spilling [the wine] and ruining the wineskins."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "38", "text": "So new wine must be put in new wineskins."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 5, "verse": "39", "text": "And anyone who has tasted old wine, Doesn’t want the new anyhow, For they say, The old [wine] is better.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, [Jesus] happened to be walking through grain fields on a Sabbath, and his disciples were picking the grain, rubbing it in their hands, and eating it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "Well, some of the Pharisees asked, ‘Why are you doing something that isn’t legal on the Sabbath?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "But Jesus said, ‘Haven’t you ever read how David did the same thing when he and his men got hungry…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "how he went into the Temple of God and ate the presentation bread, sharing some with his men… something that isn’t legal for anyone to eat other than the Priests?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "Then he added, ‘The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "On another Sabbath, he again went into the synagogue and started teaching. And a man was there whose right hand was withered,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "so the scribes and Pharisees were watching [Jesus] closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath… so they could find something to accuse him of."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "However, [Jesus] knew what they were thinking, and he said to the man with the withered hand: ‘Get up and stand in the center.’ So [the man] stood up."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Let me ask; Is it legal to do good or bad, or to save a life or destroy it on the Sabbath?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "Then (after looking around at everyone) he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand’ (which he did), and his hand was healed!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, [the scribes and Pharisees] absolutely went out of their minds and started talking to each other about what they could do to Jesus."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "It was around this same time that he went up a mountain to pray, spending the whole night in prayer to God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "Then the next day, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve who he started calling Apostles."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "These were Simon (who he also named Peter), Andrew his brother, James, John, Philip, BarTholomew ([NathaniEl]),"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "Matthew, Thomas, James [the son] of AlphaEus, Simon (who is called the zealous one),"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "Judas [the son] of James ([ThadDaeus]), and Judas IsCariot (who turned traitor)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "Then after they came down [the mountain], he found a level spot where a large group of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from Judea, Jerusalem, and the seaside areas of Tyre and Sidon came to listen to him and to be healed of their illnesses."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "And there (as people who were being bothered by unclean spirits were cured),"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "the whole crowd was trying to touch him, as power flowed from him, and he healed them all."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he looked at his disciples and said: ‘[You who] are poor are blest, For the Kingdom of God is yours."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "[You who] are hungry are blest, For you will find satisfaction. [You who] are crying are blest, For you will [soon be found] laughing."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "22", "text": "‘You are blest whenever men hate you, And no longer wish to be with you; Or when they say bad things about you, And call you wicked for the Son of Man’s sake."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "23", "text": "‘When that day comes, be happy… jump for joy! For {Look!} your reward in the heavens is great. Why, these are the very same things, That their fathers used to do to the Prophets."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "24", "text": "‘But, woe to you who are rich, For you now have all that you want."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "25", "text": "Woe to you with full [stomachs], Because you will go hungry. Woe to you who are laughing, Because you’ll cry and you’ll mourn."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "26", "text": "And woe when all say nice things about you, For their fathers did that for false prophets."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "27", "text": "‘I tell all of you who will listen: All your enemies you must love, And do good to all those who hate you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "28", "text": "Praise all those who would curse you, And pray for those who insult you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "29", "text": "‘If someone hits you on the cheek, Offer the other one also. And if someone should take all your clothes, Offer him also your underwear."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "30", "text": "‘Give to each one who asks, And don’t ask those who take to give back."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "31", "text": "All you want men to do for you, That’s how you should treat them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "32", "text": "‘If you love just those who love you, What kind of favor are you performing? Even sinners love those who love them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "33", "text": "And if you only do good things For those who do good things to you, What kind of favor is that? For, even sinners will do the same thing."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "34", "text": "And if you lend without interest, To those who you expect to pay back, What kind of favor is that? For even sinners lend to sinners without interest, When they are expecting repayment."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "35", "text": "‘So, love your enemies and do good things, And lend without hope of return, Then a great reward you’ll receive… You’ll be sons of the Most High. For, He’s kind to even the ungrateful and wicked,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "36", "text": "So show mercy as your Father shows mercy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Don’t judge [others] and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn [others] and you’ll not be condemned. [Let others go] free and you will be freed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "38", "text": "‘Give, and others will give back. They’ll hand to you a generous share, That is tightly packed down and overflowing. For the amount that you measure [to others], Is the amount that they’ll measure to you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "39", "text": "Then he gave them some illustrations, ‘Can a blind man guide a blind man? Both will fall into a pit, won’t they?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "40", "text": "‘A disciple isn’t over his teacher, but everyone who learns well will be like his teacher.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "41", "text": "‘Why look for straw in the eye of your brother, When you can’t see the rafter in yours?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "42", "text": "How can you say to your brother, Let me remove that [chaff] from your eye, While you can’t see the rafter in your own? Hypocrite! First remove the rafter from your own eye, And then you’ll be able to see clearly, How to remove the [chaff] from the eye of your brother."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "43", "text": "‘A good tree won’t produce rotten fruit, And a rotten tree won’t give fruit that is good."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "44", "text": "So all trees are known by their fruit. ‘People don’t pick figs from the briers, And they don’t cut grapes from thorn bushes."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "45", "text": "So a good man brings good from the good, That he has treasured in his heart. But the wicked bring bad from their badness. For your mouths speak of things that fill up your hearts."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "46", "text": "‘So, why do you call me and say, Lord, Lord, When you don’t do the things that I say?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "47", "text": "‘Here’s what he who comes to me is like… He who listens and does it;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "48", "text": "He’s like a man who was building a house, And dug deep to lay its foundation on bedrock. So, when a flood came and the river washed against it, His house wasn’t shaken, for it was well built."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 6, "verse": "49", "text": "‘But he who hears and does not [what I say], Is like a man who then built his house, On the ground without a foundation. So the river [overflowed] and washed against it, And it collapsed right away in great damage.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, when he finished saying all these things within earshot of the people, he entered Capernaum."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "And there was a centurion [in that city] who had a valued servant that was sick and near death."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "So, when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Judean elders to ask him to come and save his slave’s life."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "So they quickly went to Jesus and begged him, saying: ‘[The centurion] is worthy of your doing this for him,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "because he loves our nation and he built a synagogue for us.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "So Jesus went off with them, but he wasn’t very far from the house when the centurion sent his friends to say, ‘Sir, don’t bother [to come here], because I’m unfit to have you come under my roof."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "It’s because I didn’t consider myself worthy that I didn’t come to you myself. So, just say the word and let my servant be healed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "You see, I’m also a man of power, [because I have] soldiers under me. And if I say to this one, be on your way, he’s on his way; and to another, come, he comes; and to my slave, do this, he does it.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "Well when Jesus heard this, he was amazed. So he turned to the crowd that was following him and said, ‘I tell you; I haven’t found so great a faith even in Israel.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "Then [the elders] who had been sent found the slave in good health when they returned to the house."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "And soon afterward, he traveled with his disciples and a large crowd to a city called Nain."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "And as he neared the city gate, {Look!} there was a dead man being carried out, who was the only son his mother had, and she was a widow (a large crowd from the city was also with her)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "So when the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity and said, ‘Stop crying.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "Then he went up and touched the open casket, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, ‘Young man; I tell you to get up!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "Well at that, the dead man sat straight up and started talking. Then [Jesus] gave him to his mother."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "However, everyone was frightened and started glorifying God, saying, ‘A great Prophet has been raised among us,’ and ‘God has started paying attention to His people.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "So, news about him was spread throughout all of Judea and the surrounding countryside."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, John’s disciples were reporting to him about everything that had happened."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "So John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "And when they got to [Jesus], the men said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to ask if you’re the Anointed One, or if we’re to expect someone else.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "Well, during that hour he cured many who were sick, plagued, or had wicked spirits, and he granted many blind people the gift of vision."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "Then he answered, ‘Now go your way and report what you saw and heard to John. [Tell him that] the blind are seeing, the lame are walking, lepers are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, and the poor are being told the good news…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "he who doesn’t stumble over me is blest.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "Well, after John’s messengers left, he asked the crowd about John: ‘What did you go to the desert to see, Reeds that are blowing in the wind?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "So, what did you go out to see, A man who is dressed in soft clothes? ‘Why, those who dress and live well, Are those who live in a palace."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "So, what did you go out to see… a Prophet? Yes, and I tell you, much more than a Prophet!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "This is the one about whom it’s written: {Look!} I’m sending My messenger, Who’ll prepare the way before you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "‘I tell you this: Of those who from women are born, None is greater than John, But a person who is least in the Kingdom of God, Will be greater than he.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, when all the common people and the tax collectors heard this, they spoke of God’s righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "30", "text": "But the Pharisees and those who were trained in the Law disregarded this counsel from God, because [John] hadn’t baptized them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "31", "text": "[So, Jesus said:] ‘To whom should I compare this generation… Who are they really like?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "32", "text": "They’re like young children who sit in the market, And then shout at each other and say: We played the flute, but you didn’t dance. We wailed, but you didn’t cry."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "33", "text": "‘For, when John the Baptist arrived, He didn’t feast or drink wine, So you said that he has a demon."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "34", "text": "But the Son of Man came eating and drinking, So you say, Look! He’s a glutton! And he drinks too much wine… He’s a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "35", "text": "However; Wisdom is proven righteous by its results.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "36", "text": "One of the Pharisees [named Simon] kept asking [Jesus] to dine with him. So he went to the house of the Pharisee and reclined at the table."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "37", "text": "And {Look!} a woman of the city (a known sinner) learned that he was reclining for a meal in the house of the Pharisee, so she brought an alabaster case of perfumed ointment."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "38", "text": "Then, sitting behind him at his feet, she wept and wet his feet with her tears, then she wiped them dry with her hair. She also kissed his feet tenderly and greased them with the perfumed ointment."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "39", "text": "Well, when the Pharisee who invited him saw this, he thought to himself, ‘If this man was a Prophet he’d know who, and just what kind of woman it is that’s touching him. She’s a sinner!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "40", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Simon I have something to tell you.’ And [Simon] replied, ‘Go ahead and tell it, Teacher!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "41", "text": "‘Two men each owed money to a certain lender; one was in debt for five hundred silver coins and the other for fifty."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "42", "text": "Well, when they didn’t have anything to pay him back with, he freely forgave them both. So, which will love him more?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "43", "text": "Then Simon answered, ‘I guess it’s the one who he forgave the most.’ At which [Jesus] said, ‘You judged correctly.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "44", "text": "Then he turned to the woman and asked Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you didn’t give me any water for my feet, but this woman wet my feet with her tears and wiped them dry with her hair."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "45", "text": "You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time that I entered, this woman has been tenderly kissing my feet."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "46", "text": "You didn’t grease my head with oil, but this woman greased my feet with perfumed ointment."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "47", "text": "So I tell you; although she has many sins, they are forgiven because she showed a lot of love. But, whoever hasn’t been forgiven for much, doesn’t love much.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "48", "text": "Then he told her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "49", "text": "Well at that, those who were reclining at the table with him started wondering to themselves, ‘Just who is this man who even forgives sins?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 7, "verse": "50", "text": "But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go your own way in peace.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "Shortly thereafter, [Jesus] started traveling from city to city and village to village with the twelve, preaching and telling about the good news of the Kingdom of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "Now, [traveling with him] were some women who [he had] cured of wicked spirits and illnesses. There was Mary (who is called the Magdelean), from whom seven demons had come out;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "Joanna, the wife of Chuza (Herod’s top aid); Susanna, and many others, who were serving his needs from the things they had."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "Well, when a large crowd had gathered (along with those who traveled with him to city after city), he spoke to them using this illustration:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "‘A farmer went out to plant seeds. And as he was planting, Some fell next to the road and were walked on, And the birds of the sky came to eat them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "‘Others landed on the rocks, And they dried up after they sprouted, Because there was not enough water."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Still others fell among all the thorns And these thorns then grew up and choked them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "Yet others fell on the good soil, And after sprouting they produced fruit a hundred times over.’ And as he told them this, he shouted, ‘Let he who has ears to hear, listen!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, his disciples asked him what this illustration meant."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "So he said, ‘You’ve been allowed to understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God. But as for the rest, [all they hear is the] illustrations. So when they look, they look in vain, and although they hear, they don’t understand."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Now, the illustration means this: The seed is the Word of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "Those beside the road are those who hear, but the Slanderer comes and takes the Word from their hearts, to prevent them from believing and being saved."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "‘Those that fall on the rocks, are those who hear and welcome the Word with joy, but because they don’t have any roots, they only believe for a season. And when seasons of testing come along, they pull away."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "‘As for those who fall among thorns; These are the ones who have heard, but because of daily concerns (wealth, and the pleasures of living), they are choked out and fail to produce."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "‘But [those that fall] on the good soil have good and pure hearts; and after hearing the word, they remember and continue to bear fruit."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "‘No one who lights a lamp, Will then cover it up with a pot, Or hide it under a bed. They put it [up] on a lampstand, So those who step in can see light."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "‘So, there’s nothing that’s hidden that will not be shown, Or anything covered that will not be known, And then brought into the open."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "‘So pay attention to the way that you listen, For to whoever has, more will be given. But, for those who have not, What he imagines he has will be taken from him.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, [Jesus’] mother and brothers came to see him, but they weren’t able to reach him because of the crowd."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "However, someone reported to him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside; [they] want to see you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "But he replied, ‘My mother and brothers are these who hear the Word of God and obey it.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, some days later, [Jesus] and his disciples got into a boat and he told them, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took off."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "And as they were sailing, he fell asleep. Now, a violent windstorm came down on the lake and the boat started taking on water, so they were in a dangerous position."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "Then [the disciples] went and woke him, saying, ‘Instructor; instructor; We’re about to drown!’ And when he awoke, he scolded the wind and the raging water, and they calmed down, becoming very peaceful."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "25", "text": "And he asked, ‘Where’s your faith?’ But they were so afraid and awestruck that they were asking each other, ‘Who really is this? Why, he even orders the wind and waves and they obey him!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "26", "text": "Then they sailed to the country of the GeraSenes, which is on the shore opposite Galilee."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "27", "text": "But as he stepped out on land, a demonized man from the city came to meet him who hadn’t worn clothing for some time, and he didn’t live in a house, but [stayed] among the tombs."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, when he saw Jesus, he shouted and fell down in front of him; then he said in a loud voice, ‘What dealings do I have with you Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "29", "text": "([He said this, because Jesus] had ordered the unclean spirit to come out of the man.) [This man had been] arrested repeatedly, bound with chains and leg irons, and put under guard. But he would break the chains, and the demons forced him to [live in] such isolated places."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "30", "text": "So Jesus asked him, ‘What’s your name?’ And he replied, ‘Legion’ (because many demons had entered him)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "31", "text": "And they kept begging him not to order them to go away into the abyss."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the mountain, so they begged [Jesus] to allow them to go into [the pigs], and he gave them permission."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "33", "text": "Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the whole herd ran down a steep drop-off into the lake and drowned."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "34", "text": "Well, when the herders saw what had happened, they ran and reported it throughout the city and countryside."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "35", "text": "Then the people came out to see what happened, and when they went to Jesus, they found the man who the demons came out of wearing clothes and in his right mind, sitting at Jesus’ feet, and they were frightened."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "36", "text": "And those who saw all that had happened, told them how the demon-possessed man had been cured."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "37", "text": "So, the huge number who came from the surrounding area asked [Jesus] to leave them, because they were so frightened. Then he stepped into the boat to return."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "38", "text": "Then the man from whom the demons came out started begging to go with [Jesus]. But he sent the man away, saying,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "39", "text": "‘Go back home and tell the things that God did for you.’ So he went away and proclaimed the things that Jesus had done throughout the whole city."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "40", "text": "A crowd was waiting when Jesus got back, because they were all expecting him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "41", "text": "But {Look!} a man named JaIrus (who was a presiding officer of the synagogue) came to him and fell at Jesus’ feet, begging him to come to his house,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "42", "text": "because he had an only daughter (who was about twelve years old) that was dying. Well, as he went there, the people were crowded around him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "43", "text": "And a woman who had [been experiencing] a blood flow for twelve years, and who nobody had been able to cure,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "44", "text": "came up from behind and touched the fringe of his robe; and her flow of blood stopped instantly."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "45", "text": "Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ Well, everyone denied it. And then Peter said, ‘Instructor; The crowds are all around you and pushing against you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "46", "text": "But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me, because I noticed the power leaving me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "47", "text": "So, seeing that [what she did] didn’t go unnoticed, the woman came up trembling, fell down in front of him, and told everyone why she touched him and how she was healed instantly."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "48", "text": "Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go your way in peace.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "49", "text": "Well, as he was still talking, someone came up beside the presiding officer of the synagogue and told him, ‘Your daughter has died, so don’t bother the teacher anymore.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "50", "text": "But when he heard this, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just have faith and she’ll be saved.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "51", "text": "Well, when he got to the house, he wouldn’t let anyone go inside with him, except Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "52", "text": "There the people were all crying and beating themselves in grief over her, so he said, ‘Stop crying! She didn’t die, she’s just sleeping.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "53", "text": "But then they all started laughing at him, because they knew she was dead."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "54", "text": "However, he took her by the hand and called her, saying, ‘Girl, get up!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "55", "text": "Then her breath returned and she stood right up, and he told them to give her something to eat."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 8, "verse": "56", "text": "Well, her parents were beside themselves [with joy], but he instructed them not to tell anyone what had happened."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "He then called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure illnesses,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "and sent them off to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "He told them: ‘Don’t carry anything with you… not a staff, or a food pouch, or bread, or silver, not even two pairs of underwear."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "But wherever you enter a home, lodge there and go out [to preach]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "And wherever people fail to welcome you, shake the dust off your feet as you are leaving that city, as a witness against them.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "So, they left and traveled throughout all the villages, telling the good news and curing people everywhere."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, Herod (the district ruler) heard about everything that was happening and he was bothered by doubt. [This is] because, some were saying that John had been raised from the dead,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "others were saying that EliJah had appeared, and still others said that one of the ancient Prophets had arisen."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "So Herod said, ‘I beheaded John. So, just who is this that I’m hearing such things about?’ And he looked for an opportunity to see [Jesus]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, when the Apostles returned, they told [Jesus] everything they did. Then he took them along to a private spot near a city called BethSaida."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "But the crowds learned of it and followed him. So he welcomed them kindly and started talking to them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed a cure."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to him, ‘Dismiss the crowd so they can go into the villages and surrounding countryside to find provisions and a place to rest, because we’re in an isolated spot.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "But he said, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And they replied, ‘We don’t have anything other than five loaves [of bread] and two fish… unless we go out and buy food for all these people.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, the crowd included about five thousand men. But he told his disciples, ‘Have them recline as they do at meals, in rows of about fifty each.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "So [the Apostles] did this and had everyone recline on the ground."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "Then he took the five [loaves of] bread and the two fish, looked up to the sky and spoke a blessing over them, then he broke them up and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "So, everyone ate and was satisfied; and [afterward] they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "Later, as he was praying in a quiet spot, his disciples came to him and he asked them, ‘Who are the crowds saying that I am?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "And they answered, ‘John the Baptist, or EliJah… yet others say you’re one of the ancient Prophets who has been raised.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "Then he asked, ‘You though; Who do you say that I am?’ And Peter replied, ‘[You’re] the Anointed One of God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "And at that, he firmly instructed them not to tell this to anyone,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "and said, ‘The Son of Man will have to suffer many things… he will be rejected by the elders, Chief Priests, and scribes, and then he will be killed. But on the third day he will awaken.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "Then he told everyone, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him forego all the things that he wants, then pick up his impaling pole each day, and keep on following me."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "For, those who wish to save their lives will lose it, but those who lose their lives for my sake will save it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "And what good does it do a man, if he gains the whole world but loses his life or is injured?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "‘If anyone is ashamed of me and what I say, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory… and that of the Father and His holy messengers."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "But I tell you the truth; Some standing here will not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "And it happened just as he said; for about eight days later, he took Peter, John, and James along, and they went up the mountain to pray."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "29", "text": "Then it happened: While he was praying, his face changed and his clothes started to glow."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "30", "text": "Also, {Look!} there were two men talking to him… Moses and EliJah…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "31", "text": "they were recognizable! And they started talking about the departure that [Jesus] was about to fulfill in Jerusalem."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, Peter and the others were very sleepy. But when they saw his glory and the two men standing with him, they were wide-awake."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "33", "text": "And through the separation that was between them, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Instructor; It’s good for us to be here, so let us put up three tents; one for you, one for Moses, and one for EliJah’ (but he really didn’t know what he was saying)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "34", "text": "And just as he said that, a cloud formed and started to cover them. Then [Moses and EliJah] disappeared into the cloud, which frightened [the Apostles]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "35", "text": "And a voice came from the cloud that said, ‘This is My Son, the one who has been chosen. Listen to him!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "36", "text": "And as the voice occurred, Jesus was found alone. And back then they didn’t say anything… they didn’t tell anyone about the things that they saw."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "37", "text": "The next day, after coming down the mountain, a huge crowd met him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "38", "text": "And {Look!} a man shouted from the crowd, ‘Teacher! I beg you to take a look at my son, because he’s the only one I have."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "39", "text": "Look; a spirit comes over him and he screams. Then it throws him into convulsions and he foams [at the mouth]. It stops after that, but it leaves him bruised."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "40", "text": "I begged your disciples to throw it out, but they couldn’t.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "41", "text": "Then Jesus said: ‘O faithless and twisted generation; How much longer do I have to stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son over here!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "42", "text": "However, just as [the son] was approaching, the demon threw him to the ground and forced him into a violent convulsion. Then Jesus scolded the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father… and everyone was astonished by the majestic Power of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "43", "text": "Now, everyone was stunned by the things he was doing, but [Jesus] said to his disciples,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "44", "text": "‘Let these words live in your ears: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "45", "text": "However, they still didn’t understand what he was saying, for in fact, it was hidden from them so they couldn’t understand, and they were afraid to ask him any more."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "46", "text": "Then they started wondering which of them would be the greatest."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "47", "text": "But Jesus knew what they were thinking in their hearts, so he took a little boy and sat him down next to him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "48", "text": "And then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this young child in my name is welcoming me. And whoever welcomes me also welcomes Him who sent me. So, he who acts as the least one among you is the greatest.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "49", "text": "Then John said: ‘Instructor, we saw a man casting out demons by using your name, and we tried to stop him, because he isn’t one of us.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "50", "text": "But Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t try to stop him, because those who aren’t against you are for you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "51", "text": "Now, since the number of days (before he was going to be taken) was almost fulfilled, he became firm in his resolve to go to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "52", "text": "So he sent messengers ahead of him, and they entered a Samaritan village in order to prepare [for his arrival]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "53", "text": "But he wasn’t welcomed there, because of the fact that he was headed toward Jerusalem."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "54", "text": "And when the Disciples James and John [heard about] this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from the sky to wipe them out?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "55", "text": "But, he turned [to them] and reprimanded them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "56", "text": "So they traveled on to another village."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "57", "text": "It was as they were traveling along the road that someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "58", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have burrows, and [birds] in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "59", "text": "Then he said to someone else, ‘Become my follower.’ But the man replied, ‘First let me go and bury my father.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "60", "text": "And [Jesus] told him, ‘Let the dead bury their dead, but you go out and preach the Kingdom of God!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "61", "text": "Then another one said, ‘I’ll follow you Lord. But first, let me say goodbye to those in my home.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 9, "verse": "62", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘No man who puts his hands to a plow and looks back, is well suited for the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, after that, the Lord appointed seventy others who he sent out ahead of him in pairs (two by two), into every city and place that he was about to go."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "And he told them, ‘There’s a huge harvest, but there aren’t enough workers. So, beg the Master of the harvest to force more workers to do the harvesting."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "Get going! But look; I’m sending you as lambs among wolves."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "‘Don’t carry a bag of money, a food pouch, or sandals. And don’t [stop to] greet people along the road."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "As you enter a house you must say, May this house have peace."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "So stay in that house and eat and drink the things they provide, because a worker deserves his reward. Don’t keep moving from one home to another."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "‘Whenever you enter a city and they welcome you, eat whatever they put before you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, cure their sick and tell them, The Kingdom of God is near."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "But, whenever you enter a city and they fail to welcome you, go into its main streets and say,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "We’re wiping off the dust that got stuck on our feet in this city, and giving it all back to you. ‘Remember this: The Kingdom of God is near!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "I tell you, it will be easier for Sodom to endure [the Judgment] day than for that city."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "‘Woe to you ChoraZin, and woe to you BethSaida, because if the powerful things that happened in you also happened in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented and been sitting in sackcloth and ashes a long time ago."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "So, it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon to endure the Judgment than for you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "‘And you, CaperNaum, will you be lifted into heaven? [No]! You will go down to your grave!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "‘Whoever listens to you is also listening to me, but whoever ignores you is also ignoring me… and whoever ignores me also ignores Him that sent me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, when the seventy who were sent out in pairs returned, they joyfully said, ‘Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we used your name.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "Then he said to them: ‘I saw the Opposer falling like lightning from the sky."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "Look! I’ve given you the authority to step on serpents, scorpions, and on the power of the enemy… and nothing will harm you!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "However, don’t be happy because [evil] spirits obeyed you; be happy because your names have been written in the heavens!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "And at that time, the Holy Breath [of God] caused him to shout joyfully, ‘I praise You publicly Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You hid these things from the wise and understanding, but You’ve uncovered them to virtual babies. Yes Father; That’s why this clear reasoning was approved by You."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "‘My Father has given me everything, and nobody knows the Son but the Father, or the Father but the Son (and those to whom the Son wants to show Him).’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "With that, he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘The eyes that see the things you’re seeing are blest,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "because, I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you’re looking at and didn’t see them… and to hear the things you’re hearing, but didn’t hear them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "Then, {Look!} a man who knew the Law very well stood up, and to test [Jesus], he asked, ‘Teacher, what must I do to inherit life in the age?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "And [Jesus] replied, ‘What is written in the Law… what have you read?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "So he answered, ‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart, life, strength, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "And [Jesus] replied, ‘That’s the right answer. Keep on doing that and you’ll live.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "But [the man] wanted to show how righteous he was, so he asked Jesus, ‘So, just who is my neighbor?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was jumped on by some robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and left him for dead."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "But, by coincidence, a Priest was traveling the same road. And when he saw [the injured man], he passed on the opposite side."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "Likewise, when a Levite reached that place and saw him, he passed on the opposite side."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "‘But when a Samaritan came along and saw him, he was moved with pity."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "34", "text": "So he got down, and poured oil and wine on his wounds, and bandaged them. Then he put him up on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and cared for him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "35", "text": "Then the next day, he took out two silver coins, and gave them to the innkeeper and said, Take care of him and I’ll pay you for all that you spend beyond this, when I return by this way."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "36", "text": "‘Now, which of the three seems to have made himself a neighbor to the man who was jumped by the robbers?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "37", "text": "The [young man] answered, ‘The one who showed mercy to him.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Go your way and do the same thing.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "38", "text": "Now, as they were traveling along, they entered a certain village, and there was a woman named Martha there who welcomed him into her home."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "39", "text": "This woman had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and kept listening to what he was saying."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "40", "text": "But Martha was distracted, because she was busy preparing [a meal]. So she came to him and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the preparing by myself? Tell her to give me a hand.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "41", "text": "But the Lord replied: ‘Martha, Martha; You’re worried and upset about [preparing] many things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 10, "verse": "42", "text": "But all we need is just a few things… or just one. So Mary chose the best part… something that they can’t take away.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, he was in a certain place praying; and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us how to pray… as John taught his disciples.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "Then he said, ‘When you pray, say: Father, May Your Name be made Holy, and may Your Kingdom come."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "Give us the bread that we need for today."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "And forgive us for our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us, and don’t bring us into temptation.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "Then he asked, ‘Which of you has a friend that you could go to at midnight and say, Friend, loan me three loaves [of bread],"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "because another friend of mine has come a long way and I don’t have anything [to feed him]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he will answer from inside: Don’t cause trouble. The door is already locked, and my kids are in bed with me, so I can’t get up and give you anything."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "‘I tell you; Although he won’t get up to give him anything because he’s a friend, he will get up and give him the things he needs if [his friend] continues to bother him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "So, keep asking and it will be given to you; keep searching and you will find it; keep knocking and it will be opened to you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "For, all who ask will receive; all who keep searching will find; and to all who knock it will be opened."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Which father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "Or if he asks for an egg, would you hand a scorpion to him?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, if you in your wicked condition, know to give good gifts to your children, How much more will the Father in heaven, give Holy Breath to all those who ask Him!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "[Jesus] once threw out a demon that caused a man to be unable to talk. And after the demon came out, the man spoke, which amazed the crowds."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "But some of them said, ‘He throws out the demons with the help of Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "Then, others tried to tempt him by asking him to give them a sign from heaven."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "But, knowing what they were imagining, he said: ‘All kingdoms that are divided are destroyed, and a house that’s [divided] will fall."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "So, if the Opposer is divided against himself, how will his kingdom then stand? ‘Now, you say that I’m casting out demons, with the help of Beelzebub."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "But if I’m throwing out demons with Beelzebub’s power, then who do your sons use to cast them out? This is why they will judge you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "For, if I’m casting out demons by the finger of God, the Kingdom of God has overrun you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "‘When a strong, well-armed man guards his mansion, all of his things will be safe."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "But if someone stronger comes and overpowers him, taking away the weapons that he trusted, they will divide up the loot."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Now, whoever isn’t with me is against me, and those who don’t come to me will be scattered."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "‘When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, It travels through [many] dry places, In search of a [good] place to rest. And when it doesn’t find one it will say: I’ll go back to the house I moved out of."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "‘And when it finds it swept clean and arranged,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "With seven more spirits it returns, Who are even more wicked than he; And upon getting inside, They’ll all continue to live there. So the end result for that man, Is worse than he was at the start.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "Now, as he was saying these things, a woman in the crowd shouted, ‘Happy is the womb that carried you and the breasts that you sucked!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "But he answered, ‘No, happy are those who hear the Word of God and obey it!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "And as a crowd was starting to form, he said, ‘This is a wicked generation because it looks for a sign. However, no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be [a sign] to this generation."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "‘The Queen of the South will be raised in the Judgment, With the men of this generation and condemn it, For she came from the ends of the earth, to hear Solomon’s wisdom. But look; Something more than Solomon is here!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "‘Men of Nineveh will be raised in the Judgment, With this generation and condemn it, For they repented at the things preached by Jonah. But look; Something more than Jonah is here!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "‘No one lights a lamp and then hides it, Or puts it under a basket. They set it up on a lampstand, So people can see where they’re going."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "34", "text": "‘The lamp of your body is your eye, And when your eye is kept simple, Your whole body will be bright. But when it is wicked your whole body is dark."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "35", "text": "‘So, be careful that the light within you isn’t darkness,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "36", "text": "For, if your whole body is bright (with absolutely no dark parts), It will be a bright lamp That shines to light up your way.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "37", "text": "After he said this, a Pharisee asked [Jesus] to eat with him, so he went in and reclined at the table."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "38", "text": "Well, the Pharisee was surprised to see that he didn’t wash up before dinner."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "39", "text": "But the Lord told him: ‘You Pharisees like to wash the outsides of dishes and cups, while wickedness and stolen things are on their insides."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "40", "text": "Unreasonable people; Didn’t He who made the outsides also make the insides?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "41", "text": "But if you give gifts to the needy, then {Look!} everything about you is clean… not just what you are on the outside."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "42", "text": "‘However; Woe to you Pharisees, for you offer your mint and your rue, along with your vegetables when you tithe, yet you overlook justice and love of God… you do all that you’re obliged to do, as you bypass all the rest."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "43", "text": "‘Woe to you Pharisees; For you love the synagogue’s front seats, and all the greetings in the markets."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "44", "text": "Yes, woe to you; For you are like hidden graves, which men unwittingly walk on.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "45", "text": "In answer, one who was trained in the Law said, ‘Teacher; When you say things like this you’re insulting us!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "46", "text": "Then [Jesus] said: ‘Woe also to you who are trained in the Law, For you pile loads upon men, So high that they cannot be carried; But you wouldn’t touch them with your [little] finger!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "47", "text": "‘Yes, woe to you; for you build tombs for the Prophets, Who were killed by your fathers!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "48", "text": "[So against yourselves] you bear witness, For you approve of the things your ancestors did, When they killed the very same Prophets… those whose tombs you are building."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "49", "text": "‘It’s because of this, that thus says the Wisdom of God: I will send them Apostles and Prophets; They’ll persecute some and kill others,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "50", "text": "So that all the blood of all of the Prophets, That’s been spilled since the founding of the world, Will be laid upon this generation…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "51", "text": "From the blood of Abel to the blood of ZechariJah, Who was murdered between the [Temple] and Altar. Yes, I tell you: Upon this generation It will all be required."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "52", "text": "‘Woe to you who are trained in the Law, For you’ve picked up the key to [great] knowledge, Yet you’ve failed to enter [the door]; Then you block the way for those who are trying to enter!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "53", "text": "Then he left that place. And the scribes and Pharisees tried hard to pin him down, constantly asking him questions about things,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 11, "verse": "54", "text": "lying in wait and trying to catch him in something he might say."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "A crowd had gathered, and there were so many thousands there that they were literally stepping on each other. Then [Jesus warned] his disciples, ‘Watch out for the fermentation of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "There’s nothing hidden that will not be shown, And no secret that will not be known."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "So the things that you say in the darkness, Will be all heard in the light; And what you whisper inside private rooms, Will be preached from the housetops."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "‘I tell you this, my friends; Don’t fear those who kill the body, but can do nothing more than just that."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "Let me show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who after the killing, has authority to throw you into the garbage… fear Him!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "‘Five sparrows sell for just two small coins… don’t they? Yet, in the eyes of God they’re never forgotten."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, even the hairs of your heads are all counted. So don’t be afraid; for you’re worth more than many sparrows."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "‘I tell you this: For all who’ll admit before men, that they are united with me, the Son of Man will also admit, unity with him before the messengers of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "But, whoever before men denies knowing me, will be denied before the messengers of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "‘Those who speak a word against the Son of Man, will be forgiven [whatever they’ve said], but those who blaspheme [God’s] Holy Breath… they will not be forgiven."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "‘When they bring you up before synagogues, or authorities and government officials, don’t worry about what you must do; or what you will say in defense,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "for you will be taught what to say, by [God’s] Holy Breath at that time.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "Then, someone in the crowd said, ‘Teacher; Tell my brother to share his inheritance with me!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "And [Jesus] asked, ‘Man; Who appointed me as the judge, or arbitrator between you?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "Then he said, ‘Keep your eyes open and guard against greed, for life doesn’t come from owning many things.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "And then he gave them this illustration: ‘The fields of a certain rich man produced [a good harvest]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "So he started to think to himself; What shall I do now, for there’s not enough room to store all my crops?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "And he said, Ah, I will do this: I’ll tear down my barns and build larger, and that’s where I’ll put all my wheat, as well as my other good things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "Then I will say to myself: Self, you have many good things, saved up [to last] many years. So now you can just take it easy… eat, drink, and enjoy!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "But God said: O foolish man; tonight they’re demanding your life; so who will these things then belong to?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "‘And that’s what happens to a man, who stores away treasures for himself, but fails to gain riches with God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "Then he told his disciples, ‘This is why I have told you, not worry about your lives… about what you will eat, or about your bodies and what you will wear."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "For, your life is worth more than food, and your body’s worth [more] than [your] clothes."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "The ravens don’t plant seeds or harvest, so they have no barns or storage sheds… because by God they are fed. And how much more are you worth than just birds?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "Who through worry adds a smidgen to his life?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "26", "text": "So if [worry] is unable fix little things, then why be concerned about all the rest?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "27", "text": "‘Alco notice how lilies grow, for they don’t work or make cloth. But I tell you that not Solomon in all his glory, was dressed as [well as] one of these."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "28", "text": "So, if God so well clothes the vegetation in the fields, that are here today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, how much more would He rather clothe you… you with so little faith!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "29", "text": "‘So, stop searching for something to eat and to drink, and don’t wonder about what you must do,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "30", "text": "for these are the things that the nations chase after. Why, your Father knows that you need all these things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "31", "text": "So, just Keep seeking His Kingdom, and you’ll receive all the rest."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "32", "text": "‘Don’t be afraid, little flock, for your Father has agreed to give you the Kingdom."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "33", "text": "So sell the things that you own, and give to those who’re in need. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out… never-failing treasures in the heavens, where there are no thieves or moths to consume it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "34", "text": "For, where your treasures may be, there your hearts will be also."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "35", "text": "‘So, wrap on your sashes and light your lamps,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "36", "text": "and act like men who’re awaiting the return, of their master from his wedding; so that when he arrives and starts knocking, they can open [the doors] right away."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "37", "text": "‘For blest are those slaves who are watching, when their master arrives! I tell you the truth; He will put on his apron, and make them recline at the table, and then he’ll come and serve them!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "38", "text": "If in the second watch he should arrive, or even if it’s during the third, they’ll be blest if they’re found doing this!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "39", "text": "‘Recognize this: If the master of the house would have known, [the time] when the thief would be coming, he would have been keeping watch, and not allowed his house to be broken into."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "40", "text": "So you too… keep ready! For the Son of Man will be coming, at an hour you consider unlikely.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "41", "text": "Then Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you giving this illustration to just us, or to everyone?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "42", "text": "And the Lord said, ‘Who is the faithful manager of the house… the sensible one who’s been assigned by his master, over all of his faithful friends, and to provide their food at the right time?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "43", "text": "For this slave will be blest if he’s found doing so, when his master arrives!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "44", "text": "I tell you the truth… he will put him in charge of all that he owns!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "45", "text": "But if that slave should say in his heart, My master’s delayed in returning, and starts beating those male and female servants, then he feasts, and drinks, and gets drunk;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "46", "text": "that slave’s master will arrive on a day and an hour, that he has not been expected, and he’ll whip him and assign him among the unfaithful."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "47", "text": "‘The slave who knows what his master expects, and doesn’t prepare or do what he wants, will be lashed with a whip many times."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "48", "text": "But those who don’t understand, and do things for which they deserve to be whipped, will be beaten with [just a] few [strokes]. For, from those given much, much is expected. And of those put in charge over much, much is also required.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "49", "text": "‘I came to start a fire on the earth, so what more could I wish for, than to see it already lit?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "50", "text": "So, I have a baptism that I must endure, and I’m under heavy pressure ‘til the day it’s completed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "51", "text": "‘Did you think that I came to bring peace to the earth? I tell you; No! Rather, I came to bring a division!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "52", "text": "For from now on there’ll be five in a house, who are divided three against two, and two against three."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "53", "text": "A Father will be divided against his own son, and a son [will be] against his own father; a mother [will be] against her own daughter, and a daughter [will be] against her own mother… mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "54", "text": "Then he told the crowd, ‘When you see a cloud arising in the west, you say that a storm is now coming… and that’s what happens."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "55", "text": "Then, when the wind blows from the south, you say that there’ll be a heat wave… and it happens."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "56", "text": "Hypocrites! You know how to read the earth and the sky, so why can’t you read the [signs of the] times?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "57", "text": "‘Also; Why don’t you judge what’s righteous for yourselves?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "58", "text": "For example: When you take a case before a ruler, try to solve the problem along the way, so he doesn’t drag you before a judge, who will hand you over to the bailiff, who will then throw you in jail."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 12, "verse": "59", "text": "I tell you; You will not then get out, until you’ve paid your last cent.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "At the time, some who were there told him [the story] about certain Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "Then [Jesus] asked, ‘Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered these things?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "No! I tell you that: If you do not repent, you too will all be destroyed!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "Or those eighteen that the tower at Siloam fell on and killed; Do you think they were worse sinners than everyone else who lives in Jerusalem?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "No! I tell you that: If you do not repent, you’ll all be destroyed that same way!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "Then he gave this illustration, ‘A man had a fig tree in his vineyard; and when he came looking for fruit, he failed to find any there."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he said to the person who cared for the vineyard, For three years I’ve come looking for fruit on this tree, and so far I have found none… so, cut it down, for why should it waste all this space?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "‘But [the vinedresser] replied, Master; Leave it alone for just one more year, while I cultivate it and add fertilizer."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, if it produces fruit in the future… but if not, I’ll cut it down.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "where {Look!} there was a woman who had been very weak for eighteen years. She was bent over double and was unable to straighten herself."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "And when he saw this, Jesus called her and said, ‘Woman, you’re now free from this weakness.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "Then he laid his hands on her and she straightened up instantly and started glorifying God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "But the chief of the synagogue resented this, because Jesus performed the cure on the Sabbath. So he told the crowd, ‘There are SIX DAYS when work should be done. Come to be cured on THOSE DAYS, not on the Sabbath!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "However, the Lord answered: ‘Hypocrites, don’t you untie your bulls or burros from their stalls and lead them out to drink on the Sabbath?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "Why, this is a daughter of Abraham, and the Opposer has held her tied {Look!} for some eighteen years! Wasn’t it appropriate for her to be untied from this type of bondage on the Sabbath?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, after he said that, all who opposed him were ashamed, while the crowd started to rejoice over all the glorious things he did."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "Then he went on to say: ‘What will the Kingdom of God be like… To what can it be compared?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "19", "text": "It’s like the seed of a mustard [plant], That a man planted in his garden, Which grew and became like a tree, Where birds of the sky roosted its branches.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "20", "text": "And once again, he said: ‘To what should I compare the Kingdom of God?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "21", "text": "It’s like fermentation that was hidden by a woman Inside three large measures of flour, Until the mass rose and was filled with fermentation.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, he traveled through city after city and village after village teaching, as he continued on his way to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "23", "text": "Then someone asked: ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ And he said to them:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Struggle to get through the narrow door, for I tell you that many will try to get in, but they just won’t have enough strength."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "25", "text": "Then after the master gets up and locks the door; if you’re standing outside and start knocking and shouting, Lord, open to us, he’ll say: I don’t know where you’re from!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "26", "text": "‘Then you’ll say: Why, we ate and drank before you, and you taught us in our main streets."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "27", "text": "‘But he’ll reply: I don’t know where you’re from. Go away… you who do unrighteous things!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "28", "text": "‘This is where there’ll be crying and the grinding of teeth: When you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you have been thrown on the outside."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "29", "text": "They’ll come from the east, west, north, and the south, and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "30", "text": "However; {Look!} Those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "31", "text": "Well it was in that very hour that some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘You’d better get out of here and go, because Herod wants to kill you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "32", "text": "But he replied, ‘Go tell that old fox: {Look!} I’m casting out demons and healing today and tomorrow, and I’ll be finished on the following day."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "33", "text": "However, I’ll travel on today, tomorrow, and the next day, because destroying a Prophet outside of Jerusalem isn’t allowed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "34", "text": "‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you killer of Prophets, And stoner of those sent to you; How often I wanted to gather your children, As a hen takes chicks under her wings… But that isn’t the thing that you wanted."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 13, "verse": "35", "text": "‘Look! Your house has been taken from you! And I tell you that you will not see me again, Until you [finally] say: Praise he who comes in the Name of the Lord!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "There was a time when [Jesus] went to eat a meal at the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath… and they were all watching him very closely."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "Then {Look!} a man came to him who had [a fluid-buildup condition called] dropsy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "So Jesus asked those who had studied the Law and the Pharisees, ‘Is it legal to cure on the Sabbath or not?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "But they wouldn’t answer. So he took hold of [the man], healed him, and then sent him on."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "And thereafter he asked, ‘If your son or your bull were to fall into a well on the Sabbath, which of you wouldn’t immediately pull him out?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "And they were unable to come up with a reply."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "Then, after noticing how the guests were choosing the best spots at the table, he gave them this illustration:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "‘When someone invites you to a wedding banquet, Don’t recline in the best places. For, if someone more honored has been invited,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "He who invited will come and tell you, Let this man sit in that spot… You’ll be shamed and must go to the very least place."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "‘So, whenever you are invited, Go and recline in the very last place. And when he who invited you then arrives, he will say: Friend; [Please] choose a spot that is better! Then you will be honored before all of the guests."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "So, those promoting themselves will be humbled, And those who are humble will be promoted.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "Then he said to the man who invited him: ‘When you spread a dinner or a supper, Don’t call your friends and your brothers, Or relatives or your rich neighbors, For you’ll be repaid, if they then invite you in return."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "‘But, whenever you hold a banquet, Invite the poor and the crippled, As well as the lame and the blind."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "Then you will be blest, For they have nothing with which to repay you, And in the resurrection of the righteous you’ll be repaid.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "Well, when one of the guests heard this, he said to [Jesus], ‘Those who eat bread in the Kingdom of God are blest!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "And [Jesus] replied, ‘There was a man who prepared a large supper, And he invited many to eat it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "So he sent out his slave when the supper was ready, To tell all those who were invited, Come on, for all is now ready!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "‘But, then they all started excusing themselves. Said the first one: I must go to look at a field that I bought. Please have me excused."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "‘And another said this: I bought five pairs of bulls, And I must now go to look them over. Please have me excused."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Still another said, I have just gotten married, So I’m unable to come now."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Well, when the slave returned and reported these things to his master, The master of the house became angry, And this is what he told his slave: Go quickly to the city’s main streets and alleys, And bring the poor and the crippled, As well as the blind and the lame."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "‘And later, the slave told his master: I’ve done all that you ordered, but there is still plenty of room!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "‘So, the master then told him: Go out to the roads and backyards, And make them come so my house will be filled!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "24", "text": "For I tell you that none of those I invited, Will have a taste of my supper.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, there was a large crowd traveling with him. So he turned and said to them,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "26", "text": "‘Unless those who come to me care less for their fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, and sisters – yes even for their own lives – they cannot become my disciples,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "27", "text": "nor can anyone follow me who won’t carry this own impaling pole."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Which of you who wants to build a tower, Wouldn’t first sit down to calculate the costs, So you’ll have enough to finish [the job]?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "29", "text": "For, you might just lay the foundation, Then be unable to complete it, And all who see it will then make fun,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "30", "text": "saying: This man started the job, but he just couldn’t complete it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "31", "text": "‘Or, what king, when he’s marching against another, Doesn’t first sit down and ask his advisors, If his ten thousand troops can possibly beat The one who comes with twenty thousand?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "32", "text": "‘And if he’s unable to do that; While [his enemy] is still far away, He’ll send his ambassadors to sue for peace."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "33", "text": "‘So, you must be sure! For none who refuse to give all they own, qualifies to be my disciple!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Salt is good; but if salt should lose its flavor, what value will it have as a seasoning?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 14, "verse": "35", "text": "It’ll be no good for soil or manure, so people will throw it away… let him who has ears to hear, listen!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, all the tax collectors and sinners kept coming to [Jesus] to listen to him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "And as the result, the Pharisees and scribes were mumbling, ‘This man welcomes sinners and even eats with them!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "So he gave them this illustration:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "‘Which of you who has a hundred sheep, And then loses just one, Wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the open range, And search for the lost one until it is found?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "And when he finds it he rejoices, and lifts it up on his shoulders,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors (to say:) Rejoice with me, for I’ve found my sheep that was lost."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "‘So I tell you: There is more rejoicing in heaven, Over just one sinner who repents, Than over ninety-nine of the righteous, Who have no need of repentance."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "‘Or when a woman with ten silver coins, Finds that she has lost one, She lights a lamp and carefully sweeps her whole house… She searches until she has found it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "And when she finds it, she calls for all her friends and neighbors (to say:) Rejoice with me, for I’ve found the silver coin that I lost."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "‘So I tell you; There’s joy among the messengers of God Over each sinner who repents.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "Then he said, ‘There was a man who had two sons."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "The youngest of them told his father, Father, give me my share of the inheritance. So he divided with him what he had."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "And it wasn’t many days later, that the younger son collected his things, and traveled to a far away land, where he squandered all that he had."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "‘Well, after he’d spent [all his money], a famine came to that land, and his situation became quite desperate."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "So, he went to work for a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to herd pigs."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "Why, he even wished to eat the carob pods, that he was feeding to those pigs, because no one would give him anything at all."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Then, when he came to his senses, he asked ofhimself, How many of my father’s hired hands have much bread, while here I’m about to die from a famine?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "So I’ll get up and travel to my father and tell him: Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "I’m no longer worthy to be called your son, so make me just one of your hired hands."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Then he got up and returned to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way [from home], his father saw him and felt pity. Then he ran and fell on his neck, and he tenderly kissed him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "And the son said: Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and you. I’m no longer worthy of being called your son, so make me one of your hired hands."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "‘But the father then told his slaves: Quick! Bring out a robe and put it upon him… bring the very best on; put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "Then bring the wheat-fed calf in and kill it, and let’s have [a feast] and enjoy ourselves!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "For, my son who was dead is alive! He was lost and now he is found! ‘So, then they started to celebrate."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Now, the older son was out in the fields, and as he was returning and got near the house, he heard [the sounds] of and dancing and a band."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "So he called to one of the servants and asked, What is going on here?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "‘And [the servant] answered: Its because your brother has returned, that your father slaughtered the wheat-fed calf, for he’s returned in good health."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Then [the son] became angry and refused to return. So his father came out to beg him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "29", "text": "But this is what he told his father: I’ve slaved for you all of these years, and I’ve never once broken your rules. However, you’ve not given me just a young goat, to enjoy with all of my friends."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "30", "text": "Then as soon as your son arrives, who spent all he had upon whores, for him you slaughtered the wheat-fed calf!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "31", "text": "‘But [the father] replied: Child, with me you’ve always stayed, and all that I have is yours."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 15, "verse": "32", "text": "But, we had to celebrate and rejoice, because your brother who was once dead, has now come back to life… he who was lost is now found!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "Then [Jesus] went on to tell his disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a house manager, who was falsely accused of mishandling his things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "So [the rich man] called him and asked, What are these things that I’m hearing about you? Turn in your things; you’re no longer the manager [of my] house!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "‘Then the [man] thought to himself, Now, what should I do, since my master is taking away my position? I don’t have the strength to go digging, and I’m too ashamed to go begging."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "Ah! I know what I’ll do when I lose my job… something to cause people to welcome me into their homes!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "‘So, he called in all who owed debts to his master, and then he asked the first one: How much do you owe my master?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "‘He replied, Nine hundred gallons of olive oil. ‘Then he told him, Here, take your contract; sit down and quickly write four hundred-fifty."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "‘He also asked the next, And how much do you owe? ‘And he replied, Thirty-six thousand quarts of wheat. ‘Then he told him, Take your contract; write twenty-nine thousand."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "‘Well, although he was unrighteous, his master spoke in praise of [that man], for he showed very good sense. You see; The sons of this age have more sense, when it comes to dealing with this generation, than do the sons of the light."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "‘So I’m telling you all to make friends for yourselves, with the unrighteous wealth [of this world], so when all else will have failed, they’ll welcome you into their tents through the ages."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "‘The one who is faithful in small things, is also faithful in much; while the one who’s unrighteous in small things, is also unrighteous in much."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "‘So, if you’ve not proven faithful, with the unrighteous wealth [of this world], who will entrust you with true things?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "And if you haven’t proven yourselves faithful, with things that belong to another, which of us will give you what’s ours?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "‘No servant of a house can slave for two masters; he’ll dislike the one and love the other, or he’ll stick to the one and despise the other. So you can’t slave for God and for wealth.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "Now, the Pharisees (who loved silver) were listening to these things, and they were looking at him with contempt."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "So he said to them: ‘You claim to be righteous before men, But God knows [what’s in] your hearts. For things that are important to men, In the eyes of God are disgusting."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "‘Until John there was the Law and the Prophets. But since then; the Kingdom of God is good news, And all are trying to squeeze in it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "But it’s easier for heaven and earth to pass away, Than for a piece of a letter of the Law, To go unfulfilled."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "‘So, he who divorces his wife, And marries another commits adultery. And he who marries a divorced woman, Is also [guilty] of adultery."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "‘A rich man once dressed in purple and linen, And he indulged himself in luxury each day."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "And there was a poor man named Lazarus, Who used to be put at his gate. ‘He was covered with sores,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "And wanted to eat of the things, That were dropped from the table of the rich man… And dogs came to lick all his sores."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "22", "text": "‘The poor man eventually died, And [God’s] messengers carried him off To Abraham’s favored position. ‘Then the rich man died and also was buried."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "23", "text": "And from his grave he raised his eyes, And in his torment, he saw Abraham off in the distance, And Lazarus lying before him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "24", "text": "‘So, [the rich man] called out and said, Father Abraham; [Please] have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger, In water to cool off my tongue, For I am in pain in these flames!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "25", "text": "‘But Abraham replied: Child; Remember that you had all the good things in life, But Lazarus [received just] the bad things. Now he is here [receiving my] comfort, While you are there in [great] pain."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "26", "text": "‘An abyss has been placed between us, So those who are here can’t go there, Nor can people cross from there over to us."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "27", "text": "‘So, he said: Then I ask you: Please father, Send him to the house of my father,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "28", "text": "Because I have five other brothers… Give a thorough witness to them, So they don’t end in this tormenting place."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "29", "text": "‘But Abraham said: They have Moses and the Prophets. [Your brothers] should listen to them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "30", "text": "‘Then he said: No indeed, father Abraham; For if someone from the dead should come they’d repent."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 16, "verse": "31", "text": "‘But he replied: If they won’t listen to the Prophets or Moses, They still will not be persuaded, Even if someone arises from the dead.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he said to his disciples, ‘It’s unavoidable that traps will be set. However, woe to those who set them!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "2", "text": "It would be better if a millstone were hung ‘round his neck, and he was thrown into the sea, than to stumble one of these least ones."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "3", "text": "So, pay attention to yourselves. ‘If your brother should ever sin [against you], go to him and discuss it; then if he repents, forgive him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "4", "text": "And even if he sins seven times each day; if he returns seven times to say I repent, then you should forgive him.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "5", "text": "And at that, the Apostles said to the Lord, ‘Give us more faith.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "6", "text": "And the Lord answered, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, You could say to this mulberry tree, Pull out of the ground, and then plant yourself in the sea; It would likely obey you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Which of you who has a slave, Who after he’s been plowing or tending a flock, Would tell him when he returns, Come right over here and recline at the table?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "8", "text": "It’s more likely that you’d tell him: Prepare my supper, then put on an apron and serve me, Until I’ve finished eating and drinking, Then you can get food and drink for yourself."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "9", "text": "‘You won’t be grateful to the slave, Because he did the things he’s assigned… Will you?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "10", "text": "So you too… after you’ve done all you were assigned, say: We are just worthless slaves… We just did what we should have done.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, as [Jesus] was on his way to Jerusalem, he traveled through the midst of Samaria and then into Galilee."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "12", "text": "And as he entered a certain village, ten men with leprosy stood up some distance away"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "13", "text": "and shouted, ‘Jesus! Instructor! Have mercy on us!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "14", "text": "And when [Jesus] saw them, he said, ‘Go and present yourselves to the Priests.’ Then, as they were leaving, they were [each] made clean."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "15", "text": "However, one of them, when he realized that he had been healed, came back glorifying God in a loud voice."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "16", "text": "Then he fell to his face [at Jesus’] feet, thanking him (and this one was a Samaritan)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "17", "text": "So Jesus asked, ‘Weren’t there ten [men] who were cleansed? So, where then are the other nine?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "18", "text": "Was this man who’s of another race, The only one who came back, in order to glorify God?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "19", "text": "Then he told him, ‘Get up and go, for your faith has saved you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, thereafter the Pharisees asked [Jesus] when the Kingdom of God was coming. And he answered, ‘The coming of the Kingdom of God, Won’t be easily noticed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "21", "text": "People won’t say Look, it’s here or it’s there, But {Look!} the Kingdom of God is in your midst!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "22", "text": "Then he said to the disciples: ‘The time will come when you’ll wish you could see, Just one of those days of the Son of Man, But then you’ll not be able to see it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "23", "text": "‘People will say, Look here or See there! But do not go out or chase them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "24", "text": "For the Son of Man will be like the lightning, That flashes from part of the sky to the other."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "25", "text": "But [first] he must suffer many things, And be rejected by this generation."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "26", "text": "‘For, just as it happened in the days of Noah, Is how it will be in the Son of Man’s day."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "27", "text": "They were eating, drinking, marrying and being married, ‘Til the day that Noah entered the chest, And the Downpour came, bringing destruction on all."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "28", "text": "‘And the same thing happened in Lot’s day; They were eating, and drinking, Buying, selling, planting, and building,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "29", "text": "To the day that Lot [fled from] Sodom. Then fire and sulfur rained from the sky, Bringing destruction on all."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "30", "text": "That is how it will be on the day, When the Son of Man is revealed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "31", "text": "‘On that day, the man on his roof Must not go down into his house, To retrieve the things that he owns. And the man who’s out in the field, Shouldn’t return for the things that he left behind."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "32", "text": "For, remember [what happened to] Lot’s wife."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "33", "text": "‘Those saving their lives will then lose it, But those who’d lose it will come back to life."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "34", "text": "‘I tell you; In that night there’ll be two in one bed; One will be taken, and the other will be left behind."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "35", "text": "Two will be grinding at one mill; One will be taken and the other left behind.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "36", "text": "––"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 17, "verse": "37", "text": "So they asked him, ‘Where [will this happen] Lord?’ And he answered, ‘The vultures will gather at the carcass.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he gave them an illustration to show why they should keep praying and not give up."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "2", "text": "He said: ‘There was a judge in a city with no fear of God, And could not be shamed before men."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "3", "text": "‘But a widow in that city kept coming to him, saying: I want justice from the person I [sued in your] court."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "4", "text": "‘Well, at first he did nothing at all, But thereafter he started to think: Although I do not fear God, Nor can I be shamed by any man;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "5", "text": "Since this widow keeps coming and creating more work, I’ll be sure that she receives justice, So she doesn’t pester me to death.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "6", "text": "Then the Lord concluded: ‘Listen to what this unrighteous judge said!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "7", "text": "Won’t God who is patient give justice, To His elected who call to Him day and night?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "8", "text": "I tell you: He will bring speedy justice! But when the Son of Man gets here, Will he find the faith on earth?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "9", "text": "Then he told this illustration to some who trusted in themselves, believing they were righteous and that everyone else was nothing:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "10", "text": "‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray; A Pharisee and a collector of taxes."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "11", "text": "The Pharisee stood up and started to say, These things about himself in his prayer: O God; I thank you, for I’m not like the rest, Who are robbers, unrighteous, and adulterers… Or like that [man] who collects the tax."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "12", "text": "I fast twice every week, And contribute a tenth of all that I get."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "13", "text": "‘But the tax collector (who was standing at some distance), wouldn’t raise his eyes up toward heaven. He kept beating himself and saying: O God, don’t be angry with this sinner."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "14", "text": "‘I tell you; This man returned home the more righteous, For those promoting themselves will be humbled, And the humble will be promoted.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, people started to bring their young children for [Jesus] to touch them. But when the disciples saw it they scolded them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "16", "text": "However, Jesus called [the children] to him saying, ‘Let the young children come to me. Don’t try to stop them, because, the Kingdom of God is for people like this."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "17", "text": "I tell you the truth; Whoever doesn’t welcome the Kingdom of God like a child, will not enter it at all.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "18", "text": "Then a certain ruler asked him, ‘Good teacher; What do I have to do to inherit life in the age?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "19", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘Why do you call me good? Nobody is good except One… God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "20", "text": "You know the Commandments: Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t provide false testimony, honor your father and mother.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "21", "text": "Then [the ruler] said, ‘I’ve guarded these [things] since I was young.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "22", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘But there’s still one thing that you lack. Sell all you have and give to the poor, and you’ll have treasures in heaven. Then come be my follower.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "23", "text": "Well, when he heard this, [the ruler] became very sad, because he was extremely rich."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "24", "text": "So Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it will be for those who have money, To make their way to the Kingdom of God!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "25", "text": "In fact; It would be easier to put a rope, Through the eye of a needle, Than for a rich man to enter God’s Kingdom.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "26", "text": "Then those who heard this asked, ‘So then; Who can possibly be saved?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "27", "text": "And he answered, ‘Things that are impossible for men are possible with God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "28", "text": "But Peter said, ‘Look, we’ve left everything and followed you!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "29", "text": "And [Jesus] said to them, ‘I tell you the truth; There is no one who has left a house, or a wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "30", "text": "who won’t receive many times more in this period of time, and life in the age in the era that’s coming.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "31", "text": "Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘Look! We’re going up to Jerusalem and everything that the Prophets wrote about the Son of Man will now be fulfilled."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "32", "text": "He’ll be handed over to the nations and made fun of; he’ll be treated shamefully and spit on;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "33", "text": "and after flaying him with a whip, they will kill him. But, then on the third day he’ll be resurrected.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "34", "text": "However, they just didn’t get the meaning of any of these things, because what he said was hidden from them and they couldn’t understand it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "35", "text": "Now, as he was approaching Jericho, there was a blind man who was sitting alongside the road begging."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "36", "text": "And as he heard a crowd moving past, he asked what was happening."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "37", "text": "And they replied, ‘Jesus the Nazarene is coming!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "38", "text": "Well with that he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "39", "text": "And those who were walking ahead warned him to keep quiet. But he just shouted louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "40", "text": "Then Jesus stopped and gave orders to have him brought over. And when he got there, [Jesus] asked,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "41", "text": "‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And he answered, ‘Lord, let me see again!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "42", "text": "So Jesus said, ‘Then, see again… for your faith has saved you.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 18, "verse": "43", "text": "And instantly his sight returned and he started following [Jesus], glorifying God. The people also praised God when they saw this."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "1", "text": "Thereafter, [Jesus] started traveling through Jericho."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "2", "text": "And {Look!} there was a rich man called ZacChaeus, who was the chief tax collector,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "3", "text": "and he wanted to see who this Jesus was, but he couldn’t, due to the crowd, because he was too short."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "4", "text": "So he ran ahead and climbed a fig-mulberry tree to see him, because that’s the direction [Jesus] was headed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, when Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and said, ‘ZacChaeus, hurry and get down from there, because I’ll be staying at your house today.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "6", "text": "So he hurried and got down, rejoicing that he could welcome him as his guest."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "7", "text": "But when [the crowds] saw this, they all started grumbling, ‘He’s going to spend the night at the home of a man who’s a sinner!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "8", "text": "But ZacChaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Lord, I will give half of my belongings to the poor; and whatever I got from anyone by extortion and false accusations, I’ll repay four times over.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "9", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Today salvation has come to this house! [You see], he’s also is a son of Abraham."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "10", "text": "For the Son of Man came to search for and to save what was lost.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, while they were listening to these things, he told them another illustration, because he was getting close to Jerusalem, and they all thought that the Kingdom of God was about to happen instantly."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "12", "text": "So he said: ‘A certain man of noble birth, Traveled to a far-away land, To be appointed as king. And [before he left]"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "13", "text": "he called ten of his slaves, And gave them each a large silver coin, And he told them: Do business [with this] until I return."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "14", "text": "‘However, He was hated by some of his subjects, Who sent a group of ambassadors to say, We don’t want him to rule over us!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Well, when he returned (after being appointed as king), He summoned the slaves to whom he’d entrusted the silver, To find how much they had gained."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "16", "text": "‘So, the first came forward and said, Lord, your coin has earned ten silver coins."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "17", "text": "‘So, he said: Well-done good, [faithful] slave! And because you proved faithful in small things, I appoint you over ten cities."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Then the second [slave] came and said, Lord, your coin earned five silver coins."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "19", "text": "So he told this one: You’ll be over five cities."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "20", "text": "‘But the other came up and said: Lord here’s the silver coin [that you gave me], For I wrapped in a bandanna…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "21", "text": "I was afraid, for you’re a harsh man, Who picks up what he hasn’t put down, And harvests where he doesn’t plant."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "22", "text": "‘Then [the master] replied: O wicked slave; I judge you from [the words that came] from your mouth, For, you knew that I’m a harsh man, Who picks up what he doesn’t put down, And harvests what he doesn’t plant?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "23", "text": "Then why didn’t you put my coin in a bank, And when I returned I’d have collected it with interest?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "24", "text": "‘With that, he said to those standing by: Take the coin and give it to the one who has ten!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "25", "text": "‘And they said: But Lord, he already has ten!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "26", "text": "‘I tell you this: More will be given to all those who have, But, what they have will be taken from hose who don’t have."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "27", "text": "Now, bring here those enemies of mine… Those who didn’t want me as king, And slaughter them all here before me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "28", "text": "So, after he said these things, he started leading the way on his trip up to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "29", "text": "And when he got close to BethPhage and BethAny, to the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples ahead,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "30", "text": "saying, ‘Go to that village opposite us, and when you enter, you’ll find a colt tied that no one has ridden before. Untie it and bring it here."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "31", "text": "And if anyone asks why you’re untying it, just tell him that the Lord needs it.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "32", "text": "So, those who were sent ahead found things just as he said they would be."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "33", "text": "And as they were untying the colt, the owners asked, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "34", "text": "And they replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "35", "text": "Then they led it to Jesus, threw their robes over the colt, and set Jesus on [top of it]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "36", "text": "And as he traveled along, they kept spreading their robes over the road."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "37", "text": "Then, as soon as he got near the road that comes down the Mount of Olives [into Jerusalem], the huge crowds of disciples started rejoicing and praising God, shouting about all the powerful things they had seen,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "38", "text": "saying, ‘Praise the one who comes as King in Jehovah’s Name! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest places!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "39", "text": "However, some of the Pharisees among the crowd came up and said, ‘Teacher, scold your disciples!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "40", "text": "But he answered, ‘I tell you that if they remained silent, these stones would be doing the shouting!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "41", "text": "And when he got close, he looked at the city and shed tears over it,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "42", "text": "saying: ‘If you knew this today, the things that lead to peace… But now they’ve been hidden from your eyes."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "43", "text": "For the days will arrive when your enemies will come, And build a fort of pointed stakes around you. They will completely surround you… Then they’ll come at you in force from all sides."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "44", "text": "They’ll toss you and your children to the ground, And they won’t leave a stone on a stone, Because you failed to recognize, The time of your being inspected.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "45", "text": "Then he went into the Temple and started throwing out the vendors,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "46", "text": "saying to them, ‘It’s written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you’ve made it a den of thieves!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "47", "text": "[After that], he taught in the Temple every day. But the Chief Priests, scribes, and prominent people were looking to destroy him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 19, "verse": "48", "text": "Yet, they couldn’t come up with anything, because all the people were staying and listening to him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "1", "text": "One day, while he was teaching the people in the Temple and preaching the good news, the Chief Priests, scribes, and elders came up"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "2", "text": "to him and asked, ‘Tell us; Where did you get the authority to do these things, and just who gave you that authority?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "3", "text": "So he replied, ‘Let me also ask you a question and you tell me:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "4", "text": "Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "5", "text": "Then they got together and reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, From heaven, he’ll ask, Then why didn’t you believe him?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "6", "text": "But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us; because they believe that John was a Prophet.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "7", "text": "So their reply that they didn’t know where it came from."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "8", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘Then I’m not telling you where I got the authority to do these things.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "9", "text": "Next, he told the people this illustration: ‘A man once planted a vineyard, And contracted it out to some farmers, Then he traveled abroad for a long time."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "10", "text": "‘Well when the [harvest] came due, He sent a slave to the farmers, To ask for some fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers then had him whipped, And sent him away empty-handed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Thereafter, [the man] did the same thing again… Sending a different slave. Him they whipped and dishonored, And sent him away empty-handed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "12", "text": "‘Then he sent a third one to them, Who they harmed and threw out."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "13", "text": "‘At this, the owner of the vineyard, Asked himself, What will I do? I’ll send my dearly-loved son. For I’m sure that they will respect him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "14", "text": "‘And when the farmers saw him, They talked it over and decided: This is the heir, so let’s kill him, So his inheritance will then become ours."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "15", "text": "So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. ‘So, what do you think the vineyard’s owner will do?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "16", "text": "He‘ll come and destroy those [bad] farmers, And entrust the vineyard to others.’ Well, when they heard this, the [Pharisees] said, ‘Never may that happen!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "17", "text": "But he looked at them and said, ‘Then, what is the meaning of the thing that was written, which says: The stone that the builders rejected, Became the [chief] cornerstone,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "18", "text": "And all who fall on that stone will be shattered, And all that it falls on will be smashed?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "19", "text": "Well, the scribes and Chief Priests looked for ways to grab him then, but they were afraid of the people. For they recognized that his illustration was talking about them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "20", "text": "And watching him closely, they sent men pretending to be righteous to trick him into saying something that would give them a reason to turn him over to the government and the power of the governor."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "21", "text": "So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is right. And you aren’t swayed by a man’s appearance. You truthfully teach the way of God."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "22", "text": "So, should we pay taxes to Caesar or not?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "23", "text": "Well, recognizing what they were up to, he said,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Show me a coin… Whose image and inscription is upon it?’ And they said, ‘Caesar’s.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "25", "text": "Then he answered, ‘Well now; Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but [pay] Gods things to God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "26", "text": "So, they weren’t able to catch him in anything that he said in front of the people. They were just amazed by his answers and said nothing."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "27", "text": "However, some of the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came up and asked,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Teacher; Moses wrote that if a man’s brother dies leaving his wife childless, his brother should take the brother’s wife and sire offspring for him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "29", "text": "Now, let’s say there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died childless."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "30", "text": "So the second, and"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "31", "text": "then the third took her, and the same thing happened to all seven. They all died without children."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "32", "text": "Finally, the woman also died."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "33", "text": "So, whose wife will she be in the resurrection, since all seven had her as his wife?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "34", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘The sons of this age marry and are married,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "35", "text": "but those who have been found worthy of that age and the resurrection from the dead don’t marry, nor do they get married."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "36", "text": "And they can’t die anymore, for they are equal to [God’s] messengers, and they are the sons of God, because they are sons of the resurrection."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Why, even Moses showed that the dead will be raised. For when [he was] at the thorn bush, he called Jehovah the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "38", "text": "So He isn’t a God of the dead, but of the living, because they’re all living to Him.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "39", "text": "Then some of the scribes said, ‘Teacher that was a fine answer.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "40", "text": "But they didn’t have the courage to ask him anything more after that."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "41", "text": "So [Jesus] asked them, ‘Why do they say the Anointed One is David’s son?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "42", "text": "For David himself says in the book of Psalms, Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit at my right 43 until I put your enemies as a stool for your feet."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "44", "text": "So if David calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "45", "text": "And as all the people were listening, he said to the disciples:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "46", "text": "‘Watch out for the scribes who like to walk around in robes; to be greeted in the markets; to have the front seats in the synagogues, and the first places at suppers."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 20, "verse": "47", "text": "Then they swallow down the homes of the widows, and hide their intentions by saying long prayers. For these will receive a heavier judgment.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, as he looked up, he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the [Temple] treasury chests."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "2", "text": "Then he saw a poor widow drop in two small copper coins."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "3", "text": "And he said, ‘I tell you the truth; Although this widow is poor, she dropped in more than they all did."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "4", "text": "Because, they dropped in gifts from their surplus, but this person in need dropped in her whole means of living!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "5", "text": "Then, as certain ones were discussing the Temple – how fine its stonework was and how nicely it was adorned –"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "6", "text": "he said, ‘Do you see all these things? The days will come when there won’t be a stone on top of a stone here that won’t be thrown down.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "7", "text": "Then they asked him: ‘Teacher, when will these things happen, and what sign will there be when they are about to happen?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "8", "text": "And he said: ‘Watch out so that you aren’t misled, For many will come in my name; They will say I am he, And The time has arrived; But do not follow after them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "9", "text": "‘When you hear of wars and disorders, Do not then be in fear, Because such things must happen first. But the end doesn’t come right away.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "10", "text": "Then he told them: ‘Nation will rise against nation, And kingdom [will rise] against kingdom."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "11", "text": "There will be great natural disasters; There’ll be plagues and famines in many places, As well as fearful sights and great signs in the sky."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "12", "text": "‘But before that comes to be, People will grab you and persecute you, Then hand you over to the synagogues and prisons… Before kings and governors they will drag you, On account of my name."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "13", "text": "And this will serve as your sign!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "14", "text": "‘Resolve not to plan your defense,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "15", "text": "Since I’ll give you a mouth and the wisdom, Which no one who lies about you, Will be able to resist or contradict."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "16", "text": "‘But even your parents, and brothers… Your relatives and friends will betray you, And they will kill some of you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "17", "text": "All will dislike you because of my name."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "18", "text": "Yet, not a hair of your heads will be destroyed,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "19", "text": "Because; by your endurance you’ll gain your lives."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "20", "text": "‘When around Jerusalem you see armies camped, Know that her destruction is near."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "21", "text": "Then those in Judea should escape to the mountains; Those in her midst should then flee; And those in the [fields] must not enter her,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "22", "text": "Because those will be the days of vengeance, And for fulfilling all the things that were written."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Woe to those who are pregnant, And those nursing babies in those days, Because there will be great shortages in the land, As [God’s] rage is shown on these people."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "24", "text": "They will be cut down with swords, Or carried to the nations as captives. And Jerusalem will be trampled by the nations, Until the times of the nations are filled."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "25", "text": "‘There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And on the earth, the nations will be restless, And confused by the roaring and rolling of the sea,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "26", "text": "While men will be fainting from fear, And expecting the things that will happen on the earth. Because, the powers of the skies will be shaken."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "27", "text": "‘And then they will see the Son of Man coming, In a cloud with power and great glory."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "28", "text": "But as these things start to happen, Stand erect and lift your heads, Because your salvation is approaching.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "29", "text": "Then he gave them this illustration: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the other trees;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "30", "text": "For when they start putting out buds, You can see for yourselves that summer is near."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "31", "text": "Thus, when you see these things start to happen, Know that the Kingdom of God has approached."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "32", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; This generation will not pass away Until all these things are fulfilled…"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "33", "text": "The earth and sky will both pass away, But my words will not pass away!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "34", "text": "‘So pay attention to yourselves, That your hearts don’t get heavy from overeating, [Or with] heavy drinking and the worries of life, And that day comes instantly to catch you like a snare;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "35", "text": "For it will come upon all Who are sitting on the face of the earth."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "36", "text": "‘So, stay awake during that time, Begging for the strength to escape All the things that will happen, And before the Son of Man you can stand.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "37", "text": "Well, [Jesus] taught in the Temple throughout the day, and at night he would go and camp on the hill called the Mount of Olives."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 21, "verse": "38", "text": "Then all the people would come to the Temple early each morning to hear him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, the Festival of (the Passover) was getting near,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "2", "text": "and the Chief Priests and scribes were looking for a way to get rid of him, but they were afraid of the people."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the Opposer entered Judas (the one called IsCariot, who was one of the twelve),"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "4", "text": "so he went off and talked to the Chief Priests and [Temple] captains about ways to betray [Jesus] to them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "5", "text": "Well, they were delighted, and they agreed to pay him in silver coins,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "6", "text": "which he accepted. Then he started looking for opportunities to betray [Jesus] when there wasn’t a crowd around."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "7", "text": "Then the day of No Fermentation finally arrived when the Passover was to be sacrificed,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "8", "text": "so [Jesus] sent Peter and John ahead of him, saying, ‘Go get the Passover ready for us to eat.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "9", "text": "And they asked, ‘Where do you want us to prepare it?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "10", "text": "He answered, ‘{Look!} When you go into the city, a man carrying a clay jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "11", "text": "Then say to the master of the house, The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "12", "text": "And he will show you a large furnished upstairs room. Prepare it there.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "13", "text": "So they left and found things just as he said, and prepared the Passover."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "14", "text": "Then, when it was time, he reclined at the table with the Apostles."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "15", "text": "And he told them, ‘I really wanted to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "16", "text": "Because I say to you; I won’t eat it again until it’s fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "17", "text": "Then, accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and pass it among yourselves."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "18", "text": "Because I tell you; From now on I definitely won’t drink from the product of the vine again until the Kingdom of God has arrived.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "19", "text": "Then he took a loaf [of bread], gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them saying, ‘This is my body, which is being handed over for you. Keep doing this in memory of me.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "20", "text": "And he did the same thing with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the New Sacred Agreement of my blood, which is being poured out on your behalf."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "21", "text": "But look… the hand of my betrayer is with me here at the table!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "22", "text": "Because the Son (who is for a fact from men) is going the way that was marked out for him… yet woe to that man through whom he’s betrayed!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "23", "text": "So, they started trying to figure out among themselves which of them would really be the one who was going to do this."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "24", "text": "However, there was also an argument that broke out among them over which one seemed to be the greatest."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "25", "text": "So he said to them: ‘Kings of the nations act like masters, And the powerful wish to be called benefactors."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "26", "text": "But you should not be that way. The greatest should act like the youngest, And the one taking the lead as the servant."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "27", "text": "‘For, which is truly the greatest… He who reclines at the table, Or the one who does the serving? Isn’t it he who reclines at the table? Yet, I am the one who is acting As the servant among you."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "28", "text": "‘You’re those who stayed with me during my trials,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "29", "text": "So I’m making this promise to you, As my Father made a promise to me, for a Kingdom:"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "30", "text": "In my Kingdom, you’ll eat and drink at my table And upon thrones you will sit, To judge Israel’s twelve tribes."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "31", "text": "‘Simon, O Simon; Look! The Opposer has demanded to have you men, so [he can] sift you like wheat."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "32", "text": "But I’ve pleaded with [God] on your behalf, that your faith doesn’t give out, and that when you return you will strengthen your brothers.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "33", "text": "Then [Peter] said to him, ‘Lord, I’m ready to go with you to prison and to death!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "34", "text": "But he replied, ‘I tell you this Peter; A rooster won’t crow today until you’ve denied knowing me three times.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "35", "text": "Then he told them, ‘When I sent you out without a money bag, food pouch, or sandals, you didn’t need anything, did you?’ And they replied, ‘No!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "36", "text": "Then he said, ‘But now; Whoever has a moneybag must carry it along, as well as a pouch for his food. And those who don’t have a sword, should sell his cape and then buy one."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "37", "text": "I tell you this: What was written about me must now be fulfilled… And he was numbered among the criminals. So the thing that has been bothering me so much, is now about to be finished.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "38", "text": "Then they said, ‘Look, Lord; Here are two swords!’ And He said, ‘That’s enough.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "39", "text": "Well, he then left [the city], and went to the Mount of Olives as usual; and the disciples followed along."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "40", "text": "And when he got there, he told them, ‘Now, pray that you won’t be tempted.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "41", "text": "Then he walked away from them about a stones throw, bent down and started to pray,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "42", "text": "saying, ‘Father; If you wish, let this cup pass from me. However, may Your will not mine, take place.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "43", "text": "Then he saw a messenger from heaven that strengthened him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "44", "text": "Yet he was still in agony, so he prayed even harder; and his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "45", "text": "Then, after the prayer, he got up and returned to the disciples and found them sleeping because of their grief."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "46", "text": "So he asked, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you aren’t tempted!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "47", "text": "But while he was still talking, {Look!} there was a mob coming, and one of the twelve (called Judas) was leading them. Then he came up to Jesus to kiss him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "48", "text": "But Jesus asked, ‘Judas; Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "49", "text": "And when those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they asked, ‘Lord, shall we fight them off with the sword?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "50", "text": "And one of them struck the Chief Priest’s slave, taking off his right ear."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "51", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘It has gone far enough;’ and he touched the ear and healed him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "52", "text": "Then Jesus asked the Chief Priests, Temple captains, and elders who came for him, ‘Are you coming with swords and clubs [as though I were] a robber?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "53", "text": "Why, I was with you in the Temple every day, and you didn’t try to grab me then… but this is your hour and the power of darkness.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "54", "text": "So they arrested him and led him off, taking him to the house of the High Priest, as Peter was following at a distance."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "55", "text": "Then they lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and they all sat down together; and Peter sat down among them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "56", "text": "That’s when a servant girl noticed him sitting in the light of the fire. She looked at him hard, and said, ‘He was also with him!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "57", "text": "But [Peter] denied it, saying, ‘I don’t know him, woman!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "58", "text": "And a little while later, someone else saw him and said, ‘You’re one of them too!’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I’m not!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "59", "text": "Then, after standing around for another hour, someone started insising, saying, ‘It’s a fact; This one was with him, because he’s a Galilean too!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "60", "text": "But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ And just as he was speaking, a rooster crowed."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "61", "text": "Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the words that the Lord said to him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny knowing me three times.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "62", "text": "And he went outside and cried bitterly."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "63", "text": "Now, the men who had him in custody started making fun of him, and they whipped him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "64", "text": "Then they covered [his head] and said, ‘Prophesy… who’s disciplining you?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "65", "text": "And they kept saying all sorts of slanderous things about him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "66", "text": "Well, as it became day, the people’s body of elders assembled with the Chief Priests and scribes, and they brought him before the Jewish High Court, saying,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "67", "text": "‘If you’re the Anointed One, tell us!’ But he answered, ‘If I told you, you wouldn’t even start to believe it."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "68", "text": "And if I asked you any questions, you wouldn’t answer at all."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "69", "text": "But from now on, the Son of Man will be sitting at the powerful right hand of God!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "70", "text": "Well at this, they all asked, ‘So, are you the Son of God?’ And he said, ‘You are saying that I am!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 22, "verse": "71", "text": "And they said, ‘Why do we need further witnesses? We’ve heard it all from his own mouth!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "1", "text": "So, the whole assembly got up and took [Jesus] to Pilate."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "2", "text": "And there they accused him, saying, ‘We found this man trying to undermine the principles of our nation by forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and by saying that he’s the Anointed One… a king!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "3", "text": "So Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ And he replied, ‘You’re the one who is saying this.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "4", "text": "Then Pilate told the Chief Priests and crowds, ‘I can’t find anything wrong with this man.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "5", "text": "But they insisted, saying, ‘He has been stirring up the people by teaching throughout all of Judea… [and that’s the reason why] he came here from Galilee!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "6", "text": "On hearing that, Pilate asked whether the man was a Galilean."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "7", "text": "And after learning that he was from Herod’s realm, he sent him on to Herod (who was also in Jerusalem [for the Festival])."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, when Herod saw Jesus, he was overjoyed, because he had been wanting to see him for a long time, since he had heard so much about [Jesus], and he hoped to see him perform some sign."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "9", "text": "So he asked many questions, but [Jesus] wouldn’t answer."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "10", "text": "[And all the while], the Chief Priests and scribes kept getting up and accusing him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "11", "text": "But, not knowing what to make of him, Herod and his troops made fun of him by dressing him in bright clothes, then they sent him back to Pilate."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "12", "text": "And it was because of this that Herod and Pilate became friends that day, since they really didn’t like each other before that."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "13", "text": "So, Pilate then assembled the Chief Priests, the rulers, and the people,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "14", "text": "and told them: ‘You brought this man to me as someone who was inciting the people to revolt. And look, I’ve examined him in front of you and I can’t find any basis for the charges you’re bringing against him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "15", "text": "In fact, Herod didn’t either, because he returned him to us. Look! He’s done nothing deserving of death,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "16", "text": "so I’ll discipline him and release him.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "17", "text": "––"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "18", "text": "But with that, the entire crowd started shouting, ‘Hang him up! Release BarAbbas to us!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "19", "text": "([BarAbbas] was in prison because of [his involvement in] a revolt in the city and for murder.)"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "20", "text": "Again Pilate called out to them, because he wanted to release Jesus."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "21", "text": "But they started yelling, ‘Impale him! Impale him!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "22", "text": "So he asked them a third time: ‘Why… what bad thing did he do? I haven’t found anything he’s done that deserves death, so I’ll discipline him and let him go!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "23", "text": "Then they started shouting impatiently, demanding to have him hung on a pole, and their voices began to win out."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "24", "text": "So Pilate decided to give in,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "25", "text": "and he released [BarAbbas] (who was in prison for rebellion and murder) to meet their demands, but did what they wanted [him to do] to Jesus."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "26", "text": "Now, as they were taking him away, they grabbed Simon (a Cyrenian who was coming in from the fields) and laid the impaling pole on him, so that he could carry it behind Jesus."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, a huge crowd of people, including many women, followed behind, beating themselves in grief and wailing over him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "28", "text": "Then Jesus turned to the women and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem; Stop crying for me… cry for yourselves and for your children!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "29", "text": "Because, {Look!} the days are coming when people will say: Those without any children; Those whose wombs didn’t give birth; And whose breasts didn’t nurse are the blest ones!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "30", "text": "‘Then they’ll say to the mountains; Fall upon us! And to the hills, Come cover us over!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "31", "text": "For. if they do these things when the tree is still moist, What will happen after it’s withered?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "32", "text": "Two criminals were also being led out to be impaled with him,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "33", "text": "and when they got to the place that was referred to as ‘The Skull,’ they hung him and the criminals on poles there (one on his right and the other on his left)."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "34", "text": "However, Jesus was saying: ‘Father; Forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing,’ as they were throwing dice to divide his clothes [among them]."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "35", "text": "And the people just stood there watching. But their rulers were angrily looking on and saying, ‘He saved others, so let him save himself if he’s the Anointed One of God, the Messiah!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "36", "text": "Even the soldiers made fun of him, coming up and offering him soured wine"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "37", "text": "and saying, ‘If you’re the king of the Jews, save yourself!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "38", "text": "There was also an inscription above him [that said], ‘This is the king of the Jews.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "39", "text": "Then, one of the criminals who was hanging there started to speak badly to him saying, ‘Aren’t you the Anointed One? Save yourself… and us!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "40", "text": "But the other scolded him saying, ‘Aren’t you at all afraid of God, since you’ve received the same judgment?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "41", "text": "And that’s only right, because we’re getting what we deserve in full for the bad things we’ve done. But he didn’t do anything wrong!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "42", "text": "Then he said, ‘Jesus; Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "43", "text": "And [Jesus] replied, ‘I tell you this today; You will be with me in Paradise.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "44", "text": "Well, it was already about the sixth hour, and the whole land was covered by a darkness [that lasted] until the ninth hour,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "45", "text": "because the sunlight had failed. Then the Temple curtain split down the middle,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "46", "text": "and Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Father, I leave my breath in Your hands.’ And after saying that, he died."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "47", "text": "And when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God and said, ‘This truly was a righteous man.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "48", "text": "Well, all the crowds who came to watch this spectacle (when they saw the things that had happened) started beating themselves [in grief] again."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "49", "text": "And meanwhile, all who knew him, and the women who had followed him from Galilee, were standing at a distance and watching these things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "50", "text": "Then {Look!} a man named Joseph (from AriMathea, a city in Judea), who was a good and righteous man, and one of the Council members"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "51", "text": "who didn’t go along with what they said or did, and who was also awaiting the Kingdom of God,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "52", "text": "went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "53", "text": "So he took it down, wrapped it in fine linen, and laid it in a tomb that no one had been laid in before, which was carved from rock."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "54", "text": "Well, it was the day of Preparation, and the evening light was fading into the Sabbath."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "55", "text": "So the women who had come from Galilee with him, followed along to look at the tomb and to see how his body was laid out."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 23, "verse": "56", "text": "Then they went back to prepare spices and perfumed ointments… but of course, they followed the Commandments and rested on the Sabbath."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "1", "text": "It was on the first day of the week, at early dawn, that they went to the tomb carrying the spices they had prepared."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "2", "text": "But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "3", "text": "and when they entered, they couldn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "4", "text": "And as they stood there confused, {Look!} two men in glowing clothes appeared beside them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "5", "text": "This frightened them and they hung their heads to the ground. Then [the men] asked, ‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "6", "text": "He isn’t here; he got up! Don’t you remember? When he spoke to you in Galilee,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "7", "text": "he said; The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be hung on a pole, then [he will be] resurrected on the third day.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "8", "text": "So, that’s when they remembered what he said,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "9", "text": "and they left the tomb to report all these things to the eleven and the others."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "10", "text": "It was Mary of Magdala, Joanna, Mary the [mother] of James, and the rest of the women who told the Apostles these things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "11", "text": "However, what they said sounded like nonsense, and they didn’t believe them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "12", "text": "Then Peter got up and ran to the tomb. And when he leaned in, all he saw was the wrappings. So he left, wondering just what had happened."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "13", "text": "{Look!} That very same day, two of them were on their way to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "14", "text": "and they were discussing all the things that had happened."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, as they were talking and reasoning, Jesus himself came up and started walking along with them,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "16", "text": "but their eyes refused to recognize him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "17", "text": "So he asked, ‘What is the subject you’re debating as you’re walking along?’ Then they stopped and looked very sad."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "18", "text": "And the one named Cleopas answered, ‘Are you living alone in Jerusalem so that you don’t know what has happened over the past few days?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "19", "text": "And [Jesus] asked, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things [that happened to] Jesus the Nazarene… a Prophet who came with powerful words and deeds before God and all the people."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "20", "text": "Then, how our Chief Priests and rulers gave him over to be sentenced to death, and hung him on a pole."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "21", "text": "But we were hoping that he was the one who was going to free Israel… it has been three days since these things happened!"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "22", "text": "‘Then, some women among us shocked us. They went to the tomb early [this morning]"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "23", "text": "and couldn’t find his body. So they came back saying that they had a vision of messengers [from God] who say he’s still alive."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "24", "text": "Then, some from among us went to the tomb and found it just as the women said… they didn’t see him.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "25", "text": "So [Jesus] said to them, ‘O senseless ones whose hearts are slow when it comes to believing all the things that the Prophets said;"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "26", "text": "Wasn’t it necessary for the Anointed One to suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "27", "text": "So, starting from Moses and the Prophets, he explained all the scriptures that talked about him."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, when they reached the village that they were traveling to, he acted as though he was going on."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "29", "text": "But they pressured him, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it’s getting late and most of the day is already gone!’ So, he stayed with them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "30", "text": "And as he reclined with them at the meal, he took the loaf, spoke a blessing over it, broke it, and started handing it to them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "31", "text": "And at that, their eyes were fully opened and they recognized him… then he disappeared."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "32", "text": "And they said to each other, ‘Weren’t our hearts burning as he talked to us along the road, completely explaining the Scriptures to us?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "33", "text": "So they got up right away and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven with the rest who had gathered,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "34", "text": "who told them: ‘The Lord was in fact raised, and he appeared to Simon!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "35", "text": "Then they also told what had happened [to them] on the road and how he became recognizable by breaking the loaf."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "36", "text": "Well, while they were still talking about these things, there he stood in their midst saying, ‘May you have peace.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "37", "text": "But this frightened and terrified them, because they thought they were seeing a [wicked] spirit."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "38", "text": "So he said to them, ‘Why are you so worried, and what kind of ideas are your hearts coming up with?"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "39", "text": "See… my hands and my feet. It’s me! Touch me and look, because a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones as you see that I have!’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "40", "text": "And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "41", "text": "But because they still didn’t believe (due to the joy and confusion), he asked, ‘Do you have something to eat?’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "42", "text": "So they handed him a piece of broiled fish,"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "43", "text": "and he took it and ate it in front of them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "44", "text": "Then he said to them, ‘These are the things that I told you while I was still with you, for everything that was written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to be fulfilled.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "45", "text": "Then he opened their minds to understand the meanings of the Scriptures completely."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "46", "text": "And he said to them, ‘It was written that the Anointed One would suffer this way and rise from the dead on the third day."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "47", "text": "Then, [the message of] repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations in his name, starting from Jerusalem."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "48", "text": "Now, you are to be the witnesses of these things."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "49", "text": "‘And look; I’m sending you [something] that was promised by my Father. So, stay in the city until you are clothed with the power from above.’"}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "50", "text": "And with that, he led them out on the road to BethAny, and then he lifted his hands and blest them."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "51", "text": "And as he was blessing them, he was taken away from them into the sky."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "52", "text": "Then they bowed low to him, and they returned to Jerusalem in joy."}
{"book": "LUK", "chapter": 24, "verse": "53", "text": "[And after that], they were in the Temple continuously, praising God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with The God and the Word was a powerful one."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "This one was with The God in the beginning,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "and through him it all came to be… life came to be,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "and this life was the light of all men."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "[Now] the light is shining in darkness, and he hasn’t been defeated by the darkness."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "Then came a man named John who had been sent by God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "He wasn’t the light, but he was to testify about the light."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "For, the true light that enlightens all men was coming into the world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "He was in the world – and through him the world came to be – but the world didn’t know him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "He came to his home, but his own people offered no welcome."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Yet, he gave all those who did welcome him (all those who believed in his name) the authority to become the children of God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "And they weren’t born from blood, from the will of the flesh, or from man’s will, but from God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "So the Word became flesh and tented among us; and we looked on his glory, which was the glory of the only generated one next to the Father, and he was filled with kindness and truth."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "John witnessed about him. He’s the one who said it; he even yelled it out loud: ‘He who’s coming behind me came before me, because he was first… before I was!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "We all received kindness after kindness from his wealth."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "And though the Law was given through Moses, kindness and truth came through Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "For, no one has ever seen God, but the only-generated god (the one in the favored position of the Father) has explained Him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, this is the testimony that John gave when the Judeans sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him who he was."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "[John] confessed… he didn’t deny it, he confessed, ‘I’m not the Anointed One!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "And when they asked, ‘Then, who [are you]… are you EliJah?’ He said, ‘No, I’m not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "Finally, they asked, ‘Then, just who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us… what do you have to say about yourself?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "And he said, ‘I’m the voice of someone calling out in the desert, Straighten the way of the Lord, as the Prophet IsaiJah said.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Now, those who came were sent by the Pharisees,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "and they asked him, ‘Then, why do you baptize if you aren’t the Anointed One, or EliJah, or the Prophet?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "And John replied, ‘I baptize in water, but there’s someone standing in your midst whom you don’t know."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "He’s the one coming behind me, the laces of whose sandals I’m unworthy to untie.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "These things happened in BethAny across the Jordan where John was baptizing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, the next day, he saw Jesus coming toward him and he said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God who lifts sin from the world!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "30", "text": "This is the one I meant when I said, The one coming behind me has come before me, because he was first, before I was."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "31", "text": "Even I didn’t know him, but the reason why I came baptizing in water was so that he might be shown to Israel.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "32", "text": "John also testified to this: ‘I saw the Breath [of God] coming down from the sky like a dove… and it stayed on him!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "33", "text": "Even I didn’t know him, but the One who sent me to baptize in water told me, Whoever you see the Breath coming down on and remaining upon; this is the one who baptizes in Holy Breath…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "34", "text": "I saw it and I testify to the fact that this is the Son of God!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "35", "text": "Then, the next day, John was standing there with two of his disciples."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "36", "text": "And when he saw Jesus walking by, he again said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "37", "text": "And the two disciples who heard him say this, followed Jesus."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "38", "text": "Then Jesus turned, and noticing them following him, asked, ‘What are you looking for?’ And they replied, ‘Rabbi (Teacher), where are you staying?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "39", "text": "Then he said, ‘Come and see.’ So, they went and saw where he was staying and spent the day with him, until about the tenth hour."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "40", "text": "Then Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter (one of the two who heard what John said and followed [Jesus])"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "41", "text": "went and found his brother Simon and told him, ‘We’ve found the Messiah (which translates as the Anointed One).’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "42", "text": "And then he led him to Jesus. And when Jesus saw him, he said, ‘You’re Simon, the son of Jonah… you will be called Cephas (Peter).’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "43", "text": "The next day, he wanted to leave for Galilee. But then Jesus found Philip and said to him, ‘Be my follower.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "44", "text": "Now, Philip was from BethSaida, the same city as Andrew and Peter."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "45", "text": "Then Philip [went and] found NathaniEl (BarTholomew) and told him, ‘We’ve found the one who Moses wrote about in the Law and the Prophets, Jesus the son of Joseph from Nazareth!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "46", "text": "But NathaniEl asked, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Then Philip said, ‘Well, come and see!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "47", "text": "And when Jesus saw NathaniEl coming, he said, ‘Look; An Israelite who really says what’s on his mind!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "48", "text": "Then NathaniEl asked, ‘How do you know me?’ And Jesus replied, ‘Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "49", "text": "Then NathaniEl said, ‘Rabbi; You’re the Son of God! You’re the King of Israel!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "50", "text": "And Jesus asked, ‘Do you believe this simply because I said that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than that.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "51", "text": "Then he said, ‘I tell you men the truth; You will see the heavens open up and messengers of God ascending and descending to the Son of Man!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, on the third day there was a wedding banquet in Cana of Galilee, and Jesus’ mother was there,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "so Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the banquet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "And when the wine started to run out, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They don’t have any more wine.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "But Jesus said, ‘Why is this any of my business, woman? My hour hasn’t come yet.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "Then his mother told the waiters, ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "Well, there were six stone water jars sitting there, which the Judeans required for washing, and each held fifteen gallons."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Jesus told them to fill the jars with water, and they were filled to the brim."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Then he told them, ‘Now dip some out and take it to the banquet director.’ So, they took it [to him],"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "and when the banquet director tasted the water that had been turned into wine (he didn’t know where it came from, but the waiters who drew the water knew), the director called the bridegroom"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "and said: ‘Everyone else puts out the fine wine first, and after people are intoxicated, the inferior. But you’ve saved the finest wine until now!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "So, there in Cana of Galilee was where Jesus started the signs that showed his glory, and his disciples put faith in him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "After that; he, his mother, his brothers, and [his] disciples went down to CapharNaoum, but they didn’t stay there long."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "For, the Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "And there he found [people] in the Temple selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as currency exchangers, who were sitting there."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "So, after making a whip out of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the Temple, and he poured out the currency exchangers’ coins, turning their tables over."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "Then he told those who were selling the doves ‘Get these things out of here! Quit turning my Father’s House into a market!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "And his disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for Your House will consume me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "Well after that, the Judeans asked, ‘Since you’re doing all these things, what sign can you show us?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘Tear down this Temple and I’ll rebuild it in three days.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "Then the Judeans asked, ‘This Temple took forty-six years to build, and you’ll rebuild it in three days?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "Of course, he was talking about the Temple of his body."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "However, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he used to say this, and they believed the Scriptures and the things that Jesus said."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "It was while he was in Jerusalem for the Passover and its festival, that many people started believing in his name… after they saw the signs that he was performing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew them…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "he didn’t need anyone to tell him about people, because he knew what they were on the inside."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, there was a man named NicoDemos (one of the Pharisees and a ruler of the Judeans)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "who came to him one night and said, ‘Rabbi; We know that you came as a teacher from God, because no one can perform signs like you’re doing unless God is with him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth; Unless someone is born from above, he can’t see the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "So NicoDemos asked, ‘How can a man be born after he’s old… he can’t go back into his mother’s womb a second time to be born, can he?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth; Unless someone is born from water and [God’s] Breath, he can’t enter the Kingdom of God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "Because, things that have been born from flesh are fleshly, and things that have been born from the Breath (Spirit) are spiritual."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "However, don’t be surprised because I told you that people have to be born again…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "for the wind blows wherever it wishes, and you can hear the noise, but you don’t know where it’s coming from or where it’s going. And this is true of everyone who has been born from the Breath [of God].’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "Then NicoDemos asked, ‘How can things like this happen?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘You’re a teacher of Israel, and yet you don’t know?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "I tell you the truth; We know what we’re saying and we’re testifying to things that we’ve seen; but you aren’t accepting our testimony…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "and if you don’t believe the earthly things, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "‘No one has gone to heaven other than he who came from heaven, the Son of Man."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "And as Moses raised the snake in the desert, that’s how the Son of Man must be raised,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "so that everyone who believes in him can get life in the age."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "‘This is how [much] God loved the world: He gave His only-generated Son so that everyone who believes in him won’t be destroyed, but will get life in the age."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge it, but for the world to be saved through him!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "So, whoever believes in [the Son] won’t be condemned. However, those who don’t believe have already been condemned, because they haven’t shown faith in the name of God’s only-generated Son,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "since this is [the basis for their] judgment. ‘The light came into the world, but men loved darkness more than light, because the things they were doing were wicked."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Those who are doing bad things hate the light, and they don’t come into the light so [they won’t] be disciplined for the things they are doing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "But those who are doing what is true come to the light, so the things that they are doing can be shown as having been done with God.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, after that, Jesus and his disciples traveled into the Judean countryside where he spent some time with them, doing baptizing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim (there’s a lot of water there) and people kept coming to be baptized [by him],"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "because John hadn’t been thrown into prison yet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "Therefore, there was some discussion between John’s disciples and [a certain] Judean concerning purification."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "26", "text": "So they came to John and said, ‘Rabbi; The man who was with you across the Jordan (who you testified about) is also baptizing, and everyone is going to him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "27", "text": "Then John replied: ‘A man can have nothing unless he receives it from heaven."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "28", "text": "And you are witnesses that I said I’m not the Anointed One, but I have been sent ahead of him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "29", "text": "The one with the bride is the bridegroom. But the bridegroom’s friend, when he stands and listens to him, gains much joy from the voice of the bridegroom. So, my joy is now complete,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "30", "text": "and he must increase while I decrease."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "31", "text": "‘He who’s from above is over all, but he who comes from the earth comes from the ground and talks about things that are earthly. He who comes from heaven is above all the others,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "32", "text": "for he tells about things that he’s seen and heard. However, no one is accepting his testimony;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "33", "text": "yet he who welcomes his testimony is proving God to be true."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "34", "text": "And, since the one sent by God speaks God’s words, he doesn’t just dole out [small] portions of [God’s] Breath."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "35", "text": "‘The Father loves the Son, and He has entrusted all things into his hands;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "36", "text": "so he who believes in the Son will have life in the age; but those who disobey him won’t see life; for, the wrath of God stays on them.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when the Lord realized that the Pharisees had learned that [he] was making and baptizing more disciples than John"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "(although Jesus really didn’t really do any baptizing, his disciples did),"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "he left Judea and returned to Galilee."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "And on the way, he had to travel through Samaria,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "arriving at a Samaritan city called Sychar, which was close to the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "and where Jacob’s [well] was located. Now, Jesus was tired from the journey, so he sat down at the edge of the [well] (at about the sixth hour),"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "and a Samaritan woman was there, who had come to draw water. So Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "In the meantime, his disciples had gone into the city to buy food."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "But the Samaritan woman asked him, ‘So, why are you, a Judean, asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink -- ?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘If you knew about the gift of God and who’s asking you for a drink, you might have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Then she said: ‘Master, you don’t have anything to draw water with… and it’s a deep well! So, where will you get this living water?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "You aren’t greater than our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well and who drank from it with his sons and cattle, are you?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Then Jesus replied, ‘Whoever drinks this water will just get thirsty again."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "But whoever drinks the water that I give him won’t be thirsty again in this age, for the water that I give will become a fountain inside him that bubbles up life through the age.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "Then the woman said, ‘Lord, give me this water so I won’t be thirsty again and have to keep coming to this place to draw water!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "Then he said to her, ‘Go and call for your husband to come here.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "But the woman said, ‘I don’t have a husband.’ And Jesus said, ‘It’s good that you say you don’t have a husband,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "because you’ve had five husbands; and the one you have now isn’t your husband… you’ve told the truth.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "And the woman said, ‘Lord, I see that you’re a Prophet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "Our ancestors worshiped here on this mountain, but you people say that Jerusalem is where people must worship.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "Then Jesus said to her, ‘Believe me, woman; the time is coming when you won’t worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "And though you worship what you haven’t known, and we worship what we have known (because salvation comes from the Jews),"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "the time is coming (and it’s now) when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth… because the Father is searching for people like this to worship Him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "For God is spirit, so those who worship Him must worship him in spirit and truth.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "Then the woman said, ‘I know that the Messiah (who is called the Anointed One) is coming, and when he gets here, he will explain it all to us.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "26", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘I (the one speaking to you) am he.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, it was then that his disciples arrived and they were puzzled, because he was talking to a woman; and of course, no one asked what she was looking for or why he was talking to her."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "28", "text": "Then the woman left her water jar, and went back into the city and told the men,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Come here and see a man who told me everything I did… this couldn’t be the Anointed One could it?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "30", "text": "So, they came to him from the city."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "31", "text": "Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, saying, ‘Rabbi, eat!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "32", "text": "But he told them, ‘I have food to eat that you’re unaware of.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "33", "text": "So the disciples started asking each other, ‘No one has brought him anything to eat, have they?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "34", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Doing the will of the One who sent me and finishing His work is my food."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "35", "text": "Don’t you say that there are four more months until the harvest? {Look!} I tell you… look up and see the fields, for they’re white and ready for harvesting!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "36", "text": "The harvester is already getting his pay and gathering in the fruit of life in this age; so the planter and the harvester can now rejoice together."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "37", "text": "For the saying is true: ‘One does the planting, and another does the harvesting.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "38", "text": "I sent you out to harvest what you didn’t work on… so yes, others did the work, but you’re now benefiting from their efforts!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "39", "text": "Thereafter, many of the Samaritans from that city put faith in [Jesus] because of what the woman testified to when she said, ‘He told me everything I did.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "40", "text": "So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he spent a couple of days there."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "41", "text": "And as the result, many more believed because of the things he said."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "42", "text": "Then they told the woman, ‘We don’t believe just because of what you said, but because we’ve heard for ourselves and we know that this man is truly the Savior of the world!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "43", "text": "Well, after two days, he left for Galilee,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "44", "text": "and there, Jesus himself witnessed the fact that a Prophet has no honor in his hometown."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "45", "text": "Yet, when he [first] arrived in Galilee, the Galileans had welcomed him, because they’d seen all the things he did in Jerusalem at the festival (since they’d been there too)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "46", "text": "Then he returned to Cana of Galilee (where he turned the water into wine), and it was there that a man of royal blood whose son (who was in CapharNaoum at the time) was ill,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "47", "text": "and when this man heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went and asked him to heal his son who was about to die."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "48", "text": "However, Jesus said to him, ‘You [people] just refuse to believe unless you see signs and omens.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "49", "text": "But the (royal) man urged him, saying, ‘Lord, come on, before my little boy dies!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "50", "text": "And finally Jesus said, ‘Go on your way! Your son is alive.’ So, the man believed what Jesus said and went away."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "51", "text": "Then on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy was alive."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "52", "text": "And when he asked them exactly what time he got better, they told him, ‘The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "53", "text": "And the father recognized that it was the same time that Jesus told him, ‘Your son is alive.’ So he and his whole household started to believe."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "54", "text": "This was the second sign that Jesus performed when he came out of Judea into Galilee."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Later on, there was a Jewish festival, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "And there in Jerusalem, at the Sheep-gate Pool (called BethZatha in Hebrew), are five stone columns"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "where many who were sick, blind, lame, and those with physical handicaps were all lying down."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "– –"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "And there was a man who had been extremely weak for thirty-eight years."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "So when Jesus saw this man lying there (being aware of the long time he’d had this condition), Jesus asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "And the sick man answered, ‘Lord, I don’t have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is shaking. And while I’m trying to get in, someone else steps in ahead of me!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your cot, and walk around.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "And with that, the man immediately became healthy, picked up his cot, and walked around. Now, that day was a Sabbath,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "so the Judeans started telling the cured man, ‘It’s the Sabbath, so it’s illegal for you to carry the cot!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "But he told them, ‘The one who cured me said, Pick up your cot and walk!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "And they asked, ‘Which man was it that told you to pick it up and walk?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "But the healed man didn’t know who he was, because Jesus had faded into crowd."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Then later on, Jesus found the man in the Temple and told him, ‘See… now you’re healthy! Don’t sin anymore, so that something worse doesn’t happen to you.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "Well, the man went off and told the Judeans that it was Jesus who had cured him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "And this is why the Judeans started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "But he told them, ‘My Father has kept working until now, and I keep working.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "As the result, the Judeans started looking [for ways to] kill him. Because, not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "Then Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth; The Son can’t do anything on his own, other than what he sees the Father doing. Whatever [the Father] does is what the Son does."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "And because the Father cares about the Son, He shows him everything that He does… and [God] will show him greater works than these, just to amaze you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "‘As the Father raises the dead and makes them alive, the Son can also make whoever he wishes alive."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "And the Father doesn’t judge anyone, but He has left all the judging to the Son,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "so that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. And whoever doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; He who hears what I say and believes in the One that sent me, will have ages of life… he won’t come into the judgment, for he has crossed over out of the death and into the life!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "‘I also truthfully say that the time is coming … when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who listen will live."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "For, just as the Father has life in Himself, He has also given the Son life in himself,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "and authorized him to do judging. This is because he is the Son of Man."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Don’t be surprised at this, because the hour is coming when everyone in the tombs will hear his voice"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "29", "text": "and come out; those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced what is bad to a resurrection of judgment."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "30", "text": "‘I can’t do anything on my own; I judge by what I hear, and my judgments are righteous, because I’m not looking to do the things that I want, but to do the will of Him that sent me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "31", "text": "‘If I should testify about myself, that testimony isn’t true."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "32", "text": "But when someone else testifies about me, I know that the testimony he gives about me is true."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "33", "text": "‘Now, you’ve sent [people] to John and he testified to the truth."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "34", "text": "However, I don’t require the testimony of men, because I’m telling you these things to save you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "35", "text": "‘[John] was a burning, shining lamp and you wanted to rejoice in his light during his time."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "36", "text": "However, I have a testimony that’s greater than John’s, because I’m doing the work that my Father assigned me to finish. It’s these things that testify about me [and prove] that the Father sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Why, even the Father who sent me has testified about me. But you’ve never heard His voice or seen His shape,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "38", "text": "and His words don’t stick with you, because you don’t believe the One whom He sent."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "39", "text": "Yet, you keep searching the Scriptures, because you think they will give you life in the age; and though they testify about me,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "40", "text": "you still refuse to come to me so you can have life!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "41", "text": "‘[Because you] men don’t glorify me,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "42", "text": "I know that you don’t have God’s love in you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "43", "text": "I’ve come in my Father’s Name, but you don’t welcome me; yet if someone else came in his own name, you would welcome him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "44", "text": "So, how can you believe when you receive glory from each other and you don’t look to glorify the one who comes from the only God?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "45", "text": "‘But don’t think that I’m going to accuse you to the Father, for he who accuses you is Moses… the one in whom you’ve put your hope."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "46", "text": "Because, if you believed Moses you would also believe me, for he wrote about me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "47", "text": "However, if you don’t even believe what he wrote, then how will you believe the things that I’m saying?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberius)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "However, a large crowd kept following him just to see the signs he was performing upon those who were sick."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "There, Jesus went up a mountain and sat down with his disciples."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "And since it was close to the time of the Jewish Passover festival;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "when Jesus looked up and noticed the huge crowd coming, he asked Philip, ‘Where should we buy bread for everyone to eat?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "However, he just said this to test him, because he already knew what he was going to do."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Philip answered, ‘Why, two hundred silver coins worth of loaves wouldn’t be enough to provide everyone with just a little [taste]!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "And one of his disciples (Andrew the brother of Simon Peter) said to him,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Here’s a little boy who has five loaves of barley bread and two small fish. But, what good is this when there are so many?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Have the people lie down as they would at a meal.’ Now, there was a lot of grass there, so the people (about five thousand of them) reclined."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Then Jesus took the bread, and after giving thanks, distributed it to those lying there. [He also did the same with] the small fish, [giving them as much] as they wanted."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "But when they were all full, he told his disciples, ‘Now pick up the leftovers, so nothing is wasted.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "And when they picked them up, they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers from the five loaves of barley that those who ate had left behind."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "So, when the men saw the signs he performed, they started saying, ‘This really is the Prophet who was to come into the world.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "And Jesus (because he knew that they were about to come and take him to make him their king) went away again, up on the mountain by himself."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "That evening, his disciples went down to the sea,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "got into a boat, and traveled to the other side of the Sea to CapharNaoum. Well, by then it had grown dark and Jesus hadn’t come to them yet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "And meanwhile, a strong wind came up and the seas became very rough."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "Well, it was after they had been rowing for about three or four miles, that they saw Jesus walking on the sea approaching the boat, and this frightened them."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "But he said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid… it is me!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "So they were finally willing to let him into the boat. And soon they came to shore at the place where they were going."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "22", "text": "Then the next day, the crowd that was on the opposite side of the sea saw just the single little boat, but not the other, and they knew that Jesus hadn’t gotten into the boat with his disciples and that [the disciples] had left by themselves."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "23", "text": "However, some boats arrived from Tiberias, close to the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord gave thanks."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "24", "text": "And when the crowd realized that Jesus and his disciples weren’t there, they got into the little boats and went to CapharNaoum to look for Jesus."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "25", "text": "Then, when they found him across the sea, they asked, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "26", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth; You aren’t looking for me because you saw signs, but because you had enough bread to eat."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "27", "text": "Don’t work for food that can spoil. Rather, [work for] for the food of life that lasts through the age, which the Son of Man will give you, because he was sealed by the Father (The God).’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "28", "text": "Then they asked, ‘What must we do to perform the works of The God?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "29", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘This is what the work of The God is: Believing in the one whom He sent.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "30", "text": "So they asked, ‘Then, what sign will you perform for us so we can see and believe… what are your deeds?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "31", "text": "Why, our ancestors ate the manna in the desert, for [the Scriptures tell us]: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "32", "text": "Then Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth; Moses didn’t really give you the bread from heaven, but my Father will give you the true bread from heaven."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "33", "text": "For, God’s bread is [he] who comes from heaven and gives life to the world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "34", "text": "Then they said, ‘Lord, always give us this bread!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "35", "text": "And Jesus went on to say, ‘I’m the bread of life, and whoever comes to me won’t ever get hungry; and he who believes in me won’t ever get thirsty."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "36", "text": "But I tell you this: You’ve seen me, yet you still don’t believe."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "37", "text": "Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I won’t reject anyone who comes to me,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "38", "text": "because I didn’t come from heaven to do my will, but [to do] the will of the One who sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "39", "text": "‘This is what the will of the One who sent me is: That I shouldn’t destroy anything He has given me out of [the world]; but rather, that I should resurrect it… [on] the Last Day."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "40", "text": "Yes, this is what my Father’s will is: That everyone who pays close attention to the Son and believes in him should have life in the age, and I will resurrect him… [yes] me, on the Last Day!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "41", "text": "At this, the Judeans started grumbling about him, because he was saying that he’s the bread that came out of heaven."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "42", "text": "So, they asked, ‘Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we all know? So, how is it that he’s telling us that; I have come down out of heaven?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "43", "text": "Then Jesus replied, ‘Stop your grumbling!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "44", "text": "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him [to me] and then I will resurrect him in the last day."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "45", "text": "Why, it is written in the Prophets: They will all be those who are taught by God. So, everyone who listens when [they are] next to the Father and then learns, comes to me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "46", "text": "‘It’s not that anyone has seen the Father, other than the one who was beside The God… for, he has seen the Father."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "47", "text": "I tell you the truth: He who believes has life in the age!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "48", "text": "‘I am the bread of life."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "49", "text": "Your fathers ate the manna in the desert and died,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "50", "text": "but this is the bread that comes from heaven and no one who eats it will die."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "51", "text": "I’m the living bread that came from heaven, and if anyone eats this bread, he will gain life in the age. The bread that I will give is my flesh, and it will provide life to the world.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "52", "text": "Well, at that, the Judeans started fighting with each other, asking, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "53", "text": "So Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth; if you don’t eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you won’t live."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "54", "text": "He who chews my flesh and drinks my blood will have life in [this] age, and then I will resurrect him on the Last Day,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "55", "text": "because my flesh is truly food and my blood is truly drink."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "56", "text": "He who chews on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "57", "text": "‘The living Father sent me and I’m living through the Father. Likewise, he who chews on me will live through me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "58", "text": "This is the bread: He who came down from heaven. It’s not the same as that which your fathers ate and then died, for he who chews on this bread will live into the age.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "59", "text": "Now, these are the things that he said while he was teaching in the synagogue at CapharNaoum."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "60", "text": "Well, when they heard this, many of his disciples said, ‘Those are tough words. Who can listen to them?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "61", "text": "But Jesus, knowing what his disciples were grumbling about, asked them, ‘Is this a trap for you?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "62", "text": "Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man going back up to where he came from?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "63", "text": "[Your] breath is what makes you alive, for [without it] the flesh is useless. And these things that I’ve told you are life and breath,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "64", "text": "yet some of you don’t believe.’ Jesus knew from the start who wouldn’t believe and who would betray him,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "65", "text": "so he went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is given to him by the Father.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "66", "text": "But as the result of this, many of his disciples went back to the things [they’d left] behind and wouldn’t walk with him anymore."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "67", "text": "So Jesus asked the twelve: ‘Don’t you want to go back also?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "68", "text": "But Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who should we go off to? You say the words of life in the age,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "69", "text": "and we have known and believed that you’re the Holy One of God!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "70", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘I chose you twelve, didn’t I? But one of you is a slanderer.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 6, "verse": "71", "text": "Of course, he was talking about Judas ([the son] of Simon IsCariot), because; although he was one of the twelve, he was about to betray [Jesus]."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "After that, Jesus [limited] his travels just to Galilee, for he no longer cared to travel through Judea, because the Judeans were looking to kill him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "However, the Jewish Festival of Tents was coming up,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "so his brothers said to him: ‘Leave here and go to Judea so your disciples there can also see the things you’re doing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "Because, no one does things in secret when he wants everyone to know what he’s saying.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "(It’s a fact that his brothers didn’t believe in him.)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "So Jesus told them: ‘It isn’t my time yet… but it’s always your time."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "For, the world doesn’t have any reason to hate you, but it hates me, because I testify to the fact that what it does is wicked."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "So, you go on up to the festival… I’m not going to this festival, because my time hasn’t arrived yet.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "And he remained in Galilee [a while] after telling them this."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "However, after his brothers went to the festival, he also went (not openly, but in secret)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "The Judeans were looking for him at the festival, for they were asking, ‘Where is that [man]?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "And there was a lot of discussion about him among the crowds. Some would say, ‘He’s a good man.’ But others would say, ‘No he isn’t; He misleads the masses.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "Of course, nobody would talk about him publicly, because they were all afraid of the Judeans."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "Then, when the festival was half over, Jesus finally [arrived and] went into the Temple and started teaching."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "This caused the Judeans to wonder and ask, ‘How does this man understand the writings when he hasn’t studied them?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "So Jesus answered: ‘What I teach isn’t mine; it belongs to the One who sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "Anyone who wants to do His will knows whether the things I’m teaching come from God, or if I’m making this about by myself."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "He who tells things that he made up about himself is trying to glorify himself. But, he who wishes to glorify the One who sent him is true, and there isn’t any unrighteousness in him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Didn’t Moses give you the Law? Yet, none of you obey the Law. For, why are you looking to kill me?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "And the crowd answered, ‘You’re demonized! Who’s looking to kill you?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "So Jesus said, ‘I did just one thing that bothers you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "Moses gave you the circumcision (not that it’s from Moses but from your forefathers), thus you circumcise men on the Sabbath."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "So, if a man is circumcised on a Sabbath to keep from breaking the Law of Moses, why are you furious with me because I made an entire man healthy on a Sabbath?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "Quit judging from the way things look on the surface; Judge righteously!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "At that, some who lived in Jerusalem asked, ‘Isn’t this the man that they’re looking to kill?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "Look… he’s here speaking in public, and they don’t say anything to him! Have the rulers come to know for a fact that he’s the Anointed One?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "We all know where this man is from, but when the Anointed One comes, no one will know where he’s from!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, as he was standing there teaching in the Temple, Jesus shouted aloud, ‘You know me and you know where I’m from! But coming here wasn’t my idea. He who sent me is real and you don’t know Him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "29", "text": "I know Him, because I came from Him, and because He sent me here!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "30", "text": "So they started looking for ways to grab him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time hadn’t come yet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "31", "text": "However, many in the crowd started to believe him and said, ‘When the Anointed One arrives, he surely won’t perform more signs than this man has, will he?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "32", "text": "And the Pharisees overheard what the crowd was saying about him, so the Chief Priests and Pharisees sent officers to take him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "33", "text": "Then Jesus said: ‘I will be here with you just a little while longer, before I go to the One who sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "34", "text": "Then you will look for me but you won’t find me, and where I’m [going] you can’t come.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "35", "text": "So, the Judeans started asking each other, ‘Where does he plan to go that we won’t be able to find him? He doesn’t intend to go to those scattered among the Greeks and start teaching the Greeks, does he?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "36", "text": "What does he mean when he says, You’ll look for me but won’t find me, and, Where I’m going you can’t come?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "37", "text": "Well, it was on the last day (the climax of the festival) that Jesus stood up and shouted, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "38", "text": "For the scripture says this about those who put faith in me: Rivers of living water will flow from him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "39", "text": "[Of course] when he said this, [he was talking] about the Breath [of God], which those who were putting faith in him were about to receive. But the Breath hadn’t arrived yet, because Jesus hadn’t been glorified yet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "40", "text": "Then some of the crowd who heard these words started saying, ‘This is surely the Prophet!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "41", "text": "while others were saying, ‘This is the Anointed One!’ But, some were saying, ‘The Anointed One won’t really come from Galilee, will he?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "42", "text": "Didn’t the Scriptures say the Anointed One is from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village that David came from?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "43", "text": "So the crowd became divided over him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "44", "text": "And although some among them [had come there] to grab him, nobody laid a hand on him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "45", "text": "And when the [Temple] officers returned to the Chief Priests and Pharisees, they were asked, ‘Why didn’t you bring him in?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "46", "text": "But the officers replied, ‘No man has ever spoken like this!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "47", "text": "Then the Pharisees asked, ‘You haven’t been misled also, have you?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "48", "text": "Why, none of the rulers or Pharisees believe in him, do they?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "49", "text": "But this crowd that doesn’t know the Law is cursed!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "50", "text": "Then NicoDemos (who had come to him previously and who was one of [Jesus’ followers]) said to them:"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "51", "text": "‘Our Law doesn’t allow us to judge a man unless we first hear from him and get to know what he’s up to, does it?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 7, "verse": "52", "text": "And they answered, ‘You aren’t a Galilean too, are you? Search [the Scriptures] and you’ll see that no Prophet is to come from Galilee!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "(1-11)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "So, Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world, and whoever follows me won’t ever walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "Then the Pharisees said to him, ‘You’re testifying about yourself, so what you’re witnessing to isn’t true!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘Even if I do testify about myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I’ll return. But you don’t know where I came from or where I’m going,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "because your judgment is fleshly. However, I don’t judge anyone;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "and if I do judge, my judgment is true, because I’m not alone, for the Father who sent me is with me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "It’s written in your Law that whatever two men testify to is true;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "so I’m testifying about myself, and the Father who sent me also testifies about me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "Then they asked, ‘So, where is your Father?’ And Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know me or my Father, for if you knew me, you would also know my Father.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "And although [Jesus] said these things in the Treasury; while he was teaching in the Temple, nobody grabbed him, because his time hadn’t come."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "He told them again: ‘I’m going away and you’ll look for me, but you will die in your sins; because, where I’m going you can’t come.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "So the Judeans started asking, ‘He’s not to kill himself, is he? Because he says, Where I’m going you can’t come.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "But he went on to tell them, ‘You come from the things below and I come out of things from above. You’re from this world, but I’m not from this world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "So, as I told you before; You will die in your sins… If you don’t believe that I’m [the one], you will die in your sins!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "25", "text": "Then they asked, ‘So, who are you?’ And Jesus replied, ‘Why am I even talking to you?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "26", "text": "I have so many things to tell you and to judge about you, but the One who sent me is truthful, and I’m telling the world the things that I heard from Him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "27", "text": "And because they really didn’t understand that he was talking to them about the Father,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "28", "text": "Jesus said, ‘When you hang the Son of Man up, then you will know that I’m [the one] and that I’m not doing anything on my own; I’m just saying what that the Father taught me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "29", "text": "The One who sent me is with me, and He didn’t send me off alone, because I always do things to please Him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "30", "text": "And as he was saying these things, many started believing in him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "31", "text": "Then Jesus addressed the Judeans who believed him: ‘If you hold onto these things that I’m saying, you’re really my disciples…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "32", "text": "you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "33", "text": "But they replied, ‘We’re the seed of Abraham and we’ve never been slaves to anyone! So, why are you saying that we’ll be set free?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "34", "text": "Then Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth; Everyone who sins is a slave to sin,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "35", "text": "and a slave doesn’t live in the house through the age. Only the son lives there through the age."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "36", "text": "So, if the Son sets you free, you’ll really be free!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "37", "text": "‘I know that you’re Abraham’s seed, but you’re looking to kill me, because what I’m saying isn’t getting through to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "38", "text": "I’m telling you the things that I saw [while I was] with my Father, but you’re doing the things that you heard from your father.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "39", "text": "Then they said, ‘Well, our father is Abraham!’ And Jesus answered, ‘If you really are Abraham’s children, do what Abraham did!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "40", "text": "Yet, you want to kill me… a man who told you the truth that I heard from God! Abraham wouldn’t do this,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "41", "text": "so you’re doing the things that your father wants.’ Then they replied, ‘We weren’t fathered in some immoral relationship… we have one Father, God!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "42", "text": "And Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me; because I came here from God. I didn’t come here on my own, He sent me!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "43", "text": "‘[Do you know] why you don’t understand what I’m saying? Because you aren’t listening!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "44", "text": "You are from your father the Slanderer and you want to do whatever your father wishes. Why, he was a murderer from the start… he didn’t stick with the truth, because truth isn’t in him. So when he tells a lie, he’s telling about something that’s his, because he’s a liar and the father of the lie."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "45", "text": "However; because I’m telling the truth, you don’t believe me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "46", "text": "‘Who among you accuses me of sin? And if I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "47", "text": "He who comes from God listens to what God is saying… and that’s why you don’t listen; because you aren’t from God.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "48", "text": "Well at that, the Judeans said, ‘Aren’t we [telling the truth] when we say that you’re a demonized Samaritan?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "49", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘I don’t have a demon; I’m honoring my Father and you’re dishonoring me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "50", "text": "I’m not trying to glorify myself, but there is One who is watching and judging."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "51", "text": "I tell you the truth; If anyone obeys my words, he won’t see death in the age.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "52", "text": "Then the Judeans said to him, ‘Now we know that you’re demonized! Why, even Abraham and the Prophets died, but you say, If anyone obeys my words he won’t see death in the age!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "53", "text": "You aren’t greater than our father Abraham or the Prophets who all died, are you? Just who do you claim to be?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "54", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. But it’s my Father who glorifies me… the One who you say is your God,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "55", "text": "but you never knew Him! I know Him, and if I should ever say that I don’t know Him, then I’d be like you, a liar. But I do know Him and I’m obeying His instructions."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "56", "text": "‘Why, your father Abraham shouted in joy over the hope of seeing my day… he saw it and rejoiced!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "57", "text": "Then the Judeans asked, ‘You aren’t fifty years old yet, and still you’ve seen Abraham?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "58", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth; I existed before Abraham was born.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 8, "verse": "59", "text": "And at that, they picked up rocks to throw them at him, but Jesus [went and] hid. Then he left the Temple."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, as he was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "So his disciples asked, ‘Rabbi; Who sinned, this man or his parents, that [caused him to be] born blind?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘It wasn’t because this man or his parents sinned. It happened so that the works of God could be demonstrated through him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "For, I must do the work of the One who sent me while it is still day, because the night is coming when no one can work."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "As long as I’m in the world, I’m the world’s light.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "And after he said that, he spit on the ground, made a paste with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he told him, ‘Go wash in the Pool of SiloAm’ (which translates as The Sent Place). So he went off and washed, and came back seeing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, when his neighbors (who knew he used to be a beggar) saw this, they asked, ‘Isn’t this is the man who used to sit and beg?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "And others answered, ‘That’s him,’ while still others said, ‘No! It just looks like him.’ However, the man said, ‘I’m the one!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "Then they asked, ‘So, how were your eyes opened?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "And he answered: ‘The man called Jesus made a paste and smeared it on my eyes, then he told to me to go to SiloAm and wash. So I went and washed, and started seeing.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "Then they asked, ‘Where is that man?’ And he answered, ‘I don’t know.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "So then they took the man who used to be blind to the Pharisees."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, the day that Jesus made the paste and opened his eyes was a Sabbath."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "So the Pharisees asked him again how he had gained his sight. And he answered, ‘He put a paste on my eyes; then I washed and I started seeing.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "So, some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man isn’t from God, because he doesn’t observe the Sabbath!’ While others asked, ‘If the man’s a sinner, then, how can he perform such signs?’ As the result, they were divided."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "So they asked the blind man once more, ‘Since he opened your eyes, what do you have to say about him?’ And the man said, ‘He’s a Prophet!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "However, the Judeans didn’t believe that he had once been blind and started seeing, until they called his parents"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "and asked them, ‘Is this your son who you say was born blind? And if so, then how can he see now?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "And his parents replied, ‘We know that this is our son and that he was born blind."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "But we don’t know how he started to see or who opened his eyes. Ask him… he’s old enough. He has to speak for himself!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "His parents said this, because they were afraid of the Judeans, since they had already agreed that if anyone would admit that [Jesus] is the Anointed One, they would be expelled from the synagogue."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "And that’s why his parents said, ‘He’s old enough, ask him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "So, they called the man who used to be blind a second time and said, ‘Glorify God! We know that man is a sinner!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "But he answered, ‘Whether he’s a sinner or not, I don’t know. The only thing I do know is that I was blind and now I can see.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "Then they asked, ‘What did he do to you… how did he open your eyes?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "And he replied, ‘I told you already, but you aren’t listening! Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become one of his disciples?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "Well at this, they spoke insultingly to him, saying, ‘You’re one of that man’s disciples, but we are disciples of Moses."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "29", "text": "We know that God spoke to Moses, but we don’t know where this man is from!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "30", "text": "And the man said, ‘It’s truly marvelous that you don’t know where he’s from, yet he opened my eyes."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "31", "text": "We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he listens to anyone who is God-fearing and does His Will."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "32", "text": "Why, through the ages, no one has ever heard of someone that could open the eyes of a person who was born blind."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "33", "text": "And if this man wasn’t from God, he couldn’t do anything.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "34", "text": "Then they replied, ‘You were born a complete sinner, and now you’re teaching us?’ And at that, they threw him out."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "35", "text": "Well, Jesus heard about them throwing him out, and when he found him, he asked, ‘Are you starting to put faith in the Son of Man?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "36", "text": "Then the man answered, ‘Just who is he Lord, so that I can believe in him?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "37", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘You have seen him, for he who is speaking to you is that one.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "38", "text": "Then he said, ‘I do believe in him, Lord,’ and he bowed low."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "39", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘This is the judgment that I brought into the world: Helping those who don’t see to see, and those who see to become blind.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "40", "text": "But when some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this, they asked, ‘We aren’t blind also, are we?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 9, "verse": "41", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘If you were blind you wouldn’t have any sin. But because you claim to see, your sin remains.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; All those who don’t enter the sheep pen through the gate, but climb in at some other place, are thieves and robbers;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "but he who enters through the gate is the shepherd of those sheep."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "This one is the gatekeeper who opens to them, and the sheep listen to his voice… he calls his sheep by their names and leads them out."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "And when he has them all out, he leads them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "They won’t follow a stranger, but will run from him, because they don’t recognize the voices of strangers.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "Jesus had given them this illustration, but they didn’t understand what he meant."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Jesus again said, ‘I tell you the truth; I’m the gateway to the sheep,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "but all those who come ahead of me are thieves and robbers, and the sheep won’t listen to them."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "I’m the gateway, and whoever enters through me will be saved… he can come in or he can go out and find a place to graze."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "The thief only enters to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so they can have life and plenty of everything!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "‘I am the good shepherd, and a good shepherd will give his life for the sheep."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "A hired hand that isn’t a shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep will leave them and run away whenever he sees a wolf coming, so the wolf can grab and scatter them."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "This is because he’s just a hired hand, and he doesn’t really care for the sheep."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "I’m the fine shepherd, so I know my sheep and they know me,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I’ll give my life for the sheep."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "‘But I have other sheep that aren’t in this pen, and I must also lead them and they will listen to my voice, and they will [all] become one flock under one shepherd."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "‘This is why the Father loves me… because I will lay down my life so I can receive it back again."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "Nobody is taking it from me… I’m giving it away! For I’m authorized to give it and I’m authorized to receive it again… this is the commandment that I got from my Father!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "Then once again, the Judeans became divided over these words."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "Many were saying, ‘He’s demonized and crazy. Why do you listen to him?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "But others were saying, ‘These aren’t the words of a demonized man, for a demon can’t open blind peoples’ eyes can it?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, at the time, the Festival of Dedication was going on in Jerusalem. It was winter,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "and Jesus was walking in the Temple among the Columns of Solomon."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "It was there that the Judeans gathered around him and asked, ‘How long are you going to keep our lives hanging? Just tell us if you’re the Anointed One!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘I [already] told you and you don’t believe it! Why, the things that I’m doing in my Father’s Name testify about me,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "but you don’t believe it, because [none of] you are my sheep."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "My sheep listen to my voice… I know them and they follow me,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "so I will give them life in the age… none will be lost in this age, nor will anyone take them from my hands!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "My Father who gave them to me is greater than everyone, and nobody can take them out of the hands of the Father,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "for the Father and I are one.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "Then once again, the Judeans picked up rocks to stone him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "And Jesus said: ‘I’ve shown you so many good things that I did, which came from the Father. So, for which of these good deeds are you ready to stone me?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "And the Judeans answered, ‘We aren’t stoning you for good deeds, but for blasphemy! Why, although you’re just a man, you’re making yourself a god!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "34", "text": "Then Jesus answered, ‘Isn’t it written in your Law, I say that you are gods?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "35", "text": "And if He called those who were spoken against in God’s Word, gods (and you can’t void the Scriptures),"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "36", "text": "how can you tell me (one who was made holy and sent into the world by the Father) that I blaspheme because I say that I’m God’s Son?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "37", "text": "If I’m not doing what my Father wants, then don’t believe me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "38", "text": "But if I am… even if you don’t believe me, believe in what I’m doing! Then you will come to know (and keep knowing) that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "39", "text": "So they tried to grab him again, but he slipped out of their reach."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "40", "text": "Then he went off and crossed the Jordan [River] to the place where John had started his baptizing, and he stayed there."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "41", "text": "Many people came to him there and said, ‘John didn’t perform a single sign, but everything John said about this man is true!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 10, "verse": "42", "text": "And many believed in him there."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, there was a sick man, Lazarus of Bethany, from the village of Mary and her sister Martha."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "This was the Mary who had greased the Lord with perfumed ointment and wiped his feet dry with her hair. And Her brother Lazarus was now very ill,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "so his sisters sent word [to Jesus], saying, ‘Lord, {Look!} the one who you care for is sick!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "But when Jesus heard this, he said, ‘This sickness isn’t for death, it’s for the glory of God – so that the Son of God will be glorified by it!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "However, when he heard that [Lazarus] was sick, he actually stayed where he was for two more days."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "And after that, he told the disciples: ‘Let’s go to Judea again.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "But the disciples reminded him, ‘Rabbi, the Judeans just tried to stone you, so, are you going there again?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "And Jesus answered: ‘Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? And if anyone walks in the daylight, he doesn’t bump into things, because he sees the light of this world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "But if someone walks around at night, he bumps into things, because there isn’t any light in him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "Then after he said these things, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has lain down and I’m going there to wake him up.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "So, the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he’s just lying down, he’ll survive.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "However, Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought he was talking about lying down to sleep."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "And I’m happy for your sakes that I wasn’t there, so you can believe. Let’s go to him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "Then Thomas (who was called the Twin) said to the other disciples, ‘Let’s go along also, so we can die with [Jesus].’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, when Jesus arrived, he found [that Lazarus] had already been in the tomb for four days."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem and"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "many of the Judeans had come to visit Martha and Mary to console them about their brother."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "So, when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary stayed home."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "Then Martha told Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had just been here, my brother wouldn’t have died."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "And yet, I know now that whatever you ask God for, He’ll give you.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "And Jesus told her, ‘Your brother will stand again!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "Then Martha said, ‘I know that he’ll stand again in the resurrection on the Last Day.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "But Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; so, whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "And all the living that believes in me won’t remain dead through the age. Do you believe this?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "And she answered, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that you’re the Anointed One, the Son of God, and the one who was to come into the world.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "Then after saying this, she went off to call her sister Mary, and told her secretly: ‘The Teacher is here and he’s asking for you.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "And when [Mary] heard this, she got up quickly and went to him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "Actually, Jesus hadn’t gone into the village yet, but was still in the place where Martha had met him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "So, when the Judeans (who came to the house to console her) saw Mary get up quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to cry there."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "And when Mary got to the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "And when Jesus saw her and all the Judeans who came with her crying, he groaned a deep sigh and was visibly upset."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "34", "text": "Then he asked, ‘Where have you laid him?’ And they replied, ‘Lord, come and see.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "35", "text": "Then Jesus broke into tears,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "36", "text": "and the Judean [women] said, ‘See how much he cared for him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "37", "text": "But some of them asked, ‘Wasn’t this man who opened the eyes of the blind man able to keep him from dying?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "38", "text": "Then, after groaning deeply again, Jesus went to the tomb, which was actually a cave with a [large piece of] stone on top of it."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "39", "text": "And Jesus said, ‘Lift the stone.’ But Martha (the dead man’s sister) said, ‘Lord, by now he must stink, because it has already been four days!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "40", "text": "However, Jesus said, ‘Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "41", "text": "So, they lifted the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes toward heaven and said, ‘Father; Thank You for listening to me!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "42", "text": "I know that You always hear me, but I said this because of the crowd that’s standing around; so they can believe that You sent me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "43", "text": "And after he said that, he shouted loudly, ‘Lazarus, come on out!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "44", "text": "Then, the man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet still bound with wrappings, and his face wrapped in a cloth. And Jesus said, ‘Untie and unwrap him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "45", "text": "So, many of the Judeans who came with Mary and saw what he had done started believing in him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "46", "text": "However, some went off to the Pharisees and told them about the things that Jesus did."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "47", "text": "Then the Chief Priests and Pharisees called the Jewish Court together and asked, ‘What should we to do, for this man performs so many signs?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "48", "text": "Why, if we let him go on doing this, everyone will believe in him and the Romans will come and take away our land and our people!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "49", "text": "Well, one of the group, CaiAphas (who was High Priest that year), said to them, ‘You don’t know anything,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "50", "text": "and you haven’t figured it out yet… that it’s best for one man to die for the people, so the whole nation isn’t destroyed!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "51", "text": "However, he didn’t come up with this by himself. It was because he was High Priest that year, that he prophesied that Jesus was to die for the nation…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "52", "text": "and not only for the nation, but so that he could also bring the scattered children of God together as one."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "53", "text": "Well, from that day on, they were meeting and discussing ways to kill him,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "54", "text": "so Jesus no longer traveled openly among the Judeans. He left there and traveled through the countryside near the desert, to a city called EphraIm, where he remained with his disciples."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "55", "text": "Now, the Judean Passover was coming, and many people had left the countryside for Jerusalem before the Passover, in order to undergo ceremonial cleansing."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "56", "text": "And [all the while], people were looking for Jesus, asking each other (as they stood around in the Temple), ‘What do you think? Won’t he come to the Festival at all…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 11, "verse": "57", "text": "for the Chief Priests and Pharisees have given orders that if anyone knows where he is, they should tell it so they can grab him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at BethAny (the place where he’d raised Lazarus from the dead),"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "and they prepared a supper for him there. And as Martha was serving, Lazarus was reclining at the table with the others."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "Then Mary took a pound of perfumed ointment (genuine nard that was very expensive) and greased Jesus’ feet, wiping his feet dry with her hair; and this filled the house with the scent of the perfume."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "But Judas IsCariot (one of his disciples who was about to betray him) asked:"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "‘Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred silver coins and given to the poor?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "However, he didn’t say this because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief… he kept the money box, and he used to [steal some of] the money that was put into it."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so she can keep this observance of the day of my burial."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "You always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, a large crowd of Judeans had learned that he was there; and they came, not just to see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus who he’d raised from the dead."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "As the result, the Chief Priests then met in counsel to kill Lazarus also,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "because many Judeans were going there and believing in Jesus due to him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "Then, the next day, a huge crowd of those who had come to the festival, when they heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "took palm-tree branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘[God] save the Praised One who comes in Jehovah’s Name… the King of Israel!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "And when Jesus found a young burro, he sat on it, just as it was written,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Don’t be afraid, O daughter of Zion. {Look!} Your king is coming, sitting on the colt of a burro.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "And although his disciples didn’t pay any particular attention to this at first; after Jesus was glorified, they remembered these things were written about him and that they did these things."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "Also, the crowd that was with him when he had called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead [was there], testifying about him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "And many in the throngs [of people] came to meet him, because they’d heard that he had performed this sign."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "So the Pharisees talked among themselves saying, ‘Look… we aren’t getting anywhere! See, the whole world is following him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, among those who came to worship at the Festival were some Greeks,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "who went up to Philip (from BethSaida of Galilee) and said, ‘Lord; We want to see Jesus.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "So Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "But Jesus replied, ‘The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "I tell you the truth; Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a kernel. But if it dies, it produces much fruit."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "So, he who is concerned about his life will lose it, but those who don’t care about life in this world will keep it safe, and they will live through the age."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "26", "text": "‘If anyone wants to serve me, let him follow me, so that wherever I am, my servant will be also… for the Father will honor all who wish to serve me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "27", "text": "‘Now I am deeply disturbed, so what should I say… Father, save me from this hour? Why, this is why I came to this hour!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "28", "text": "Father; Glorify Your Name!’ Then a voice came out of the sky, saying, ‘I glorified it and I will glorify it again!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, [many in] the crowd who were standing there heard [the sound] and said it was thunder; but others said, ‘A messenger [from God] spoke to him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "30", "text": "Then Jesus said: ‘This voice didn’t happen for me, but for you;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "31", "text": "for now this world will be judged; now the ruler of this world will be thrown out;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "32", "text": "and if I’m hung high off the ground, I will draw all men toward me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "33", "text": "(He was really saying this to show what type of death he was about to die.)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "34", "text": "Then the crowd said, ‘The Law tells us that the Anointed One will be here through the age. So, why are you saying that the Son of Man must be hung up… just who is this Son of Man?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "35", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘The light will be among you just a little while longer; so walk while you have the light, so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "36", "text": "But as long as you have the light, have faith in that light, so you can become Sons of Light.’ And after Jesus said these things, he went and hid from them."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "37", "text": "For, although he had performed so many signs in front of them, they still didn’t believe in him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "38", "text": "This was so that the words of the Prophet IsaiJah were fulfilled that said, ‘O Lord; Who has believed in the things that we’ve heard, and who has shown the arm of Jehovah?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "39", "text": "The reason why they couldn’t believe, is as IsaiJah again said,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "40", "text": "‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they won’t see with their eyes, understand in their hearts, and turn around so I will heal them.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "41", "text": "IsaiJah said this, because he saw and talked about [Jesus’] glory."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "42", "text": "Yet, even many of the rulers actually believed in him, but they wouldn’t admit it because of the Pharisees, and so they wouldn’t be expelled from the synagogue…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "43", "text": "for they loved the glory of men even more than the glory of God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "44", "text": "Then Jesus shouted [to the crowd], ‘Those who believe in me don’t just believe in me alone, but in the One who sent me…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "45", "text": "and whoever sees me, sees the One who sent me!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "46", "text": "For, I came as a light to the world, so that everyone who believes in me won’t stay in darkness."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "47", "text": "And if anyone hears what I say and doesn’t obey it, I won’t judge him; for I didn’t come to judge the world, but to save it!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "48", "text": "Those who ignore me and don’t welcome what I say have one that judges them… the things that I’ve said are what will judge him on the last day,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "49", "text": "because the things that I said didn’t come from me; It was the Father who sent me that commanded me as to what to tell and what to say!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 12, "verse": "50", "text": "I know that His Commandments mean life in the age, so I say whatever the Father told me to say… and that’s what I’m saying!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, even before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that the time had come for him to transfer from this world to the Father. And Jesus loved those who were his own in the world… and he loved them to the end."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "So, while they were eating supper (since the Slanderer had already put it into the heart of Judas IsCariot – the son of Simon – to betray him,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "and because he knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he came from God and was returning to God),"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "he got up from the meal and laid his outer clothing aside. Then he took a towel and wrapped it around him,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "put water in a bowl, and started washing his disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel that he had around him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "But when he got to Simon Peter, [Peter] asked, ‘Lord, why are you washing my feet?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘You won’t understand what I’m doing right now, but you will understand later.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "Then Peter said, ‘You aren’t going to wash my feet any time in this age!’ And Jesus replied, ‘If I don’t wash you, you will never have a share with me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "And at that, Simon Peter said, ‘Lord, then not just my feet, but my hands and head also!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "But Jesus told him: ‘Someone who has taken a bath is completely clean and doesn’t need to have anything more than his feet washed… and you men are clean… but not all.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "He knew, of course, which man would betray him. That’s why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, after he’d finished washing their feet, he put his outer clothing back on, reclined at the table again, and then asked, ‘Do you know what I’ve done for you?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "You call me Teacher and Lord, and there’s nothing wrong with that, because that’s what I am."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "So if I, as your Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you should also wash the feet of each other."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "I set the pattern for you, so you should do just as I did to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; a slave isn’t greater than his master is, nor is an apostle greater than the one who sent him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "And if you understand these things and do them, you will be blest."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Now, I’m not talking about all of you – for I know those whom I chose – because, the scripture must be fulfilled, He who used to chew on my bread has lifted his heel against me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "19", "text": "‘So from now on, I will be telling you things before they happen. That way, when they do happen, you will believe that I am he."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "20", "text": "I tell you the truth; Whoever welcomes anyone that I send, also welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me, also welcomes Him who sent me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "21", "text": "And after he said these things, Jesus became deeply disturbed and he testified to this: ‘I tell you the truth; One of you will betray me!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, the disciples started looking at each other and were at a loss as to which one he was saying this about."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "23", "text": "And reclining immediately in front of Jesus was one of his disciples who Jesus particularly loved;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "24", "text": "so Simon Peter nodded to him and said, ‘Tell [us] who he’s talking about.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "25", "text": "So this one leaned back against Jesus’ chest and asked, ‘Lord, who is it?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "26", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘It’s the one to whom I’m going to give this piece of bread that I’m dipping.’ So, he dipped the piece of bread, then took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon IsCariot."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "27", "text": "Then after [eating] the bread, the Opposer entered [Judas]. And Jesus said, ‘Hurry up and do what you’re going to do!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "28", "text": "However, none of the rest who were reclining at the table knew why he said this to him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "29", "text": "In fact, some thought that, since Judas was in charge of the money box, Jesus was telling him to buy whatever was needed for the Festival, or that he should give something to the poor."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "30", "text": "So [Judas] left immediately after he’d received the piece of bread late that evening."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "31", "text": "And it was after he left that Jesus said: ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified, and he glorifies God."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "32", "text": "For God Himself will glorify him and he will be glorified right away!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "33", "text": "Little children; I’ll be with you just a little while longer; you will look for me, and as I told the Judeans, Where I’m going you can’t come… and I’m saying the same thing to you right now."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "34", "text": "‘I’m giving you a new commandment, to love each other… love each other just as I’ve loved you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "35", "text": "For this is how they will know that you are my disciples, by the love that you have for each other.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "36", "text": "Then Simon Peter asked, ‘Where are you going Lord?’ And Jesus answered, ‘You can’t follow where I’m going now, but you will follow later.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "37", "text": "And Peter said, ‘Lord, why can’t I follow you now? Why, I’ll give my life for you!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 13, "verse": "38", "text": "But Jesus replied, ‘Will you give your life for me? I tell you the truth; a rooster won’t crow before you’ve denied knowing me three times.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "‘Now, don’t let your hearts be troubled; just have faith in God and have faith in me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "There are many places to stay in my Father’s house… if there weren’t I would have told you, because I’m going there to prepare a place for you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "And if I’m going to prepare a place for you, I will also return and take you with me, so you’ll be where I am…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "and then you’ll know the way to where I’m going.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "At that, Thomas said: ‘Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. So, how will we know the way?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; so no one comes to the Father unless [he comes] through me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "If you men had [truly] known me, you would have recognized my Father also… and from now on, you’ve both known Him and seen Him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "Then Philip said: ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "And Jesus said: ‘Have I spent so much time with you, and yet you haven’t come to know me Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father… so why are you saying, Show us the Father?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? ‘I’m not coming up with the things that I’m telling you on my own; it’s the Father who remains in me that is doing His work."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "Believe me when I say that I’m in the Father and the Father is in me… or just believe because of what I’m doing!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; Whoever believes in me will do the things that I’m doing. In fact, he will do even greater things than these, because I’m going to the Father;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "and I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son can glorify the Father."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "And if you ever ask anything of me in my name, I’ll do it!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "But if you truly love me, you’ll follow my commandments."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "‘Now, I’m going to ask the Father and He will give you another helper that will be with you through the age;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "the Spirit of Truth. The world won’t receive it, because they can’t see it or understand it… but you’ll recognize it, because it will stay with you and in you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "‘I’m not leaving you as orphans, because I’ll be coming [back] to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "But in just a little while the world won’t see me anymore; however, you will see me, because I’m alive and you will live."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "And in that day, you’ll know that I’m in my Father, as you’re in me and I’m in you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "‘Whoever knows my commandments and obeys them, is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, so I will love him and show myself to him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "Then Judas (not IsCariot, [but ThadDaeus]) asked: ‘Lord, what has happened so that you’re about to show yourself to us, but not to the world?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he’ll obey my words. Then my Father will love him and we will come to him and live with him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "24", "text": "But those who don’t love me, don’t obey my words. And the words you’re hearing aren’t mine, because they belong to the Father who sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "25", "text": "‘I told you these things while I was with you,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "26", "text": "but the Advocate, the Holy Breath that the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of everything that I told you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "27", "text": "So, I leave you peace… I give you my peace, and I’m not giving it to you the way the world offers it. ‘Don’t allow your hearts to be disturbed [and cause you to] act cowardly,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "28", "text": "because you heard me say that I’m going away and I will also return. If you loved me, you would cry out in joy that I’m going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Now, I’ve told you all of this before it happens, so that when it does happen, you can believe."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "30", "text": "I won’t say many more things to you, because the Ruler of the World is coming and he has nothing on me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 14, "verse": "31", "text": "But, so that the world will know that I love the Father; whatever commandments the Father gave me, I have done. ‘Now, get up! Let’s leave this place!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "‘I am the true vine and my Father is the cultivator."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "He removes every branch in me that doesn’t produce fruit and He cleans up all those that do produce, so they can put out more fruit."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "However, you’ve already been made clean by the things I’ve told you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "So stick with me and I’ll stick with you. ‘Just as a branch can’t produce fruit unless it remains on the vine, you can’t either, unless you’re in me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "So, I’m the vine and you’re the branches; and those who are in me (and I in them) will produce much fruit. But apart from me, you can’t do anything."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "For, when someone doesn’t remain in me, his branch is removed and it withers. Then men gather up such branches and throw them in the fire where they’re burned."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "But if you remain in me, and if the things I say remain in you, then you can ask for whatever you wish and it will happen for you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "‘My Father is glorified when you keep producing much fruit and keep proving that you are my disciples."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "And as the Father has loved me and I have loved you, remain in my love."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "For, if you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed the commandments of the Father, and I remain in His love."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "‘I’ve told you these things so you can share the joy that I have and so your joy can grow."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "And this is my commandment: Love each other just as I’ve loved you!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "No one has greater love than this… that someone should give his life for his friends."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "And you’re my friends if you ever do what I’m commanding you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "‘I’m not calling you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing… I’m calling you friends, because I’ve told you everything that I’ve heard from my Father."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "Why, you didn’t choose me, I chose you! And I planted you so you’d produce fruit, and for your fruit to last! So, no matter what you ask from the Father in my name, He’ll give it to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "‘This is what I command you: Love each other!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "And if the world hates you, you know that it hated me first."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "For, if you were from the world, the world would have cared about what is its own. But now, because you’re out of the world – because I’ve chosen you out of the world – this is why the world hates you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Remember what I told you: A slave isn’t greater than his master; so if they persecuted me, they’ll persecute you also. But if they’ve obeyed my words, they’ll also obey yours."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "However, they’re going to do all these things against you in my name, because they don’t know the One who sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "And if I hadn’t come to tell them, they wouldn’t be guilty of sin. But, now they don’t have any excuse for their sin!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Everyone who hates me also hates my Father."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "And if I hadn’t done things that no one else has ever done among them, they wouldn’t be guilty of sin. However, [now] they’ve seen it… and they’ve hated both my Father and I."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "But this happened so that the words written in their Law would be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "‘So, when the [One Who] Calls (that I’m going to send you from the Father) arrives (the Spirit of Truth that comes from the Father), that [one] will testify about me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "And you are also to testify, because you’ve been with me since the earliest [days].’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "‘Now, I’m telling you these things so you won’t be stumbled;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "for they’re going to expel you from the synagogues… in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing a service to God…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "but they’ll do these things because they didn’t know either the Father or me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "‘I’ve told you these things, so that when their time comes, you’ll remember that I told them to you. But, here are some things I didn’t tell you at first, because I was with you then:"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "Now I’m going to the One who sent me; yet, none of you asks where I’m going."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "But, because I’ve told you these things, your hearts are filled with grief."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "‘I’m telling you the truth when I say that my going away is for your own good. For, if I didn’t go away, the Advocate wouldn’t come to you. But if I go, I’ll send him to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "And when that one gets here, he’ll scold the world about its sins, its righteousness, and its judgments."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "About sin; Because they have no faith in me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "About righteousness; Because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "And about judgment; Because the Ruler of this World has been judged."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "‘I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them right now."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "However, when that one (the Spirit of Truth) arrives, he will lead all of you to the truth. This is because he won’t speak on his own; he will just tell you what he hears, and [he will] announce the things that are coming."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "That one will glorify me, because he will receive things from me and announce them to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "For, everything that the Father has is mine, and that’s why I say that he will receive things from me and announce them to you."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "Because, in a little while you won’t see me. Yet, in a little while, you will see me.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "Well at that, some of his disciples started asking each other, ‘What does he mean when he says that in a little while you won’t see me, and in a little while you will see me, and… because I’m going to the Father?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "They also asked, ‘What does he mean by a little while? … we don’t know what he’s talking about!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him [about this], so he said, ‘Are you asking each other questions because I said, In a little while you won’t see me, and in a little while you will see me?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "I tell you the truth; You will cry and bawl while the world rejoices… you will be very sad, but then your grief will be turned into joy."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "‘When a woman is having a baby, she’s grief-stricken because her time has come. But after the child is born, she forgets the difficult time she had, because of her joy that a person was born into the world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "22", "text": "‘So, now you’re feeling grief… but I’ll see you again! Then your hearts will rejoice and no one will ever be able to take away your joy…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "23", "text": "and then you won’t have to ask me any more questions. ‘I tell you the truth; If you ask the Father for anything, He’ll give it to you in my name."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "24", "text": "Until now you haven’t asked for anything in my name; but then you’ll ask and receive, and your joy will be complete."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "25", "text": "‘[Until now], I’ve been telling you these things through illustrations. But the time is coming when I won’t talk to you in illustrations anymore; I’ll talk to you openly and bring back reports to you about the Father."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "26", "text": "And in that day, you’ll ask in my name, and I won’t [have to] tell you that I’ll ask the Father for you;"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "27", "text": "because the Father cares for you, because you cared for me, and you believed that I came [from my position] beside the Father."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "28", "text": "So, I’m from the Father and I came into the world; therefore, I’m also leaving the world and returning to the Father.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, at this, his disciples said, ‘{Look!} Now you’re talking openly without illustrations…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "30", "text": "now we’re aware that you know everything and you don’t need anyone questioning you. And because of this, we believe that you came from God.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "31", "text": "But Jesus asked, ‘Do you believe right now?"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "32", "text": "Look, the hour is coming – in fact it has already arrived – when you will each be scattered to your own homes and you’ll desert me. Yet, I won’t be alone, because the Father is with me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 16, "verse": "33", "text": "‘I’ve told you these things so you can find peace in me; for in the world you’ll only find hard times. But take courage, because I have conquered the world!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, after Jesus said these things, he raised his eyes to the sky and said, ‘Father; The hour has come! Glorify your son, so your son can glorify You."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "2", "text": "Now You’ve put him over all flesh, so he can give life in the age to all those whom You’ve given to him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "3", "text": "For, knowing You (the only true God) and the one who You sent (Jesus the Anointed) means life in the age."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "4", "text": "‘I’ve glorified You on the earth, and perfectly completed the work that You’ve assigned to me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "5", "text": "So Father, now glorify me alongside You with the glory that I had beside You before there was a cosmos."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "6", "text": "‘I’ve made Your Name shine among the men that You gave me from the world… they were Yours, but You gave them to me, and they’ve obeyed all Your words."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "7", "text": "And they know that everything You gave me came from You,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "8", "text": "for I passed along to them all the things that You told me, and these [things] were welcomed by them… and they know for a fact that I came from [my position] beside You. Yes, they believe that it was You who sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "9", "text": "‘So it’s on their behalf that I’m asking… I’m not asking on behalf of the whole world, just for those whom You’ve given to me, because they’re Yours!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, all that’s mine is Yours, and all that’s Yours is mine; and I’ve been glorified among them."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Since I’m no longer in this world (but they are), and I’m coming to You, Holy Father; watch over these that You’ve given me because of Your Name, so they can be one as we are."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "12", "text": "‘I’ve watched over these while I was with them… these whom You’ve given me because of Your Name. And I’ve watched over them so that none were destroyed (except for the son of destruction), so the Scriptures might be fulfilled."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "13", "text": "‘But now I’m coming to You, and I’m saying these things in the world so they can be filled with my joy."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "14", "text": "I’ve given them Your Words, because they’re hated by the world… because they’re no a part of this world, just as I’m no part of the world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "15", "text": "‘I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to guard them because of the Wicked One,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "16", "text": "since they’re no part of the world, just as I’m no part of the world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Make them holy in the truth, for Your Word is the truth!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "18", "text": "And as You sent me into the world, I’m sending them into the world."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "19", "text": "Therefore, I’m making myself something holy for them, so they can be holy in truth."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Also, I’m not just asking for just these; [I’m asking that] all those who say they believe"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "21", "text": "may be one (just as You Father, are in me, and I’m in You), that they can also be in us, so the world can believe that You sent me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "22", "text": "‘I’ve given them the glory that You gave me, so they can be one as we are one,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "23", "text": "I in them, and You in me, so they can be perfected into one, and the world may know that You sent me, and that You love them as You love me."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Father, as for those whom You’ve given me; I want them to be where I am, so they can see the glory that You gave me, because You’ve loved me from before the founding of the cosmos."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Righteous Father; The world never knew You, but I know You… and these that You’ve sent me have come to know [You]."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 17, "verse": "26", "text": "I’ve made Your Name known to them, and I will [continue to] make it known, so Your love for me can be in them, and I [can be] in them also.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, after he said this, Jesus and his disciples crossed the Cedar (Kidron) Wadi, where they entered a garden."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "2", "text": "Now, Judas (his betrayer) also knew of this place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "3", "text": "So, Judas brought along a contingent of soldiers and some officers from the Priests and Pharisees, who came with torches, lamps, and weapons."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "4", "text": "And since Jesus knew everything that was about to happen, he asked, ‘Who are you looking for?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "5", "text": "And they answered, ‘Jesus the Nazarene!’ So he said, ‘That’s me!’ (Judas, his betrayer, was also standing among them.)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "6", "text": "However, when he told them ‘That’s me,’ they all backed up and fell to the ground."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "7", "text": "So he asked them again, ‘Who are you looking for?’ And they said, ‘Jesus the Nazarene!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "8", "text": "Then Jesus answered, ‘I told you, that’s me! If it’s just me that you’re looking for, then let these go.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "9", "text": "(He said this, so the words he spoke could be fulfilled, ‘I haven’t lost a single one of those whom You gave me.’)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "10", "text": "And at that, Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the Chief Priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. (The slave’s name was Malchus.)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "11", "text": "However, Jesus told Peter: ‘Put the sword away… shouldn’t I drink the cup that the Father has given me to drink?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "12", "text": "Then the officer and his soldiers (as well as the Judean officers) grabbed Jesus and tied him up."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "13", "text": "Well, first they took him to AnNas, the father-in-law of CaiAphas (who was High Priest that year)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "14", "text": "It was CaiAphas who had advised the Judeans that it was to their benefit for one man to die in behalf of the people."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. And since the Chief Priest was familiar with that disciple, he went into the Chief Priest’s courtyard along with Jesus,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "16", "text": "as Peter stood outside by the door. Then the disciple who knew the Chief Priest went outside and spoke to the doorkeeper, and he brought Peter inside."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "17", "text": "But the servant girl who served as the doorkeeper, asked Peter, ‘You aren’t one of this man’s disciples also, are you?’ And he said, ‘No, I’m not!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, the slaves and the officers were standing around warming themselves by a charcoal fire that they had built, because it was cold, and Peter was standing there with them, warming himself."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "19", "text": "Well, the Chief Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teachings."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "20", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘I’ve spoken to the world publicly and I always taught in synagogues and in the Temple where all the Jews meet! I haven’t said anything in secret,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "21", "text": "so why are you questioning me? Question those who heard what I said. See, they know what I said!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "22", "text": "And at that, one of the officers who was standing there slapped Jesus in the face and said, ‘Is that any way to answer the Chief Priest?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "23", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘If I spoke in error, then testify that what I said that was wrong. But if [what I said was] right, then why did you hit me?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "24", "text": "Thereafter, AnNas sent him away bound to CaiAphas, the High Priest."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself, when someone asked him, ‘Aren’t you one of his disciples?’ But he denied it, saying, ‘I am not!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "26", "text": "Then one of the Chief Priest’s slaves (a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off) said, ‘I saw you in the garden with him, didn’t I?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "27", "text": "But Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, early the next morning, they led Jesus from CaiAphas’ [home] to the Governor’s Palace; but they didn’t go inside, because they didn’t want to become unclean (so they could eat the Passover)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "29", "text": "As the result, Pilate came outside to them and asked, ‘What are you accusing this man of?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "30", "text": "And they replied, ‘If this man hadn’t done anything wrong, we wouldn’t be handing him over to you!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "31", "text": "But Pilate said, ‘Then, take him yourselves and judge him by your own laws.’ And the Judeans said, ‘It isn’t legal for us to kill anyone!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "32", "text": "(This was said so that Jesus’ words would be fulfilled when he showed what sort of death he would die.)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "33", "text": "So Pilate went back inside the governor’s palace, then he called for Jesus and asked, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "34", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘Is it your idea to ask this, or did others tell you about me?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "35", "text": "Then Pilate answered: ‘I’m not a Jew am I? Your own people and Priests handed you over to me… what did you do?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "36", "text": "So Jesus replied, ‘My Kingdom isn’t from this world. Why, if my Kingdom were from this world, my followers would likely have fought so I wouldn’t be handed over to the Judeans. But my Kingdom isn’t from here.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "37", "text": "Then Pilate said, ‘You aren’t a king… are you?’ And Jesus answered, ‘You’re the one who’s saying that I’m a king. The reason why I was born and why I came into the world is to testify to the truth, and everyone who’s on the side of truth listens to my voice.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "38", "text": "Finally, Pilate asked, ‘What is truth?’ And after he said this, he went out to the Judeans again and told them, ‘I haven’t found a single reason [to hold him]."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "39", "text": "So, since it’s your custom for me to release someone to you on the Passover; Do you want me release the King of the Jews to you?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 18, "verse": "40", "text": "But they shouted repeatedly, ‘Not him, but BarAbbas!’ (BarAbbas was a robber.)"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "1", "text": "So Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged with a whip."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "2", "text": "Then the soldiers braided a crown out of thorns, put it on his head, and wrapped him in a purple cape,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "3", "text": "and they started coming up to him and saying, ‘Rejoice, O you king of the Jews’ (as they were slapping him in the face)!"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "4", "text": "Finally, Pilate went outside one more time and said, ‘Look; I’m bringing him outside to you, so you will know that I find no fault in him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "5", "text": "Then Jesus came outside wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cape. And [Pilate] said, ‘Look; The man!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "6", "text": "However, when the Chief Priests and the Temple officers saw him, they shouted, ‘Hang him on a pole! Hang him on a pole!’ Then Pilate told them, ‘Take him yourselves and impale him! I don’t find any fault in him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "7", "text": "But the Judeans answered, ‘We have a Law; and according to that Law he must die, because he made himself God’s Son.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, when Pilate heard them say this, it frightened him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "9", "text": "So he went back inside the Governor’s Palace and asked Jesus, ‘Where are you from?’ But Jesus wouldn’t answer."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "10", "text": "Then Pilate said, ‘Aren’t you talking to me… don’t you know that I have power to release you and the power to impale you?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "11", "text": "And Jesus replied, ‘You wouldn’t have any power at all over me, unless it had been given to you from above. That’s why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, because of that, Pilate kept on looking for ways to release him. But the Judeans shouted, ‘If you release this man, you’re no friend of Caesar. Every man who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "13", "text": "So after Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus outside, and then he sat down in the public-court area called the Stone Pavement (GabBatha in Hebrew)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "14", "text": "Now, it was about the sixth hour of the day of preparation for the Passover. And [Pilate] said to the Judeans, ‘See; Your King!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "15", "text": "However, they shouted, ‘Hang him up! Hang him up! Impale him!’ Then Pilate asked, ‘Shall I hang your king on a pole?’ And the Chief Priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "16", "text": "So, he handed [Jesus] over to them to be impaled. Then they took Jesus away"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "17", "text": "and made him carry the pole out to the spot called Skull Place (GolGotha in Hebrew)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "18", "text": "There they impaled him along with two men, one on this side and one on the other, with Jesus in the middle."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "19", "text": "Pilate also wrote a sign that he put on the pole, saying, ‘Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "20", "text": "As the result, many of the Judeans read this title (because the place where Jesus was impaled was close to the city), for it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "21", "text": "However, the Judean Chief Priests told Pilate, ‘Don’t write The King of the Jews, but, He said I’m King of the Jews!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "22", "text": "But Pilate answered, ‘What I wrote is what I have written.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, when the soldiers impaled Jesus, they took his robe and tore it into four sections, so each soldier could have a piece. But the long inner shirt was woven without a seam from top to bottom."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "24", "text": "So they said to each other, ‘Let’s not tear it; we’ll throw dice to see who gets it.’ (This happened so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘They divided my robe among themselves and threw dice over my clothes’). And the soldiers really did these things."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "25", "text": "Standing by the impaling pole of Jesus was his mother, her sister Mary (the wife of Cleopas), and Mary of Magdala."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "26", "text": "So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he told his mother, ‘Look, woman; Your son!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "27", "text": "Then he said to the disciple, ‘Look; Your mother!’ And from that day on, the disciple took her into his home."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "28", "text": "Later, when Jesus realized that everything had been completed (so the scripture could be fulfilled), he said, ‘I’m thirsty.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "29", "text": "And a jar was sitting there full of vinegar. So they put a sponge filled with vinegar on a stalk and held it up to his mouth."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "30", "text": "And when he received the vinegar, Jesus said, ‘It’s finished!’ Then he hung his head and gave up the breath."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "31", "text": "Since it was Preparation, and so that the bodies wouldn’t hang on the poles over the Sabbath (because that was a Great Sabbath), the Judeans asked Pilate to have their legs broken and the bodies taken away."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "32", "text": "So the soldiers came and broke the legs of both men who had been impaled with him."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "33", "text": "But when they got to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "34", "text": "However, one of the soldiers jabbed his side with a spear, at which blood and water poured out."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "35", "text": "He who saw this is a witness to the facts, and offers this as true testimony. This man knows that he’s telling the truth, so you can also believe it."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "36", "text": "It’s a fact that these things happened so the scripture can be fulfilled, ‘Not a bone of his will be crushed.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "37", "text": "And another scripture says, ‘They will look to the one whom they pierced.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "38", "text": "Well, after that, Joseph from AriMathea (a secret disciple of Jesus, because he was afraid of the Judeans) asked Pilate if he could take Jesus’ body away, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "39", "text": "Then NicoDemos (the man who came to him at night the first time) came with a roll of myrrh and about a hundred pounds of aloes."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "40", "text": "So they took Jesus’ body and bound it up with wrappings and spices (for that’s how the Judeans customarily prepared bodies for burial)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "41", "text": "Now, at the place where he was impaled, there was a garden and a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 19, "verse": "42", "text": "And because of the Jewish Preparation, they laid Jesus there, since the tomb was nearby."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, on one of the days of the Sabbaths, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and noticed that the stone had already been moved away."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "2", "text": "So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple (the one who Jesus cared for) and told them, ‘They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they’ve put him!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "3", "text": "Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb…"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "4", "text": "the two started running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "5", "text": "And stooping over, he saw the wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go inside."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "6", "text": "Then Simon Peter came following him, and he went on into the tomb. He also saw the wrappings lying there,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "7", "text": "but the cloth that had been on his head wasn’t with the wrappings… it was rolled up in another spot."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "8", "text": "Then the other disciple who reached the tomb first also went in… and saw… and believed."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "9", "text": "However, they still didn’t understand the scripture that spoke of how he was to be resurrected from the dead,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "10", "text": "so the disciples went back home."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "11", "text": "And all the while, Mary kept standing outside the tomb crying. Then as she was crying, she stooped over to look inside the tomb,"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "12", "text": "and she saw two [of God’s] messengers dressed in white; one sitting at the head and the other at the feet of where the body of Jesus had been lying."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "13", "text": "And they asked her, ‘Woman; Why are you crying?’ And she answered, ‘They’ve taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they’ve laid him.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "14", "text": "Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t recognize [him]."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "15", "text": "So Jesus asked, ‘Woman; Why are you crying… who are you looking for?’ And she, thinking he was the caretaker, said, ‘Lord, if you’ve carried him off, tell me where you’ve laid him, and I’ll take him away.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "16", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ And when she turned around, she said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni (My Teacher)!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "17", "text": "And Jesus said to her, ‘Don’t cling to me, because I haven’t ascended to the Father yet. But go to my brothers and tell them that I’m ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "18", "text": "Well at this, Mary of Magdala went and carried the news to the disciples saying, ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And [then she told them] the things that he said."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "19", "text": "So, late that evening, although the doors were locked at the place where the disciples were (for fear of the Judeans), Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, ‘May you have peace.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "20", "text": "And after he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced at seeing the Lord."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "21", "text": "And Jesus again said, ‘May you have peace. Now, in the same way that the Father sent me, I’m sending you.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "22", "text": "Well, after he said this, he blew on them, saying, ‘Receive the Holy Breath."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "23", "text": "And if you forgive anyone’s sins, they will remain forgiven. But if you don’t forgive their sins, they won’t be forgiven.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "24", "text": "However, Thomas (one of the twelve, who was called the Twin) wasn’t with them when Jesus came."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "25", "text": "So when the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord,’ he said, ‘I won’t believe unless I see the print of the nails in his hands and stick my finger in them, and stick my hand into his side.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "26", "text": "Well, eight days later, his disciples were gathered inside, and this time Thomas was with them. Then Jesus came again and stood in their midst (although the doors were locked) and he said, ‘May you have peace.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "27", "text": "And he said to Thomas, ‘Now, put your finger here… and look at my hands… then take your hand and stick it into my side… stop doubting and start believing!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "28", "text": "And at that, Thomas said, ‘My Lord and my God!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "29", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Do you believe because you’ve seen me? It’s those who don’t see and still believe that are blest.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "30", "text": "Well, it’s a fact that that Jesus performed many other signs before his disciples, which aren’t written in this scroll."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 20, "verse": "31", "text": "However, these things have been written so you can believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God… and that by believing, you too can have life through his name."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "1", "text": "After that, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius, and this is how he did it:"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "2", "text": "There was Simon Peter, Thomas (the Twin), NathaniEl ([BarTholomew]) from Cana of Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "3", "text": "Simon Peter had said to them, ‘I’m going fishing.’ And they told him, ‘We want to come along.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but they didn’t catch anything all night long."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "4", "text": "Then, just as it was starting to get light, Jesus was there standing on the beach, but the disciples didn’t recognize that it was Jesus."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "5", "text": "And Jesus shouted, ‘Young children; You don’t have anything to eat, do you?’ And they answered ‘No!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "6", "text": "So he said, ‘Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you’ll find some!’ Then they threw the net out, but they weren’t able to bring it in because there were so many fish."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "7", "text": "And at that, the disciple who Jesus used to love said to Peter, ‘It’s the Lord!’ And when Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he slipped on his robe (because he was naked) and dove into the sea."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "8", "text": "However, the rest of the disciples came along in the boat dragging their net of fish, because they weren’t very far from land, only about three hundred feet."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "9", "text": "And when they reached the shore, they noticed a charcoal fire with fish and bread lying on it."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "10", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you just caught.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "11", "text": "So Simon Peter pulled the net to land, and it was filled with a hundred and fifty-three large fish. But, although there were so many, the net didn’t rip."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "12", "text": "Then Jesus said, ‘Come and get your breakfast.’ However, none of the disciples had enough courage to ask him who he was, because they knew it was the Lord."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "13", "text": "So Jesus went over and handed them some bread and fish."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "14", "text": "This was the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "15", "text": "Well, following breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter: ‘Simon, son of Jonah; Do you love me more than these [fish]?’ And he replied, ‘Yes Lord; You know how much I care for you!’ Then [Jesus] said, ‘Feed my lambs.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "16", "text": "A second time [Jesus] asked, ‘Simon, son of Jonah; Do you love me?’ And he said, ‘Yes Lord, you know how much I care for you!’ And he said, ‘Shepherd my little sheep.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "17", "text": "Then he asked a third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah; Do you care for me?’ Well, Peter was hurt when he asked the third time, ‘Do you care for me?’ So, he said, ‘Lord, you know everything… and you know how much I care for you!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my little sheep.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "18", "text": "‘I tell you the truth; When you were young, you used to wrap your clothes around you and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will wrap you up and take you where you don’t want to go.’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "19", "text": "(He said this to show [Peter] the type of death he would [die, to] glorify God.) And after that, he said: ‘Keep on following me!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, when he turned around, Peter saw the disciple who Jesus used to love following them (the one who at the evening meal, leaned back on [Jesus’] chest and asked, ‘Lord, who will betray you?’)."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "21", "text": "And on seeing him, Peter asked Jesus: ‘Lord, what about him?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "22", "text": "And Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, why should you care? You keep on following me!’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "23", "text": "But because of that, word was spread among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. However, Jesus didn’t say he wouldn’t die, he just said, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, why should you care?’"}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "24", "text": "This is the disciple who testified about and wrote about these things, and we know that the witness he provides is true."}
{"book": "JHN", "chapter": 21, "verse": "25", "text": "---"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "TheoPhilus; This is the first time I’ve put together all of the things that Jesus did and taught"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "up to the day he was taken, and after he gave commandments to the Apostles who he selected by Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "He gave them so much proof that he was alive after the things he suffered, and they saw him for forty days as he told them about the Kingdom of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "And when he met with them, he gave them the orders, ‘Don’t leave Jerusalem, but keep waiting for the promise that I told you would come from the Father."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "Because, although John baptized with water, in just a few days you will be baptized in Holy Breath.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "Then, when they all met with him, they asked, ‘Lord, are you going to return the Kingdom to Israel now?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "But he said, ‘It isn’t your business to know the times and periods that the Father is in charge of."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "You will receive power when the Holy Breath comes over you, and you’ll be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, all of Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "And after he said these things, while they were still looking at him, a cloud lifted him out of sight."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "And as they stood there staring into the sky watching him go, {Look!} two men in white clothes stood beside them and said,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Men of Galilee; Why are you standing and looking up in the sky? This Jesus who was taken from you into heaven, will return to you in the same way that you saw him going into the sky.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill nearby (called the Mount of Olives), which is the [maximum] legal traveling distance from Jerusalem on a Sabbath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "And when they entered [the city], they all went to the upper room where they (Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, BarTholomew, Matthew, James [the son] of AlphaEus, Simon the zealous one, and Judas [the son] of James) were staying."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "And they were all one in mind and purpose as they continued praying, along with some women who were gathered there with Mary (the mother of Jesus), and his brothers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "It was during this period that Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (about a hundred and twenty people in all) and said,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "‘Men! Brothers! The scripture had to be fulfilled (which Holy Breath foretold through David’s mouth) about Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "although he had been one of us and he’d a share in this service."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "Why, the wage he was paid for his wickedness was used to purchase that field into the middle of which he fell headfirst and burst, causing his intestines to pour out;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "so the field has become known to everyone living in Jerusalem as Akel Dama (Field of Blood)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "So now; It’s written in the book of Psalms: Let the place where he lives become desolate and let no one else live there; and give his office of oversight to someone else."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "So, it’s important that one of the men who has been with us during the entire time that the Lord Jesus carried out all of his activities –"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "starting with his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us – and [someone] who witnessed his resurrection, should become one of us.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "So they asked two to stand up: Joseph (who is called BarSabbas and was surnamed Justus) and MatThias."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Then they prayed, saying, ‘O Lord, You who know the hearts of everyone; Show us which of these two You’ve chosen"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "to receive the position and Apostleship left by Judas, so he could go his own way.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "Then they gave each of them lots, and the selected lot fell to MatThias. As the result, he was considered as being with the eleven Apostles."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, toward the end of the day of Pentecost, while they were all there observing that celebration,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "there was a noise that suddenly came from the sky. It sounded like a violent wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which were distributed so that one sat upon each of them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "And they all became filled with Holy Breath and started speaking in different languages, saying whatever the Breath was telling them to say."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "At the time, there were reverent Jews from every nation under the heavens who were living in Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "So, when this sound happened, a huge crowd gathered and they were bewildered, because they each heard one of [the disciples] speaking in his own language."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "They were astonished and started to wonder and say, ‘These people who are talking are all Galileans, aren’t they?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "So, how is it that we’re each hearing our own native language being spoken?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "[There were] Parthinians, Medes, Elamites, those from MesoPotamia, Judea, CappaDocia, Pontus, Asia,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Phrygia, PamPhylia, Egypt, from parts of Libya Cyrene, travelers from Rome (Jews and proselytes),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "Cretans, and Arabians. [They said]: ‘We hear them talking about the wonderful things of God in our own language!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "Yes, they were all astonished and confused. And they asked each other, ‘What’s this all about?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "However, others joked about them saying, ‘They’re full of sweet wine!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "But Peter stood up beside the eleven, raised his voice, and told them this: ‘Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem; I want you to know something… Listen to what I’m telling you!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "They really aren’t drunk as you think, because it’s only the third hour of the day."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "What’s happening is the thing that was said through the Prophet Joel,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "where God said, In the last days I’ll pour some of my Breath on all flesh, And your sons and daughters will then prophesy, Your young men will have visions, And your old men will dream dreams."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "I will pour out some of My Breath in those days, And My male and female slaves will then prophesy."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "And from the skies above I’ll send omens and signs, And to the earth below, blood, fire, and smoky mist."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "Before the great and shining day of the Lord, The sun will be changed into darkness And the moon into blood."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "And all calling on the Name of the Lord will be saved.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "‘Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene was a man who was shown to you by God with power, omens, and signs that God performed through him in your midst, as you already know."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "Yes, you gave this person (who received his advice and his ability to see the future from God) over to the hands of men who were without Law, and you nailed him up."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "But God resurrected him, freeing him from the cords of death, because it wasn’t possible for [death] to hold him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Then David said this about him: I‘ve put Jehovah always before me. And since He is at my right hand, I will never be shaken."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "For, in my heart I am cheerful, And with my tongue I rejoice; So my body will rest in that hope."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "You won’t abandon me in the grave, And You’ll not allow Your loyal one to see corruption."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "For, the ways of life You have shown me, And You’ll fill me with joy from Your face.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Men! Brothers! It’s good to speak to you openly about the patriarch David, for he died, was buried, and his tomb is still with us to this day."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "30", "text": "Yet, he was a Prophet, and he knew that God swore an oath to him that He would put someone on his throne who was the fruit of his loins."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "31", "text": "So, [David] looked into the future and spoke about the resurrection of the Anointed One… that he wouldn’t be abandoned in the grave and that his flesh wouldn’t see corruption."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "32", "text": "‘Then this Jesus was resurrected by God, and we are all witnesses to that…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "33", "text": "he was lifted to God’s right hand, where he received the Holy Breath (which the Father had promised). And he’s the one who has poured out all of this that you’re seeing and hearing."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Now, David didn’t go to heaven, but he said: Jehovah said to my Lord; Sit down at my right hand"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "35", "text": "Until I set your enemies as a stool for your feet."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "36", "text": "So, let the entire House of Israel know for sure that God made this Jesus whom you impaled the Lord and Anointed One!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "37", "text": "Well, when they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, ‘Men! Brothers! What should we do?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "38", "text": "Then Peter told them, ‘Repent, and each of you get baptized in the name of Jesus the Anointed One, so your sins can be forgiven, and then you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "39", "text": "That’s a promise to you, to your children, and to all those who are far away… to everyone who Jehovah our God calls to Himself.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "40", "text": "So, he went on and witnessed to them a lot more, and advised them, ‘Get saved from this crooked generation!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "41", "text": "Then those who welcomed his words were baptized, and about three thousand people were added that day."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "42", "text": "These continued to attend, listening to the Apostles as they taught (they all participated), and sharing in meals and prayers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "43", "text": "But all who were there started to become frightened by the signs and omens that were coming through the Apostles."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "44", "text": "Well, thereafter, all who became believers shared whatever they had;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "45", "text": "they sold their belongings and properties and distributed the proceeds to whoever was in need."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "46", "text": "And they all agreed to go to the Temple daily, as they ate their meals in private homes… eating the food happily and with sincere hearts,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "47", "text": "praising God, and finding favor with everyone. And all the while, the Lord kept adding the newly-saved to them daily."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, Peter and John had gone to the Temple for the hour of prayer (the ninth hour),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "and a man was there who was lame from birth… he had to be carried and he was placed near the Temple door (the one called Beautiful) each day, to beg from those who were entering the Temple."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "And when he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he started begging from them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "But Peter and John stared at him and said, ‘Look at us!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "So he looked at them, expecting to get something."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "Then Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold, but I’ll give you what I have… In the name of Jesus the Anointed One, the Nazarene, walk!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he took him by the right hand and lifted him, and instantly the soles of his feet and anklebones were made well."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "So he jumped up and stood, and then he started walking! So he entered the Temple with them, walking, jumping, and praising God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, everyone noticed him walking and praising God,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "and they started to realize that he was the man who used to sit and beg at the Temple’s Beautiful Gate. This astonished them and they were delighted by what had happened to him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "And as the man was holding onto Peter and John near what was called The Columns of Solomon, all the people came running to them, surprised out of their wits."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "So when Peter saw this, he said, ‘Men of Israel; Why are you surprised at this, and why are you staring at us as though we made him walk by our own power or devotion?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the God of our ancestors – has glorified His servant Jesus, who you betrayed and disowned before the face of Pilate, when he had decided to release him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "Yes, you disowned that holy and righteous man, and you asked him to release a man who was a murderer!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "Then you killed the chief leader of the life. However, God raised him from the dead, which we have witnessed!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "And it is because of [our] faith in his name that this man here – whom you see and know – was made well… it’s because of faith that everything you see has happened!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "‘And now brothers; I know that what you did was done in ignorance… and that was true of your rulers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "But because of this, God fulfilled the thing that He would do – which He announced ahead of time through the mouths of all the Prophets – by allowing His Anointed One to suffer."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Now, repent and turn around to get your sins erased, so you may see a period of refreshment from Jehovah."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Then He will send the one who was appointed – the Anointed Jesus –"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "who must be kept in the heavens until the time when everything that God told us through the mouths of the holy [ones] in His age of the Prophets, is restored."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "In fact, it was Moses who said: Jehovah God will raise a Prophet like me from among your brothers, and you must listen to everything that he tells you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "For, if people don’t listen to that Prophet, they will be destroyed!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "‘Why, all the Prophets from Samuel on – everyone who spoke – clearly talked about these days."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "And you are the sons of the Prophets and of the Sacred Agreement that God made with your fathers, when he told Abraham: And your seed will bring blessings to all the families of the earth!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "26", "text": "So, God raised this Servant and sent him to you first, as a blessing to you, in order to get each of you to turn away from the bad things you’re doing.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, while Peter and John were talking to the people, the Chief Priests, the Temple captain, and the Sadducees came up,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "and they were very annoyed by the fact that [Peter and John] were teaching the people and telling them how Jesus had been resurrected from the dead."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "So they arrested them and held them until the next day (since it was evening already)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "However, many of those who listened to the speech believed, and their number then grew to about five thousand men."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Then the next day, they held a meeting in Jerusalem that included the rulers, elders, and scribes,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "as well as AnNas the Chief Priest, CaiAphas, John, Alexander, and all the rest of the Chief Priest’s relatives."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Then they stood [Peter and John] in their midst and asked, ‘Who gave you the authority, and who told you that you could do this?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "Then Peter, filled with Holy Breath, said to them: ‘Rulers of the people and elders;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "If we are being questioned today simply because [we] did a good deed for a handicapped man, and if we are being asked who made him well,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "then you and all the people of Israel should know that it was done in the name of Jesus the Anointed One… the Nazarene that you hung on a pole. However, God raised him from the dead and he actually stood next to the man you’re now looking at, healthy!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "This is the stone that was treated as nothing by you builders, but who has become the head of the corner!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "So, salvation doesn’t come from anyone else, because there isn’t another name that has been given to any man under heaven that we need to save us.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "And when they saw the confidence of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and common, they were amazed. Then they started recognizing them and remembered that they used to be with Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "However, as they looked at the man standing beside them who had been cured, they couldn’t come up with anything to say."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "So they sent them outside of the Jewish High-Court hall and talked it over,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "saying, ‘What will we do with them? It’s a fact that a sign has come through them, and everyone in Jerusalem saw it, so we can’t deny it!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, to prevent this from being spread around among the people, let’s threaten them and tell them not to speak to anyone about this name, ever again!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "So they called them back in and warned them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus anywhere."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "However, Peter and John replied, ‘If it’s righteous in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "But we can’t stop talking about the things we’ve seen and heard!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "So, after they threatened them a little more, they let them go, because they couldn’t find any reason to punish them. [They also chose to do nothing] on account of the people, because they were all praising God over what had happened,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "since the man who was healed was more than forty years old!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "Well, after they were released, [Peter and John] returned to their [brothers] and reported what the Chief Priests and elders had told them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "And on hearing this, all together they raised their voices to God and said: ‘O our only King… You who made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "and who, through Your Breath asked by the mouth of our father David (Your servant), Why are the nations so noisy, and why do the people think foolish things?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "26", "text": "The kings and the rulers of the earth have united against You and against Your Anointed!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "27", "text": "For a fact; Herod and Pontius Pilate – [men of] the nations as well as people of Israel – gathered in this city against Your Holy servant Jesus, whom You chose"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "28", "text": "to do the things that Your hand and directions commanded."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "29", "text": "And now, O Lord; Pay attention to their threats, and allow Your slaves to keep boldly speaking Your Word,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "30", "text": "while You stretch out Your hand to do healing, and while signs and omens continue to happen in the name of Your Holy Servant, Jesus.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "31", "text": "And as they were asking God for this, the place where they were meeting shook. Then everyone was filled with the Holy Breath and they boldly started speaking the Word of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "32", "text": "So, there was a huge crowd who started to believe, and they shared a single heart and soul. None of them claimed that anything they had was their own, but they shared everything;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "33", "text": "and all the while, the Apostles continued to give a powerful witness about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. So, greatness and favor was upon them all."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "34", "text": "In fact, nobody could be described as being needy among them, because all those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought back the money for the things they sold,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "35", "text": "putting it at the feet of the Apostles. Then everything was distributed among them according to their needs."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "36", "text": "So, Joseph (who the Apostles called BarNabas… which translates as Son of Comfort), a Levite and a native of Cyprus,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 4, "verse": "37", "text": "sold a piece of land he owned and brought the money, laying it at the feet of the Apostles."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "However, a man named AnaNias (along with his wife SapPhira) sold some property that they owned"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "and he secretly kept some of the money… and his wife also knew about this. Then he brought just part of it and laid it at the feet of the Apostles."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "But Peter asked, ‘AnaNias; Why has the Opposer made you so bold as to try to fool the Holy Breath and secretly hold back some of the money for the field?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "For, as long you owned it, it was yours. And after you sold it, wasn’t the money still yours? So, why did you plan to do such a thing in your heart? You weren’t lying to men, but to God!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "And as he heard those words, AnaNias fell to the ground and died. This really frightened everyone who heard about it."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "But some of the younger men got up and wrapped him in a cloth, then carried him outside and buried him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Well, it was about three hours later that his wife came in, and she didn’t know what had happened."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "So Peter asked her, ‘Tell me; Did you sell the field for (so much)?’ And she answered, ‘Yes, for (so much).’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Then Peter said: ‘Why did you agree between [the two of] you to test the Breath of Jehovah? Look! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they’ll carry you out also.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "And at that, she instantly dropped dead at his feet. So, when the young men returned, they also found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her next to her husband."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "And when the whole congregation (and everyone else) heard about this, they were frightened by all that had happened."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, after that, many signs and omens continued to be performed among the people at the hands of the Apostles, who used to meet among the Columns of Solomon."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "It’s true that no one else had enough courage to join them there, but the people spoke well of them,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "as large numbers of men and women kept on being added to those who believed in the Lord."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "[Why, people] even brought their sick out into the main streets and laid them on little beds and cots, so that as Peter passed, his shadow could fall on some of them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "Also, throngs from the cities around Jerusalem kept coming, carrying sick people and those bothered by unclean spirits, and everyone was cured."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "However, the High Priest and all those who were with him (particularly the sect of the Sadducees) became very jealous."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "So they came against the Apostles, grabbed them, and locked them up in a public jail."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "But during the night, Jehovah’s messenger opened the doors of the jail, and brought them out, saying:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Now, go and continue to stand in the Temple, telling the people everything about this life.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "So, after they heard this, they returned to the Temple at daybreak and started teaching. Well, when the High Priest and those with him finally arrived, they assembled the Jewish High Court and all the elders of the sons of Israel. Then they sent [officers] to the jail to have [the Apostles] brought in."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "But when the officers got there, they didn’t find them in the lockup, so they reported back,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "saying, ‘We found the jail locked and guards posted at the doors. But when we opened it, we didn’t find anyone inside!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "And when the Temple captain and the Chief Priests heard this, they were confused and wondered what had happened."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "Then someone came and reported, ‘Look! The men who you put in jail are standing in the Temple teaching the people!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "So, the captain took his officers and brought them back peacefully (because they were afraid of being stoned by the people)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "They brought them in and stood them in the Jewish High Court hall, where the High Priest questioned them,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "saying, ‘We ordered you not to teach about this name; but look! You’ve filled Jerusalem with your teachings and you’re determined to bring the blood of this man upon us!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "29", "text": "Then Peter and the Apostles replied: ‘We must obey God as ruler rather than men!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "30", "text": "For the God of our fathers raised this Jesus – whom you abused then hung on a pole –"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "31", "text": "then God lifted him to His right hand to be the primary leader and savior, and to cause Israel to repent so He could forgive their sins."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "32", "text": "We are witnesses to these things… as is the Holy Breath that God gave to those who are obeying Him as their ruler.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "33", "text": "Well, when they heard this, they were really cut down, and they wanted to do away with [the Apostles]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "34", "text": "But a certain man stood up in the Jewish High Court (a Pharisee named GamaliEl, a teacher of the Law who was highly regarded by everyone), and he commanded that the men be put outside for a little while."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "35", "text": "Then he said: ‘Men of Israel; Be very careful about what you plan to do with these men."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "36", "text": "Do you remember when TheuDas came along saying that he was somebody important, and quite a few men (about four hundred of them) followed him? Yet, he was done away with, and all those who listened to him were scattered and came to nothing."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "37", "text": "And after him, Judas the Galilean arose during the registration, and he drew people after him. But then he died, and everyone who listened to him was scattered."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "38", "text": "So in this situation, I tell you not to mess with these men… leave them alone! Because, if the thing they’re doing is from men, it will be overthrown."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "39", "text": "But if it’s from God, you won’t be able to overthrow them, and you’ll actually be fighting against God!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "40", "text": "Well, they all agreed with him; so they called the Apostles back in, had them whipped, and ordered them to stop talking about the name of Jesus… then they let them go."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "41", "text": "And as they were leaving the Jewish High Court, they were rejoicing because they had been found worthy of being dishonored for [Jesus’] name."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 5, "verse": "42", "text": "So they didn’t stop… they kept teaching and announcing the good news about Jesus the Anointed One every day in homes and in the Temple."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, back in those days, when the disciples were increasing, the Greek-speaking Jews started grumbling about the Hebrew-speaking Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "And the twelve called all the disciples to them and said, ‘The thought of our having to abandon the word of God to serve tables is displeasing to us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "So brothers, find seven qualified men among you who are filled with wisdom and the Breath [of God]. Then we will appoint them to handle these needs,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "so we can continue in our prayers and serving the Word.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "Well, what they suggested sounded good to the whole group, so they selected Stephen (a man who was filled with faith and Holy Breath), as well as Philip, ProChorus, NiCanor, Timon, ParMenas, and NicoLaus (a proselyte of Antioch)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "Then they took them before the Apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "So, the Word of God kept spreading and the number of disciples in Jerusalem kept multiplying. Why, even a large number of Priests started obeying the faith."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, Stephen was filled with joy and power, and he was performing great omens and signs among the people."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "But certain men came from the so-called Synagogue of Freemen (along with some Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asians) to argue with Stephen."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "However, their arguments couldn’t stand against the wisdom and Breath [of God] with which he was speaking."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "So, they talked some men into saying, ‘We heard him say blasphemous things against Moses and God.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "And they stirred up the people. Then some of the elders and scribes came and grabbed him, and dragged him before the Jewish High Court,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "where they produced some false witnesses who said: ‘This man keeps saying things against this Holy Place and against the Law."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "Why, we heard him say that Jesus the Nazarene will tear this place down and change the customs that were given to us by Moses.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "And, as all those who were sitting in the Jewish High Court stared at him, they saw that his face became like that of a messenger [of God]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, the High Priest asked, ‘Is all of this true?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "And [Stephen] said: ‘Men… Brothers… Fathers… Listen! Our father Abraham saw the God of Glory while he was in MesoPotamia, before he moved to Haran."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "And [God] said to him, Leave your land and your relatives and come to the land that I’m going to show you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "Then he went to the land of the Chaldeans and started living in Haran. And after his father died, [God] caused him to move to the land where you now live."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "Yet, He didn’t give him any land that could be inherited… not a foot’s width. And [God] promised him property that he could own and pass on to his seed, although he didn’t have any children."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "Then God said that his seed would live in a foreign land where they would be slaves and be oppressed for four hundred years."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "And God said, I will judge the nation [that made them] slaves; then they will leave and serve Me here."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "‘So he gave him a Sacred Agreement of circumcision, and [Abraham] went on to father Isaac and to circumcise him on the eighth day… as Isaac did to Jacob, and Jacob did to the twelve family heads."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "‘But then these family heads became jealous of [their brother] Joseph and sold him into Egypt."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "However, God was with him and carried him through all of his problems. Then He made him likable and wise in the eyes of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. So, [Pharaoh] appointed [Joseph] to govern Egypt and his entire house."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Then a famine came upon Egypt and CanaAn, which created a very difficult time, and our ancestors couldn’t find any food."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "But Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, so he sent our ancestors there for the first time."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "And on the second visit, Joseph made himself known to his brothers (which was when Joseph’s ethnic background became known to Pharaoh)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "So, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives (seventy-five people),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "and Jacob went down to Egypt, where he died (as did our ancestors),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "and their bodies were taken to Shechem, where they were laid in the tomb that Abraham paid for in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "‘However, as the time approached for [fulfillment of] the promise that God gave to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "Then a different king started to rule over Egypt who didn’t know Joseph,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "and he treated our people treacherously and he forced our fathers to give up their young children to be killed…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "and that’s when Moses was born. He was beautiful to God, and he nursed for three months in [his] father’s home."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "But when he was discovered, the daughter of Pharaoh picked him up and raised him as her own son."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "So, this is how Moses came to be trained in the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he grew up to be powerful in all that he said and did."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Then, when he turned forty years old, he decided to pay more attention to his brothers, the sons of Israel."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, [Moses] came to his defense and took vengeance on behalf of the one who was being abused, by beating an Egyptian to death."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Now, he thought his brothers would understand that God was going to use him to save them, but they just didn’t get it."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "Then he came to [his people] the next day and found [two of them] fighting, and he tried to bring them together peacefully, saying, Men… you’re brothers! So, why are you treating each other so badly?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "‘But the one who was mistreating his neighbor just pushed him away and asked, Who appointed you as ruler and judge over us?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "You don’t want to kill me the same as you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "29", "text": "So, when Moses heard this, he ran away and lived in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "30", "text": "‘And after forty more years, a messenger [from God] appeared to him in the burning flames of a thorn bush, while he was in the desert near Mount Sinai."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "31", "text": "And when Moses saw it, he was dazzled at the sight. But as he came closer to investigate, the Lord’s voice said,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "32", "text": "I am the God of your fathers… the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ‘Well, Moses started to shake so hard that he didn’t want to investigate any further."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "33", "text": "Then Jehovah said to him: Remove your sandals, because the place where you’re standing is holy ground!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "34", "text": "I’ve seen the bad treatment of My people in Egypt and I’ve heard their groaning, so I’ve come down to take them. Now come… for I’m going to send you to Egypt."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "35", "text": "‘Yet, this is the same Moses that [the Israelites] had disowned, asking, Who appointed you as our ruler and judge? But God sent this man off as both a ruler and savior by the hand of messenger who had appeared to him in the thorn bush."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "36", "text": "And this man led them out of Egypt – after performing omens and signs – and then through the Red Sea, and into the desert for forty years."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "37", "text": "‘This is the same Moses who told the sons of Israel: God will raise a Prophet like me from among your brothers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "38", "text": "Yes, he’s the one who was with the congregation in the desert; who talked to messenger on Mount Sinai; who was with our ancestors; and who received living words to [pass on] to you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "39", "text": "Yet, our ancestors refused to obey him… they pushed him aside, and in their hearts they were back in Egypt!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "40", "text": "So they told Aaron: Make gods to lead us, because we don’t know what has happened to this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "41", "text": "‘Well, thereafter they made [an image of] a calf and offered sacrifices to the idol… and they were very happy with this thing that they’d made with their hands!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "42", "text": "So God handed them over to worship the armies of the heavens, just as it’s written in the Book of the Prophets: It wasn’t to Me that you offered victims and sacrifices for forty years in the desert; was it, O house of Israel?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "43", "text": "Rather, you took the images that you made for worship to the tent of Moloch, and to the star of the god Rephan. So, [now] I’m going to exile you beyond Babylon!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "44", "text": "‘Why, our ancestors had the Tent of Proofs [when they lived] in the desert, which He had ordered Moses to build, using the pattern that he was shown."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "45", "text": "And our ancestors who received it (as they came here with Joshua) brought it into the land that was owned by nations who God pushed out ahead of them… and it was here until the time of David!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "46", "text": "‘Then [David] found God’s favor and he asked to [to be allowed] to provide a Temple for the God of Jacob,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "47", "text": "although Solomon actually built the House for him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "48", "text": "Yet, the Most High doesn’t live in houses made with hands, just as the Prophet foretold."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "49", "text": "For Jehovah said: The heavens are My throne and the earth is My footstool, so what kind of House can you build for Me; or in what kind of place should I rest?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "50", "text": "Weren’t all things made by My hands?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "51", "text": "‘So you with the hardened necks and whose hearts and ears aren’t circumcised are always resisting Holy Breath, just as your ancestors did."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "52", "text": "For, which of the Prophets didn’t your ancestors persecute? Yes, they killed those who announced the coming of the Righteous One ahead of time, whose betrayers and murderers you’ve now become!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "53", "text": "Yes, you who received the Law from the messengers [of God], but who haven’t kept it!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "54", "text": "Well, when they heard this, they were really cut down and were grinding their teeth at him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "55", "text": "But, being filled with Holy Breath, he stared into the sky and saw the Glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "56", "text": "and he said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opening up and the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "57", "text": "Well at this, they started shouting as loud as they could and putting their hands over their ears. Then they all ran up to him,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "58", "text": "grabbed him, took him outside the city, and started stoning him… as those who came to watch laid their capes at the feet of a young man called Saul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "59", "text": "And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed this, ‘Lord Jesus; Receive my breath.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 7, "verse": "60", "text": "Then he got down on his knees and shouted loudly, ‘Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!’ And with that, he fell asleep [in death]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "And Saul approved of murdering him. Well on that day, a tremendous amount of persecution was directed toward the congregation in Jerusalem, and all except the Apostles were scattered throughout the area of Judea and Samaria."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "However, devoted men carried Stephen to be buried and wept bitterly over him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "[This is when] Saul started to devastate the congregation, for he invaded one house after another and dragged both the men and women out, and sent them to prison."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "However, those who had been scattered just went on preaching the good news of the Word throughout the land."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "Well, Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached to them about the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "And there, crowds of people paid attention to the things that Philip was saying, listening closely and watching the signs he performed."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "For, many who were there had been bothered by unclean spirits, which shouted loudly as they came out, and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "As the result, there was a lot of joy in that city."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, there was a man named Simon who lived in the city who used to practice magic. He amazed the people of Samaria and he called himself [Simon] the Great."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "And everyone (from common people to the most powerful) paid attention to him and said, ‘This man who calls himself The Great is the Power of God!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "So they followed him for a long time, because they were dazzled by his magic."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "But when Philip came preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God, and about the name of Jesus the Anointed One, they started believing him; so, many men and women were baptized."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "In fact, even Simon became a believer! And after he was baptized, he stayed close to Philip and was amazed as he watched the signs and great powers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria was starting to accept the Word of God, they sent Peter and John there."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "And they prayed for [the believers there] to receive the Holy Breath,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "because it hadn’t come to any of them yet, although they had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "But when [Peter and John] laid their hands on them, they started to receive Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, when Simon saw that the Apostles could give the Breath by just touching someone, he offered them money,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "saying, ‘Give me the power, so that anyone I lay my hands on can receive Holy Breath.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "But Peter said, ‘May your silver be destroyed along with you, because you thought that you could buy the gift that God gives freely!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "You aren’t going to have any part in this, nor will you share in it, because God sees that your heart is crooked."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "So, turn away from your badness and beg the Lord to forgive you for the [bad] thoughts in your heart."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "Because, I see bitterness and hate in you, and an unrighteous alliance.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "Then Simon said, ‘Please beg the Lord on my behalf, so that none of the things you said will happen!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "25", "text": "Then, after they had given everyone a complete testimony and repeated what the Lord had told them, they returned to Jerusalem. And as the result, many Samaritan villages heard the good news."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "26", "text": "Then Jehovah’s messenger spoke to Philip, saying: ‘Get up and go south to the road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (It’s a desert road)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "27", "text": "And when he went there, {Look!} he found an Ethiopian who held the office of Eunuch of the Treasury for Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who had gone to Jerusalem to worship."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "28", "text": "And while he was returning [home], he was sitting in his chariot reading [a scroll] of the Prophet IsaiJah aloud."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "29", "text": "Then the Breath told Philip: ‘Go and catch up with his chariot!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "30", "text": "So Philip ran up; and on hearing him reading the Prophet IsaiJah aloud, he asked, ‘Do you understand what you’re reading?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "31", "text": "But he replied, ‘How could I, unless I had someone to explain it to me?’ So he begged Philip to climb on and to sit with him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, the particular scripture he was reading at the time was this: ‘He was brought like a sheep to the slaughter. And like a lamb that’s quiet before its shearer, He did not open his mouth."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "33", "text": "In humiliation, his justice was denied. So, who will tell the details to his generation, For his life was removed from the earth?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "34", "text": "So Philip said to the Eunuch: ‘Allow me ask; Just who is the Prophet saying this about… is he talking about himself or someone else?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "35", "text": "Then Philip proceeded to explain this scripture and told him the good news about Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "36", "text": "Now, as they were traveling along the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘Look… here’s some water! What’s to prevent me from getting baptized?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "37", "text": "——"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "38", "text": "And then he commanded the chariot [driver] to stop, and Philip and the eunuch went down to the water, and he baptized him there."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "39", "text": "Well after they came out of the water, Jehovah’s Breath sent Philip away quickly; and the eunuch didn’t see him anymore. But he continued on his way rejoicing."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 8, "verse": "40", "text": "Philip, however, found himself in AshDod. So he traveled on throughout that area, preaching the good news in all the cities, until he got to Caesarea."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "However, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the Lord’s disciples. So he went to the High Priest"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "and asked him to write letters to carry to the synagogues in Damascus that would empower him to arrest anyone that he found who belonged to The Way, both men and women, and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "But as he was getting close to Damascus, suddenly a light from the sky flashed all around him"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "and he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice ask, ‘Saul; Saul; Why are you persecuting me?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "And he asked, ‘Who are you Lord?’ Then the answer came, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, get up and enter the city and you’ll be told what to do.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "Well, all the while, the men who were traveling with him stood there speechless, because they heard the sound of a voice, but they didn’t see anyone."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "And when Saul got up off the ground; although his eyes were open, he couldn’t see. So, they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "but he was blind for three days and he wouldn’t eat or drink anything."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "However, in Damascus, there was a disciple named AnaNias. And in a vision, the Lord called: ‘AnaNias!’ And he replied, ‘Here I am Lord!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "Then the Lord said: ‘Get up and go to Straight Street, to the house of Judas, and look for a man named Saul from Tarsus. Look… he’s praying [right now]!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "And in a vision he has seen a man named AnaNias who will come and lay his hands on him, so he can start seeing again.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "But AnaNias answered: ‘Lord, I’ve heard about this man from many people, and of all the bad things he did to your Holy Ones in Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "Why, he has been empowered by the Chief Priests to lock up everyone who calls on your name!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "But the Lord replied: ‘Go on, because this man is the one I’ve chosen to carry my name before nations, kings, and the sons of Israel."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "I will make sure that he understands everything that he must suffer in my name.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "So, AnaNias went over to the house, went inside, then laid his hands on him and said: ‘Saul; brother; The Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me to restore your sight and to fill you with Holy Breath.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "And immediately, what looked like scales fell from his eyes and he started to see; and he got up and was baptized."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "So he started eating again and regaining his strength. Thereafter, he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "and he immediately started preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "However, all those who heard him were shocked, and asked: ‘Isn’t this the man who was ravaging those who are calling on this name in Jerusalem… and didn’t he come here for that same reason… to carry them back in chains to the Chief Priests?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "But Saul’s power kept growing and he really confused the Jews who lived in Damascus, because he gave them logical proofs that [Jesus] is the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "Then after several days, the Jews finally met to discuss ways to get rid of him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "However, Saul learned about their plot against him. So, because they watched the city gates closely both day and night to arrest him;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "one night his disciples lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "Well, when he got to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, because they didn’t believe he was a disciple."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "So BarNabas came to his aid… he took [Saul] to the Apostles and told them what had happened on the road; how he had seen the Lord and spoken to him; and how he boldly taught in the name of Jesus while he was in Damascus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "So [Saul] stayed with them, entering and leaving Jerusalem, preaching in the name of the Lord."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "29", "text": "He also talked and argued a lot with the Greek-speaking Jews, but then they attempted to do away with him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "30", "text": "So when the brothers learned about this [plot], they took him to Caesarea and sent him on from there to Tarsus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "31", "text": "Well, then there was a period of peace for the congregations of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. So they kept walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Breath, and they kept on growing [in numbers]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, as Peter was traveling around, he finally reached the Holy Ones who lived in LydDa."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "33", "text": "And there he found a man named AeNeas who had spent eight years lying flat on his back on a cot, because he was paralyzed."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "34", "text": "So Peter told him: ‘AeNeas; Jesus the Anointed One heals you, so get up and make up your bed!’ And then he got up immediately…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "35", "text": "and all those who lived in LydDa and the area of Sharon saw this man; and as the result, they turned to the Lord."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "36", "text": "In Joppa there was a disciple named TabiTha (which translates as Dorcas). She was well known for the good things she did and for helping others when they were in need."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "37", "text": "However, one day she got sick and died. So they washed her body and laid her in an upstairs room."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "38", "text": "Now, LydDa was close to Joppa, so when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him to beg: ‘Please hurry and come to us!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "39", "text": "And at that, Peter got up and went with them. Well, when he got [to Joppa], they took him upstairs to the room, and all the widows came to him crying and showing him the many pieces of clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "40", "text": "So Peter sent everyone outside; then he got down on his knees and prayed, and he turned toward the body and said, ‘TabitTha; Be resurrected!’ And at that, she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "41", "text": "Then he gave her his hand and stood her up. So he called the Holy Ones and widows in, and presented her to them alive."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "42", "text": "Well, this event became well known throughout Joppa, and many became believers in the Lord as the result."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 9, "verse": "43", "text": "Then, for several days after that, [Peter] stayed in Joppa [in the home of] Simon the Tanner."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, in Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius (he was a centurion of the Italian Division)"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "who was a devout man. He and his family feared God, praying to Him often, and they regularly helped those who were in need."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "Well, it was about the ninth hour of the day when he clearly saw a messenger of The God who came to him in a vision and called, ‘Cornelius!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "But the man stared at [the messenger] in fright and asked, ‘What do you want, Lord?’ And he answered, ‘Your prayers and kind gifts have arisen and have been remembered before God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, send some men to Joppa and call for a man named Simon, who is called Peter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "He’s the guest of Simon the Tanner who has a house by the sea.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "Well, as soon as the messenger [from God] who spoke to him left, he called two of his house servants and a devout soldier who stayed with him;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "then he told them everything that had happened, and sent them to Joppa."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "Then the next day, as they were on their way and getting close to the city, Peter went up to the roof (at about the sixth hour) to pray."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "He was also very hungry and he wanted to eat, but while they were preparing [the meal], he fell into a trance."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "Then he saw the sky opening, and some sort of container (it looked like a huge linen sheet, which was being held at its four corners) coming down to the earth."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "And inside it there were all kinds of four-footed animals, things that crawl on the ground, and birds of the sky."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "Then a voice came to him that said, ‘Get up Peter; Slaughter [the animals] and eat them!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "But Peter said: ‘Not me Lord, because I’ve never eaten anything that is dirty and unclean!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "And the voice [spoke] to him a second time, saying, ‘Stop calling the things that God has made clean, dirty!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "And this also happened a third time, and then the container was immediately taken back to heaven."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, Peter was confused about what this vision meant. However, {Look!} the men that were sent by Cornelius were already there at Simon’s house, standing at the gate and asking for him…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "they called out and asked whether Simon, who is called Peter, was a guest there."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "And as Peter was thinking about the vision, the Breath said, ‘Look! Three men are searching for you;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "so, get up, go downstairs, and travel with them! Don’t have any doubts, because I sent them.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "So Peter went downstairs to the men and said, ‘{Look!} I’m the one you’re looking for… why are you here?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "And they replied: ‘Cornelius, an army officer who is a righteous and God-fearing man that the whole nation of the Jews speak well of, was given Divine instructions by a holy messenger to ask you to come to his house, so he can hear what you have to say.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "Then [Peter] invited them in and offered them hospitality. And the next day, he got up and went with them (along with some of the brothers from Joppa),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "arriving at Caesarea the following day. Of course, Cornelius was expecting them; so he called for all of his relatives and closest friends."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "Then as Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet, bowing low."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "But Peter lifted him up, saying, ‘Get up! I’m also just a man!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "And as they talked, he walked inside and found many people assembled."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "Then he told them: ‘You know very well how illegal it is for a Jew to be friends with, or even to talk to, a man of another race. Yet, God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man dirty or unclean."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "So, when I was called for, I came without any objections. Now let me ask: Why have you sent for me?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "Then Cornelius said, ‘Exactly four days ago, I was praying here in my house during the ninth hour, when {Look!} a man in bright clothes stood in front of me"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "and said: Cornelius; Your prayers have been heard and your kind gifts have been remembered before God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "So, send to Joppa and call for Simon, who is called Peter. He’s staying by the sea in the house of Simon the Tanner."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "Well, as the result, I sent for you right away… and it’s good that you came. Now, we’re all here before God to hear everything that the Lord commanded you to say.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "34", "text": "And at this, Peter said: ‘I can see for a fact that God isn’t prejudiced."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "35", "text": "He accepts men who fear Him and do righteous things from any nation!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "36", "text": "And now he has sent word to the Sons of Israel to announce the good news of peace to them through Jesus the Anointed One; for he is their Lord…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "37", "text": "and now you know what is being talked about throughout all of Judea. ‘It all started from Galilee, after John went preaching about baptism."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "38", "text": "And then God anointed Jesus from Nazareth with Holy Breath and power, and he traveled throughout the land doing good things and healing all those who were oppressed by the Slanderer, because God was with him…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "39", "text": "and we are witnesses of everything that he did in the countryside of Judea and in Jerusalem! ‘But then they killed him by hanging him on a pole,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "40", "text": "and God raised him on the third day and allowed him to become visible…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "41", "text": "but not to everyone, just to witnesses who were appointed by God ahead of time. [He appeared] to us, and we ate and drank with him after he was resurrected from the dead."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "42", "text": "Then he ordered us to preach to the people and to testify to them that he’s the one that God selected to judge the living and the dead."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "43", "text": "Why, all the Prophets testified to the fact that all those who put faith in him will have their sins forgiven through his name!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "44", "text": "And while Peter was still talking about this, the Holy Breath came upon everyone who was listening to what he said,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "45", "text": "and all the faithful ones who were there with Peter (since they were all circumcised) were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Breath was also being poured out on people of the nations…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "46", "text": "for they heard them speaking in different languages and glorifying God! Then Peter asked:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "47", "text": "‘Can anyone forbid water to baptize these who have received the Holy Breath, as we have?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 10, "verse": "48", "text": "So he commanded that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus the Anointed One. And afterward, they asked him to stay with them for several days."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Soon thereafter, the Apostles (and other brothers in Judea) heard that people of the nations were also accepting the Word of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "So when Peter returned to Jerusalem, the circumcised started arguing with him,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "complaining that he had gone into the house of uncircumcised men and had eaten with them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "So Peter explained what happened:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision of some sort of container coming down from the sky that looked like a huge linen sheet being held by its four corners… it was very clear to me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "And as I stared at it, I saw four-footed creatures from the earth, wild animals, things that crawl, and birds of the sky."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "Then I heard a voice say to me, Get up Peter; slaughter [the animals] and eat them!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "Then the voice came from the sky a second time, and it told me, Stop calling things that God has made clean, dirty."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "And this happened a third time, and then everything was pulled back up to heaven."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "‘Then, {Look!} at that moment, there were three men standing outside of the house who were sent from Caesarea to find me,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "and the Breath told me to go with them and not to doubt. Why, these six brothers here also went with me, and we all entered the man’s house together!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "‘[And when we got there, the man] told us how he had seen a messenger [from God] standing in his house, who told him: Send your men to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "But I said, Not me Lord, because I’ve never eaten anything that is dirty and unclean. He will tell you what you must do so that you and your household can get saved.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "‘But when I started to speak, the Holy Breath fell upon them, just as it did on us long ago."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "And that’s when I remembered what the Lord used to say; John baptized in water, but you will be baptized in Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "So, if God gave them the same gifts that he gave to those of us who have believed in the Lord Jesus the Anointed, who am I that I should be strong enough to resist God?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, after they heard this, they quieted down and started glorifying God, saying, ‘So then; God has given people of the nations the opportunity for repentance into life!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, those who had been scattered (because of the problems that arose over Stephen) had traveled as far away as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. And they had been spreading the Word just among the Jews."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "However, some Cypriots and Cyrenians who went to Antioch started talking to the Greek-speaking [Gentile] peoples, declaring the good news of the Lord Jesus to them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "And the Lord’s hand was certainly with them, because many of them believed and turned to Jehovah."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "And when news about this reached the ears of the congregation in Jerusalem, they sent BarNabas to Antioch."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "Then, when he got there and saw the care that God was showing for them, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to stick with the Lord with their whole hearts!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "[BarNabas] was a good man who was filled with Holy Breath and faith. So, a large number were added to the Lord."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So they stayed with that congregation for a year and taught many people. And it was in Antioch that the disciples were, by Divine providence, first called Christians."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "It was then that [brothers with the gift of] prophesying came to Antioch from Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "And one of them, named Agabus, stood up and told them through the Breath [of God] that a great famine was about to come upon the entire land (which did in fact happen in the time of Claudius [Caesar])."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "So the disciples there decided that each of them (as they could afford to) would send relief supplies to the brothers who lived in Judea."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "And they sent things to the elders through BarNabas and Saul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "This was the time when King Herod started persecuting some in the congregation there,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "and he did away with James (John’s brother) with a sword."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, when he saw how much this pleased the Jews (during the celebration of No Fermentation), he also arrested Peter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "He grabbed him and threw him into prison, assigning four shifts of four soldiers each to guard him, because he had planned to put him on the stand before the people after the Passover."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "But while Peter was being held in prison, the congregation prayed to God intensely on his behalf."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, the night before Herod planned to produce him, he had Peter bound with two chains as he slept between two soldiers, with guards posted at the prison door."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "But {Look!} Jehovah’s messenger was suddenly standing there, creating a light in the cell. Then he hit Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up… Now!’ And the chains just fell off his hands."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "Then the messenger said to him, ‘Get dressed and tie your sandals on,’ which he did. And he said, ‘Now, wrap your robe around yourself, and follow me!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "So [Peter] left, following [the messenger], but he wasn’t sure what was happening, because, although the messenger was real, he thought he was seeing a vision."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "They walked past the first guard, then the second, and when they got to the iron gate that leads into the city, it opened by itself. Then, after they got out and started down a street, the messenger suddenly left him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, when Peter finally came to his senses, he said, ‘Now I really know that the Lord sent his messenger and saved me from the hands of Herod and from what all that the Jews had planned to do [to me].’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "And after he thought about that, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John (who was called Mark), where several were gathered to pray."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "Then he knocked at the gate and a servant girl named Rhoda came."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "And when she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so happy that she didn’t open the gate, but ran inside and told everyone that Peter was standing at the gate."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "However, they said to her, ‘You’re crazy!’ But she kept insisting; So they said: ‘It’s [probably] his messenger.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "However, Peter just kept on standing there, knocking. Well, when they opened [the gate] and saw that it was [Peter], they were astonished."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "But he motioned with his hand for them to be quiet, and he told them exactly how the Lord had freed him from the prison. Then he said, ‘Tell James and the other brothers what has happened.’ And with that, he left and traveled to another place."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, the next day, there was quite a stir among the soldiers over what had become of Peter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "Herod searched for him and when he couldn’t find him, he interrogated the guards and then commanded that they be led off [for punishment]. And finally, he left Judea and went to Caesarea, where he spent a lot of his time."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, [Herod] was thinking about going to war against the people of Tyre and Sidon. So [those people] got together and came to him, then they convinced the Royal Eunuch Blastus to ask [Herod] for peace, because he had been supplying their country with food [during the famine]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "And after that, there came a day when Herod dressed himself up in his royal clothes and sat down on the Judgment Seat to give a public lecture."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "Then the crowd that was assembled started shouting, ‘It’s a god’s voice, not a man’s!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "And instantly, the messenger of Jehovah struck him, because he didn’t give the glory to God, and he became eaten up with worms and died."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "All the while, the Word of the Lord kept on growing and spreading."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "As for BarNabas and Saul; After they’d finished delivering relief supplies to Jerusalem, they returned [to Antioch]. And this time they took John (the one called Mark), along with them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, in the congregation at Antioch, there were several Prophets and teachers, including BarNabas, Symeon (who was called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Mnaen (who had gone to school with Herod, the district ruler), and Saul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "So, while they were serving the Lord publicly and fasting, the Holy Breath told them, ‘Let BarNabas and Saul go to do the work I’ve called them for.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the [brothers] fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, and then they sent them on."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "Well, the Holy Breath first sent these men to Seleucia, and then they sailed to Cyprus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "And when they arrived at the city of Salamis, they started preaching the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues… and John [Mark] was also there to help them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "Then, after they had traveled across the whole island to Paphos, they met up with a Jew named BarJesus who was a sorcerer and a false prophet."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "He was with the Island’s governor at the time (an intelligent man named Sergius Paulus), who had summoned BarNabas and Saul, because he really wanted to hear the Word of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "But ElyMas the sorcerer (that’s how [BarJesus’] name is translated) opposed them and tried to keep the governor from becoming interested in the faith."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "Then Saul (who is also called Paul) became filled with Holy Breath and looked at him very hard,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "then he said: ‘O you unethical and deceitful man; you son of the Slanderer; you enemy of everything that’s righteous! Won’t you quit twisting the straight ways of the Lord?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "Now look! The Lord’s hand has touched you, so you will be blind and unable to see even the sun for a period of time.’ And at that, [his eyes] instantly started to cloud over and grow dark, and he had to search for someone to lead him by the hand."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, when the governor saw this, he was shocked and started believing in the Lord’s teachings."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "Next, Paul and the men who were with him sailed from Paphos to [the city of] Perga in PamPhylia. However, John [Mark] left them and returned to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "And from Perga they traveled on to Antioch in Pisidia. Then on the Sabbath, they entered the synagogue and sat down;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "and after reading the Law and the Prophets, the presiding officers of the synagogue called them forward saying, ‘Men; Brothers; If you have anything encouraging to tell the people, say it!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "So Paul got up, and with a sweeping gesture, said: ‘Men, Israelites, and everyone who fears God, listen!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors. And when they were visitors in the land of Egypt, He raised His arm to lift the people up, and brought them out of there;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "and for forty years He put up with their bad manners in the desert."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "19", "text": "Then, after destroying seven nations in the land of CanaAn, He gave them each an inheritance of land…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "20", "text": "and all of this happened in a period of four hundred and fifty years. ‘Thereafter, he gave them judges… until the time of the Prophet Samuel."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "21", "text": "But then they demanded a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish for forty years… a man from the tribe of BenJamin."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "22", "text": "And after removing him, He promoted David to be their king, testifying about him saying; I’ve found a man after My own heart, David the son of Jesse, who will do whatever I wish."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "23", "text": "‘Now, it was from his seed – just as He had promised – that God brought a savior to Israel, Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "24", "text": "And John preached publicly about a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel before [Jesus] came."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "25", "text": "However, as John was finishing the race he had to run, he was saying: What do you think I am? It isn’t me! For {Look!} someone is coming after me whose shoelaces I’m unworthy to untie!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "26", "text": "‘Men… Brothers… You sons of the people of Abraham, and those who fear God; These words that bring salvation have been sent to us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "27", "text": "But the people who lived in Jerusalem and their rulers didn’t recognize this one. And when they acted as his judges, they fulfilled the things that the Prophets said, which are read aloud [here] on every Sabbath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "28", "text": "And although they didn’t find a reason to kill him, they demanded that Pilate should execute him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "29", "text": "‘Then, when they’d finished everything that was written about him, they took him down from the pole and laid him in a tomb."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "30", "text": "However, God raised him from the dead,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "31", "text": "and for several days thereafter, those [of us] who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, saw him! So, we are now his witnesses to the people."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "32", "text": "And here we are announcing the good news to you about the promise that God made to our forefathers,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "33", "text": "and which He has completely fulfilled for our children; for He resurrected Jesus! Yes, as it was written in the second Psalm: You are my son… today I’ve become your Father!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Why, the fact that He resurrected him from the dead, and that he wasn’t about to return to corruption, was proven when He said: I will give you the holy things of David… the things that are faithful."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "35", "text": "And He said in another place, You wouldn’t allow your Holy one to see corruption."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "36", "text": "And although David (who served his generation well and followed God’s instructions) fell asleep [in death], was buried with his ancestors, and saw corruption,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "37", "text": "the one who God raised didn’t see corruption!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "38", "text": "‘Understand this, men and brothers; We’re proclaiming to you that sins can be forgiven through this one!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "39", "text": "And all the wrong things for which the Law of Moses couldn’t excuse you, will be excused for you by this one… if you believe!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "40", "text": "So, make sure that [the things] the Prophets said don’t happen to you:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "41", "text": "Look and be amazed, because something is happening in your days that you won’t believe when you’re told!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "42", "text": "Well, as they were leaving, the people begged them to tell them more about this on the next Sabbath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "43", "text": "So, after the meeting at the synagogue was concluded, many of the Jews and proselytes followed Paul and BarNabas; and they urged them to stick close to God’s favor."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "44", "text": "Then on the next Sabbath, almost the entire city assembled to hear the Word of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "45", "text": "And when the Judeans saw the throngs of people, they were extremely jealous and started contradicting the things that Paul was saying in blasphemous ways."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "46", "text": "But Paul and BarNabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘We had to speak the Word of God to you first; but since you’re just pushing it away and don’t judge yourselves to be worthy of life in the age, {Look!} we will be turning to the nations."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "47", "text": "In fact, the Lord commanded us to do this when he said: I will make you a light to the nations, in order to have my salvation carried to the ends of the earth!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "48", "text": "Now, when those who came from the nations heard this, they started rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord. And all those who were inclined to accept life in the age became believers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "49", "text": "So the Word of the Lord was carried throughout that whole country."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "50", "text": "However, the Judeans incited many of the city’s elite (devout women and leading men), and they sent people against Paul and BarNabas, who threw them out of the city."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "51", "text": "So, they shook the dust off their feet against them, and went on to Iconium."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 13, "verse": "52", "text": "However, the disciples [in that city] continued to be filled with joy and Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, the same thing happened in Iconium. [Paul and BarNabas] went into the Jewish synagogue together to speak, and a large number of both Jews and Greeks became believers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "However, the Jews who wouldn’t accept what they said, riled up the people of the nations and influenced them to act badly toward the brothers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "Nevertheless, [Paul, and BarNabas] spent a lot of time boldly telling them about the Lord. And [the Lord] himself testified to the fact that his favor was being shown, by allowing them to perform signs and omens."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "However, the whole city was split… some were for the Jews, and others for the Apostles."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "Then the Jews and gentiles met with the local rulers to arrange to finish them off by stoning them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "And when they learned about this, [Paul and BarNabas] got out of there and traveled to the cities and countryside around Lystra and Derbe in LycaOnias,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "where they continued preaching the good news."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "Now in Lystra, a man was sitting there who had something wrong with his feet. In fact, he hadn’t walked at all since he was born."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "This man was listening to Paul, and when [Paul] looked at him and realized that he had enough faith to be healed,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "he shouted, ‘Get up on your feet!’ And at this, he jumped up and started walking around."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted (in the LycaOnian language), ‘The gods have turned themselves into men and have come down to us!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "So, they started calling BarNabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes (since he was the one who took the lead in speaking)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "Then the city’s Priest of Zeus brought bulls and garlands up to the gates, so that he and the crowd could offer sacrifices [to them]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "However, when the Apostles (BarNabas and Paul) heard this, they tore their clothes and jumped into the crowd, shouting and"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "asking, ‘Why are you doing this? We’re just humans who have the same problems as you; and we’re here preaching the good news in order to turn you away from this foolishness and toward the living God who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "For, He has allowed the nations to go their own way for generations,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "but he didn’t leave Himself without witnesses. And He did good things for you by giving you rain from the sky and good harvests, and he filled your hearts with food and happiness!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "Yet, despite everything they said, they had a hard time keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "Then Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and they talked the crowd into stoning Paul. Then they dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went back into the city. Then the next day, he and BarNabas left for Derbe."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "And after preaching the good news to that city and making quite a few disciples, they returned to Lystra in Iconium and Antioch"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "to strengthen the disciples. They encouraged them to remain in the faith, saying, ‘We will all have to endure many trials to enter the Kingdom of God.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "They also appointed elders in each congregation, and with prayer and fasting they entrusted them into the hands of [the God who] they had come to believe in."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "24", "text": "Well from there, they traveled through Pisidia to PamPhylia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "25", "text": "And after teaching the Word in Perga, they went on to Attalia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "26", "text": "Then finally, they sailed back to Antioch, where by God’s kindness they had first been entrusted with the work that they were performing so well."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "27", "text": "And when they arrived, they gathered the congregation and told them everything that God had done through them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the nations."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 14, "verse": "28", "text": "Then they spent a long time there with the disciples."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "However, some men who came down from Judea started teaching the brothers, ‘If you don’t get circumcised, following the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "But after Paul and BarNabas opposed and argued with them, they arranged for Paul, BarNabas, and some others who were there, to go to the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem to ask about the matter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "So, the congregation then sent these on, and they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling [congregations] along the way about the conversion of people of the nations, which resulted in great joy among all the brothers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "And when they got to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the congregation (which included the Apostles and the elders). Then they told all the things that God had done through them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "However, some of those who had become believers from the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘We must circumcise them, and then order them to obey the Law of Moses!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "Well, the Apostles and the elders thereafter held a meeting to look into this matter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "And after a lot or wrangling, Peter stood up and said, ‘Men! Brothers! You know how (long ago) God chose to have people of the nations hear the Word of the Good News and believe through my mouth."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "And God (who knows the heart) testified to them by giving them the Holy Breath… the same as He did to us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "So, He didn’t differentiate between us, but purified their hearts in the faith."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "So, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we could carry?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "Why, we believe that they are saved – the same as we are – through the [loving] care of the Lord Jesus!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "Well at that, the group became silent, as they listened to BarNabas and Paul tell about the many signs and omens that God had used them to perform among the gentiles."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "And when they’d finished speaking, James said: ‘Men! Brothers! Hear me!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "Symeon has explained to us how God has looked to take a people for His Name out of the nations for the first time."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "And in this, the words of the Prophets agree. For it’s written:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "After this I will return and rebuild the Tent of David that is fallen and buried… I will rebuild it and make it stand again,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "so that all those who remain can seek Jehovah, along with people from all the nations who are called by My Name. ‘And this was said by Jehovah, who did these things"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "that He has known about for ages!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "‘So, I have decided not to create problems for gentiles who are turning to God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "Rather, I will send word to them to stay free from things polluted by idols, from immorality, from things that are strangled, and from blood."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "For, since his generation, Moses has been preached in city after city, and [he has] been read in the synagogues on each Sabbath.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "Then the Apostles, elders, and the whole congregation were all in favor of sending men to Antioch, who were [then] chosen from among them. So, along with Paul and BarNabas, there was Judas (who was called BarSabbas) and Silas… leading men among the brothers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "And by their hand they wrote: ‘[From] the Apostles and the older brothers, to those brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, who came from the nations… Rejoice!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "Since we’ve heard that some who came from us have stirred things up there with speeches and have tried to change your lives (although we didn’t give them any such instructions),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "we’ve arrived at a unanimous conclusion; We’ve decided to choose men to send to you along with our loved BarNabas and Paul…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "men who have been willing to give their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "So, we are sending Judas and Silas, who can explain these things to you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "28", "text": "‘It’s apparent to the Holy Breath and to us, that we shouldn’t put any burdens on you other than these necessary things:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "29", "text": "Stay away from things that are sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things that are strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you stay away from these things, you’ll do well. Good health to you!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "30", "text": "So when these men were sent, they went to Antioch, where they assembled the group and then gave them the letter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "31", "text": "And after reading it, [those in Antioch] were very happy over the encouragement that the letter conveyed."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "32", "text": "Then Judas and Silas (since they were also Prophets) encouraged the brothers with many speeches, which strengthened them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "33", "text": "And after some time had passed, they were allowed to return to those who’d sent them with this message of peace."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "34", "text": "——"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "35", "text": "However, Paul and BarNabas stayed on in Antioch for a while, along with many others, teaching and preaching the good news of the Word of the Lord."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "36", "text": "Then after several days, Paul said to BarNabas: ‘Now that these matters have been settled, let’s go back and visit the brothers in all the cities where we’ve preached the Word, to see how they’re doing.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "37", "text": "However, BarNabas wanted to bring John (who was called Mark) along also."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "38", "text": "But Paul didn’t think he was worthy, so he didn’t want to take him along… because he’d taken off at PamPhylia, and hadn’t continued with them in the work."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "39", "text": "So there was quite an argument over this, which resulted in each going his own way. Then BarNabas took Mark and sailed off to Cyprus,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "40", "text": "while Paul chose Silas; and (after sharing the joy of the Lord with the brothers) he traveled on,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 15, "verse": "41", "text": "going through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he traveled as far as Derbe, and on to Lystra, and {Look!} there he found a disciple named Timothy, who was the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "The brothers in Lystra and Iconium had many good things to say about him,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "and Paul wanted to take this man along with him. So he went and circumcised him (because of all the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was Greek)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "And as they traveled on through the cities, they taught the decisions of the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem, and urged the brothers to obey them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "So, the congregations kept getting stronger in the faith and growing day by day."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "From there, they traveled through Phrygia and the country of Galatia. However, the Holy Breath [of God] wouldn’t allow them to teach the Word in [the province of] Asia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "And when they got down to Mysia, they tried to go on to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t allow them to do so."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "So they passed Mysia and went on to Troas."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "And there, during the night, Paul saw a vision of a Macedonian man who was standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "And as soon as he saw this vision, we started out for Macedonia, assuming that God had called us to preach the good news to them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "So, having been led from Troas, we set a straight course for Samothrace. Then the next day, we traveled to NeApolis,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "and from there to Philippi, a [Roman] colony, which is one of the main cities in that part of Macedonia. We spent several days in this city."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "And on the Sabbath, we went to the riverbank outside the of city gate, where we thought we would find a place to pray. Then we sat down there and started talking to the women who had assembled."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "Well, a woman named Lydia (a vendor of purple cloth from Thyatira), who was a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to the things that Paul was saying."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "Then, as she and her household were being baptized, she begged, ‘If you men have judged me to be faithful in the Lord, come and stay at my house!’ And she almost forced us to come."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "Then, as we were going somewhere to pray, there was a servant girl with a spirit of Apollo (a demon) who met us. She used to make a lot of profit for her masters with here predictions;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "and she kept following Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are slaves of the Most High God, and they are preaching to you about the way of salvation!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, she kept doing this for several days, and finally Paul got tired of it, so he turned and told the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus the Anointed One to come out of her!’ And it came right out."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "But when her masters saw that they had just lost their hope of income, they grabbed hold of Paul and Silas, and dragged them to the authorities at the market."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "There they stood them before the judges and said, ‘These men are Jews who are creating a disturbance in our city…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "they’re preaching customs that are illegal for us as Romans to either accept or to practice!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "22", "text": "Well with that, the crowd arose and condemned them. So the judges had their clothes stripped off and commanded that they should be beaten with rods."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "23", "text": "And after they had received many blows, they threw them in prison, ordering the jailer not to allow them to get away."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "24", "text": "And since he had received such an order, he threw them into the innermost prison and put their feet in stocks."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "25", "text": "However, about the middle of the night, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing sacred songs (where the prisoners could hear them),"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "26", "text": "a great earthquake suddenly occurred that shook the jail to its foundation… which opened all the doors and loosened all the restraints."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "27", "text": "Well, when the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to do away with himself, because he thought the prisoners had all escaped."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "28", "text": "But Paul called out loudly, ‘Don’t harm yourself… we’re all here!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "29", "text": "So he asked for lights to be brought in, and shaking in fear, he jumped in and fell down before Paul and Silas."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "30", "text": "Then he brought them outside and asked, ‘Lords; What must I do to get saved?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "31", "text": "And they replied: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your household will be saved.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "32", "text": "Then they spoke to him and all those in his house about the Word of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "33", "text": "So at that hour of the night, he went and washed their whip wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized right away."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "34", "text": "And thereafter, he took them into his house, sat them at the table, and he and his entire household started rejoicing over their belief in God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "35", "text": "Well, the next morning, the judges sent the constables with the message: ‘Release those men.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "36", "text": "Then the jailer repeated their words to Paul, saying: ‘The judges have sent men to release you. So, come on out and go your way in peace.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "37", "text": "But Paul told them: ‘They flogged us publicly, although we weren’t found guilty [of anything], and we are Romans… then they threw us in jail! So, are they now going to try to throw us out secretly? No, let them come down here and bring us out themselves!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "38", "text": "So the constables reported what they said to the judges, who were frightened when they heard that the men were Romans."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "39", "text": "As the result, they came and begged them. Then after bringing them out, they asked them to leave the city."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 16, "verse": "40", "text": "But when they left the prison, they first went to Lydia’s house, where they saw the brothers and encouraged them before they left."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "1", "text": "They then traveled through AmphiPolis and Apollonia, to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "2", "text": "And as it was Paul’s custom, he went inside and reasoned with them from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "3", "text": "He explained and proved by references why the Anointed One had to suffer, and then be raised from the dead. He told them, ‘This Jesus who I’m preaching to you is the Anointed One!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "4", "text": "As a result, some of them became believers and associated themselves with Paul and Silas, as did a large number of devout Greeks, many women, and several of the city’s leaders."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "5", "text": "But the Judeans got jealous and formed a mob; then they assembled a group of wicked men who were hanging around the market, and they created quite an uproar in the city. And they all went to the house of Jason to have [Paul and Silas] brought out."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "6", "text": "But when they didn’t find them there, they dragged Jason and some other brothers to the city council, shouting, ‘Those men who are upsetting the whole world are here also…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "7", "text": "and Jason has welcomed them into his home! These people break the law of Caesar by saying there’s another king… Jesus!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, when they said this, they really riled up the throngs of people, as well as the city council."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "9", "text": "So they demanded a large bail from Jason and the others, and then let them go."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "10", "text": "Then later that night, the brothers sent both Paul and Silas off to Berea. And when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, these people were nobler than those who were in Thessalonica, because they eagerly welcomed the Word, and they studied the Scriptures daily to make sure the things [they were being told] were true;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "12", "text": "so many of them became believers, as did a number of the reputable Greek men and women."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "13", "text": "But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was also preaching the Word of God in Berea, they traveled there to incite and agitate the crowds."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "14", "text": "So the brothers immediately sent Paul off all the way to the sea… but Silas and Timothy stayed behind."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "15", "text": "Then those who took Paul, brought him to Athens. And after instructing them to send Silas and Timothy to him as quickly as possible, they left."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was disgusted to the core when he saw that the city was full of idols."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "17", "text": "So he started reasoning with the Jews and other worshipers in the synagogue, and whoever else happened to be around the markets each day."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "18", "text": "Then some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers came to hear him and started asking, ‘What is this seed-picker trying to say?’ And others replied, ‘He seems to be preaching about a foreign demon’ (this is because he was preaching the good news of Jesus and the resurrection)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "19", "text": "So they grabbed him and took him to the AeroPagus, asking, ‘Tell us; What is this new teaching you’re talking about?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "20", "text": "We heard that you’ve imported some strange new ideas, and we want to know what they are!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "21", "text": "Well, all Athenians and even foreigners who traveled there, had nothing to do other than to spend their leisure time telling something or listening to something new."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "22", "text": "So Paul stood up in the middle of the AeroPagus and said: ‘Men of Athens; I see that you have a greater fear of the demons than do others."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "23", "text": "And as I was going along and noticing all the things you worship, I found an altar with the inscription: To an unknown God. So, I’m here to preach to you about something that you don’t know, but already worship."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "24", "text": "For this is the [same] God who made the cosmos and everything in it, and this Lord of heaven and earth doesn’t live in handmade Temples,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "25", "text": "nor does He need human hands to take care of Him (or anything at all [for that matter]), because He gives life, breath, and everything to all of us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "26", "text": "It is He who made every nation of men who live on the face of the earth from just one man, and He’s the One who laid out the times and limits of our lives,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "27", "text": "so that we would search for God. For, He wanted us to grope around and find Him, although He really isn’t very far from any of us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "28", "text": "And it’s through Him that we have life, and move, and exist… even as some of your own poets have said, We are His offspring!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "29", "text": "‘So, since we are the offspring of God, we shouldn’t think of this Divine One as being like gold, silver, stone… or like anything else that some man has artistically sculpted!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "30", "text": "Yet, God has overlooked such periods of ignorance, and now He’s telling all men, wherever they are, to repent;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "31", "text": "because He has set a day when He’s going to judge the entire inhabited earth righteously, by a man whom He has appointed. And He has given all of us a reason for faith in this, because He resurrected him from the dead!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "32", "text": "Well, when they heard of a resurrection of the dead, some started joking about it. But others said, ‘We’ll listen to you about this some other time!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "33", "text": "So Paul left them,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 17, "verse": "34", "text": "but some of the men started following him and became believers. This included Dionysius (a judge of the AeroPagus court), a woman named Damaris, and others."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "1", "text": "After that, he left Athens and went to Corinth."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "2", "text": "And there he found a Judean (from Pontus) named Aquila and Priscilla his wife, who had recently come from Italy, because Claudius [Caesar] had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. So he went to them,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "3", "text": "and because they shared the same trade, he stayed at their house, for they all worked as tent makers."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "4", "text": "However, he spoke in the synagogue on every Sabbath and he reasoned with both Jews and Greeks."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, when Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia, Paul really intensified his work of witnessing to the Jews, to prove that Jesus is the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "6", "text": "However, they just kept on opposing him and blaspheming; so he shook out his clothes and said, ‘Your blood is on your own heads… I am clean; so from now on, I’ll be going to people of the nations.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he left and went to the home of a man named Titius Justus (a worshiper of God), whose house adjoined the synagogue."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "8", "text": "And Crispus (the synagogue’s presiding officer) became a believer in the Lord, as did his whole household; and many Corinthians who heard about it became believers and were baptized."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "9", "text": "Then one night, the Lord said to Paul in a vision, ‘Don’t be afraid; keep on talking here and don’t stop,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "10", "text": "because I’m with you! Nobody will attack you or try to hurt you, since I have a lot of people in this city.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "11", "text": "So he stayed there for a year and a half, teaching the Word of God among them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, it was while Gallio was governor of Achaia that the Judeans got together and came against Paul. They took him to court and charged him,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "13", "text": "saying; ‘This man is violating the Law by trying to convert people of other faiths to worshiping [our] God.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "14", "text": "But just as Paul was about to answer, Gallio told the Jews: ‘O Jews; I’d be patient and put up with this, if you were talking about [his doing] something wrong or committing some foul act."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "15", "text": "But if all you want to complain about is words, names, and your Law, take care of it yourselves. I don’t wish to be the judge of such matters!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "16", "text": "And with that, he threw them out of the court area."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "17", "text": "So then they dragged [Paul] in front of Sosthenes, the presiding officer of the synagogue. And right there in front of the Judgment Seat, they started beating him up. However, Gallio didn’t pay any attention to this."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "18", "text": "Well, after staying there for several more days, Paul said good-bye to the brothers and sailed off for Syria, along with Priscilla and Aquila. Then [Paul] had his hair trimmed short in Cenchreae, because of a vow he’d made."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, when they arrived at Ephesus, he left them and went into the synagogue to reason with the Jews."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "20", "text": "And although they asked him to stay there a while, he wouldn’t do it."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "21", "text": "So he said good-bye and told them: ‘I will return again, if it’s God’s will.’ Then he traveled from Ephesus"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "22", "text": "to Caesarea, where he went up and greeted the congregation, and then he traveled on to Antioch."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "23", "text": "And after he stayed [in Antioch] a while, he left and traveled throughout the areas of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "24", "text": "Now, a Jew named Apollos (a native of Alexandria), who an excellent speaker and knew the Scriptures well, arrived at Ephesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "25", "text": "He had been taught the ways of the Lord and was aglow with the Breath [of God]. So, what he said and taught about Jesus was correct, but he only knew about the baptism of John."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "26", "text": "Well, he was boldly speaking in the synagogue when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, so they took him under their wing and explained the ways of God to him more completely."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "27", "text": "Then, because he wanted to travel across Achaia, the brothers wrote to the disciples there, telling them to welcome him. And when he got there, he provided assistance to all those who (through the care [of God]) believed,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 18, "verse": "28", "text": "because he publicly and very enthusiastically showed that the Jews were absolutely wrong, while he used the Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, while Apollos stayed in Corinth, Paul traveled inland. And when he got to Ephesus, he found some disciples"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "2", "text": "and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Breath [of God] when you became believers?’ And they answered, ‘Why, we’ve never even heard that there is Holy Breath.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "3", "text": "And he asked, ‘Then, what were you baptized in?’ And they replied, ‘In John’s baptism.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "4", "text": "So Paul told them: ‘When John baptized, it was a baptism of repentance. However, he told the people to believe in the one coming after him… and that is, in Jesus.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "5", "text": "Well, when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "6", "text": "And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Breath [of God] came over them; then they started speaking in different languages and prophesying"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "7", "text": "(there were about twelve men altogether)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "8", "text": "[Paul] then went into the synagogue, where he spoke boldly, and for three months he reasoned and talked persuasively about the Kingdom of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "9", "text": "But, when [he noted] that some were just becoming more difficult, refusing to believe and saying bad things about The Way in front of the crowds, he left them… he separated the [true] disciples from among them and gave talks in the School of Tyrannous each day,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "10", "text": "and this went on for two years. So everyone who lived in [the province of] Asia (both Jews and Greeks) heard the Word of the Lord."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "11", "text": "And [all the while], God kept showing unusual power through the hands of Paul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, even the bandannas and aprons he wore were carried to sick people, which caused their diseases to leave and wicked spirits to come out."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "13", "text": "However, there were some traveling Judean exorcists who also started to use the name of the Lord Jesus against wicked spirits, saying, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus, the one who Paul preaches… ’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "14", "text": "Now, Sceva (a Judean Chief Priest) had seven sons who were doing this."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "15", "text": "However, one wicked spirit said to them, ‘I know Jesus, and I’m familiar with Paul, but just who are you?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "16", "text": "And with that, the man who was possessed by a wicked spirit jumped on them, overpowered each one, and beat them up… so they ran out of the house naked and injured."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, everyone in Ephesus (both Jews and Greeks) heard about this, and it frightened them. And as the result, the name of the Lord Jesus kept growing in praise,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "18", "text": "and many that became believers would come and openly confess, telling of things that they had done."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "19", "text": "In fact, several who used to practice magic, brought their books together and burned them up in front of everyone. And when they calculated how much they’d paid for them, they found that they [were worth] fifty thousand silver coins."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "20", "text": "So, the power of the Word of the Lord kept growing and getting stronger."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "21", "text": "Well, after all these things happened, Paul resolved that he would travel to Macedonia and Achaia, then on to Jerusalem. And he said, ‘After I get there, I also have to see Rome!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "22", "text": "So he sent two of those who served him (Timothy and Erastus) to Macedonia, while he spent some time in [the province of] Asia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "23", "text": "But at the time, a big disturbance had come about because of The Way."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "24", "text": "For, a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, was making silver shrines of Artemis, and this was a very profitable business for him and his employees."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "25", "text": "So he gathered them (as well as others in the trade) and said, ‘Men, you know very well that we make a good living from this business."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "26", "text": "But you’re also seeing and hearing how this Paul has persuaded large numbers of people and is making converts – not just in Ephesus but in almost all [the province of] Asia – saying that those which are made by hands aren’t gods!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "27", "text": "Why, not only does this endanger our business by damaging its reputation, but [soon] the temple of the great goddess Artemis will become unimportant, and her magnificence – which the whole [province of] Asia and the entire land worships – is about to be brought to nothing!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "28", "text": "Well, when they heard this, they became very angry and started shouting, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "29", "text": "So the city became filled with confusion. Then they all rushed into the theater and grabbed Gaius and AristArchus (Macedonians who traveled with Paul)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "30", "text": "And after that, Paul wanted to go to visit them in public; but the disciples wouldn’t allow it."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "31", "text": "Why, even some of the public game commissioners (who were friends of his) sent word to him, begging him not to enter the theater."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "32", "text": "In the meantime, some [in the theater] were shouting one thing and others were shouting something else, for the whole group was confused and most of them didn’t even know why they were there."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "33", "text": "So they located Alexander in the midst of the crowd, and the Judeans pushed him up to the front. Then Alexander started waving his hands in order to defend himself before the people."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "34", "text": "But when they recognized that he was a Judean, they started a shout that lasted for two hours: ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "35", "text": "Well, when the City Recorder finally quieted the crowd, he said, ‘Men! Ephesians! Who in the world doesn’t know that the City of Ephesus is the place where the temple of the Great Artemis and the image that fell from the sky is kept?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "36", "text": "So, since these things are undeniable, it would seem better if you’d just calm down and not act so foolishly!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "37", "text": "‘Now, you’ve grabbed hold of these men, who aren’t guilty of either robbing Temples or blaspheming our goddess."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "38", "text": "But, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against them, [remember that] there are court days and there are governors! So, let them bring charges against [them]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "39", "text": "But if you’re looking for anything more than that, it has to be decided in a legal hearing!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "40", "text": "‘Now, we are really in danger of being charged with rioting today, and we don’t even have a good reason! For, who can give a reason for this disorderly mob?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 19, "verse": "41", "text": "And after he said that, he dismissed the assembly."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when all the rioting was over, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he told them goodbye and left for Macedonia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "2", "text": "And after traveling around to encourage the people there with many speeches, he went to Greece,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "3", "text": "where he then spent three months. However, the Jews there started plotting against him. And although he had decided to leave for Syria, he changed his mind and returned through Macedonia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "4", "text": "Accompanying him there were: Sopater (the son of PyrRhus of Berea), AristArchus, Secundus (of the Thessalonians), Gaius (of Derbe), and Timothy, as well as Tychicus and Trophimus (from the [province of] Asia)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "5", "text": "These went ahead and waited for us in Troas."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "6", "text": "Then, after the period of No Fermentation, we sailed from Philippi to Troas, where they were, which took five days. And we spent seven more days there."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "7", "text": "Then on Sunday, when we met to have a meal, Paul gave a public talk, because he was going to leave the next day. However, his speech went on until midnight,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "8", "text": "so, many lamps were lit in the upstairs room where we met."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, there was a young man named EuTychus who was sitting in a window and fell fast asleep while Paul was talking. Then he slumped over and fell out of the third-story window. And when they picked him up, he was dead."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "10", "text": "Well, Paul went downstairs and threw himself on top of him, hugged him, and said, ‘Don’t worry; he’s still alive!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "11", "text": "So he went back upstairs, started the meal, and ate and talked until daybreak, then he left."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "12", "text": "For, they had taken the boy [home] alive, and they were extremely encouraged."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "13", "text": "Then we went on ahead of Paul by boat and sailed to Assos, where we intended to pick him up, because that’s what he told us to do, since he was going to travel there on foot."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "14", "text": "So, when he caught up with us in Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "15", "text": "then we sailed from there the next day, coming ashore across from Chios. Then on the following day, we stopped at Samos, and on the next day we arrived at Miletus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "16", "text": "Paul had planned to sail past Ephesus, so he wouldn’t spend any time in the [province of] Asia, because he was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, if he could."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "17", "text": "However, [while he was] in Miletus, he sent word to Ephesus to call the elders of the congregation to him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "18", "text": "And when they arrived, he told them, ‘You know very well that, from the first day I stepped into Asia, I was with you all along,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "19", "text": "humbly slaving for the Lord. And [you know] of all the tears and trials I endured because of the plots of the Jews."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "20", "text": "Yet, I didn’t fail to remind you and teach you both in public and in [your] homes,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "21", "text": "for I gave a thorough witness to both Jews and Greeks about [the need to] repent before God, and [to have] faith in our Lord Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "22", "text": "‘{Look!} Now I’m traveling to Jerusalem as though I were already in chains, for I don’t know what’s going to happen to me there."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "23", "text": "[All I know is that], in city after city, Holy Breath keeps testifying to me, telling me that chains and difficulties are awaiting me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "24", "text": "Yet, I won’t say anything that would make my life more valuable to me, so I can finish my course. [I just want to finish] the service assignment that I received from the Lord Jesus… to testify completely about the good news of the caring of God."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "25", "text": "‘Now, {Look!} I know that all of you to whom I preached the Kingdom will see my face no more."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "26", "text": "So, I’m testifying to you today that I’m clean from the blood of all men,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "27", "text": "because I haven’t held back from telling you any of God’s purposes."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "28", "text": "So now; Pay attention to yourselves and to the whole flock that the Holy Breath [of God] has appointed you to watch over and to shepherd… this congregation of God, which He purchased with the blood of [His own Son]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "29", "text": "For I know that after I leave, oppressive wolves will enter among you who won’t spare the flock,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "30", "text": "and that men from among you will arise and speak twisted things to attract some of the disciples to following them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "31", "text": "So, stay awake… and remember those three years when I didn’t give up in counseling each of you tearfully, night and day."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "32", "text": "‘And now I’m entrusting you into [the Lord’s hands] and into the expressions of his caring, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "33", "text": "‘[You know that] I haven’t longed for anyone’s silver, gold, or clothing,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "34", "text": "for you know how I’ve used my own hands to take care of my needs… as well as [for the needs] of those who were with me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "35", "text": "I’ve demonstrated to you that it’s necessary to work like this, so you can help those who are weak. So remember the words that were said by the Lord Jesus: There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "36", "text": "And after he said this, he kneeled down with them all and prayed."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "37", "text": "And many tears flowed as they hugged Paul’s neck and tenderly kissed him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 20, "verse": "38", "text": "For, when he said that they wouldn’t see his face again, they were deeply saddened. Then they walked with him to the boat."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when we finally tore ourselves away from them and put out to sea, we ran straight over to Cos, then to Rhodes the next day, and from there, to Patara."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "2", "text": "And when we found a boat that was going to Phoenicia, we got aboard and sailed off."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "3", "text": "Well, we came in sight of the Island of Cyprus, passing it on our left, and sailed on to Syria, landing at Tyre (because that’s where the boat unloaded its cargo)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "4", "text": "So we searched and found the disciples and stayed there for seven days. And through the Breath [of God], they repeatedly warned Paul not to set foot in Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "5", "text": "So when it came time to go, we left and started on our way; but they all (including the women and children) walked outside the city with us. And kneeling down on the beach, we had a prayer"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "6", "text": "and said good-bye to each other. Then we got into the boat and they returned home."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "7", "text": "After leaving Tyre, we finally arrived at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and spent a day with them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "8", "text": "The next day, we left, arriving in Caesarea, where we went to the house of Philip the evangelizer (one of the seven men), and stayed with him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "9", "text": "He had four virgin daughters who prophesied."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "10", "text": "But after we’d stayed there for several days, a Prophet named Agabus came down from Judea."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "11", "text": "Then he approached us and took Paul’s sash off, tied up his own hands and feet, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Breath [of God] says: This is how the Judeans will bind the man who this sash belongs to, then hand him over to people of the nations.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, when we heard this, we (and those who lived there) started begging him not to go to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "13", "text": "But Paul answered, ‘Why are you crying and crushing my heart? I’m not only ready to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "14", "text": "And when we couldn’t change his mind, we gave in, saying, ‘May the Lord’s Will take place.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "15", "text": "After several days, we prepared for the journey and headed toward Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "16", "text": "However, some of the disciples from Caesarea also traveled with us, leading us to the home of a man who showed us some hospitality, Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "17", "text": "Then, when we got into Jerusalem, the brothers were all happy to see us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "18", "text": "And on the next [day], we went (with Paul) to see James… and all the elders were there too."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "19", "text": "[Paul] greeted them and started giving a detailed account of the things that God had done among the nations through his service."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "20", "text": "And after hearing this, they glorified God, then they told him: ‘Our brother; You know how many thousands of believers there are among the Judeans, and they all zealously obey the Law."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "21", "text": "But they have heard the rumor that you’ve been teaching Judeans who live among the nations an apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to follow the traditions."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "22", "text": "What do you suppose can be done about this? ‘Well, in any case, they’re going to hear that you’ve arrived."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "23", "text": "So, do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a sacred vow…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "24", "text": "take them with you, and all of you cleanse yourselves ceremonially, then pay to have their heads shaved. That way, everyone will know that there’s no truth to the rumors they’ve heard about you, and that you’re personally following the rules and obeying the Law."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "25", "text": "‘And as for the gentile believers; We’ve already sent them our decision to stay free from things that are sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "26", "text": "So the next day, Paul took the [four] men along and they cleansed themselves ceremonially. Then they entered the Temple to give notice of their ceremonial cleansing (to start counting the days until an offering should be made for each of them)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "27", "text": "But when the seven days were about up, some Judeans from [the province of] Asia saw him in the Temple, and they created a disturbance among the crowd and they grabbed him,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "28", "text": "shouting, ‘Men of Israel! Help! He’s the man that teaches against our people, against the Law, and against this place to everyone everywhere. Why, he has even brought Greeks into the Temple and defiled this Holy place!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "29", "text": "[They said this] because they had seen him in the city earlier with Trophimus the Ephesian, and they thought Paul had brought him into the Temple."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "30", "text": "Well, the whole city was in an uproar and people started running there. So they grabbed Paul and dragged him outside the Temple, and then the [Temple] doors were closed."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "31", "text": "And as they were trying to kill him, the commander of the [Roman] garrison heard about the uproar in Jerusalem,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "32", "text": "and immediately took a contingent of officers and soldiers, and ran down to them. So when [the mob] saw the commander with his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "33", "text": "Then the commander came up, took hold of [Paul], and ordered to have him bound with two chains; and he asked [the mob] who he was and what he had done."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "34", "text": "However, some in the crowd started shouting one thing, and others shouted something else. So, because he was unable to be sure of anything (due to all the confusion), he commanded [to have Paul] brought back to their garrison."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "35", "text": "However, when they reached the stairs, the situation got so bad and the mob became so violent that the soldiers were literally carrying him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "36", "text": "Because, most of the people kept following and shouting, ‘Kill him!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "37", "text": "Then, as he was being carried into the garrison, Paul asked the commander, ‘Am I allowed to say something to you?’ And he replied, ‘Can you speak Greek…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "38", "text": "aren’t you the Egyptian who started a rebellion and led four-thousand dagger men out into the desert some time ago?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "39", "text": "Then Paul said, ‘For a fact, I’m a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia… I’m a citizen of a well-known city. So I beg you; Allow me to speak to the people!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 21, "verse": "40", "text": "Well, he gave Paul permission; So [Paul] stood on the stairs and waved his arms to [to quiet] the people. And when everything got quiet, he spoke to them in Hebrew, saying:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "1", "text": "‘Men… brothers, and fathers! Allow me to say something in my own defense now.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "2", "text": "(Well, when they heard him addressing them in Hebrew, things got quieter.) And he said,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "3", "text": "‘I’m a Jew who was born in Tarsus of Cilicia. I went to school right here in this city, and I received my instruction at the feet of GamaliEl, where I learned to obey the Law of our fathers strictly and to show the same zeal for God that you’re showing today."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "4", "text": "I personally persecuted this Way, by arresting and handing over their men and women to prisons for execution."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "5", "text": "Why, the High Priest and the entire assembly of elders can testify to this, because I obtained letters from them to our brothers in Damascus. And I went there to bring everyone who was being held in custody, back to Jerusalem for punishment."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "6", "text": "‘But as I was I was on my way and getting close to Damascus, about noon, a bright light flashed all around me in the sky."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "7", "text": "Then I fell to the ground and I heard a voice say to me, Saul; Saul; Why are you persecuting me?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "8", "text": "So I asked, Who are you, Lord? And he answered: I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Well, the men who were with me saw the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "10", "text": "Then I asked, What must I do Lord? And the Lord told me, Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told of everything you’ve been given to do."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "11", "text": "But, since I couldn’t see anything (due to the brilliance of that light), those who were [traveling] with me had to lead me into Damascus by the hand."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "12", "text": "‘Now, AnaNias – a man who devoutly obeyed the Law and who was well spoken of by all the Judeans who lived there –"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "13", "text": "came and stood next to me. Then he said, Saul; Brother; See again! And I could immediately see him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "14", "text": "Then he said, The God of our fathers has selected you to learn about His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice of his mouth,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "15", "text": "because you are to be his witness to everything you’ve seen and heard."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "16", "text": "So now; Why are you wasting time? Get up, get baptized, and wash your sins away by calling on his name."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Well, after I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple when I fell into a trance and I saw [Jesus]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "18", "text": "And he told me, Hurry; Get out of Jerusalem right away, because they won’t agree with your testimony about me!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "19", "text": "‘But I said, Lord; they all know very well that in one synagogue after another I used to have all those who believe in you thrown in jail and whipped."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "20", "text": "And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being spilled, I stood there and approved. In fact, I guarded the robes of those who did away with him!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "21", "text": "‘But he just told me: Leave, because I’m sending you to far-away nations.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "22", "text": "Now, they had been listening to him until he said this; but then they started shouting, ‘Kill this man, for he isn’t fit to live!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "23", "text": "And because they were shouting, throwing their clothes around, and tossing dirt in the air,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "24", "text": "the commander ordered him to be taken inside the garrison. Then he gave orders to scourge him with a whip, in order to force him to explain why everyone was shouting about him that way."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "25", "text": "But when they stretched him out to be whipped, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, ‘Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman and who hasn’t been charged with a crime?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "26", "text": "Well, when the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and asked, ‘Just what do you intend to do? Why, this man is a Roman!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "27", "text": "So the commander came to [Paul] and asked, ‘Tell me; Are you a Roman?’ And he answered, ‘Yes.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "28", "text": "Then the commander said, ‘Why, I paid a lot to obtain my citizenship.’ And Paul said, ‘I was born [a citizen].’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "29", "text": "Well, the men who were about to torture him left immediately. And on learning that he had arrested a Roman [citizen], the military commander was frightened."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 22, "verse": "30", "text": "So the next day, because he wanted to know for sure just what the Jews were accusing him of, he [unshackled] him and commanded the Chief Priests and the entire High Court to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and stood him among them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, he looked hard at the [judges of the] High Court, and Paul said: ‘Men; Brothers; I have a perfectly clear conscience about the way I’ve behaved before God down to this day.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "2", "text": "And at this, the High Priest AnaNias ordered those who were standing by him to hit him in the mouth."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "3", "text": "So Paul said: ‘God is going to hit you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit there judging me by the Law, and at the same time break the Law by commanding for me to be hit?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "4", "text": "Then those who were standing by him said, ‘Are you speaking against the High Priest of God?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "5", "text": "And Paul answered, ‘Brothers; I didn’t know he was the High Priest. Because it’s written: You must not speak badly of the one who rules your people.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, when Paul noticed that one part of the group were Sadducees and the rest were Pharisees, he called out in the High Court: ‘Men; Brothers; I’m a Pharisee and a son of Pharisees, and I’m being judged over my hope in the resurrection of the dead!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "7", "text": "And after he said this, quite an argument broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, which divided the crowd,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "8", "text": "because the Sadducees say there is no such thing as a resurrection, or [divine] messengers, or the Breath [of God]. However, the Pharisees publicly preach all of those things."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "9", "text": "So, there was a lot of shouting, and some of the Pharisees’ scribes stood up and started heatedly arguing, saying: ‘We don’t find anything wrong with this man! However, if the Breath [of God] or messenger spoke to him… ’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, the argument became so heated that the commander feared that they would pull Paul to pieces. So he ordered the soldiers to go down and take him from their midst and bring him back to the garrison."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "11", "text": "Then on the following night, the Lord stood next to [Paul] and said, ‘Be strong! So far, you’ve thoroughly testified to things about me in Jerusalem, but now you must also testify in Rome.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, the next morning, the Judeans formed an alliance and swore with a curse that they wouldn’t eat or drink until they had killed Paul"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "13", "text": "(there were more than forty men who formed this oath-bound conspiracy)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "14", "text": "So they went to the Chief Priests and elders and said, ‘We’ve taken a solemn oath with a curse not to take a bite of food until we’ve killed Paul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, we want you and the High Court to explain to the military commander that he should bring [Paul] to you, so you can learn more about the charges against him; and we’ll be ready to do away with him before he gets here!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "16", "text": "However, Paul’s nephew heard that they would be laying for him, so he went to the garrison and reported it to Paul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "17", "text": "Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "18", "text": "So [the soldier] took him to the commander and said, ‘The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "19", "text": "Well, the commander took him by the hand and led him in, then asked him privately, ‘What do you want to report to me?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "20", "text": "And he answered, ‘The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the High Court tomorrow, pretending to want to learn more about the charges against him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "21", "text": "But whatever you do, don’t let them convince you to do this, because they have more than forty men who are waiting to ambush him. These men have sworn an oath with a curse to neither eat nor drink until they’ve done away with him. And all they’re awaiting is a promise from you.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "22", "text": "Then the commander let the young man leave, after ordering him, ‘Don’t tell anyone that you explained this to me.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "23", "text": "And he called in two of his centurions and said, ‘I want you to get two hundred soldiers ready, plus seventy cavalrymen and two hundred spearmen… have them ready to march all the way to Caesarea at eight o’clock tonight,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "24", "text": "and provide animals for Paul to ride, then carry him safely to Governor Felix.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "25", "text": "Then he wrote a letter that read like this:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "26", "text": "‘Claudius Lysias, to the mighty Governor Felix: Rejoice!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "27", "text": "This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to do away with him. However, I came there quickly with a contingent of soldiers and rescued him, because I learned that he was a Roman."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "28", "text": "And because I wanted to know what they were accusing him of, I took him down to their High Court."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "29", "text": "And there I found that they had accused him over questions having to do with their Law, but he hadn’t been charged with anything that deserves death or jail."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "30", "text": "However, because I learned about a plot against this man, I am sending him to you right away. And I’m ordering his accusers to speak against him there before you.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "31", "text": "So these soldiers followed their orders and took Paul to AntiPatris by night."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "32", "text": "Then the next day, they sent him on with the cavalry (which later returned to the garrison)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "33", "text": "And when they got to Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "34", "text": "So he read it, and then he asked [Paul] which province he came from. And when he found that he was from Cilicia, he said,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 23, "verse": "35", "text": "‘I will give you a thorough hearing when your accusers get here.’ So he gave orders that [Paul] should be kept under guard in the Praetorian Palace of Herod."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "1", "text": "Five days later, High Priest AnaNias arrived with some elders and an orator named Tertullus, and they explained their accusations against Paul to the governor."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "2", "text": "And when he was called forward, Tertullus said this: ‘You’ve brought about so much peace, and we are welcoming the well-thought-out reforms that you’ve brought to our nation"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "3", "text": "in every way and everywhere with the greatest thankfulness, O mightiest Felix."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "4", "text": "But, so that I don’t waste any of your time, I beg you to hear us briefly, in your kindness."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "5", "text": "‘We found this man (this plague) stirring up rebellions among the Judeans in all the inhabited earth, for he’s the leader of the sect of the Nazarenes."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "6", "text": "And when he tried to profane our Temple, we arrested him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "7", "text": "——"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "8", "text": "Examine him yourself to learn more about the things we’re accusing him of.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "9", "text": "And at this, the Judeans also joined in the attack, affirming that the things [Tertullus] said were true."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "10", "text": "Then the governor nodded for Paul to speak. And he said: ‘I know very well that you’ve been the judge of our nation for many years. So I’m happy to speak in my own defense about these things that I’ve been accused of,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "11", "text": "since you are in a good position to ask. ‘It hasn’t been more than twelve days since I went to worship in Jerusalem,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "12", "text": "and they didn’t find me in the Temple arguing with anyone, nor did they find me inciting a riot in the synagogues… or anywhere else in the city for that matter."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "13", "text": "So, right now they can’t prove any of the things they’re accusing me of before you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "14", "text": "But I do admit to this: That which they’re calling a sect, is nothing more than the way that I’ve been worshiping the God of my fathers. ‘Why, I believe everything that is written in the Law and in the Prophets."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "15", "text": "And I have this hope in God (which they also share) that there’s going to be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "16", "text": "This is why I’m constantly alert so as to not offend my conscience by doing anything against God or men."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "17", "text": "And this is the reason why, after [being gone for] several years, I came [to Jerusalem]… to bring gifts to the poor in my nation, and to present offerings."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Well, it was while I was doing this that they found me in the Temple… ceremonially cleansed! I didn’t bring along a mob or start a riot! Why, some Jews from the [province of] Asia"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "19", "text": "should be here before you to accuse me… that is, if they can find something against me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "20", "text": "Or allow these who are here to tell you themselves what wrong things they found as I stood before the High Court…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "21", "text": "other than what I shouted while I was standing among them when I said, I am being judged before you today over the resurrection of the dead!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "22", "text": "However, since Felix knew a lot about things having to do with this Way, he just put them off, saying, ‘When Commander Lysias gets here, I will make a decision on this matter that you’re so concerned about.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "23", "text": "Then he ordered the centurion not to kill him, but to allow him some liberty, and not to prevent his people from serving his needs."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "24", "text": "Several days later, Felix’s wife arrived with several others. And since she was Judean, he sent for Paul and they listened to him talk about his belief in the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "25", "text": "However, Felix became frightened when he talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment; so he said, ‘That’s enough for now! Go on back, and when I have the time, I’ll send for you again.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "26", "text": "However, he really hoped that Paul would try to bribe him, and for that reason, he sent for him and talked to him often."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 24, "verse": "27", "text": "Well after two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to be liked by the Judeans, he kept Paul locked up."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "1", "text": "It was just three days after Festus became the provincial governor that he traveled from Caesarea to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "2", "text": "And there the Chief Priests and Judean leaders talked to him about Paul."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "3", "text": "They begged him (asking it as a favor) to send [Paul] to Jerusalem… since they planned to ambush and kill him along the road."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "4", "text": "However, Festus replied that he would keep Paul in Caesarea, but that he would be leaving [Jerusalem] shortly; and he said:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "5", "text": "‘So, those of you who have been empowered to do so, come with me. Then, if he has done anything wrong, they can accuse him.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "6", "text": "Well, after he had spent about eight to ten days [in Jerusalem], he returned to Caesarea. And the next day, he sat on the Judgment Seat and ordered Paul to be brought in."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "7", "text": "And when [Paul] arrived, the Jews who had come from Jerusalem stood all around him and charged him with several serious offenses. However, they couldn’t prove anything,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "8", "text": "Then Paul spoke in his own defense, saying, ‘I haven’t committed any sins against the Law of the Jews, against the Temple, or against Caesar!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "9", "text": "However, Festus (in an attempt to gain favor with the Jews) asked Paul, ‘Do you want to go to Jerusalem and be judged over these things before me there?’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "10", "text": "But Paul said, ‘I’m standing before the Judgment Seat of Caesar, and this is where I ought to be judged! I’ve done nothing wrong to the Judeans, as you’re finding out for yourself."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "11", "text": "However, if I really am a wrongdoer and have done something that I should die for; I’m not begging off from dying. On the other hand, if none of the things they are accusing me of are true, then no one can hand me over to them as a favor. So I appeal to Caesar!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "12", "text": "Then, after discussing it with his counselors, Festus replied, ‘You have appealed to Caesar; so to Caesar you will go!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "13", "text": "Well, after several days had passed, Agrippa (the king) and Bernice arrived in Caesarea to pay a courtesy visit on Festus."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "14", "text": "So, since they were to spend several days there, Festus laid the matter of Paul before the king, saying: ‘There’s a man here who was left as a prisoner by Felix."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "15", "text": "And when I was in Jerusalem, the Chief Priests and Judean elders brought me some information about him and asked me to condemn him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "16", "text": "But I told them that it isn’t the Roman way to just hand a man over as a favor before he meets his accusers face to face and gets a chance to speak in his own defense."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "17", "text": "So when they got here, I didn’t delay the matter… the next day, I sat down on the Judgment Seat and ordered the man to be brought in."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "18", "text": "‘Well, when they took the stand, his accusers didn’t really produce any serious charges, as I thought they would."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "19", "text": "They simply complained about some dispute they had with him over the fear of their demon, and about some Jesus, who was dead… but who Paul kept claiming was alive!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, I became so confused over the matter that I finally asked if he would like to go to Jerusalem and be judged there over these matters."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "21", "text": "But when Paul appealed to be bound over for a decision by the August One, I ordered him to be held until I can send him to Caesar.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "22", "text": "So Agrippa told Festus, ‘I’d like to hear from this man too.’ And he said, ‘Tomorrow you will hear him!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "23", "text": "Then the next day, Agrippa and Bernice arrived with a lot of pomp and ceremony, and went into the hearing room, along with military commanders and prominent men from the city. And when Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "24", "text": "Then Festus said: ‘King Agrippa and all of you who are here with us; Now you can see this man about whom all the Judeans, both here and in Jerusalem, are shouting that he shouldn’t be allowed to live any longer."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "25", "text": "However, I haven’t found anything he has done that deserves death, so when he appealed to the August One, I decided to send him there…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "26", "text": "but I really don’t have anything to write to [my] lord about. So, I brought him here before you… and especially before you, King Agrippa, so you can examine him and judge something for me to write."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 25, "verse": "27", "text": "For it seems unreasonable for me to send a prisoner [to Rome] and not to be able to specify the charges against him.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "1", "text": "Then Agrippa told Paul: ‘You are allowed to speak in your own behalf.’ So Paul stretched his hands out and said this in his defense:"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "2", "text": "‘King Agrippa; I’m happy to be here and defend myself before you today over all these things that I’ve been accused of by the Judeans,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "3", "text": "because you’re an expert on all Judean customs and controversies. So I beg you to listen to me patiently."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "4", "text": "‘This is the way that I’ve lived since I was a boy: From long ago, everyone in my nation (all in Jerusalem and all the Jews"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "5", "text": "who used to know me) can testify to the fact that I was raised in the strictest sect of our type of worship… I was a Pharisee."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "6", "text": "And now, it’s over the hope of a promise that was made by God to our ancestors that I’m standing here being judged."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "7", "text": "For, our twelve tribes have been hoping to see the fulfillment of this promise by offering [God] our intense worship night and day, and it’s over this hope that I’m being accused by the Judeans, O king."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "8", "text": "‘Why do you find it unbelievable that God can raise the dead?"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "9", "text": "For a fact, I once thought that it was right to do whatever I could to oppose the name of Jesus the Nazarene;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "10", "text": "and I did this in Jerusalem! Why, I locked up many of the Holy Ones and threw them in jail, because I was authorized to do this by the Chief Priests. And as they were being brought up for execution, I voted against them!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "11", "text": "I often punished them in synagogues and tried to make them commit blasphemy; and since I was so crazy [in my hatred] against them, I even traveled to other cities to persecute them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, it was while I was doing this that I traveled to Damascus with an authorization and a commission from the Chief Priests."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "13", "text": "And at noon, while I was on the road, O king, I saw a light that was brighter than the sun, which flashed from the sky around me and those who were traveling with me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "14", "text": "Then we all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew: Saul; Saul; Why are you persecuting me? It’s so hard for you to keep kicking against the goad!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Then I asked, Who are you Lord? ‘And the Lord replied, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, get up and stand on your feet. This is why I’ve made myself visible to you; to take you ahead of time to be my servant, so you can testify to the fact that you saw me, and [to testify] to the things that I will make you see."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "17", "text": "For, I’m selecting you out of the people and out of the nations that I’m going to send you to,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "18", "text": "to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of the Opposer, to God. I’m doing this so that their sins can be forgiven and so they can receive an inheritance among those who have been made holy by [their] faith in me."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "19", "text": "‘So, King Agrippa; I didn’t disobey this vision from heaven."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "20", "text": "First I went to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and the entire countryside of Judea… and then to the nations. I carried the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing things to prove their repentance."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "21", "text": "And this is why the Judeans grabbed me in the Temple and tried to beat me to death!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "22", "text": "‘However, through the help of God, I’ve kept witnessing to both the least and the greatest down to this day. And I haven’t been saying anything other that what the Prophets and Moses told us would happen…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "23", "text": "that the Anointed One was to going to suffer. And that; As the first to be resurrected from the dead, he was going to proclaim light to this people and to the nations.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "24", "text": "Now, while he was saying these things in his defense, Festus shouted, ‘You’re crazy, Paul! All the writings are driving you mad!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "25", "text": "But Paul said: ‘I’m not going crazy, O mighty Festus; I’m telling you things that are true and which make good sense!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "26", "text": "For a fact, the king that I’m speaking to so openly, knows a lot about these things! Why, I believe that none of these things has escaped his notice, because none of it was done off in some corner!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "27", "text": "King Agrippa; Do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "28", "text": "But Agrippa said to Paul, ‘It wouldn’t take long for you to convince me to become a Christian!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "29", "text": "And at this, Paul said: ‘I wish to God (whether it takes a short time or a long time) that not only you, but also everyone who hears me today would become men just like me… except for these chains.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "30", "text": "Then the king got up, as did the governor, Bernice, and the men who were sitting with them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "31", "text": "And as they were walking out, they were talking to each other, saying, ‘This man didn’t do anything deserving of death… or even to be locked up for!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 26, "verse": "32", "text": "And Agrippa told Festus: ‘This man could have been released if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, since it was decided that we had to sail away to Italy, they handed Paul (and some other prisoners) over to a centurion named Julius, [a soldier] of the Augustus Division."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "2", "text": "So we boarded a ship along with AristArchus (a Macedonian from Thessalonica). Now, the ship had come from AdraMyttium, and it was sailing to places along the coast of the [province of] Asia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "3", "text": "So the next day, we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul very kindly there, by allowing him to visit friends who cared for his needs."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "4", "text": "From there, we sailed around Cyprus, because the winds were against us,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "5", "text": "then we hit the open sea [south of] Cilicia and PamPhylia, and put into port at Myra in Lycia."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "6", "text": "There the centurion found a ship that was coming from Alexandria and sailing for Italy, and he made us board it."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "7", "text": "Then, after sailing slowly (and with a lot of difficulty) for several days, we stopped at Cnidus. And because the winds wouldn’t let us go on, we sailed [south of] Salmone, Crete."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "8", "text": "Then, following the coastline with a lot of difficulty, we came to a place called Good Harbors, near the city of Lasea."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "9", "text": "Well, since we had lost so much time (because it was now past [the Day of Atonement]) and the sea was hazardous to navigate, Paul made a recommendation,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "10", "text": "saying: ‘Men; I see that any further navigation is going to result in damage and huge losses, not only to the cargo and ship, but to our lives!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "11", "text": "However, the army officer listened to the pilot and the ship’s owner, rather than to what Paul was saying."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, since this harbor was a poor choice as a place to spend the winter, the majority advised setting sail to see if they could make it to Phoenix, to spend the winter there (it’s a harbor in Crete, which has openings to the northeast and southeast)."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "13", "text": "Well, when the south wind started blowing gently, they thought that this would meet their needs. So, they weighed anchor and began coasting along the shore next to Crete."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "14", "text": "Then after a little while, a typhoon wind they call the Euro Cyclone bore down on us."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "15", "text": "And, because the ship was being violently tossed so it couldn’t maintain its heading, we just gave up and [allowed ourselves to be] carried along by the wind."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "16", "text": "And when we passed south of a small island called Cauda, it took all our strength to get hold of the rowboat that was tied at the rear of the ship."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "17", "text": "But after we hoisted it aboard, they began wrapping the ship with [ropes and chains]. And since they were afraid of running aground on shoals, they lowered the masts and we were just carried along."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "18", "text": "However, on the next day (because we were still being violently tossed by the storm), they started to lighten the ship."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "19", "text": "And on the third [day], they tossed the boat’s furnishings overboard with their own hands."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, since we hadn’t seen the sun or stars for several days, and a storm was still over us, we lost any hope of being saved…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "21", "text": "and considerable time had elapsed since anyone had been able to eat. Then Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, ‘Men; You certainly should have taken my advice and not put out to sea from Crete, just to suffer this kind of damage and loss."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "22", "text": "But now I’m recommending that you be happy, because not a single life will be lost… however, the ship will [be lost]."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "23", "text": "You see; A messenger from the God (whom I belong to and serve) came to me this evening,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "24", "text": "saying, Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And {Look!} God has favored you by giving you [the lives of] all those who are sailing with you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "25", "text": "‘So be happy men, because I believe that God will do exactly what He told me!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "26", "text": "However, we will be cast ashore on an island.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "27", "text": "Now, as night fell on the fourteenth day, and as we were being carried along in the Adriatic Sea (at about midnight), the sailors suspected that we were close to land."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "28", "text": "So, they did a depth sounding and found it at twenty fathoms. Then we traveled on a little farther and they took another depth sounding, and this time it was fifteen fathoms."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "29", "text": "So, because they were afraid that we might run up on the rocks, they threw out four anchors at the stern and hoped for daylight."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "30", "text": "However, the crew tried to escape from the ship by lowering the rowboat into the sea, while pretending to drop anchors from the prow."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "31", "text": "Then Paul told the centurion and his soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay on this ship, you can’t be saved.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "32", "text": "So, the soldiers cut away the ropes that held the rowboat and let it drop."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "33", "text": "Now, when it was close to dawn, Paul encouraged everyone to eat something, saying, ‘Today makes the fourteenth day that you’ve been on watch, and all that time you’ve gone without food or taking anything else into you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "34", "text": "So, I encourage you to eat something, since that will help you to survive. Why, not so much as a hair on any of your heads will be destroyed!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "35", "text": "Then after he said this, he took a loaf [of bread], gave thanks to God before them all, broke it, and started eating."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "36", "text": "So they all started to cheer up and eat some food."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "37", "text": "Now, there were two hundred and seventy-six people in the boat."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "38", "text": "And after they had enough food, they lightened the boat some more by throwing the wheat into the sea."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "39", "text": "But when it finally became light, they didn’t recognize where they were; however, there was a bay with a beach, and they were determined to try to get to the beach in the boat."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "40", "text": "So they cut away the anchors, letting them drop into the sea, then they untied the ropes that held the rudder, hoisted the foresail to the wind, and headed for the beach."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "41", "text": "But then they came to a shoal out in the water, and the ship ran aground… the prow was stuck and it couldn’t be moved. Well thereafter, the stern started falling apart in the crashing waves,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "42", "text": "and the soldiers decided to kill the prisoners so they couldn’t swim away and escape."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "43", "text": "But the centurion wanted Paul to make it, so he prevented them from doing that. Then he told everyone who could swim to dive into the sea and get to the shore first;"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 27, "verse": "44", "text": "and afterward, the rest could [float in] on planks and other things from the ship. So, that’s how they all got to land safely."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "1", "text": "Well, after we made it to safety, we recognized that this was the island of Malta."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "2", "text": "And there, the native people found us and showed us uncommon hospitality. They built a fire and welcomed all of us in the cold and rain."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, when Paul went and collected a bundle of sticks and laid it on the fire, a viper was driven out by the heat and bit into his hand."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "4", "text": "Well, when the native people saw this dangerous animal hanging from his hand, they said to each other: ‘This man must be a murderer, for although he made it to safety from the sea, justice isn’t going to allow him to live!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "5", "text": "But [Paul] just shook the animal off into the fire, and he didn’t suffer any ill effects…"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "6", "text": "however, they thought he was going to swell up and suddenly drop dead. And after they waited a long time and saw that nothing bad had happen to him, they started saying that he was a god!"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "7", "text": "Well, nearby there was some property that belonged to the island’s leader ([a man] named Publius), and he welcomed us and treated us with kindness and hospitality for three days."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, it so happened that Publius’ father was very sick with a fever and dysentery. So Paul went into his room and prayed, then he laid his hands on him and healed him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "9", "text": "And after this, the rest of the sick people on the island also started coming to him to be cured."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "10", "text": "Then they honored us with many gifts, and many came with provisions that we would need."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, three months later, a boat from Alexandria called The Sons of Zeus (which had been wintering on the island) took us aboard,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "12", "text": "and took us to Syracuse, where we stayed for three days."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "13", "text": "Then from there, we traveled around [Sicily] and arrived at Rhegium. And a day later, we caught a south wind and made it to Puteoli in just two days,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "14", "text": "where we found some of our brothers, who begged us to stay with them for the next seven days. Then we traveled on toward Rome."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "15", "text": "And when the brothers [in Rome] got the news about us, they came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. Well, when Paul saw them, he thanked God and was very encouraged."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "16", "text": "And when we finally entered Rome, Paul was permitted to live on his own, with just a soldier to guard him."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "17", "text": "Then, three days later, he called a meeting of the local Judean leaders. And when they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Men; Brothers; Although I haven’t done anything against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "18", "text": "And after [the Romans] examined me, they wanted to release me, because they couldn’t find any reason to put me to death."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "19", "text": "However, when the Judeans kept opposing [my release], I was forced to appeal to Caesar… but I didn’t do this to accuse my nation."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "20", "text": "‘Well, this is why I begged to see you and to talk to you… for it’s because of the hope of Israel that I have this chain around me!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "21", "text": "Then they told him: ‘We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the brothers who arrived reported or said anything wicked against you."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "22", "text": "So, we think it’s worthwhile to listen to what you have to say, because we know for a fact that this sect is spoken against everywhere.’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "23", "text": "They then arranged for a day, and many more came to the place where he was staying. And there he laid things out for them by completely testifying about the Kingdom of God. He also reasoned with them about Jesus from morning until evening, citing both the Law of Moses and the Prophets."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "24", "text": "So, some started to believe what he said, but others didn’t."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "25", "text": "And since they couldn’t reach an agreement, they started to leave. But then Paul said this: ‘The Holy Breath [of God] spoke very accurately to your ancestors through IsaiJah the Prophet"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "26", "text": "when he said, Go to these people and say: When you listen you will hear, but definitely not understand. And when you look, you can look, but definitely not see,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "27", "text": "because these peoples’ hearts have been closed. So, although they hear with their ears, they don’t respond; for they’ve closed their eyes, so they can’t see with their eyes, hear with their ears, or understand with their hearts, and return so I can heal them."}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "28", "text": "‘Therefore, I’m warning you that God is now giving this hope of salvation to the nations… and they will listen to it!’"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "29", "text": "——"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "30", "text": "Well, he stayed in that rented house for two whole years, and he welcomed everyone who came to visit him,"}
{"book": "ACT", "chapter": 28, "verse": "31", "text": "preaching the Kingdom of God to them, and teaching them things about the Lord Jesus the Anointed One openly and without any interference."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, a slave of Jesus the Anointed One, who is called an Apostle, and who was set aside for the good news of God,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "which He promised through His Prophets in the Holy Scriptures"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "that tell about His Son, who came in the flesh from the seed of David,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "and who proved to be God’s Son in a powerful way, when he (by the Holy Breath [of God]) was resurrected from the dead. Yes, Jesus the Anointed One, our Lord,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "through whom we received loving care and a commission that we have obeyed, so that all the nations might have faith in his name,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "from which you’ve also become the called who belong to Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "To all in Rome, God’s loved ones who were called to be holy; may you have favor and peace from God our Father, and [the Father] of the Lord Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "First, I thank my God for all of you, through Jesus the Anointed One, because your faith is being announced throughout the whole world."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "For my God (whom I worship and serve in the good news about His Son with my spirit) is my Witness that I never fail to remember you in my prayers."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "I keep begging that I can find a way sometime in the will of God to come to you,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "for I long to see you, so I can give you some spiritual gift to help make you unshakable."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Or perhaps we can encourage each other through our faith, both yours and mine."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "I don’t want you to fail to recognize this, brothers; that I planned to come to you many times, but I’ve been prevented from doing so until now, so that I could find the same type of fruitage that I have in you among the rest of the nations."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "I’m in debt to Greeks and to barbarians, and to the wise and to the ignorant;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "so I’m eager to preach the good news to you there in Rome also."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "I’m not ashamed of the good news, because it’s the power that God uses to save everyone who has faith… first the Jew, and then the Greek."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "This is how God’s righteousness is being demonstrated [to those who are] out of the faith and [to those] who are in the faith, for it’s written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "God’s fury is being displayed from heaven against all the ungodliness and the badness of men who unrighteously try to resist the truth,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "because, whatever can be known about God already shines among them, for God made it shine to them."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "And His invisible things (which include His eternal power and might) are known and can be clearly seen in everything He has made from the creation of the cosmos onward, and this leaves [them] without any defense."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "Although they knew God, they didn’t glorify Him as God or thank Him. But their thinking was wasted and their unintelligent hearts became dark;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "and while claiming to be wise, they became morons."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "Why, they turned the glory of the incorruptible God into images of corruptible men, flying things, four-footed creatures, and things that slither."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "So God gave them the thing that their hearts desired… uncleanness to dishonor their bodies."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "Yes, they’ve exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and they’ve started worshiping and serving things that were created rather than the One who created them, who is praised through the ages. May it be."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "And this is why God abandoned them to their dishonorable passions, for their females changed the natural use of themselves into something that’s unnatural,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "and the same is true of their males; for they left the natural use of females and started burning in their lust toward each other – males with males – doing what is indecent and receiving the type of reward they deserve for such wrongdoing."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "And because they didn’t like the idea of having an accurate knowledge of God, He gave them an unrighteous mind, which makes them do these wrong things."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "They’re filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greediness, badness, envy, murder, arguments, deceit, rudeness, and gossip."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "30", "text": "[They are] slanderers, God haters, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of badness, disobedient to parents,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "31", "text": "without any understanding, agreement breakers, without any love of their families, and merciless."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "32", "text": "And although they know the righteous ways of God very well – and that those who do such things deserve death – they not only keep on doing them, but they also approve of others who do such things."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "So, you are defenseless, O man, if you’re someone who judges others. Because, when you judge others, you’re condemning yourself, since you’re doing the very same things that you judge [to be wrong in them]."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "And we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is righteous."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "So, when you judge those who do these things that you yourselves are doing, do you believe that you’ll escape the judgment of God?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "Or do you have contempt for the wealth of His caring, patience, and endurance, because you don’t realize that these qualities of God are trying to lead you to repent?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "It’s because of your hard and unrepentant hearts that you’re saving up a treasure of rage for yourselves on that Day of fury when the righteous judgments of God will be seen."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For, then He will pay everyone back for the things they’ve done."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "But for those who’ve [tried to] do good things and who are searching for life [through the] ages, there is glory, honor, and incorruption."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "However, those who like to argue and disobey the truth by being unrighteous will receive [God’s] wrath, anger,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "and some very difficult hard times. This will come into the life of every man who works at doing bad things – for the Jew first, and then for the Greek."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "But there is glory, honor, and peace for everyone who works at doing what’s good – for the Jew first, and then for the Greek –"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "because God doesn’t discriminate."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "All those who are without Law are sinners, and without the Law they’re destroying themselves. But those who are under Law and who sin are judged by the Law."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "Those who just listen to the Law aren’t righteous before God; only those who obey the Law will be called righteous."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "But, whenever people of the nations who don’t have the Law naturally obey things in the Law, they not only have the Law, they are the Law!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "For, when they obey the Law, they show that it’s written in their hearts, and it works with their consciences there and examines their thoughts. Then it will either accuse them or defend them"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "in the Day when The God judges the hidden things of men by this good news that I’m preaching (through the Anointed Jesus)."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, if you are called a Jew and you’re resting on the Law and take pride in your God;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "and if you understand His Will and all the excellent instructions of the Law;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "and if you think that you’re a guide to the blind and a light for those who are in darkness"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "(someone who can instruct the unreasonable and teach babies); and if you fully grasp the knowledge and truth in the Law;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "then, do you, [the one] who teaches others, also teach yourselves? And you who preach Do not steal… do you steal?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "And you who teach Do not commit adultery… do you commit adultery? And you who are disgusted with idols… do you misuse sacred things?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "And you who take pride in [God’s] Law… do you dishonor God by breaking the Law?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "For, it is written: ‘God’s Name is being blasphemed among the nations on account of you people!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, circumcision does some good… if you obey the Law. But if you’re a person who breaks the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "And if an uncircumcised person obeys the righteous requirements of the Law, won’t his uncircumcision be considered circumcision?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "So, if those who are uncircumcised naturally obey the Law (except for what it says about being circumcised), they’re really judging those of you who break the Law."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "So, being a Jew is something that can’t be seen, and [true] circumcision isn’t something that can be seen in the flesh."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 2, "verse": "29", "text": "Rather, it’s something that’s inside the hidden Jew. Because, circumcision is in the spirit of the heart, not from something that’s written… it’s not there to be praised by men, but by The God!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "In what way then, is a Jew superior; or what benefit is circumcision?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "It’s a huge benefit in every way, for God entrusted His Word to the hands [of the circumcised]."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Why? Well, if some [of them] don’t believe, does their lack of faith prove that faith in God is worthless?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "May that never happen! Let The God be proven true even if it makes every man a liar! For it’s written: ‘Your words can prove you righteous, and you can win when you’re being judged.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "However, if our unrighteousness [is exposed by] God’s righteousness, what can we say? Then God won’t be wrong when He brings His wrath, will He? So, I’m saying this to [all] men:"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "May that never happen! Otherwise, how could The God judge the world?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, if I tell a lie and that makes the truth of God and His glory grow, then why should I be judged a sinner?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, that’s why people are saying so many bad things about us. They claim that some of us are saying, ‘Let’s do bad things so good things can happen.’ This is why such a judgment is righteous."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "So, is there anything that makes us [Jews] better than [gentiles]? Not at all; for we have proven to you that both Jews and Greeks are sinners!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, it’s written that ‘Nobody is righteous… no one!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "Nobody really understands, nor is anyone really searching for God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Everyone has strayed and become useless. And no one is really being kind… no one!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "‘They have all opened their mouths like graves and deceived [others] with their tongues.’ ‘The poison of asps is behind their lips.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "‘Their mouths are full of cursing and angry shouting.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Their feet are ready to spill blood.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "‘They’re on the road to ruin and misery"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "and they’ve never known the road to peace.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "‘There is no fear of God in their eyes.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, we know that everything the Law says was meant for those who were under the Law… it stopped every mouth and made the whole world deserving of God’s punishment."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "But no flesh will be called righteous before Him by obeying the Law, since the Law is just the understanding of sin."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "But now, the righteousness of God can be seen in the absence of the Law, and the Law and the Prophets are witnesses to this. For, the Law and the Prophets testified"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "that God’s righteousness comes to all who believe and show their faith in Jesus the Anointed One… so there’s really no difference between us,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "because we all sin and fall short of God’s glory!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "Thus, being called righteous is a gift that He kindly gives through the ransom that was paid by the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "For, God sent him here as a gift, so that; when we have faith in his blood, we can be forgiven for the sins we’ve committed in the past…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "26", "text": "back when God was just tolerating us. And this is what allows us to look into His righteous ways today. Yes, He proves Himself righteous by calling [all] those who have faith in Jesus righteous!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "27", "text": "So, where is our reason for boasting? It’s gone! Does it come from our doing the things of the Law? No, it comes through the Law of Faith,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "28", "text": "because we believe that a man is called righteous due to his faith, so he doesn’t have to follow the Law."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "29", "text": "[Do you think that God] is just the God of the Jews… isn’t He also [the God of] of people of all nations? Yes! [He’s the God] of people of the nations also!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "30", "text": "So God is really the One who calls both the circumcised and the uncircumcised righteous because of their faith."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 3, "verse": "31", "text": "Then, does our faith make the Law worthless? Never may that happen! Rather, we give it an equal standing."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, what about our fleshly ancestor Abraham?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "If [God] called Abraham righteous because of the things he did, [Abraham] might have had a reason to brag… but not to God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Because, what do the Scriptures say? ‘Abraham was considered righteous because he believed in The God.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Now, when a man works [for a living], his getting paid isn’t thought of as a kindness… it’s something that he’s owed!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "However, those who don’t actually do anything other than just having faith in the One who calls the ungodly ones righteous, are counted as righteous because of their faith."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "David also talked about the happiness of a man who God considers to be righteous despite [the things] that he’s done, [when he said],"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "‘Those who have been pardoned for their lawbreaking and whose sins have been covered are blest."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "Blest are all men whose sins are overlooked by Jehovah!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "So, doesn’t this blessing come to both the circumcised and the uncircumcised? Well, as was said, ‘Abraham was considered righteous because of his faith.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "And what was [Abraham’s] situation when [God] thought of him this way? Was this before he was circumcised, or was it after he was circumcised? It wasn’t after he was circumcised; it was when he was uncircumcised!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "For the sign that he received was circumcision… and this seal showed that the faith he had was righteous even when he was uncircumcised. As the result, he became the father of all those who have faith – even if they are uncircumcised – and that’s why they can be thought of as righteous."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "Yes, he did become the father of circumcised offspring. However, not just [the father] of those who are circumcised [in the flesh], but also of those who obediently walk in the footsteps of that faith while they are uncircumcised… as was true of our father Abraham."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Abraham and his seed weren’t given the promise of inheriting the world because of the Law, but because of his righteousness, which came from his faith!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "Because, if those who hang onto the Law are [his] heirs, then there’s no need for faith, and the promise is worthless;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "for all the Law brings is [God’s] wrath. Because, where there’s no law, there’s nothing to break."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "It’s only because of [God’s] faithfulness and loving care that we can be sure of His promise of a seed. [This promise] wasn’t made to those who are just under the Law, but to all those who have the same faith as Abraham, the father of us all."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "It was written: ‘I’ve appointed you to be the father of many nations.’ [And at the time], he was standing before the God who he believed in… He who makes the dead alive and calls the things that aren’t and makes them exist."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "And although [Abraham] had no reason for hope, he put faith in the hope that he would become the father of many nations, because he was told, ‘These will be your seed.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "And his faith wasn’t weakened by the fact (which he knew [to be true]) that his body was almost dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and that the womb of Sarah was dead."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "But because God promised him this, his faith didn’t waver. And by giving glory to God, his faith made him strong,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "for he was completely convinced that He could do whatever [God] had promised…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "and that’s why he was thought of as righteous!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, the words, ‘he was thought of as,’ weren’t just written for his sake,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "but for the sake of all of us who [God] thinks of in that very same way… because we believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "after he was offered up for our errors and then raised… so we too can be thought of as righteous!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "So, now that we’ve been called righteous because of our faith, let’s enjoy the peace that we have with God through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "For, it’s through him that we have this faith and are able to bask in His loving care. So, let’s brag about the hope [we have in] the Glory of God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "And not only that; let’s also brag about the difficulties we suffer, because we know that they give us the strength to endure;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "for that strength to endure proves that we’ve passed the tests; and passing the tests gives us hope!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "For, hope will never embarrass us, because it pours God’s love into our hearts through the Holy Breath that He gives us."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "For a fact; The Anointed One came right on time and died for ungodly men back when we were still weak!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, hardly anyone would be willing to die for the righteous, and even fewer who would be willing to die for the good."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "But God showed His love for us while we were still sinners, through the Anointed One who died for us."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, since we’ve been called righteous by his blood, isn’t it even more likely that he will save us from [God’s] wrath?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "Because, if we found God’s favor through the death of His Son while we were His enemies, how much more so will we be saved by His [son’s] life, now that He cares for us!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "And not only that; but now (through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One) we’re also glorifying the God who has granted us this privilege."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, sin entered the world through one man, and this sin resulted in death. So, death spread to all men and everyone has sinned."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "However, although there was sin in the world before the Law, sin is never held against someone when there’s no law."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Yet, death reigned from [the time of] Adam down to Moses, even over those who didn’t sin in the same way that Adam did… but [Adam] was a type of the one who was to come."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "Yet, the error [of Adam] isn’t like the gift [from God], because; if many died due to the error of one man, then, how much more so the caring of God and His gift (the loving care of one man, Jesus the Anointed One) has helped many."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "So, the gift didn’t come from the one who sinned, for all he brought was condemnation; but [God’s] gift is the counting of us as righteous [despite our] many sins."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "And if (because of that one error) death started its reign through [Adam]; then those who receive His caring and the gift of righteousness during this life will even be more sure to rule as kings through Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "Really then; Since the result of one error was to condemn all men, then, through this one righteous act all men can be counted righteous to life."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "And as the disobedience of one man caused many to become sinners (because of his disobedience), many will also be made righteous!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, the Law came along so that there would be many errors. And where there are many errors, even more kindness can be shown."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "So, as sin has reigned and brought death, [God’s] loving care will reign through righteousness and bring life in the age through the Anointed Jesus, our Lord."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "So, what can we say? Should we remain as sinners so there can be more loving care?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "May that never happen! Since we’ve died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "Don’t you realize that all who were baptized into the Anointed Jesus were also baptized into his death?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "So, we were buried together into him by our baptism into death. And just as the Anointed One was raised from the dead to the glory of the Father, we should be walking in a new way of life."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, if we’ve been buried with him into the same type of death, then [like him], we will also be resurrected."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "So we must recognize that the person we used to be was hung on a pole with [him] to end our sinful bodies… and this means that we won’t be slaves to sin anymore,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "because, those who have died are acquitted of sin."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "And if we died along with the Anointed One, we believe that we will also live with him."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "For, we know that the Anointed One has been raised from the dead and he won’t die again, so death isn’t his master anymore."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "And when he died, he died for sins just once… and now he’s alive and he’s living to The God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "So, you should also consider yourselves dead when it comes to sin, but living to God through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "As the result; Don’t allow sin to rule your mortal bodies and don’t obey its desires."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "Nor should you offer your body parts as unrighteous weapons of sin. Rather, offer yourselves to God as people who’ve been raised from the dead; and [offer] your body parts to God as weapons of righteousness!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "So, sin must not be your master, because you aren’t under Law, you’re under [God’s] loving care."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "So, what then… should we commit a sin because we aren’t under the Law but under [God’s] care? May that never happen!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to obey someone as a slave, you’re really the slave of whomever you obey? [So, you’re] either [a slave] to sin, which results in death, or to obedience, which results in righteousness."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "Thank God that; although you used to be slaves to sin, your hearts started to obey this teaching that you were given,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "and this is what freed you from sin and made you slaves to righteousness!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "I’m going to put this in simple terms because of your fleshly weaknesses: Just as you once offered your body parts as unclean slaves to immorality and Law breaking, you must now offer your body parts as slaves to righteousness and holiness."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "Because, [back] when you were slaves to sin, you were also free from righteousness."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "And what was the result of the things [you did] back then… aren’t these the very things that you’re ashamed of now? For, such things end in death!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "22", "text": "However, now that you’ve been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the result is holiness and life in the age."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 6, "verse": "23", "text": "For the wage of sin is death; but God’s gift is life in the age by the Anointed One, Jesus our Lord."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "Brothers, recognize that I’m telling those [of you] who know the Law that the Law is a man’s master for as long as he lives."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "Why, it’s the same situation as with a wife. She must obey her husband throughout his life; but after he dies, she’s no longer under his law."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "And while her husband was alive, she would have been condemned as an adulteress if she ever became the wife of another man. However, after her husband dies, she’s free from his law and she isn’t an adulteress if she marries someone else."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "So, my brothers; You died to the Law through the body of the Anointed One. And now you can belong to someone else – the one who was raised from the dead – so that we can produce fruitage for God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "Because, while we were fleshly, what the Law labels as sinful passions were working inside us, and the fruitage that it produced was death."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "But now that we’ve been freed from the Law (because we’ve died to the thing that held us down), we can become slaves to something new… not to just some old writings, but to a newness of spirit!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "So, what should we say? Is the Law sinful? May that never be true! Why, I wouldn’t have known what sin was if it weren’t for the Law. And I wouldn’t have known what lust was if the Law hadn’t said, ‘You must not lust.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "Yet, when I learned about this sin from the Commandment, it created every sort of lust. So, when there was no Law, sin was dead."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "Why, I once lived without the Law. However, when the Commandments came along, sin came to life… but I died."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "So I found that the Commandments which were supposed to lead to life really led to death,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "for the sins that I learned about in the Commandments seduced me and killed me."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "Yet, the Law and the Commandments are holy, righteous, and good."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "So, did the thing that was good for me bring death? May that never happen! Rather, sin (when it was shown to be sin by the thing that’s good for me) is what caused my death… so the Commandments make sin a lot more sinful!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "You see, the Law comes from the Breath [of God], but I am fleshly and I was sold into sin,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "so I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t do the things that I want to do, and I don’t like the things that I’m doing."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "However, despite the fact that I do things I don’t want to do, I say that the Law is good."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "And I’m not obeying it yet, because sin still lives within me."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "I know that nothing in my living flesh is any good, and I want to do what’s right, but I don’t actually have the will to do it."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "So, I don’t do the good things that I want to do and I practice what’s bad."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "And if I’m doing things that I don’t want to do, I’m not in charge [of my body], the sin that lives there is!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "So, I find that I want to obey the Law and do good things, but badness is here with me."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "And though the man that I am on the inside really enjoys the Law of God,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "my body parts obey a different law and they’re at war with the law of my mind… they carry me off as a captive to the law of sin that’s in my body parts."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "O what a miserable man that I am! Who will save me from this dying body?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "Thanks to God (through Jesus the Anointed One, our Lord) that I’m a slave to God’s Law in my mind, even if I am a slave to sin’s law in my flesh."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "So, nothing can condemn those who are in the Anointed Jesus… those who are walking in the ways of the Spirit, not [in the ways of] the flesh,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "because the law of the Breath of life (through the Anointed Jesus) doesn’t come from the Law of sin and death."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "So, the weakness of the Law is just the weakness of the flesh. And by sending His own Son over the matter of sin (in what appeared to be sinful flesh), God condemned fleshly sin."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "[And He did this] so that the righteous requirements of the Law could be fulfilled in those of us who aren’t obeying the flesh, but the Breath [of God]."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "For those who obey their flesh just think about fleshly things; but those who obey the Spirit must obey the things that come from His Spirit."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "Why, thinking in a fleshly way results in death; but thinking in a spiritual way brings life and peace."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "So, obedience to the flesh brings God’s rejection, because [the flesh] isn’t under God’s Law, nor can it ever be!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "Therefore, those who follow fleshly ways can’t please God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "However, if God’s Breath lives in us, we aren’t fleshly but spiritual… and whoever doesn’t have the Spirit of the Anointed One doesn’t belong to him."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "So, if the Anointed One is in you, your body is indeed dead through sin, but the spirit is alive through righteousness."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, if the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised the Anointed Jesus from the dead will also make your dying bodies alive through His Breath that’s in you."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "So brothers; It’s our duty not to follow the ways of the flesh while we’re in the flesh,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "for if you are living according to fleshly ways, you’re about to die. So, you must use [God’s] Breath to kill the practices of the body, so you will live."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "For, all who are led by God’s Breath are God’s sons!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "You didn’t receive His Breath to make you slaves to fear again, for when you received it, it adopted you as His sons… so by this Breath we can call out, ‘Papa! Father!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "And it’s the same Spirit (Breath) that testifies to the spirit within us that we’re God’s children…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "and if we’re [His] children, we’re also [His] heirs… yes, heirs of God and heirs with the Anointed One! However, we’ll have to suffer together so we can be glorified together."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "I don’t believe that the sufferings we currently must endure amount to anything when they’re compared to the glory that’s going to be revealed in us."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "For, [all] creation has been eagerly expecting and awaiting the revealing of the Sons of God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "Why, the things that were created didn’t have a choice when it comes their not having any hope… and it was only because of Him that they have any hope at all."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "But creation will be set free from slavery to corruption through the glorious liberation of the children of The God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "We know that all creation has been groaning and in birth pains until now."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "And it isn’t alone, since even we who have received the first fruitage of [God’s] Breath groan within ourselves as we anticipate being accepted as [His] sons… awaiting the ransom release of our bodies."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "Yes, this is the hope that’s saving us! Now, when you hope for something that you can already see, that really isn’t hope, because people don’t hope for something they can see."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "25", "text": "However, if we keep hoping for something we can’t see, we’ll keep waiting for it patiently."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "26", "text": "The Breath [of God] also helps us with our weaknesses, because we don’t always know what to pray for. However, [His] Breath is there, groaning the words [that we haven’t spoken]."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "27", "text": "And the One who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, that according to God, is happening over the holy ones."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "28", "text": "Why, we know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love Him (those who have been called to do His Will)."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "29", "text": "For, He recognized them ahead of time and chose them to become like His Son… who was to be the firstborn from among many brothers!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "30", "text": "So, He calls all those whom He selected; then He makes all those whom He calls, righteous; and He glorified those whom He makes righteous."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "31", "text": "So, what can we say about all of this? If God is over us, then, who can come down on us?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "32", "text": "Why, He didn’t even spare His own Son, but handed him over for all our sakes… so why won’t He also give us everything else?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "33", "text": "Who can accuse those who were selected by God? For, if it’s God who calls [them] righteous,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "34", "text": "who can condemn them? Why, the Anointed Jesus (who died, was raised from the dead, and who is at God’s right hand) is also pleading for us."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "35", "text": "So, who can remove us from the love of the Anointed One… not hard times, difficulties, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or swords!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "36", "text": "For as it was written, ‘We’re being killed for Your sake all day long… we are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "37", "text": "But [now] we’re winners in all these things, through the One who loved us."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "38", "text": "For, I’m convinced that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor governments, nor things that are happening, nor things that will happen, nor powers,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 8, "verse": "39", "text": "nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to take us from God’s love that is in the Anointed Jesus, our Lord!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "I’m telling the truth in the name of the Anointed One (I’m not lying, since my conscience testifies with me in [God’s] Holy Breath):"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "I’m extremely sad and constantly sick at heart,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "because, I wish that I could be the one who is cursed by being separated from the Anointed One instead of my brothers and fleshly relatives,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "the Israelites. They’re the ones to whom the adoption as sons, the glory, the Sacred Agreement, the Law, the worship, and the promises belong."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "They’re the ones who descended from the forefathers and from whom the Anointed One descended in the flesh… praise God who’s over everything through the ages, may it be!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "But God’s word didn’t fail, because not all who came from Israel are really Israel,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "nor are all of Abraham’s seed his children. For [it’s written]: ‘That which will be called your seed will come through Isaac.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "However, [Isaac’s] fleshly children aren’t the children of God… the children of the promise are that seed."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "This is what was promised: ‘I will return at this time and Sarah will have a son.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "And that isn’t the only instance; for, when Rebecca was pregnant with twins from our forefather Isaac,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "and before they were born or did anything good or bad (just to show that God’s purpose doesn’t dependent on the things we do, but on the One who does the choosing),"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "she was told, ‘The older will be the younger [one’s] slave.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "And it was written: ‘I loved Jacob, but I didn’t care for Esau.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "So, what can we say? Is God unjust? May that never be true!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "But he told Moses, ‘I will be merciful with whomever I feel mercy for, and I will be compassionate with whomever I feel compassion for.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "So, it doesn’t depend on the one who does the wishing, or on the one who runs [the race], but on the mercy of God!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "In the Scriptures [we read that] Pharaoh was told: ‘This is the reason why I’ve allowed you to remain; so I can show My power over you, and to have My Name announced throughout the earth!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "So the [point is]; He shows mercy on whomever He wishes, and He hardens [the heart] of whomever He wishes."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, you might ask: ‘Then, why does [God] blame anyone? For, who can resist whatever He says that He wants to do?’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "O man; Who are you to question God? Will the thing that is made ask its maker, ‘Why did you make me like this?’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "For, isn’t the one who makes pottery in charge of his clay; and can’t he make one pot for an honorable use and another for a dishonorable use from the same lump [of clay]?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "Why, God can choose to show His rage or to make His power known to pottery that He’s had to endure – which was made for His rage and is only fit to be destroyed –"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "so that He can show the richness of His glory on pots of mercy that He prepared ahead of time for glory…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "those of us who He called not just from the Jews, but also from among the nations!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "It’s as He said in Hosea: ‘I will call those who aren’t My people, My people; and her whom I didn’t love, My loved one;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "and in the place that they were told You aren’t My people, is where they will be called Sons of the living God.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "Why, IsaiJah shouted this about Israel: ‘Although the sons of Israel may become as many as the sands of the sea, only a few will be saved."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "For, Jehovah will call the land in to settle accounts, and then He will cut it short and end it.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "29", "text": "And as IsaiJah also prophesied, ‘If Jehovah of armies hadn’t left us a seed, we would have become just like Sodom, and the same as GomorRah.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "30", "text": "So, what can we say… that people of the nations became righteous (although they weren’t trying to become righteous) with the [type of] righteousness that comes from faith,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "31", "text": "while Israel (which was following a righteous Law) just didn’t make it?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "32", "text": "And why was that so? Because [Israel] didn’t look for it in faith; [they looked for it] in the things that they were doing… they tripped over the ‘stumbling stone.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 9, "verse": "33", "text": "For, as it is written: ‘{Look!} I’m putting a stumbling stone and a rock to trip over in Zion. But, whoever has faith in him will never be shamed.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Brothers, the goodwill that I have in my heart for [the Jews] and the thing that I beg of God is this: For them to be saved."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "Now, I can testify to the fact that they have a zeal for God, but they just don’t know [Him]."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "And since they don’t understand God’s righteous ways and they’re always trying to prove their own ways [as righteous], they don’t submit to God’s righteousness."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "But the Anointed One perfected the Law into righteousness for all who are believers."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "Why, Moses wrote this about the righteousness of the Law: ‘If a man obeys it, he must also live by it.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "And the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Don’t ask in your hearts, Who will go up to heaven in order to bring the Anointed down,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "or, Who will descend into the abyss to bring the Anointed up from among the dead?’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "What does it say? ‘The words are close to you… in your mouths and in your hearts.’ And these are the words of faith that we are preaching!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "So, if you confess and say the words in your mouths that Jesus is [our] Lord; and if you have faith in your hearts that God raised him from the dead, you’ll be saved!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "For, it’s this belief in your hearts that makes you righteous; and it’s your mouths (when they confesses this) that bring you salvation."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "The Scripture says: ‘No one who believes in him will ever be shamed.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "So, there’s really no difference between Jews and Greeks, because they all have the same Lord… and He provides abundantly for all those who call on him;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "so everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "However; How will they call on someone they don’t believe in; How will they believe in someone they’ve never heard of; How will they hear without someone to preach;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "How will they preach if they aren’t sent? This is why it was written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news about good things!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "But, not everyone will obey the good news, for as IsaiJah asked, ‘Who believed our message about the Lord?’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "For, faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes through the words of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "So I ask: Why didn’t they hear? For, it’s a fact that the call went out to the whole earth… why, their words went to the ends of the earth!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "So, I again ask: Why doesn’t Israel know? It was Moses who first told [them], ‘I will make you jealous over those who aren’t a people, and I will make you angry over a stupid nation.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "Then IsaiJah dared to [write]: ‘I was found by those who weren’t looking for Me, and I showed Myself to those who weren’t asking for Me.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "And he [went on to] say regarding Israel, ‘I have stretched out My hands to a people who disobey and talk back all day long!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "So, let me ask; Did God push His people away? May that never happen… because I’m also an Israelite, the seed of Abraham, and of the tribe of BenJamin;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "and God didn’t reject these people who He knew first! Why, don’t you remember what the scripture said about EliJah, as he was pleading with God against Israel?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "[He said], ‘O Jehovah; They’ve killed Your Prophets; they’ve dug up Your Altars; now I’m the only one left and they’re looking for my life!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "And what was [God’s] reply? ‘I’ve kept seven-thousand men for Myself who haven’t bent a knee to Baal.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "And so it is in this period of time; some still remain who have been chosen through [His] loving care."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "So, if this is due to [His] loving care, then it doesn’t have anything to do with their deeds. …"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "So, what happened? Well, Israel didn’t receive the things they were searching for. Rather, some were chosen, while the rest just became even harder."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "As it is written, ‘God moved them to sleep deeply so their eyes wouldn’t see and their ears wouldn’t hear, down to this day.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "David also said, ‘Let their table become a snare, a trap, a trip lever, and a payback for them."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "Let their eyes grow dim so they can’t see, and [let] their backs be bent over through all time.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "So I ask; Did they stumble and fall? May that never happen! However, they’ve missed out on the saving of the nations in order to make them jealous."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "So, if their shortcomings enrich the world, and if lowering them means riches to the nations, how much more would that be true if they were strong?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, I want to address those of you who are people of the nations: Since I’m really an Apostle to the nations, I can glorify my service"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "if I can somehow make those of my own flesh jealous and save some of them."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "Because, if throwing them away brought the world into a restored relationship [with God], what will taking them back mean, other than life for those who are dead?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "For, if the first fruits are holy, so is the whole lump! And if the roots are holy, so are the branches!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "So, when some of the branches were broken off, you wild olives were grafted in and you became sharers of the fatness of the olive [tree’s] roots."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "But, don’t cheer because those branches [were removed]; for if you find yourself cheering over that, remember that you don’t support the roots, they support you!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "Yet you can say, ‘Branches were broken off so I could be grafted in’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "… and that’s right! They were broken off because of a lack of faith; and you are there instead, because of your faith. But don’t think too much of yourselves… be afraid!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "For, if God didn’t spare the natural branches, He won’t spare you either."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "So, recognize God’s kindness, as well as [His] willingness to remove. For a fact; those who stumbled were cut off, while you received God’s loving care… but only for as long as you stay in that [good relationship]. Otherwise, you’ll be pruned off too!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "And if [the Jews] don’t continue in their disbelief, they will be grafted back in, because God can graft them back in again!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "So, if you were cut from an olive tree that’s wild by nature and then (contrary to nature) grafted into the garden olive tree, how much easier it will be for those who are natural branches to be grafted back into their own olive tree again!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "I don’t want you to ignore this mystery, brothers, so that you don’t become too wise in your own eyes: Israel was allowed to become calloused until the fullness of people of the nations came in…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "and yet, this is how all Israel is going to be saved. For it’s written, ‘The One who calls others to Him will come out of Zion and turn Jacob away from their irreverence."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "Yes, this is My part of the Sacred Agreement that I will make with them… when I take their sins away.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "So, when it comes to the good news; through you they are enemies! Yet, they were chosen as loved ones because of their ancestors."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "So, they won’t remain as regretted [by Him] when it comes to the gifts and the calling of God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "For, just as you were once disobedient to God, but have now been shown mercy because of their disobedience,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "they are now being disobedient. Yet, because of the mercy that was shown to you, they may also be shown mercy."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "Yes, God has locked them up together in disobedience, so he could show mercy to all."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "O the depths of God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge! His decisions are mysterious and His ways can’t be figured out!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "34", "text": "‘Who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, and who can give Him advice?’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "35", "text": "‘Who has given Him something that He has to repay?"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 11, "verse": "36", "text": "Why, everything is from Him, by Him, and for Him; so may He be glorified through the ages. May it be.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "So, I beg you by the compassion of God, brothers, to offer your bodies as living, holy sacrifices that please God, and to serve Him in sensible ways."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "Don’t allow the age we’re living in to mold you, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds into proving what the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God is."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "And by the loving care that was shown to me, I’m telling all of you there not to think more of yourselves than you should. Rather, think clearly, as God has given each of you your own share of faith."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, bodies have many parts, and none of them have the same function."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "And although there are many of us, we are just one body in the Anointed One. So, starting from him (then on down), each of us are parts [of that body], and we all belong to each other."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "Each of us also have different gifts that we were kindly given, whether it’s prophesying according to your portion of faith,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "serving some service, teaching some teaching,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "offering some encouragement, simply sharing, earnestly taking the lead, or cheerfully showing mercy."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "So, love [each other] without being judgmental; hate what is wicked, and stick to the good things;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "let your brotherly love make you tender and caring to each other; take the lead when it comes to showing honor to each other."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "And do your best; don’t be lazy; slave for the Lord and bubble over with his Breath;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "let your hope fill you with joy; put up with difficulties and persecution; keep on praying;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "share whatever you have with the Holy Ones; be hospitable;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "say nice things to those who persecute [you]… don’t curse them praise them!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "Rejoice with people who are rejoicing, and cry with people who are crying;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "be aware of each other’s needs; don’t spend too much time thinking about high ideas, but deal with each other humbly; don’t think too much of yourselves;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "don’t be rude to people who treat you poorly, but plan to do good things in the eyes of everyone."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "And if possible (whenever you can), be peaceable with everyone…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "don’t get even loved ones, but put anger in its place, because it’s written, ‘Allow Me to get even… I’ll pay them back, says Jehovah.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "But, If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he’s thirsty, give him something to drink; for when you do this, you’ll pile burning coals on his head."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "Don’t allow evil to conquer you, but keep conquering evil with good."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "Everyone should obey those who have power over them, because there really isn’t any power unless it comes from God. For God is the One who set up the arrangement of government."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "So, whoever opposes the rulers also opposes the arrangement of God. And those who take such a position will be judged,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "because the rulers shouldn’t be feared when we’re doing good things, but when we do bad things. So, shouldn’t we fear those who are in power? Keep doing good things and they’ll praise you,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "because they’re God’s servants for your own good. But if you’re doing something that’s wrong, be afraid; for there’s a reason why they carry swords… they’re God’s servants and His avengers to show His rage upon those who do what is bad."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "So, it’s necessary for you to obey, not just for [fear of] angering them, but also because of [your] consciences."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "This is why you pay taxes, because, as public servants they’re serving God’s purposes!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "So, pay everyone whatever they’re owed… to the tax collector [pay] the property tax; to the toll collector [pay] the toll; fear the police and honor those [who require] honor."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "Don’t owe anything to any one, except your love for each other, because he who loves others has fulfilled [the] Law."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "For [the Laws], ‘You must not commit adultery; you must not murder; you must not steal; you must not lust;’ (and whatever other Commandments there are) are summed up in the words, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "Therefore, love doesn’t do bad things to one’s neighbor; so love is the Law’s fulfillment."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "And for those of you who are aware of the season; it’s time to wake up, because our salvation is closer than it was when we first became believers."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "The night is almost over and the Day is near, so we should remove the things that belong to darkness and put on the weapons of the light."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "Let’s behave as we would in the daytime… not in wild parties and drunkenness; not in immoral sex and lacking of principles; not in arguing and jealousy;"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "but put on the Lord Jesus the Anointed One, and don’t plan ahead for things that your flesh desires."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "Welcome those who are weak in faith and don’t try to judge their reasons."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "Why, those who have faith can eat anything, but those who are weak just eat vegetables."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "So, the one who eats [everything] shouldn’t look down on the one who doesn’t; and the one who doesn’t eat [everything] shouldn’t judge the one who does, because God has accepted them both."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "So, who are you to judge the house servant of another? Why, he stands or falls before his own master… and he can stand, for the Lord can make him stand!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "One considers a day as more important than other days, while another considers each day as all the rest… but each one should be sure in his own mind!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "Those who observe a certain day [as holy] should observe it to the Lord. And those who eat [whatever they wish] should eat it to the Lord, because they thank God for it. Likewise, those who don’t eat [everything] abstain to the Lord, because [they] also give thanks to God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "None of us lives just for ourselves, and nobody dies just for himself."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "So if we live, we live for the Lord. And if we die, we die to the Lord. Thus, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "And the reason why the Anointed One died and came to life again, was so that he could be the Lord of the living and the dead."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "So, why do you judge your brother, or why do you look down on him? Why, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "for it’s written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend before me and every tongue will confess before God.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "So, each of us must answer for ourselves before God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "Therefore, let’s stop judging each other. Rather, let’s make the decision not to set anything before a brother that will cause him to stumble or fall."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "Now, I know (and I’ve been persuaded by the Lord Jesus) that nothing is unclean; it’s only when a man considers something to be unclean that it’s unclean to him."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "So, if your brother is being bothered by what you eat, you aren’t following the path of love yet. Don’t allow someone who the Anointed One died for to be destroyed over the food that you eat…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "nor should anyone talk badly about the good things that you’re doing."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "Because, the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with eating or drinking, but with righteousness, peace, and joy in [God’s] Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "And whoever [makes himself] a slave in matters such as this [for the sake of] the Anointed One, is acceptable to God and will be approved by men."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "Really then, we should try to do the things that promote peace and build each other up."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "So, stop tearing down the work of God over food! It’s true that everything is clean, but it can still be bad for those who stumble over what others are eating."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "It isn’t good to eat meat, or to drink wine, or to do anything that would be a snare to your brother."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "So, make sure that the things you believe [to be right] also look good in the eyes of God. Why, any man who isn’t judged over things that he approves of should be praised."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "But his lack of faith condemns him if he eats something that he’s unsure of; because, if you do something that you don’t believe in, that’s a sin."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "So, we who are strong must handle the weaknesses of those who aren’t strong, and not just be pleasing ourselves."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "Rather, let each of us please our neighbors with good things that build them up."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "Why, even the Anointed One didn’t just please himself. For it’s written, ‘The insults of those who were insulting you, have fallen upon me.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, everything that was written until now was written to teach us, so that through our endurance and through the comfort that comes from the Scriptures, we could have hope."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "Therefore, may the endurance and comfort that comes from God supply these to you, in order that you may pay attention to each other’s needs, as does the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "Then together, as with one mind and one mouth, you can glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "So, welcome each other as the Anointed One welcomed us (to the glory of God)."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "Because, the Anointed One became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of the truth of God. He verified the promises that were made to their ancestors,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "while he allowed the nations to glorify God for all of His mercy. As it’s written: ‘That’s why I’ll praise You to the nations and sing to Your Name.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "And again it says, ‘You nations; Rejoice over His people!’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "And again, ‘Praise Jehovah all you nations, and let all the peoples praise Him.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "Then IsaiJah says, ‘From the root of Jesse one will arise who will rule the nations; and the nations will put hope in him.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "So, may the God who gives hope fill you with all joy and peace in the belief that you’ll have more than enough hope through the power of [God’s] Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "I’m sure of this about you, my brothers: You are full of goodness, because you’ve been filled with all knowledge so you can strengthen each other."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, I’m writing you in plain words to remind you of this: Because of a gift that God kindly gave me,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "I was made a Temple Servant to the nations by Jesus the Anointed One. And I’m a Temple Servant of the good news of God, so that the offerings (the nations) can be made worthy and clean through the Holy Breath."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "So, the Anointed Jesus gives me a reason to cheer when it comes to the things of God."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "For, I wouldn’t dare to tell of anything that the Anointed One might have failed to accomplish on behalf the nations through me, because I’ve obediently followed his instructions in the things that I’ve said and done,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "with the power of signs and omens, and with the power of [God’s] Holy Breath. I’ve thoroughly preached the good news about the Anointed One in a circuit from Jerusalem all the way to IlLyricum."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "I made it my goal not to preach the good news where they had already heard about the Anointed One, so I wouldn’t be building on another man’s foundation."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "As it’s written: ‘Those to whom no announcement has been made will see him, and those who haven’t heard will understand.’"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "So, it was because of this that I was prevented from coming to you several times before."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "However, now that I no longer have such a territory, and because I’ve wanted to come to you for several years,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "it’s my hope to get to see you along the way as I travel to Spain. Then, perhaps you can come to the place where I will be stopping over."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "However, right now I have to travel to Jerusalem to serve the needs of the Holy Ones,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "because those in Macedonia and Achaia were happy to share their things by contributing to the poor among the Holy Ones in Jerusalem."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "True, they were happy to do so, but they also owed them. Because; if the nations have shared in their [God-breathed] things, they owed it [to the Holy Ones] as part of a public service to share things for the fleshly body."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "28", "text": "So, after I finish this and deliver these things to them safely, I’ll visit you on the way to Spain."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "29", "text": "And I know that when I do come to you, I’ll come with a full measure of blessings from Anointed One."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "30", "text": "Now, I beg you brothers, through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, and through the love of the Breath [of God], that you share in praying to God on my behalf,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "31", "text": "that I may be saved from the unbelievers in Judea… and that my service [of the things that I’m bringing to] Jerusalem may prove to be what the Holy Ones need,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "32", "text": "so that when I have the joy of getting to you, by God’s will, I can spend some time resting up with you."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 15, "verse": "33", "text": "May the God who gives peace be with all of you. May it be."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "I recommend our sister Phoebe to you, who is also a servant in the congregation at Cenchreae."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "Welcome her in the Lord in a way that’s due Holy Ones, and help her in any matter where she may have needs, because she has protected me many times… yes, me personally."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in the Anointed Jesus,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "who risked their necks for my life. And not just for me, but offer them thanks for all those who are called [from among] the gentiles."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "And [greet] the called ones in their house. Greet my beloved EpaiNeton, who is one of the first fruits of the Anointed One in [the province of] Asia."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "Greet Mary, who has done so many things for you."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and fellow captives, who are notable ones among the Apostles, and who’ve been in the Anointed One longer than I have."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "Give my greetings to Ampliatus, my loved one in the Lord."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in the Anointed One, and my beloved Stachys."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "Greet Apelles; he who is approved in the Anointed One. Greet those from the household of AristoBoulou."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord from the household of Narcissus."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "Greet TryPhaina and TryPhosa, [women] who are working hard in the Lord. Greet our beloved Persida, because she has done so many things in the Lord."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "Greet Rufus, the Lord’s chosen one, as well as his mother and mine."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "Greet AsynCritus, Phlegonta, Hermes, PatroBas, Herman, and the brothers who are with them."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "Greet PhiloLogus and Julian, Nereus and his sister, Olympas, and all the Holy Ones with them."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "Greet each other with a holy kiss. All who are called by the Anointed One send you their greetings."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, I beg you brothers; keep an eye on those who are creating divisions and setting traps by going against the teachings that you’ve learned… avoid them!"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "Because, such men aren’t slaving for our Lord the Anointed One, but for their own bellies. They’re seducing the hearts of people who aren’t really bad, with their kind words and praises."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "However, everyone has noticed your obedience, so I rejoice over you. I just want you to be wise when it comes to doing what’s good, and not to get mixed up in what’s evil,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "for the God of peace will crush the Opposer under your feet shortly. So, may the loving care of our Lord Jesus be with you."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and SosiPater, my relatives."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "22", "text": "I Tertius (who wrote this letter) greet you in [the] Lord."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "23", "text": "Gaius, our host, and all in his congregation greet you. Erastus, the city house manager greets you, as does KouArtos his brother."}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "24", "text": "——"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, to Him who can make you strong in the good news that I declare, and the preaching of Jesus the Anointed One, according to the revelation of the mystery that has been kept a secret through the ages,"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "26", "text": "but which, through the prophetic scriptures have now been made known and seen among all the nations by the command of the God of ageless time to promote obedience by faith…"}
{"book": "ROM", "chapter": 16, "verse": "27", "text": "to God who is the only truly wise One, be the glory through Jesus the Anointed throughout the ages. May it be."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, who was called to be an Apostle of Jesus the Anointed by God’s will, and Sosthenes the brother;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "to the congregation of God in Corinth… to you who have been made holy in the Anointed Jesus, who are called to be Holy Ones along with all those who call on the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed everywhere (their Lord and ours);"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "may you receive loving care and peace from God our Father and [the Father] of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "I always thank God for you, because in His caring (and through the Anointed Jesus) God has given you"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "everything that you need to make you rich in him. [He has given you] all the words and a complete knowledge,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "while the testimony about the Anointed One is being made firm in you,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "so you haven’t lagged behind in any gift as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "He will make you strong to the end, and you will be free from any accusations in the Day of our Lord Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "For, God who called you to have a share with His Son (our Lord Jesus the Anointed) is faithful."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, through the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, I want to encourage you brothers to all teach the same things… there shouldn’t be any divisions among you, but you must all learn to think the same way and share the same opinions."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "For those of the house of Chloe have told me that you do a lot of arguing, my brothers."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "What I mean is that; some of you are saying, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow the Anointed;’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "so the Anointed One is divided. Why, Paul wasn’t hung on a pole for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "I’m thankful that I didn’t baptize any of you (other than Crispus and Gaius),"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "so no one can say that they were baptized in my name."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; but as for the rest, I don’t think that I baptized anyone else."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "You see, the Anointed One didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the good news. [And I wasn’t sent] with many wise words, because that would make the Anointed One’s impaling pole less important."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "For the message about the impaling pole is just a lot of foolishness to those who are dying, but to those of us who are being saved, it’s the power of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "For it is written: ‘I’ll destroy the wisdom of the wise and I’ll set aside the understanding of intellectuals.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "So, where are all the wise men? Where are all the writers? Where are all the great debaters of our age? Didn’t God make the world’s wisdom foolish?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "And since the world didn’t understand the wisdom of God, God saw that it was good for us to preach foolishness in order to save those who would believe!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "The Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "but we preach that the Anointed One was hung on a pole. This is a trap to the Jews, and a lot of foolishness to the nations."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "However, to those who are called (both Jews and Greeks), the Anointed One is the power of God and the wisdom of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "Because, a foolish thing from God is wiser than men, and a weak thing from God is stronger than men."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "Now, notice this about your calling brothers: Not many of you were called who were wise in a fleshly way; not many were called who had power; nor were many called who were born to important families."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "So, God chose the foolish things of the world to put wise men to shame; He chose the weak things of the world to put the strong to shame;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "and He chose the common things of the world and things that are looked down on – the things that aren’t – so he can make the things that are, worthless."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "This [was done] so that no flesh can brag before God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "30", "text": "So, it’s because of [God] that you’re in the Anointed Jesus… he has become God’s wisdom to us, as well as His righteousness, and holiness, and our ransom price."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "31", "text": "As it is written, ‘Whoever boasts, let him boast in the Lord.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "So, when I came to you brothers, I didn’t bring you the mysteries of God with high-sounding words of wisdom."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "For, I decided not to teach you about anything except Jesus the Anointed, and about how he was hung on a pole."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "I came to you as weak, afraid, and trembling."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "And what I said and preached wasn’t done with persuasive wise words, but with [God’s] Breath and power,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "so you wouldn’t have faith in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, we do talk wisely to those who aren’t mature, but not with the wisdom of this age, or like the rulers of this age (who are coming to nothing)."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Rather, we speak God’s wisdom as a mystery (hidden wisdom); as things that God had planned before this age for our glory."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "This is wisdom that none of the rulers of this age knew, because, if they knew about it they wouldn’t have hung the glorious Lord on a pole."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "But as it is written, ‘Eyes haven’t seen, ears haven’t heard, nor have the hearts of men even thought about all the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Yet, God (through His Breath) has revealed this to us, because His Breath searches everything… including the deep things of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "For, other than the spirit that’s in him, which man really knows anything about another man? Likewise, nobody gets to know the things of God except the Spirit of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, we didn’t receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that comes from God, so we can know the things that have been kindly given to us by God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "As the result, the things we talk about aren’t words that come from human wisdom, but those that are taught by [God’s] Breath, as we combine spiritual matters with spiritual words."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "A physical man doesn’t believe anything that has to do with God’s Breath, because he thinks it’s all foolishness. And he can’t learn about these things, because he must be examined through [God’s] Breath."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "However, a man who has [God’s] Breath judges everything, and no one can judge him."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "For, ‘who has come to know the mind of Jehovah so as to become His councilor?’ However, we do have the mind of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "And so, brothers, I can’t talk to you as I would to spiritual men. Rather, [I must speak] as I would to fleshly men… as babies in the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "For, I’ve had to feed you milk, not something to eat, because you weren’t strong enough. And it’s a fact that you aren’t strong enough now,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "since you’re still fleshly. For, whenever you are jealous and arguing, aren’t you fleshly… and aren’t you acting as men do?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "And when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another says, ‘I follow Apollos,’ aren’t you just men?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "What is Apollos? Yes, what is Paul? [We’re just] servants through whom you became believers, since each of you was given to us by the Lord."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "I planted and Apollos watered, but it’s God who makes it grow!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "So, the one who plants isn’t anything, nor is the one who waters, for God is the One who makes it grow."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, the one who plants and the one who waters are one. And while each will be rewarded for his work,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "we’re just God’s employees, and you are God’s field… the thing that God is developing."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Through God’s loving care, I was assigned to be a wise chief craftsman. So, I laid the foundation, but now someone else is building on it. However, each one must keep an eye on how he is building,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "because no one can lay a foundation other than what is already laid, Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, if anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones… or with wood, hay, and stalks,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "[the quality of] each ones’ work will show… it will be seen in the daytime, because fire will be used and the fire will prove what type of work each one has done."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "Then if anyone’s construction remains, he’ll be rewarded."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "And if anyone’s construction burns down, he’ll be damaged by the loss… but he’ll be saved. However, it will be as though he came through fire."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Don’t you know that you’re God’s Temple, and that God’s Breath lives in you?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "And if anyone destroys God’s Temple, God will destroy him, because God’s Temple (which is what you people are) is holy."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "So, don’t let anyone fool himself. If any of you are thought of as being wise in this age, let him become a fool, so he can be [truly] wise."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. As it ’s written: ‘He catches the wise in their cunning deeds.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "And again, ‘Jehovah knows that the thoughts of wise men are worthless.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "So, nobody should boast about [being followers of] men, because everything belongs to you…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "whether [it came from] Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things that are here, or things that are about to come… it all belongs to you!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "However, you belong to the Anointed One, and the Anointed One belongs to God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "So, let men think of us as just employees of the Anointed One and as house servants of the mysteries of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "And what more can be expected of house servants other than just to be found trustworthy."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Now, it really isn’t too important to me if I’m being judged by you or by some human court. Why, I don’t judge myself,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "So, don’t judge anything before its time, because; When the Lord’s Day arrives, secret things that are done in darkness [will be brought] into the light, and the thoughts of hearts will be on display. Then each ones’ praise will come from God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "because I’m unaware of anything against myself. However, this doesn’t mean that I’m righteous, because the Lord is the One who judges me."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, brothers; I’ve overstated these things about Apollos and I for your own good, so you’d learn the rule: Don’t go beyond the things that are written! And don’t get all puffed up by showing more favor for one than the other;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "for who really knows you… what do you have that you weren’t given? And since it was just given to you, why do you brag as though it wasn’t something you were given?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "So, are you satisfied already? Are you rich already? Have you started ruling without us? Why, I wish that you had started ruling, so we could also be ruling along with you!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "For, I think that God has put us (the Apostles) last on the show as men who are condemned to death… we’ve become a theatrical spectacle [before] this world to both [God’s] messengers and to men."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "And while we’re fools because of the Anointed One, you are wise in the Anointed One… we’re weak, but you’re strong… we’re dishonorable, but you’re the glorious ones."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Why, down to this hour we’ve been hungry, thirsty, almost naked, beaten up, homeless,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "and we’ve had to work for a living. Yet, when we’re being shouted at, we praise; When we’re being persecuted, we bear it;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "When we’re being slandered, we encourage. And until now, we’ve been considered the world’s refuse and scum."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "For, although you could have thousands of tutors in the Anointed One, you don’t have many fathers… and I became your father in the good news through the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "I’m not writing this to shame you, but to teach you as my loved children."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "So, I beg you to start imitating me!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "And that’s why I’m sending Timothy to you. He’s my loved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of the ways that I’m teaching in all the congregations everywhere, through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, some [of you] are all puffed up as though I weren’t coming to you."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "But I’ll be there shortly (if it’s the Lord’s will), and I won’t pay any attention to what those who are puffed up have to say. However, [I will pay attention] to their power,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "because the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with words, but with power."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "So, which do you want? Should I come to you with a stick, or with the love and mildness of [God’s] Breath?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "I’ve actually heard that there is sexual immorality among you. And it’s a type of immorality that isn’t even [heard of] among the nations… that someone has taken the wife of his father!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "Are you proud of this? Shouldn’t you mourn instead, so that the man who committed this act should be removed from your midst?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "Although I’m not there physically, I’m there in spirit, and I’ve already judged the man who has done this thing as though I were there."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "My spirit and the power of our Lord Jesus agree"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "(in the name of our Lord Jesus) that you should hand such a man over to the Opposer for the destruction of his flesh, so the spirit within him can be saved in the Day of the Lord."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "You don’t have any reason to boast, for, don’t you know that a little [yeast] ferments the whole ball [of dough]?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Clean out that old fermentation so you can be something new that isn’t fermenting, because the Anointed (who is our Passover) has been sacrificed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "So, let’s not observe the Festival with old fermentation, nor with the fermentation of badness and wickedness, but with the unfermented bread of sincerity and truth."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "In my [last] letter, I wrote you to quit associating with those who are sexually immoral."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "[I wasn’t talking about] completely avoiding the immoral [people] of this world, or the greedy, or the extortionists, or the idol worshipers; otherwise you’d actually have to get out of the world."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "However, now I’m writing you to quit associating with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral, greedy, an idol worshiper, an insulter, a drunkard, or an extortionist… don’t even eat with a person like that."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "Why should I judge those on the outside? Don’t you judge those on the inside,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "while God judges those on the outside? Remove the wicked man from among yourselves!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "Would any of you who think you’ve been [wronged] by another dare to take it to court [to be tried by] unrighteous men, rather than by the Holy Ones?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "Don’t you know that the Holy Ones will judge the world? And if you’re going to judge the world, aren’t you qualified to judge small matters?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "Why, don’t you know that we’re going to judge the messengers… so, why not [judge] matters that have to do with this life?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "If you have matters of life that must be decided, would you bring them before places of judgment that are held in little regard by the congregation?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "I’m saying this to shame you! For, isn’t there at least one wise man among you who can [serve as] judge between his brothers?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "Or must a brother take a brother to court to be judged by unbelievers?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Really then, you’ve already lost the battle if you’re bringing lawsuits against each other. For, why wouldn’t you rather allow yourselves to be mistreated or defrauded?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "And [the fact is; some of] you [really] are mistreating and cheating others… including your brothers!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "Don’t you know that those who are unrighteous won’t inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t make any mistakes about this; Sexually immoral people, idol worshipers, adulterers, gays, men who have sex with men,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "thieves, greedy people, drunkards, insulters, and extortionists won’t inherit God’s Kingdom…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "and that’s what some of you once were! However, you’ve been washed clean; you’ve been made holy; and you’ve been found righteous through the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed and the Breath of our God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "Everything is legal for me, but not everything is good for me. Yes, everything is legal for me, but I won’t allow myself to be brought under the influence of everything."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "Food is for the belly and the belly’s for food; however, God is going to bring [the belly] and [food] to nothing. Also, the body isn’t for immorality, it’s for the Lord… and the Lord is for the body."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "So, just as God raised the Lord, He will use His power to lift us out of death."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "Don’t you know that your bodies are all a part of the Anointed One? So, should I take one of the Anointed One’s body parts and give it to a whore? May that never happen!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "Don’t you know that whoever joins himself to a whore becomes one with her body? For he says: ‘The two will become one flesh.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, those who are one with the Lord share his breath,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "so flee from sexual immorality! Every other sin that a man commits is outside his body, but when he has immoral sex, he’s sinning against his own body."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "Don’t you know that your bodies are the Divine Habitation of the Holy Breath within you, which you received from God! So, you no longer belong to yourselves,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "because you were bought and paid for… therefore, you must use your bodies to glorify God!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, concerning those things that you wrote to me about; It’s best for a man not to even touch a woman."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "However, because of all the immorality, allow each man have his own wife and each woman to have her own husband."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, every husband should give his wife what she’s owed, and wives should do the same for their husbands."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "Wives don’t have authority over their own bodies, their husbands do. And husbands don’t have authority over their own bodies, their wives do."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "So, don’t deprive each other, except for set periods that you may agree on to devote time to prayer… then come together again. Don’t allow the Opposer to tempt you when you’re weak."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "However, this is just my own opinion, not a commandment."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "I wish that all were as I am. However, everyone has his own gift from God, and each in a different way."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "I’m telling unmarried people and widows that it’s best for them to be like me."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "However, if they don’t have the inner strength, then let them marry, because it’s better to marry than to be consumed by passion."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "To married people I give these instructions (not really me, but the Lord): Wives shouldn’t leave their husbands."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "And if they do, they must either remain unmarried or make up with their husbands. And husband shouldn’t leave their wives."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "To the rest I say (yes me, not the Lord): If any brother has an unbelieving wife who agrees to live with him, he shouldn’t leave her."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "And if a woman has an unbelieving husband who agrees to live with her, she shouldn’t leave her husband."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "Because, the wife makes [her] unbelieving husband holy, and the brother makes [his] unbelieving wife holy… otherwise, their children would be unclean; but now they are holy."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "However, if the unbelieving one wants to leave, let him go. Because, a brother or a sister isn’t a slave to such matters, for God has called you to peace."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "But wife; How do you know that you won’t save your husband? Or husband; How do you know that you won’t save your wife?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "Also, as the Lord has given each one his share, and as God has called each one, let him follow in that same path. That’s what I’m teaching in all the congregations."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "Was any man called when he was circumcised? Then he shouldn’t become [one of the] uncircumcised. Has any man been called when he was uncircumcised? Then he shouldn’t be circumcised."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "You see, circumcision doesn’t mean anything and uncircumcision doesn’t mean anything; however, obeying God’s commandments does [mean something]."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "So, it doesn’t matter what state you were in when you were called; just stay that way."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "Were you called when you were a slave? Don’t let that bother you. But if you can become free, grab hold of the opportunity,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "because, anyone in the Lord who was called [when he was] a slave, has become free in the Lord. And anyone who was called when free, is a slave of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "Why, you were bought and paid for, so stop becoming slaves to men!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "So brothers, it doesn’t matter what condition each [of you] were called in; just stay that way, next to God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "Now, when it comes to virgins, I don’t have any commands from the Lord. However, I’ll give you my opinion (as one who, by the Lord’s mercy, has been faithful)."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "I think that it’s best for anyone who’s had a reason to stay one way, to continue as he is."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "[For example], are you tied to a wife? Stop trying to get free! Are you free from a wife? Stop searching for a wife!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "However, even if you marry, you aren’t sinning. And if a virgin marries, she hasn’t sinned. But those who do [marry] will have fleshly problems, and I’m just trying to spare you [from this]."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "29", "text": "Let me say this brothers: The time has been reduced! So, let those who have wives, act as though they have none;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "30", "text": "Let those who are crying, act like those who don’t cry; Let those who are rejoicing, act like those who don’t rejoice; Let those who are buying, act like those who own nothing;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "31", "text": "And let those who are using the world, act like those who don’t use it, because the ways of this world are changing."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "32", "text": "[You see], I don’t want you to worry about anything. An unmarried man worries about the things of the Lord and winning His approval."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "33", "text": "But a married man worries about worldly things and winning his wife’s approval,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "34", "text": "so he’s divided. Unmarried women and virgins just worry about the things of the Lord… how they can be holy in their bodies, as well as about what they are on the inside. However, married women worry about worldly things and winning the approval of their husbands."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "35", "text": "Now, I’m just describing the best situation… I’m not trying to hang you. I’m just trying to move you to do things that work out well and sit well with the Lord… and which won’t distract you."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "36", "text": "But if anyone thinks his virginity isn’t working out and he’s past the bloom of youth, this is what should happen: Allow them to do whatever they wish, for they aren’t sinning if they marry!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "37", "text": "However, if someone is settled in heart, doesn’t have any [sexual] needs, has self-control, and has decided in his heart to keep his virginity, he’ll do well."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "38", "text": "Of course, the one who gives up his virginity and marries also does well, but the one who doesn’t marry does better."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "39", "text": "For, a wife is tied down as long as her husband is alive. But if her husband falls asleep [in death], she can marry whomever she wishes (but only in the Lord)."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "40", "text": "However, it’s my opinion that she’ll be happier if she stays [single]. After all, I think that I have God’s Breath also."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, regarding food that has been offered to idols; We realize that everyone knows something [about this]. However, knowledge puffs up, while love builds up."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "So, if anyone thinks he already knows everything about it, he doesn’t really understand it as well as he should yet."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "But God knows those who love Him."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "Now, regarding eating food that has been offered to idols: We know that idols really aren’t anything in the world, and that there is no God but one."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "And although some are called gods (whether heavenly or earthly)… and there are many gods and lords,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "we have just one God, the Father. Everything comes from Him and we are one with Him. And there is just one Lord, Jesus the Anointed, through whom everything came to be, and we are through him."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "However, not everyone understands this. Until now, some have followed the practice of eating food to an idol as a sacrifice to that idol, and this damaged their consciences and made them weak."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "However, food doesn’t give us any special standing before God, so if we choose not to eat [food that was sacrificed to idols], we don’t fail; nor are we praised if we eat it."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "But be careful, so that this power of yours doesn’t trap those who are weak."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "Because, if anyone sees you – the one who knows – reclining at a meal in an idol’s temple, won’t the weak one’s conscience be built up to the point where he starts eating things as a sacrifice to idols?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "So, by your knowledge you’ve ruined the man who is weak… your brother whom the Anointed One died for!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "And when you people sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak consciences, you’re sinning against the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "For that reason; If food is a trap to my brother, I’ll never eat meat throughout the rest of the age, so I don’t turn myself into a trap for my brother."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "Am I not free? Am I not an Apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you my works in the Lord?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "Why, if I wasn’t an Apostle to all the rest, I certainly am to you, because you’re the seal that confirms my Apostleship in the Lord."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "So my defense to those who judge me is this:"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "Can’t we eat or drink whatever we wish?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "Can’t we take a sister as a wife… as did the other Apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "And are BarNabas and I [the only ones] who have to work for a living?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and doesn’t eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and doesn’t drink some of the sheep’s milk?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, is this human reasoning, or doesn’t the Law say the same thing?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "Why, it’s written in the Law of Moses: ‘You must not muzzle a bull when it’s threshing grain.’ So, does God just care about bulls,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "or didn’t he say that for all our sakes? Really, it was written for all our sakes, because the man who plows ought to plow in hope, and the man who threshes ought to do so in hope of eating [the grain]."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "So, if we’ve planted the things of [God’s] Breath within you, is it such a big thing for us harvest fleshly things from you?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "And if those for whom you work benefit from your efforts, shouldn’t we [benefit] even more so? Yet, we haven’t really used the [full] authority that we have. For, we’ve been handling everything by ourselves, so we don’t get in the way of the good news about the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "Don’t you know that those who serve in the Temple also eat the things that are there; and that those who serve at the Altar share in the things that are sacrificed?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "So, the Lord meant for those who preach the good news to be provided for by means of this good news…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "however, I haven’t used any of those provisions! And I’m not writing this so that will to happen to me, because I’d rather die than to allow anyone to take away my reason for boasting!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, there’s no reason for me to boast when it comes to preaching the good news, because it’s something that I must to do. In fact, woe to me if I don’t preach the good news!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "And if I do this voluntarily, I’ll receive my wages. However, if I don’t do it voluntarily, it’s still my assignment."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "So, what is my pay? It’s my ability to preach the good news without cost. For that way, I don’t abuse the authority that I have in the good news."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "So, I’m free when it comes to owing [things to] anyone; and I’ve made myself a slave to everyone, so that I can gain more."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "I became a Jew to Jews, so I can gain Jews. I became as under the Law to those who are under the Law (although I’m not under the Law), so I can gain those who are under the Law."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "I became as someone who is without the Law to those who aren’t under the Law (although I’m not without law toward God, and I’m under the law of the Anointed), so I can gain those who are without the Law."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "I became weak to those who are weak, so I can gain the weak. I’ve become everything to everyone, and I’ve used every means to save some."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "I’ve done everything for the sake of the good news, so I can share it with others."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "Don’t you know that all who race in the stadium must run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "And every fighter has to maintain full control just to win a crown that rots away. However, we receive one that doesn’t rot."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "So, I’m not running timidly, nor am I just swinging my arms… I’m boxing!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "Why, I beat my body and treat it as a slave, so that after I’ve preached to others, I won’t be rejected."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, I don’t want you to miss this point, brothers: All of our ancestors were under the cloud and they all passed through the sea,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "so they were all baptized into Moses (because of the cloud and the sea)."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "All ate the same food from [God’s] Breath,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "and they all drank the same drink from [God’s] Breath, because they used to drink from the rock (of [God’s] Breath) that followed them… and that rock was the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "However, God didn’t think much of most of [these ancestors], because he cut them down in the desert."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, these things are examples to us, so we won’t become people who desire bad things, as they did…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "we don’t want to become idol worshipers, as some of them did! And it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and then they got up to play.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "So, we shouldn’t commit sexual immorality as some of them did, because twenty-three thousand of them fell in one day!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "Nor do we want to put Jehovah to the test as some of them did, because they were destroyed by snakes!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "Nor do we want to complain as some of them did, because they were killed by the destroyer!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, these things that happened to them are examples, and they were written as a warning to us upon whom the end of the age has arrived."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "So, let the one who thinks he’s standing be careful that he doesn’t fall."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, you haven’t faced any temptations yet, other than things that are normal for men. Since God is faithful, He won’t allow you to be tested with more than you can handle; therefore, with every temptation He provides a way out, so you’ll be able to hang on."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "My loved ones; Flee from idol worship!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "I’m talking as I would to very sensible people, so figure out for yourselves whether what I’m saying is the truth."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "When we bless the cup of blessings, aren’t we sharing in the blood of the Anointed One? And when we break the loaf, aren’t we sharing in the body of the Anointed One?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, there’s just one loaf… and although there are many [of us], we’re just one body, because we all eat from that one loaf."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "Look at fleshly Israel; Don’t all those who eat the sacrifices share it with the altar?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "So, what am I saying… that idols are anything, or that things sacrificed to idols are anything?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "No! I’m telling you that the things the nations offer as sacrifices are being offered to the demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to share with the demons."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "You can’t drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t eat at the table of the Lord and the table of demons."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "Or, are we making Jehovah jealous? We aren’t stronger than He is, are we?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "Everything is legal, but not everything is good for us; Everything is legal, but not everything makes us stronger."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "So, let’s not just be watching out for our own best interests, but [for the interests] of others."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "Eat whatever is sold in the meat markets… and don’t let it bother your consciences,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "because the earth and everything in it belongs to Jehovah!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "So, if an unbeliever invites you over and you wish to go; eat everything that’s set before you and don’t let it bother your consciences."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "However, if anyone tells you, ‘This was offered as a sacrifice,’ don’t eat it. Do this for the sake of the one who said that… because of conscience…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "no, not your conscience, but that of the other person. But, why should someone else judge my freedom?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "For, if I’m eating thankfully, then why should I be slandered over something over which I’ve given thanks?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "Well, whether you’re eating, or drinking, or doing anything else; do everything for God’s glory."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "But don’t do anything to stumble Jews, Greeks, or the congregation of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "This is the reason why I try to please everyone in everything, and not just do what’s best for myself. I [try to do] what’s best for others, so they can get saved."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "So, imitate me, as I’m [imitating] the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "I praise you, because you’ve remembered me and all the things that I’ve given you… and you’re [also] holding onto the things that I taught you."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "Now, I want you to recognize this: The head of every man is the Anointed One; the head of the woman is the man; and the head of the Anointed One is God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "So, every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head, shames his head."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "And every woman who prays or prophesies without a head covering shames her head, because it’s the same as if she had her head shaved;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "so if a woman doesn’t wear a head covering, let her have all her hair cut off. However, if cutting her hair short or shaving her head makes a woman look disreputable, then let her wear a covering."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, a man shouldn’t have his head covered, since he’s the image and glory of God. However, a woman is the glory of man,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "for man didn’t come from the woman, the woman came from the man."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "Also, man wasn’t created for the woman; the woman [was created] for the man."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "And that’s why the woman should have [a sign of] authority on her head… and because of [God’s] messengers."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "However, there really isn’t any difference between males and females in the Lord."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "As the female came through the male, males come through females, while everything comes from God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "So, judge it for yourselves; Is it proper for a woman to pray to God without a head covering?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "Doesn’t physical nature teach you that if a man has long hair, it dishonors him;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "but if a woman has long hair it glorifies her? That’s why her hair is given to her instead of a hat."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "However, if anyone wants to argue about this, we don’t have any other custom, nor do the congregations of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, after giving these instructions, I’m not handing out any praises over the fact that your meetings are doing more harm than good."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "First, I hear that when you meet as a congregation, there are divisions among you. And I believe that’s partly true,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "because there had to be sects among you so that those who are approved can be clearly identified."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, when you meet together in one place, it isn’t to eat the Lord’s Supper,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "for, you’re all [bringing] your own meals to eat before you partake. So, who knows who’s still hungry and who’s already had too much to drink?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "Don’t you have houses where you can eat and drink? Or do you condemn the congregation of God and shame those who are poor? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? In this, I don’t praise you."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "I received this from the Lord and I’ve shared it with you; that the Lord Jesus (on the very night that he was going to be handed over) took a loaf,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "and after giving thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body [which is given] for you. Keep on doing this in memory of me.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "And after supper, he did the same thing with the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new Sacred Agreement of my blood. Keep on doing this; and as often as you drink it, think of me.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "So, as often as you eat the loaf and drink from the cup, you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he arrives."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "But whoever eats the loaf and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be held responsible to the Lord’s body and blood."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "So, each man should prove what he is first; then he can eat from the loaf and drink from the cup."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "For, those who eat and drink, eat and drink judgment on themselves if they don’t judge [the worthiness of] their bodies."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "That’s why many of you are weak and unhealthy, and quite a few are asleep!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "However, if we would judge ourselves, we wouldn’t have to be judged."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "Yet, when we are judged, we have to be disciplined by the Lord, so we aren’t condemned along with the world."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "So, my brothers; When you come together to eat, wait for each other!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "34", "text": "And if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so you don’t meet for judgment. As for the rest of the matters, I’ll straighten them out when I get there."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "Now brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant about things that come from the Breath [of God]."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "You know that when you were people of the nations, you were led to be followers of dumb idols."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "But now I want you to understand that nobody – whenever they’re speaking through the power of God’s Breath – can say that Jesus is cursed or that Jesus is Lord, except by Holy Breath."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "And although there are many types of gifts, it’s the same Breath."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "There are also many types of services, but it’s the same Lord."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "There are many types of results, but they all come from the same God, who provides the results of everything for everyone."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "So, it’s the many ways that the Breath expresses itself through different people that brings it all together."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "For, through this same Breath one [person] is given wise speech, while another is given the ability to speak with knowledge."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "To another the Breath gives faith, while someone else gets the gift of healing."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "For others, there are the powerful deeds, or prophesying, or the ability to recognize spirits, or speaking in different languages, or interpreting the languages."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "They all come from that same Breath, which works in many ways and as it wishes through each person."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "And although the body is a single thing, it has many parts. For, as all the parts make up a single person, that’s how the Anointed One is."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "By the one Breath we were all baptized into one body, regardless of whether we are Jews or Greeks, slaves or free; and we were all made to drink from the one Breath."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "You see, the body isn’t one part, but many."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "And if the foot should say, ‘Because I’m not a hand, I’m no part of the body,’ that doesn’t mean it’s no part of the body."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "And if the ear should say, ‘Because I’m not an eye, I’m no part of the body,’ that doesn’t really mean it’s no part of the body."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, if the whole body were just an eye, how would it hear? And if it could just hear, where would the sense of smell be?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, God has placed each part in the body as He pleases;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "for if all parts were the same, how could there be a body?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "So, there are many body parts, but just one body."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "Thus the eye can’t say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you,’ nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "And the weaker each body part seems to be, the more it is needed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "For, the body parts that we consider the least honorable are the ones that we surround with the most honor. And our unattractive parts were made more attractive,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "because our attractive parts don’t need any help. God assembled the body and gave more honors to the parts that have less,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "so there would be no divisions in the body, and all the parts would show the same loving care for each other."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "26", "text": "So if one body part suffers, all the other body parts suffer along with it. Or if a body part is glorified, all the other body parts rejoice along with it."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "27", "text": "Now, you’re all the Anointed One’s body and body parts,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "28", "text": "and God has designated each one’s place in this gathering. First, are the Apostles; Second, the Prophets; Third, the teachers; Then come [those with] powerful works, the gifts of healing, helpful services, abilities to direct, [and those who speak] in different languages."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "29", "text": "Not all are Apostles, are they? Not all are Prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform powerful works, do they?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "30", "text": "Not all have the gift of healing, do they? Not all speak in different languages, do they? Not all are translators, are they?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "31", "text": "However, zealously keep seeking the greater gifts. But now I’m going to show you something that’s even better."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "If I can speak in the languages of men and [God’s] messengers, and don’t have love, I’m the sound of [clanging] brass or of a clashing cymbal."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "If I can prophesy, understand all the mysteries, have all knowledge, and if I have enough faith to move mountains, but don’t have love, I’m nothing."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "And if I were to give everything I had to feed others, and if I were to hand over my body so I could boast, but I didn’t have love, it wouldn’t do me any good."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "Love is patient and kind. Love isn’t envious, it doesn’t brag, and it isn’t conceited;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "it doesn’t scheme, it doesn’t just watch out for itself, it doesn’t stir things up, it doesn’t hold a grudge,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "and it doesn’t rejoice over unrighteous things. Rather, it rejoices over things that are true."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "It covers all, believes all, hopes all, and endures all…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "love never fails. However, the [gift of] prophesying will be done away with; the [gift of] speaking in [foreign] languages will stop; and the [gift of miraculous] knowledge will be done away with,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "because, now we only have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "But when the perfect thing arrives, the partial thing will be done away with."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "When I was a baby, I used to talk like a baby, think like a baby, and reason like a baby. But now that I’ve become a man, I’m finished with babies’ things."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "And although what we see today is like looking into a metal mirror, then it will be face to face. For now I only understand partially, but then I will have an accurate understanding, and I will be accurately understood."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "So, we now have these three things: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "Pursue love, but also zealously strive for the things that come from [God’s] Breath… and I prefer that you prophesy."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "You see; the one who speaks in foreign languages isn’t talking to men, but to God… because nobody else is listening. Thus, by [God’s] Breath, he’s speaking mysteries."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "However, the one who prophesies builds up, encourages, and consoles men."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "And while the one who speaks in a foreign language builds himself up, the one who prophesies builds up a congregation."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "I would like all of you to [be able to] speak in foreign languages, but I prefer that you prophesy, because the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in foreign languages… unless he also translates, so the congregation can be built up."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "Brothers, if I were to come to you right now and speak a foreign language, what good would it do if I didn’t also speak to you with a revelation, or with knowledge, or with a prophecy, or with something I can teach?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "It’s the same as with inanimate things that make sounds, like flutes or harps. If you can’t hear the difference between the notes, how will you know what’s being played?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "Also, if a trumpet blows an unrecognizable call, who will prepare for war?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "So in the same way, unless you use your tongues to say things that are easily understood, how will anyone know what you’re saying? You will for a fact, just be speaking into the air!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "There are many kinds of vocalizations in the world, and they all have meanings."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "However, if I don’t understand the meaning of the sound, I’m a foreigner to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a foreigner to me."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "The same is true of you; Since you’re zealous for the [gifts of the] Breath, use them to build up the congregation, so you all can prosper."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "So, may the one who speaks in a foreign language pray that he can also translate,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "because, when I pray in a foreign language, my [gift of the] Breath may be praying, but my mind isn’t benefiting."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "So, what should we do? I will pray with the Breath, but I will also pray in my mind. I will sing praises with the Breath, but I will also sing praises in my mind."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "Otherwise, if you offer praises [to God in a foreign language] by the Breath, how will some ordinary man who is there say, ‘Amen,’ when you give thanks, since he doesn’t know what you’re saying?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "And while it’s true that you give thanks in a fine way, this man isn’t being built up."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "I thank God that I can speak more languages than all of you."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "However, I would rather speak five words using my mind, so I can teach others when I’m in a congregation, than ten thousand words in a foreign language."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "Brothers; When it comes to [using] the power of our minds, don’t be infants… rather, be babies when it comes to badness, but become perfect in your ability to reason."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "21", "text": "It’s written in the Law, ‘I will speak to these people in foreign languages and with the lips of strangers,but even then, they won’t listen to Me, says Jehovah.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "22", "text": "So, speaking in foreign languages isn’t a sign to believers, [it’s a sign] to unbelievers. However, prophesying isn’t for unbelievers, it’s for believers."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "23", "text": "Why, if the whole congregation meets in one place and everyone is speaking in foreign languages, and then some ordinary people or unbelievers come in, won’t they think you’re crazy?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "24", "text": "But if everyone is prophesying when an unbeliever or ordinary person enters, he is corrected and judged by them all."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "25", "text": "Then, as the secrets in his heart are made known, he will fall to his face and worship God, saying, ‘God is really among you!’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "26", "text": "So, what should happen, brothers? Well, when you meet, one should have a psalm, another should have a teaching, another should have a revelation, and another should speak in a foreign language… as someone else interprets it. Let everything happen for [the purpose of] building [people] up."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "27", "text": "So, if some speak in foreign languages, limit it to two or three at the most… and in turns, and then have someone do the translating."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "28", "text": "But if there isn’t anyone to translate, they should keep silent in the congregation, speaking just to themselves and to God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "29", "text": "Let two or three Prophets speak, and then allow the rest to judge the meaning of what they say."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "30", "text": "And if someone else has a revelation while he’s sitting there, then the first one should be quiet."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "31", "text": "So, each of you can prophesy, but one after the other. That way, everyone can learn and all will be encouraged."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "32", "text": "Of course, the spirits of the Prophets should be controlled by the Prophets,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "33", "text": "because confusion doesn’t come from God; peace does! And as [is true] in all the congregations of Holy Ones;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "34", "text": "the women should remain silent in the congregation. They shouldn’t be allowed to speak out. Rather (as the Law says), they should be submissive."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "35", "text": "And if they wish to know something, let them ask their husbands [when they get] home, for it’s disgraceful for a woman to speak out in a congregation."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "36", "text": "Did the Word of God come from you, or are you the only ones who understand it?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "37", "text": "If someone thinks he’s a Prophet, or that he’s under the influence of [God’s] Breath, then let him agree with the things that I’m writing to you, because these are the Lord’s commandments."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "38", "text": "However, if anyone is being ignorant, let him remain ignorant."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "39", "text": "So, my brothers; keep on zealously seeking the [gift of] prophesying, but don’t forbid speaking in foreign languages."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 14, "verse": "40", "text": "Just let everything be conducted in a tasteful and orderly way."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "Now brothers, I want you to understand this about the good news that I preached to you (which you received, in which you are standing,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "and through which you’re being saved): If you’re still holding onto this good news that I preached to you, your faith hasn’t been wasted,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "because I passed along to you one of the very first things that I learned. It’s that the Anointed One died for our sins, as the Scriptures foretold;"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "then he was buried and was raised on the third day."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "He appeared first to Cephas, then to the twelve,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "and after that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive today (although some have fallen asleep)."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "After that, he appeared to James, then to all the Apostles."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "But last of all, as though to a newborn child, he appeared to me."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "9", "text": "So, I’m the least of the Apostles, and I’m unfit even to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Congregation of God."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "10", "text": "Yet, through the loving care of God, I am what I am. And the care that He showed me wasn’t wasted, because I’ve worked harder than all the rest… not because of me, but because of the loving care of God that is in me."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "11", "text": "However, whether it [was done by] them or me, we have preached and you have believed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, if we’re preaching that the Anointed One was raised from the dead, why is it that some of you are saying there is no resurrection of the dead?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, if there was no resurrection of the dead, then the Anointed One couldn’t have been raised either."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "14", "text": "And if the Anointed One hasn’t been raised, then our preaching and our faith is all in vain,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "15", "text": "and we’ve proven to be false witnesses of God; for we’ve testified (against God) by saying that He raised the Anointed One; and if the dead really aren’t going to be raised, then [God] didn’t raise him either!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "16", "text": "You see, if the dead aren’t going to be raised, the Anointed One hasn’t been raised!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "17", "text": "And if the Anointed One hasn’t been raised, our faith is useless… we’re still sinners,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "18", "text": "and all those who fell asleep in the Anointed One are just gone!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "19", "text": "And if we’ve put our hope in the Anointed One for this life only, then we’re the most pitiful of all men."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "20", "text": "However, the Anointed One has been raised from the dead, and he’s the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep [in death]."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "21", "text": "Since death came through a man, resurrection from the dead also comes through a man."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "22", "text": "And as all are dying because of Adam, all will be made alive in the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "23", "text": "but each one in his own order… the first fruits of the Anointed One, followed by those who belong to the Anointed One when he arrives."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "24", "text": "Then in the end, after he has brought all governments, authorities, and powers to nothing, he will hand over the Kingdom to his God and Father."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "25", "text": "For, he must rule as king until [God] puts all his enemies under his feet."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "26", "text": "And then the last enemy, death, will end."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "27", "text": "Yes [God] put everything under his feet; but when He says that ‘everything has been put under him,’ it’s obvious that this [means] everything except He who put everything under him."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "28", "text": "However, after everything has been put under him, then the Son will submit to the One who put everything under him, so God can be everything to everyone."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "29", "text": "So, what good does it do for them to be baptized into [his] death? For, if none of the dead will be raised, then why [are we] being baptized for that purpose?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "30", "text": "Also, why are we in danger every hour?"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "31", "text": "Why, I face death every day as I’m boasting about you… my brothers whom I have through the Anointed Jesus, our Lord."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "32", "text": "And, if I’ve fought with wild animals at Ephesus as a man, what good did it do if the dead won’t be raised? Rather, ‘Let’s eat and drink, because tomorrow we will die!’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "33", "text": "So, don’t allow [anyone] to mislead you, because bad companions spoil good habits."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "34", "text": "Get serious about righteousness and quit sinning! Why, some [of you] are ignorant when it comes to God (I’m saying this to embarrass you)."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "35", "text": "Now, some [are sure to] ask, ‘Just how will the dead be raised… what kind of bodies will they return in?’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "36", "text": "You senseless person! Those who plant [seeds] know that [the seeds] can’t live unless they die first."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "37", "text": "And what you’re planting isn’t the body that it’s going to become; it’s just a naked grain of wheat, or whatever."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "38", "text": "Why, God will give it whatever [type of] body He wishes, just as He gives each seed its own body."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "39", "text": "For, not all flesh is the same. There is one type of flesh of men, another of cattle, another of birds, and another of fish."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "40", "text": "There are heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies, but the glory of heavenly bodies is different from that of earthly bodies."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "41", "text": "Why, the glory of the sun is one type, the glory of the moon is another, and the glory of the stars is yet another. In fact, star differs from star in glory."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "42", "text": "And that’s how the resurrection of the dead is. It’s planted in a decaying condition and it’s raised clean."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "43", "text": "It’s planted without honor, but it’s raised in glory. It’s planted as weak, but it’s raised in power."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "44", "text": "It’s planted as a human body, but it’s raised a spiritual body… so if there’s a human body, there’s also a spiritual one."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "45", "text": "As it is written: ‘The first man (Adam) became a living soul,’ but the last Adam became a life-giving spirit."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "46", "text": "However, the first [body] is human, not spiritual… spirituality comes later."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "47", "text": "For the first man came from the dust of the ground, but the second man came from heaven."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "48", "text": "So, those that come from the dust are like the others who come from the dust, but those that are heavenly are like the Heavenly One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "49", "text": "And as we’ve worn the shape of the one who was made from the dust of the ground, we’ll also wear the image of the Heavenly One."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "50", "text": "I tell you this, brothers: Flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom, nor can [something] corruptible inherit something that’s incorruptible."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "51", "text": "Look, I tell you a mystery: Not all of us will be laid to rest, but we’ll be changed"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "52", "text": "in a moment – in the twinkling of an eye – during the last trumpet! The trumpet will blow and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "53", "text": "Then that which is corruptible will put on incorruptibility, and that which is dying will put on immortality."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "54", "text": "But when that which is dying puts on immortality, then the words that were written are fulfilled, ‘Death is swallowed in victory.’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "55", "text": "‘Then, where is your victory, O death… where is your sting, O death?’"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "56", "text": "The sting that brings death is sin, and the power for sin comes from the Law."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "57", "text": "But thanks to God, who will give us victory through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 15, "verse": "58", "text": "So, my loved brothers; become settled, immovable, and always have plenty to do in the work of the Lord, since [you] know that the things you do in the Lord are never wasted."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, regarding the collection for the Holy Ones; Do the same thing that I told the congregations of Galatia."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "On each Sabbath day, you should set something aside in your savings, as you are prospering, so we won’t have to take up a collection after I arrive."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "But when I get there, I’ll send whichever men you select and write letters about, to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "And if I’m found worthy to go myself, they can travel with me."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "I will come and [visit] you after I go to Macedonia, for I’ll be traveling through Macedonia,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "and if things turn out right, perhaps I can stay a while, or even spend the winter with you. Then you can escort me part of the way to wherever I’m going."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "I don’t want to see you as I’m passing through right now, because I hope to spend more time with you, if the Lord allows it."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "I’ll be staying in Ephesus until Pentecost,"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "because a large door of opportunity has opened to me here. However, there are many opposers."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "If Timothy gets there, make sure that he has nothing to fear while he’s with you, because he’s doing the Lord’s work [the same] as I am…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "don’t allow anyone to treat him disrespectfully. Then escort him part of the way in peace, so he can come to me here, because I’m waiting for him with the brothers."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, regarding our brother Apollos; I begged him to come to you with the brothers, but he doesn’t want to do that right now. However, he will come when he has the opportunity."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "So, stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, and grow mighty."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "And may everything you do be accomplished in love."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, I want to encourage you to do this, brothers: You know that the household of Stephanas is the first fruit of Achaia, and that they’ve been serving the needs of the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "Follow the instructions of such people; and all of you, work and labor together."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "I’m very grateful that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and AchaiKus are here, because they’ve made up for your not being here."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "They are a breath of fresh air in my life and in yours. So, give special recognition to men of that sort."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "The congregations of [the Province of] Asia send you their greetings. Aquila, Prisca, and the congregation that meets in their home send you hearty greetings in the Lord…"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "all the brothers greet you, so greet each other with a holy kiss."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "[Here are] my greetings (Paul’s) written in my own hand."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "22", "text": "May all those who dosn’t care for the Lord be cursed. O our Lord; Come!"}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "23", "text": "May the loving care of the Lord Jesus be with you."}
{"book": "1CO", "chapter": 16, "verse": "24", "text": "May my love be with all of you, in the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, who by the will of God is an Apostle of the Anointed Jesus, and our brother Timothy, to the congregation of God in Corinth, as well as to all the Holy Ones throughout Achaia;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "May you receive loving care and peace from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One – the Father of mercy and the God of all comfort – be praised."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "For, [He’s] the One who comforts us during all our trials, and enables us to comfort others that are undergoing trials, from the comfort we receive from Him."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "And since we have plenty of suffering because of the Anointed One, we receive plenty of comfort through the Anointed One… may it be."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "So, when we’re being tried, it’s over your comfort and salvation. And we are comforted by the fact that the comfort [you receive] is helping you to endure the trials that we [all] share in suffering."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "So our hope for you is firm, because, we know that if you share the suffering, you’ll also share the comfort."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Brothers, we want you to know of the trials that we endured while we were in the [province of] Asia. We were under so much pressure that we thought there was no way out and we feared for our lives."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "In fact, we believed that we had been condemned to death. [The purpose of] this was to teach us not to trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "Yes, He rescued us – and will rescue us – from as great a thing as death… and we hope that He’ll keep on rescuing us."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "You can help in this matter by praying for us, so that many faces will give thanks for the gifts we were so kindly given."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "This is the thing we have to brag about… it’s something that our consciences testify to: It wasn’t with fleshly wisdom but (with God’s loving care) in holiness and godly sincerity that we’ve been conducting ourselves in the world, and especially toward you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, we’re really writing to you about something that you already know and understand, and which I hope you will keep on recognizing to the end;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "that we are something for you to brag about, just as you’ll be for us in the Day of our Lord Jesus."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "So, it’s with this type of confidence that I had plans to come to you… to give you a second reason for joy."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "I [planned to] come there on my way to Macedonia and to stop there on my way back, then to have you escort me part of the way to Judea."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "Well, when I hoped to do this, don’t think that I did so lightly. Rather, believe that what I planned to do in the flesh is what I really planned to do, so my yes would mean yes and my no would mean no."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "Have faith in God that when we tell you yes, we don’t mean no,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "because the Son of God (the Anointed Jesus) who Silvanus, Timothy, and I have preached to you about, didn’t become yes, but really no; for his yes meant yes."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "Why, all the promises of God – as many as they are – have become yes through him. That’s why we say, ‘so be it’ to God, through him; so his glory might come through us."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "The One who guarantees that we all belong to the Anointed One (and He who anointed us) is God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "He has put His seal [of approval] on us and He gave us a pledge… [His] Breath that’s in our hearts."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, I call God as a witness against myself, that the reason why I haven’t come to you in Corinth yet, is to spare you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "For, we aren’t the masters of your faith, we’re just co-workers for your joy; and the reason why you’re standing is because of your faith."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "I’ve decided not to come to you again, as long as I’m feeling sad about you,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "because; if I’ve made you sad, then who can cheer me up, other than those who’ve been saddened by me?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "As the result, I’m writing this so that when I do get there, those who I should be rejoicing over won’t sadden me. You see, I’m confident that I have reasons to be joyful over you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "And I’m writing with great difficulty, pain of heart, and tears, not to make you sad, but so you may know of the special love that I have for you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "If anyone has made you sad, he hasn’t made me sad, so I’m not really laying any further burdens on you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For, the discipline that the majority of you gave this man was sufficient."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "So now, kindly forgive and comfort him, that he won’t somehow be swallowed by his deep sadness…"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "I’m telling you to let him know that you love him!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "The reason why I wrote you [before] was to prove that you’re obedient in everything."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, if you forgive anyone for anything, I do too. And when I forgive someone through you before the Anointed One (if I ever have anything to forgive),"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "it’s so that none are lost to the Opposer, because we know how he operates."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "Well, when I got to Troas to preach the good news about the Anointed One and found that a door was opened to me in the Lord,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "I was deeply disturbed by the fact that I couldn’t find Titus, my brother. So, I left them and went on to Macedonia."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "Thanks to God, who (through the Anointed One) always leads us triumphantly, and who uses us to make the [sweet] smell of knowledge about Him known everywhere –"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "because we are the sweet smell of the Anointed One and of God to both those who are being saved and to those who are perishing –"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "we’re the smell of death to the dying and [the smell] of life to the living. So, who is qualified to do this work?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "We aren’t like others who are peddlers of the word of God. Rather, we speak sincerely from God and before God, through the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Do we have to introduce ourselves to you again; or do we (as do some men) need introductory letters either to you or from you?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "For, you are our letters that are written in our hearts, which are recognized and being read by all men,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "since you’ve proven to be a letter of the Anointed One whom we are serving. And you aren’t written in ink, but in the Breath of the living God… not on tablets made of stone, but on tablets made of flesh… on hearts!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "And we’re confident of this, through the Anointed One, by God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "We shouldn’t ever think that anything comes from ourselves, because our qualifications come from God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "For, it is He who qualified us to be servants of a New Sacred Agreement… not of something that’s written, but something [that comes] from the Breath [of God], because the thing that was written kills, but the Breath [of God] brings life!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, if service to the written letters (which were engraved in stone and bring death) came with so much glory that the sons of Israel couldn’t even look at Moses’ face because of the shine (that was to pass away),"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "why shouldn’t service to the Breath [of God] come with much more glory?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "And if service to something that condemns brings glory, how much more does serving righteousness bring glory,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "so, that which was once made glorious is no longer glorified because of this greater glory?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "And if the thing that was to be done away with came in glory, how much more will the thing that remains be glorified?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "So, since we have such a hope, we can speak out clearly."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "We aren’t acting like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the sons of Israel wouldn’t see something that was to be done away with in the end."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "For, this [veil] made their thinking dull. And right down to today, that veil still hangs down as a covering whenever the Old Sacred Agreement is read, because it has been done away with by means of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "And right down to today, whenever Moses is read, they have a veil over their hearts."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "However, when they turn to the Lord, this veil is removed."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "For, the Breath [of God] is lord, and where the Breath [of God] is lord, there’s freedom!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "So, all of us, when we uncover our faces, have the glory of Jehovah… we reflect the glory of Jehovah like mirrors, and we are transformed from [one] glory to [another] glory, which comes from Jehovah’s Breath."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "That’s why, ever since we’ve been given the mercy of this service, we haven’t behaved badly,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "but we’ve given up those secret things that bring shame. We aren’t acting without principles or misapplying the Word of God; we’re making the truth known and taking our stand before every human conscience in the sight of God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Why, if the good news that we bring is hidden, it has only been hidden among those who are dying…"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "the unbelievers, whose minds have been blinded by the god of this age, so that the light of the glorious good news about the Anointed One (who is the image of God) doesn’t shine through."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "We aren’t preaching for ourselves, but for the Anointed One… the Lord Jesus. And we are your slaves for Jesus’ sake,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "because God said, ‘Light will shine from the darkness.’ So He has caused the light of knowledge about the glory of God (through the face of the Anointed One) to shine in our hearts."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "And we store this treasure in [these] clay pots, so that the power may prove to be God’s and not our own."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "For, though we’ve been under pressure in every conceivable way, we’ve never been cornered; though we didn’t know a way out, we’ve never been left without a way;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "though we’ve been persecuted, we’ve never been let down; and though we’ve been knocked down, we’ve never been destroyed."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, we always bear the death of Jesus’ body, so that the life of Jesus can show in our bodies."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "[And that’s why] we who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake; so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our dying flesh."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "As the result, death is at work in us, but life [is at work] in you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, we share the same spirit of faith, for it is written: ‘I believed, and as the result, I spoke.’ So, [because] we believe, we speak."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "For, we know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us to be with Jesus… and we will be standing there beside you!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "Why, everything is being done through you, so that this loving care can grow as [you] increase, and there will be more giving of thanks to God’s glory."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "No, we aren’t behaving badly. And although the man [you see] on the outside is wasting away, the man on the inside is being renewed day by day."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "For, although the birth pains that [we endure] are momentary and light (and there are many of them), there is also an accumulation of ages of glory that’s working its way down to us."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "So, don’t pay attention to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen; because the things that you see are temporary, but the things you don’t see last through the ages."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Therefore, we know that; Whenever our earthly house (this temporary dwelling) is done away with, we have a building from God that lasts through the age… it’s a house in the heavens that isn’t made with hands."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "We groan over this, because we long to put on that house from heaven."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "In fact, we want to put it on, so we aren’t left naked."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "Yet, we who are in this temporary dwelling groan and are under pressure, because we don’t really want to take it off and to put on the other, so as [to allow] that which is dying to be swallowed by life. Now, the One who made us this way is God. And He gave us a sample of what’s coming… His Breath."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "So, we are always showing courage, because we know that as long as we’re at home in this body, we aren’t at home with the Lord…"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "we’re walking by faith, not by something we can see."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "Yes, we show courage and are happy to leave this body at home, so we can make our home with the Lord."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "And we flatter ourselves by trying to please Him, whether we’re at home with Him or away from Him."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "And in order for this to be shown about all of us, we must [each] stand before the court of the Anointed One. Then each one will receive something for the things he did [while he was] in the body, either for the good or for the vile."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "And since we understand the fear of the Lord, we continue to persuade men. However, God sees what we are… and I hope that your consciences also see what we are."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "For, we aren’t trying to convince you of our merits once again; we’re just giving you reasons to brag about us, so you’ll have something to offer to those who are influenced by what we look like on the outside, not by what’s in [our] hearts."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "So, if we were out of our minds, it was to God. But if we were in our right minds, it was to you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "For, the love of the Anointed One moves us to the opinion that one man died for everyone – yes, they all really died –"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "but he died for them all, so that no one who is living might live for himself anymore, but for the one who died for them and was then raised."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "So from now on, we don’t know anyone by the flesh. And even if we knew the Anointed One in the flesh, we certainly don’t know him that way anymore."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "For, if anyone is in the Anointed One, he’s a new creation… yes, the first things have passed away, and {Look!} the new things have come to be!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "However, everything comes from God, [and He] brought us back into a good relationship with Him through the Anointed One; then He gave us the service of this restored relationship"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "by putting the restoring words in us; that through the Anointed One, God was reconciling the world to Himself by no longer holding their sins against them."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "And as the result, we are now ambassadors for the Anointed One! So, God is calling [people] through us, and we are begging on behalf of the Anointed One, ‘Come back to a relationship with God!’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "Yes, He made the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for us, so we could become God’s righteousness through him."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "So, as your fellow workers, we also beg you not to waste the loving care of God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "For He says to you, ‘I heard you during a time of favor and I helped you in a day of salvation.’ Look! Now is the time of favor! Look! Now is the day of salvation!’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "We aren’t doing anything to offend anyone so our service can remain spotless."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "Instead, we’re taking our stand as God’s servants in everything… by enduring many difficulties, by shortages of necessities,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "by beatings, by imprisonment, [at the hands of] mobs, by hard work, by sleepless nights, by hunger;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "and by holiness, knowledge, patience, loving care (through the Holy Breath [of God]); by love that isn’t judgmental;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "by telling the truth through the power of God; and by [using] the weapons of righteousness (the right-handed ones and the left-handed ones);"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "through glory and dishonor; through bad reputations and good reputations; as ‘deceivers’ who tell the truth;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "as unknown, but recognized among the dying (and yet, look, we’re alive!); as those who were disciplined but not yet condemned to death;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "as sad, but always rejoicing; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, and yet owning it all!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Why, our mouths have been opened to you, Corinthians, and our hearts are spread wide open!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "So, you aren’t having a hard time finding room inside us; you’re having a hard time making room [for us] inside of you…"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "and this brings its own reward. So, I’m telling you as [my] children: Make more room [inside yourselves] also!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "Don’t yoke yourselves unevenly (like different types of animals under the same yoke) with those who don’t believe, for what do righteousness and law-breaking have in common? Or what does light have in common with darkness?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "What harmony is there between the Anointed One and the wicked one? What can a faithful person share with an unbeliever?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "And what arrangement can the Temple of God have with idols? Why, we are living temples of God; and as God said: ‘I will live and walk among them… I will be their God and they will be My people.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Come out of their midst and separate yourselves, says Jehovah. Don’t touch anything unclean and I’ll take you in!’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "‘I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says Jehovah the Almighty.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "So, since we’ve been given these promises, loved ones, let’s wash off all the filth of the flesh, as well as the person we are on the inside, and become perfectly holy in the fear of God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "Make room for us, because we haven’t wronged anyone, corrupted anyone, or taken advantage of anyone."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "I’m not saying this to condemn you, because (as I told you before) you’re in our hearts, so we will live together and die together."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "I feel perfectly free to speak to you, and I have many reasons to brag about you, for I’m very comfortable [with you] and overflow with joy over all the difficulties that we’ve shared."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "Since we’ve arrived in Macedonia, our bodies haven’t had any relief, for there have been problems over everything. On the outside there are fights, and on the inside there is fear."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "However, the God who comforts the lowly, provided comfort to us through the presence of Titus."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "And it wasn’t just his presence alone that brought us comfort, but it was also due to the comfort that he felt over you, since he again brought us word of your longing, mourning, and zeal for me. And that made me very happy."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, if my [first] letter made you sad, I don’t regret it. And even if I did regret it [at first], I see that my letter just saddened you for a little while."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "But now I’m rejoicing… not because you were saddened, but because you were saddened into repenting! You were saddened in a Godly way, so we didn’t damage you!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "You see; being sad in a Godly way brings repentance that saves, and there’s nothing to regret in that. But worldly sadness brings death."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "So, look at what this sadness in a Godly way has accomplished; see how it speeded things up, created answers, caused indignation, fear, desire, zeal, and vengeance! For, you proved yourselves pure in every way in this matter!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "I didn’t write you because of the one who acted unrighteously, or because of the one that was treated unrighteously, but to prove how earnestly you obey us in the sight of God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "This is the reason why we’ve been comforted! In addition to this comfort, we have even more reason to be happy, because of the joy of Titus. For, the man that he is inside has been refreshed by all of you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "So, if I have bragged to him about you, I haven’t been given any reason to be ashamed of it, because everything that we said about you is true… yes, after we bragged about you to Titus, that [bragging] has proven to be true!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "And he cares for you even more deeply now, as he remembers how well you obey, and how all of you received him with fear and trembling."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "So, I rejoice and am encouraged in every way because of you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "Brothers, we want to tell you about how God’s loving care has been shown toward the congregations of Macedonia."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "Although they are undergoing many trials and difficulties, their tremendous joy and deep poverty brought out the richness of their generosity."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "For, as they were able (and I testify that it was more than they were able to do)"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "and of their own accord, they kept begging us repeatedly to [allow them to] have a share in contributing to the collection for the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "And it wasn’t just as we had hoped they would do, but they gave first to the Lord and then to us, as it was God’s will."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "This led us to encourage Titus (since he was the one who initiated it) to complete the collection among you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "So, because you’re prospering in everything – in faith, words, knowledge, eagerness, and in our love for you – may you also prosper in similar [acts of] loving care."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "I’m not saying this to pressure you; [I’m saying this] because these others have been so eager, and because I want to prove the genuineness of your love."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "For, you know of the loving care that was shown by our Lord Jesus the Anointed One. Why, although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so you could become rich through his poverty."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "This is my opinion and it’s the best way to handle it: Last year, you were the first of those who wanted to give, and you even started to contribute."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "And now; finish what you started, so we can bring all that eagerness and willingness to a conclusion. Give from whatever you have on hand,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "because, if [people] are already willing, it’s best to accept what they have, rather than what they don’t have."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, I’m not trying to make it harder on you than for the others,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "14", "text": "because everything equals out. If you can give more right now, that makes up for those who can give less. And if others can give more than you, that makes up for those [of you] who can give less. So, everything balances out."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "15", "text": "As it’s written: ‘The person with much didn’t have too much, and the person with a little didn’t have too little.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, thanks to God that He put the same earnestness [that I have] for you into the heart of Titus."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "17", "text": "For, he has responded to your encouragement and has decided to return to you quickly."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "18", "text": "We’re also sending a brother along with him, whose praise in the good news has spread throughout all the congregations."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "19", "text": "And that’s not all; He was appointed by the congregations to be our traveling companion and to distribute the gifts that are so willingly being donated for the glory of the Lord."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "20", "text": "That way, we can avoid having anyone complain about us over the generous contributions that are being handled by us."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "21", "text": "For, we are planning ahead to do good things, not just in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "22", "text": "And of course; we’re sending our brother with them who has proven to be sincere so many times and in so many things, but who is now much more sincere because of his greater confidence in you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, if there’s any question about Titus; he’s my partner and my co-worker for your interests. Or if [there are any questions] about [the rest of] our brothers; they are apostles to congregations and a glory to the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 8, "verse": "24", "text": "So, prove your love for them, which we’ve been bragging about to the [other] congregations."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, regarding the collection for the Holy Ones; I shouldn’t have to write you,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "for I know how eager you’ve been. Why, I’ve bragged to the Macedonians about you, telling them that Achaia has been ready for a year now; and your zeal has been an incentive to most of them."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "So, now I’m sending the brothers [to you] so that our bragging about you isn’t in vain… I hope that you’re ready, as I said you’d be."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "Otherwise, if the Macedonians should come with me and find that you aren’t ready, needless to say, we’d be shamed by the assurances we gave."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "So, I thought it would be best to encourage the brothers to come to you ahead of time, and for you to get the generous gift ready that you promised ahead of time. That way, what is given will for a fact be a generous gift, and not something that we’ve extorted from you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "Remember that; He who plants little, harvests a little; and he who plants much, will harvest much."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "So, may each one do whatever he has resolved in his heart… but not grudgingly or under pressure, because God loves a cheerful giver."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "[Remember that] God can show all His loving care for you, so you can have enough of everything, including more than enough for every good purpose!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "As it’s written, ‘He has freely scattered gifts to the poor, so His righteousness remains through the age.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "Thus, the One who supplies plenty of seeds to the farmer and enough bread to those who eat, will supply (and even multiply) the seeds you need to plant, and He will increase your harvests because of your righteousness."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "So, you are really being made rich because of your generosity… for which we thank God!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "Because, the purpose of this public collection isn’t just to supply the needs of the Holy Ones abundantly, but also to [make you] rich through their many words of thanks to God."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "The proof of the value of this service is when [people] glorify God because of you, as you continue to obey and preach the good news about the Anointed One (and because you’re so generous in your contributions to them and to everyone)."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "So, they pray for you and long [to see] you, because of the tremendous loving care that God has shown them through you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "Thanks to God for His indescribable gift!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, I (Paul) am begging you through the mildness and obedient ways of the Anointed One, before whose face there is lowliness in you; and although I’m absent I have this encouragement in you,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "I beg that while I’m not there, I can be encouraged to dare to take on some of those who think of us as just fleshly."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "And although we are for a fact just flesh, we don’t fight in fleshly ways,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "because the weapons that we use aren’t fleshly… they come from the power of God, and they can tear down fortifications!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "So, [we use them to] tear down ideas and all sorts of high-minded things that are raised against the knowledge of God… we capture all thoughts and force them to obey the Anointed One;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "and we are ready to avenge any disobedience (whenever you are disobedient);"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "for you are just looking at faces! Now, if anyone trusts that he belongs to the Anointed One, let him consider the fact that; As he belongs to the Anointed One, so do we!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "So, even if I brag a little too much about the power that the Lord gave us to build you up (not tear you down),"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "I’m not ashamed if I also give you the impression that I want to terrify you with my letters."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "Because, it’s a fact that some are saying, ‘His letters are heavy and forceful, but when he’s here, he’s weak and what he says is worthless.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "So, may they be reminded that what we write about in letters when we’re away, is what we’re going to do when we get there!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, we don’t dare to make comparisons… we don’t compare ourselves with some who think too much of themselves. Because, when they measure themselves, or when they compare themselves against themselves, they don’t really come to the right conclusions."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "But as for us; We don’t have to brag about how we measure up. Rather, we gage everything by the ruler that God gave us to measure with… and that ruler reaches as far as you!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "So, we aren’t stretching ourselves out too far, as though we can’t reach you, because we were the first to come all the way to you [when we] preached the good news about the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "And these braggarts can’t measure [themselves against] the efforts of others. So, it is our hope that; As your faith grows, we will be recognized as great among you when you measure us by this ruler; for then we will be more prosperous"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "as we go preaching the good news to regions that are far beyond you. And then there will be no more bragging over the measurements of someone else’s ruler."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Let the one who brags, brag about the Lord.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "Because, he who sets himself up [as important] isn’t the one who is approved. Rather, it’s he who the Lord recommends!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, I figured that you would put up with a little of my silliness; and you are in fact putting up with me."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "But I’m jealous over you with a Godly zeal, because I personally promised you in marriage to a husband as a chaste virgin, to stand beside the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "However, I’m afraid that somehow, in the same way that the snake cunningly seduced Eve, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are owed to the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "So, if someone comes preaching about a Jesus other than the one we preached to you, or if you receive an inspiration other than the one you’ve already received, or if [you hear] good news other than what you’ve [already] accepted, you tolerate it well."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, I don’t think that I’ve done anything to prove myself inferior to your super-fine ‘apostles.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "And even if I am an unskilled speaker, I’m certainly not [inferior] when it comes to knowledge, for I’ve shown this to you in everything!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "Did I commit some sin by humbling myself so that you would be elevated, when I gladly preached the good news of God to you free of charge?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "Then I must have robbed other congregations by accepting their provisions in order to serve you,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "for when I was with you and in need, I didn’t make myself a burden to anyone. Why, the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed more than adequately. Yes, I’ve kept myself from being a burden to you in every way… and I’ll keep on doing so."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "By the Anointed One; it’s a fact that nobody will put an end to this reason for my boasting in the area of Achaia."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "Why not? Is it because I don’t love you? God knows [that I do]."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "What I’m doing is what I will continue to do, so I can cut off the attacks from those who wish to attack [me]. They want to be proclaimed our equals in this thing that they’re bragging about."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "Yet, they are false apostles… deceivers who are trying to turn themselves into the Apostles of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "And that should come as no surprise, because even the Opposer keeps turning himself into a messenger of light;"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "so it’s nothing special that those who serve him keep turning themselves into servants of righteousness. However, their end will reflect what they’re doing."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "Allow me to tell you this once again: Don’t allow anyone to think that I’m foolish! But if you accept me, even though you think I’m foolish, that gives me a little more to brag about."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, I’m not saying this to follow the Lord’s example, but foolishly as a braggart…"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "since many are bragging as humans do, I’ll brag also."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "It seems that you’re just too happy to put up with foolish people, because you’re so reasonable."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "In fact, you put up with anyone who enslaves you, or who eats, or who takes, or who puts himself on high, or whoever slaps you in the face!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "So, I’m talking as though we were dishonored and weak. Yes, if anyone is daring, I’ll foolishly say that I’m daring also!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "Are they Hebrews? I’m one also! Are they Israelites? Me too! Are they Abraham’s seed? So am I!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "Are they servants of the Anointed One? I reply like a crazy man; I’m even more so! For, [I’ve] worked harder, been in prison more times, been beaten more that anyone else, and have often been near death."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "Why, five times I received forty strokes less one from the Judeans!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "I was beaten with rods three times, I was stoned once, I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and I’ve spent a night and a day in the sea!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "In my travels, I’ve often been in danger from rivers, from robbers, from those of [my own] race, and from [people of] the nations. [I’ve been] in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea… and in danger from false brothers!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "[I’ve] worked and labored hard; I’ve often been sleepless, hungry, thirsty, and starving; and many times [I’ve even been] cold and naked!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "And aside from these external things, there are the anxieties [that I feel] for all the congregations that flood over me each day."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "Who is weak that doesn’t make me weak? And who falls into a trap that doesn’t set me on fire?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "If there has to be bragging, then I’ll brag about the things that show I’m weak!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "Why, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus (the One who is to be praised through the ages) knows that I’m not lying."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "In Damascus, the governor (under Aretas the king) posted guards around the city to arrest me."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "But I was lowered through a window in the wall inside a wicker basket, to escape his hands."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "Yes, although it isn’t good, I have to brag! Allow me to pass on some supernatural visions and revelations from [the] Lord:"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "I know a man in the Anointed One, who some fourteen years ago (whether [it happened] in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, only God knows) was caught away (in whatever state) into the third heaven."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "Yes, I know such a man (whether [it happened] in the body or apart from the body I don’t know, only God knows),"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "who was caught away into paradise and heard unspeakable things that are illegal for a man to say."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "I will brag about a man like that, but I won’t brag about myself, except about my weaknesses."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "Because, if I wish to brag I won’t be foolish, I’ll tell the truth. However, I’m not going to do that, because I don’t want anyone to give me more credit than what he sees that I am, or hears what I say,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "because there are so many things to reveal. And, so that I wouldn’t think too much of myself, I was given a thorn in my flesh… a messenger from the Opposer that keeps slapping me so I don’t get too impressed with myself."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "I’ve begged the Lord three times to remove it from me,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "and He really answered me and said, ‘My loving care is enough for you. [Your] power is being perfected [by your] weakness!’ As the result, I’ll gladly brag about my weaknesses, so the power of the Anointed One may cover me like a tent."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "I [actually] appreciate weaknesses, insults, being in need, and experiencing persecution and difficulties for the Anointed One, because when I’m weak, that’s when I’m powerful!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "I’ve become foolish… and you made me that way, because I should have been recommended by you! Why, even if I were nothing, I wouldn’t be less than those super-fine ‘apostles’ in any way."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "Indeed, it was the sign of an Apostle that produced endurance in you by means of signs, omens, and powerful works."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "So, in what way have you received less than the rest of the congregations… other than the fact that I wasn’t a burden to you? Kindly forgive me for this wrong!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "{Look!} This is the third time that I’ve gotten ready to come to you, and I won’t be a burden to you, because I’m not looking for the things you have, but for you! You see, children shouldn’t be setting something aside for their parents; parents [should be setting things aside] for their children!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "As for me, I will happily spend and be spent for your lives! Now, if I love you the most, should I then be the one who is loved the least?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "Let it be, but I’ve never been a burden to you. Or was I sneaky and did I catch you by trickery?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, I didn’t take advantage of you through any of those that I sent to you, did I?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "I urged Titus [to go to you] and I sent a brother along with him. Titus didn’t take advantage of you in any way, did he? Don’t we both act the same way and follow in the same footsteps?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "Have you been thinking about all of this as we’ve been defending ourselves to you? For, we’re speaking before God [and] in the Anointed One! Loved ones; everything [we’ve done is] to build you up!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "Yet, I’m afraid that when I arrive, I may not find you to be as I wish… then I might not prove to be something that you’d wish for. I don’t want to find divisions, jealousy, anger, arguing, backbiting, whispering, pride, or disorder,"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "for if that happens; perhaps the next time I come, my God might humiliate me over you, and I would have to mourn over many of those who sinned and who haven’t repented for the uncleanness, immorality, and the dirty things that they’ve done."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, this is the third time that I’ll be coming to you, and ‘from the mouths of two or three witnesses, everything that’s said is established.’"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "So, I’ve said it before, and I’m telling you ahead of time, the same as I did in my second visit (since I’m not there now); yes, to you who have sinned before, and to all the rest… when I come again, I will not spare!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "Because, you’re looking for proof that the Anointed One is speaking through me, and He isn’t weak toward you… he’s powerful among you!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "He was hung on a pole through weakness, but now he’s alive through the power of God! And although we are weak in him, we will live along with him through the power of God that’s in you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "So, keep testing yourselves to see whether you’re in the faith… prove what you are! Don’t you recognize that Jesus the Anointed One is in you… that is, as long as you have his approval?"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "And I truly hope you realize that we haven’t been disapproved!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, we pray to God that you don’t do anything wrong… not to make us look like we’re approved, but so that you may be doing what’s good even if that makes us look disapproved."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "For, we are unable to do anything against the truth; only for the truth."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "And we rejoice whenever we are weak but you are powerful, because that’s what we’re praying for… for you to be restored!"}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "That’s why I’m writing these things while I’m away, so that when I’m there, I won’t have to cut anyone off; and so [I can] use the authority that the Lord gave me to build up, not to tear down."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "Finally brothers; Keep on rejoicing, growing to perfection, being comforted, sharing the same thoughts, and living peaceably; then the God of love and peace will be with you."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "Greet each other with a holy kiss."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "All the Holy Ones send you their greetings."}
{"book": "2CO", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "May the loving care of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One, the love of God, and a sharing in the Holy Breath be with all of you."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul (who was appointed an Apostle not by a man nor through a man, but through Jesus the Anointed One and God the Father, who raised [Jesus] from the dead)"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "and all the brothers with me, to the congregations of Galatia:"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "May you receive loving care and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus the Anointed One;"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "he who gave himself for our sins to save us from this wicked age, because that was the will of our God and Father,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "to whom be the glory into the ages of ages. May it be."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "I’m amazed that you’re so quickly making the change from He who called you by the loving care of the Anointed One, to a different type of good news."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "It really isn’t another [good news], it’s just that certain ones among you are causing problems and trying to change the good news about the Anointed One."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "However, if we or a messenger from heaven were to come preaching something to you as good news other than the good news that we’ve already preached to you; Let him be cursed!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Let me say it again; Whoever preaches good news to you other than what you’ve already believed; Let him be cursed!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "Who do you think I’m trying to persuade, men or God? Am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men I wouldn’t be slaving for the Anointed One."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "So, I want you to understand this, brothers; The good news that I preached as good news didn’t come from men,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "because I didn’t get it from men, nor did anyone teach it [to me]. [It came] through a revelation from Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "Of course, you’ve heard about the way that I used to act [while I was involved] in Judaism. I fanatically persecuted the congregation of God and tried to destroy it."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "Why, I was more advanced in Judaism than many others of my own age and race, and I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "But when the God who took me from my mother’s womb called [me] through His loving care"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "to reveal his Son through me so I could preach the good news about him to the nations, I didn’t look for the advice of flesh and blood."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "Nor did I go to Jerusalem, to those who became Apostles before me. Rather, I went off to Arabia, and then I returned to Damascus."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "I didn’t go up to Jerusalem until three years later, and there I visited Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "However, I didn’t see any of the rest of the Apostles, just the Lord’s brother, James."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "Look! I’m not lying to you about any of the things that I’m writing in the sight of God!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "After that, I traveled to the provinces of Syria and Cilicia."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "But the congregations (in union with the Anointed One) of Judea wouldn’t have recognized my face."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "All they heard about me was; ‘The man who used to persecute us is now preaching the good news about the same faith that he once tried to destroy.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "So, they glorified God because of me."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "Then after fourteen years, I finally went to Jerusalem again, taking BarNabas and Titus along with me."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "But the reason why I went, was as the result of a revelation [that I received]. I told the prominent ones who were there about the good news that I’m preaching to the nations, but I did this privately for fear that somehow I was (or had been) wasting my time."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Now Titus, who was with me, was a Greek; yet, they didn’t force him to be circumcised!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "But there were also some false brothers who were brought in that looked down on the freedom we have in the Anointed Jesus. And they wanted to make us their slaves…"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "but we wouldn’t give in to them even for an instant, so that the truth of the good news might reach to you!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, when it comes to those who seemed to be important (whatever they used to be makes no difference to me, because God doesn’t go by what a man appears to be on the outside), they didn’t show me anything new."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "In fact, it was just the opposite; for, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news to the uncircumcised, as Peter was for those who are circumcised"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "(because, the one who gave Peter the powers of an Apostleship to the circumcised, also gave me such powers for those of the nations)…"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "yes, when they came to know the loving care that was shown to me; James, Cephas, and John (the ones who seemed to be pillars) gave BarNabas and I their approval to go to the nations, while they would go to the circumcised."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "However, [we were told] to remember the poor, and I’ve tried hard to do that."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "Then, when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because I knew that he was wrong."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "[This is because], before certain men who came from James arrived, he used to eat with people of the nations. But after they arrived, he stopped associating [with them] and [started acting like a Jew] in fear of those who were circumcised."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "[As the result], all the rest of the Jews also joined in this performance. Why, they influenced even BarNabas into this hypocrisy!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "But when I saw that they weren’t following the path of the truth of the good news, I asked Cephas there in front of everyone: ‘If you’re a Jew who lives as people of the nations do, not as Jews do, then why are you forcing those of the nations to become like Jews?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "We who are natural Jews (not sinners from the nations)"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "know that a man isn’t called righteous because of following the Law, but through faith in the Anointed Jesus. Why, even we had to put faith in the Anointed Jesus, so we could be called righteous by our faith in him, not by following the Law! So, no flesh will be called righteous due to following the Law!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "‘Now, if we are found to be sinners while we’re trying to be called righteous by means of the Anointed One, is the Anointed One a servant of sin? May that never happen!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "However, if I build the things back up again that I once tore down, I prove that I’m a sinner!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "‘Now, as for me; I died to the Law so that I could become alive to God."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "I was hung on a pole along with the Anointed One, so it’s no longer me that’s alive, but the Anointed One who is living in me. As the result; the life that I’m now living in the flesh is being lived for the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "I’m not pushing the loving care of God aside, but if righteousness comes through the Law, the Anointed One died [for nothing].’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "O foolish Galatians; Who has cast an evil spell over you? Yes, you whose eyes have seen what was written about Jesus the Anointed One being impaled!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "I just want to ask you one thing: Did you receive the Breath because of obeying the Law, or because you had faith in the things that [you] heard?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Are you so foolish? Did you start out in the Breath [of God] just to end up in the flesh?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "Did you go through so much suffering for no reason? If there really wasn’t any reason for it,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "then, did the One who gave you His Breath and who performs powerful works through you do it because you’re obeying the Law, or because you had faith in the things you heard?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "Remember that Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and that’s why he was considered righteous."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "So, don’t you know that those who have faith are the sons of Abraham?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, God gave the good news to Abraham because He saw ahead of time that He would be calling people of the nations righteous due to their faith. For He said: ‘All the nations will be blest because of you.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "So, those who have faith are being blest along with faithful Abraham!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, all those who are under the Law are under a curse, because it’s written, ‘Everyone is cursed that doesn’t follow and do everything that is written in the scroll of the Law.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "So, it’s obvious that no one is called righteous before God because of obeying the Law… for, ‘the righteous one will live because of his faith.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, the Law doesn’t have much to do with faith, because, ‘he who obeys them must live by them.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "However, the Anointed One bought our freedom from the Law’s curse by becoming cursed for us. As it is written: ‘Every man who is hung on a tree is cursed.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "So the reason why this happened was so that the blessing of Abraham could come through Jesus the Anointed One, and the nations could receive the promised Breath… which [we received] because of our faith!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "Brothers, allow me to explain this in human terms: Nobody can change or destroy a valid contract between men."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "And the promises were given to ‘Abraham and his seed.’ It doesn’t say, ‘to his seeds,’ as though there were many of them, but just one, ‘to your seed,’ who is the Anointed One!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "So, let me also say this about that Sacred Agreement which God agreed to: The Law (that came some four hundred and thirty years later) didn’t destroy [the Agreement with Abraham], so its promise hasn’t been done away with."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "However, if the inheritance comes from the Law, then it doesn’t come from the promise anymore… yet God kindly gave it to Abraham because of the promise."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "Then, why [do we have] the Law? It was added to show us what sin was, until the seed (about which the promise was given) arrived, and [heavenly] messengers put it into the hands of a mediator."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, there’s no need for a mediator when only one person is involved, and God is just one."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "So, does the Law go against God’s promise? May that never happen! For, if the Law had been provided to give [people] life, then righteousness would come by following the Law."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "However, those scriptures make everything sinful, so [the reason for the Law] is for the promise (through faith in Jesus the Anointed One) to be given to those who believe."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "But before faith arrived, we were all locked up together and guarded by the Law, until the [the time when] the things of faith would be revealed."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "As the result, the Law has kept on reminding us of the Anointed One, so that we could be called righteous because of our faith."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "But now that the faith has arrived, we don’t need a reminder anymore!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "26", "text": "The fact is; you’re all sons of God because of your faith in the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "27", "text": "And all who were baptized into the Anointed One have put on the Anointed One."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "28", "text": "So, there aren’t any Jews or Greeks, slaves or freemen, males or females; because you’re all one in the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "29", "text": "And if you’re [part] of the Anointed One, you’re really the seed of Abraham and heirs of the promise!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, let me point out that; as long as the heir is a baby, he isn’t any different from a slave. For, although he’s the master over everything,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "he’s still under those who are in charge and [he’s] under the household manager until a day comes that is selected by his father."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "And that’s how it was with us. When we were [spiritual] babies, we were slaves to the rules of this world."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "But when the time arrived, God sent his Son (who came through a woman and was under the Law),"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "so he could buy those who were under the Law and adopt us as sons."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "Now, because you’re [His] sons, God has sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts, where it calls out, ‘Papa… Father!’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "So, you’re no longer slaves, but sons. And if you are sons, you’re God’s heirs!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "Back when you didn’t know God, you were slaves to those who really aren’t gods."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "But now that you’ve come to know God – or rather, now that God has come to know you – why are you returning to those weak and sorry rules… why do you want to become their slave again?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "Here you are, carefully observing monthly, seasonal, and annual holidays,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "and I’m afraid that all the work I’ve done for your sakes has been wasted!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "Brothers, I beg you; Become like me, because I used to be just like you! You’ve never done me any wrong."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, you knew that I had a severe fleshly weakness when I preached the good news to you the first time."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "And although this problem must have created difficulties for you, you didn’t treat it with contempt or spit on it in disgust. You received me like a messenger from God… like the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "So, where’s that happiness you [once] had? Why, I can testify to the fact that if it had been possible, you would have taken out your eyes and given them to me!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "But, have I now become your enemy because I’m telling you the truth?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "[There are those who are] zealously chasing after you for bad reasons… they want to snip you off and make you their zealous followers."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "And it’s good for you to be zealously chased after all the time, as long as it’s for a good purpose (and not just when I’m with you)."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "O my little children; I’m enduring childbirth pains again until the Anointed One becomes strong in you."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "I wish that I could be there with you right now and talk in a different tone of voice, because I just don’t know how to help you!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "Those of you who want to be under Law, tell me this: Don’t you hear the Law?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "It was written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant girl and the other by the free woman."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "The one who came through the servant girl was born in the flesh, but the other [who came] through the free woman, [was born] because of a promise."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "Now, this story is symbolic. The two [women] mean two Sacred Agreements. One came from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery (like Hagar);"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "so this Hagar means Sinai (a mountain in Arabia), and she symbolizes Jerusalem today, who is in slavery with her children."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "26", "text": "But the Jerusalem above is free, and she’s our mother."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "27", "text": "For it’s written: ‘Be happy, you childless woman who hasn’t given birth. Break out [in song] and shout aloud, O you woman who has never known the pains of childbirth; because the barren woman has more children than the one who is married.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "28", "text": "Brothers, we are children of the promise, as Isaac was."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "29", "text": "And just as the one who was born in the flesh started persecuting the one who was born through the Breath; that’s what’s happening now!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "30", "text": "So, what do the Scriptures say? ‘Drive out the servant girl and her son, because the son of the servant girl will never be an heir with the son of the free woman!’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "31", "text": "So brothers, we aren’t the children of a servant girl, but of the free woman!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Why, the Anointed One set us free so we can be free! So, stand up and don’t allow yourselves to be put under the yoke of slavery again!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "Look! I (Paul) am telling you that if you get circumcised, the Anointed One won’t be of any use to you!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "And I again testify to every man who gets circumcised, that he’s obligated to obey the whole Law thereafter."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "Those of you who are trying to be called righteous by the Law have voided the Anointed One and have fallen from his loving care."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "However, we of the Spirit are eagerly awaiting the (hoped-for) righteousness that comes from faith."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Because, circumcision doesn’t have any value, nor does uncircumcision, when [it comes to] the Anointed Jesus. The only thing that does [have value] is faith that is motivated by love!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "You were running so well; so who’s trying to keep you from obeying the truth?"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "Such an idea isn’t coming from the One who is calling you;"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "but ‘a little yeast ferments the whole ball [of dough].’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "I’m confident that you who are in the Lord wouldn’t have thought anything else; but the one who is causing all this agitation will have to face up to his judgment, no matter who he may be!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "Brothers; if I were preaching circumcision, then why would I be persecuted? If that were true, the impaling pole wouldn’t be a trap anymore!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "Oh, I wish that those who are stirring you up would cut on themselves!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "You were called to be free, brothers! So don’t use this freedom to serve your flesh; [use it] to slave for each other in love."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Because, the entire Law is fulfilled in the words: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "However, if you keep on snapping at each other and chewing each other up, be careful that you don’t swallow each other down!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "I tell you this: If you keep walking by the Breath, you won’t do anything that your flesh desires."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "For, what the flesh wants is at odds with what the Breath wants, and the Breath is at odds with the flesh – they are in opposition to each other – so you don’t do the things that you may like to do."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "And if the Breath is leading you, you aren’t under the Law."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "Now, the things that the flesh does are known. They include sexual immorality, uncleanness, unseemly acts,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "worshiping idols, involvement in the occult, hatred, quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, divisions, sects,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "envying, getting drunk, wild partying, and things like that. I’m warning you now as I’ve warned you before, that those who do such things won’t inherit God’s Kingdom."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "However, the fruitage of [God’s] Breath is love, joy, peace, patience, caring, goodness, faith,"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "reasonableness, and self-control… and there are no laws against such things."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "But those who belong to the Anointed Jesus have hung their flesh on the pole, along with its passions and desires."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "So if we’re living by [God’s] Breath, then let’s walk in the Breath…"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "don’t be conceited, and [don’t] challenge or envy one another!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "Brothers, if anyone is ever caught up in doing bad things, those of you who have the Breath should try to restore that person in a reasonable way, as you keep an eye on yourselves so you aren’t tempted also."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "Carry each other’s loads, and you’ll fulfill the law of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "Because; if anyone thinks he’s something when he’s nothing, he’s just fooling himself."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "So, let each one prove [the value] of what he’s doing to himself first, and then he can brag to himself, not to other people."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "For, each one has to carry his own load."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "Also; May those who teach the Word share all the good things that they have with those whom they’re teaching."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, don’t make any mistake when it comes to this: You can’t mock God! Because, whatever a person is planting, is what he’s going to harvest."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "So, if he’s planting [the desires] of his own flesh, he will harvest decay from the flesh. And if he’s planting things that have to do with [God’s] Breath, he’ll harvest life in the age."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "So, let’s not misbehave… let’s keep on doing what’s right until that time comes, because we’ll harvest what we deserve if we don’t tire out."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "Thus, in the time that we have left, may we do good things for everyone… and especially toward those who are related to us in the Faith."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Look at these large letters that I wrote with my own hand!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "All those who want to be physically praised are telling you that you must be circumcised so that they won’t be persecuted over the impaling pole of the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "But these [same ones] who want you to be circumcised not only fail to obey the Law themselves; they also want you to be circumcised so that they can have a reason to brag over your flesh!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "May I never find myself bragging, except over the impaling pole of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One; for it’s through him that I’ve put the world on the pole, as I’ve done to myself when it comes to this world."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "Circumcision isn’t anything, nor is uncircumcision; but a new creation [is something]!"}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "May peace and mercy be on everyone who walks in line with this rule, and upon the Israel of God."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "Finally, let no one undermine my work, because I have the brand of Jesus on my body."}
{"book": "GAL", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "May the loving care of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with you brothers. May it be."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, an Apostle of the Anointed Jesus (by the will of God), to the Holy Ones in Ephesus and to those who have faith in the Anointed Jesus:"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "May you receive loving care and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One be praised, for He has blest us with every blessing of his Breath in the heavens, through the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "He chose us to be in Him before the world came to be, so we could be holy and unblemished before Him in love."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "For, He envisioned us as adopted sons through Jesus the Anointed One, as it pleases His will,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "in praise of the glory of the concern that [is shown by] the one through whom He favored us… the one that He loved."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "It’s through him and his blood that our ransom has been paid, and it’s through the richness of his concern that our sins can be forgiven."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "He has given us more wisdom and good sense than we need,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "and he has allowed us to understand the mystery of His will, which He laid out in front of him as He pleases,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "as an arrangement (when the time comes) to bring everything in heaven and earth under the headship of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "We were selected to be heirs through him, as the one who operates everything the way his will directs and has planned,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "so that we can praise his glory… yes, we who have put our hope in the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "[This is the one] about whom you heard the word of truth (the good news that is saving you); the one you believed in and who sealed you with the promised Holy Breath"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "that was given in advance as a token of the inheritance which we will receive, and which has been reserved for us, for the glory of his praise."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "That’s why, when I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the Holy Ones,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "I haven’t stopped giving thanks for you. I keep mentioning you in my prayers,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "asking that the God of our Lord Jesus (the Anointed One), who is the Father of glory, will give you the spirit of wisdom and the revelation of an accurate knowledge of Him;"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "and that the eyes of your hearts will be enlightened so you can know the glorious richness of the hope that He has called you for, and which He holds as an inheritance for the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "O how great His power is toward us who are believers, as it operates through the mightiness of His strength,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "which He showed in the case of the Anointed One when He raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavens,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "far above every government, authority, power, lordship, and above every name that has been given, not only in this age, but also in the one that’s coming."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "He has put everything under his feet and made him the head over everything to the congregation"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "(his body), to fill him with everything that belongs to the One who does the filling."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "You have died to the ways of sin and error"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "that you once walked in (the ways of this worldly age), when you used to follow the ruler of the power of the air… the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "That’s the way we were all headed once, following human desires and doing whatever our bodies wanted. For, because of the cravings that we once had, we were like everyone else… the natural children of [God’s] wrath."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "But, due to the love He had for us, God (who is so rich in mercy)"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "made us alive to the Anointed One while we were still dead in our failings. So, His loving care has saved you…"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "He lifted us up and seated us in the heavens in the Anointed Jesus,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "so that He could show to all those upon whom the ages are coming, the tremendous richness of His loving care, by His kindness upon us through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, it’s because of [His] loving care that you’ve been saved through faith. This doesn’t come from inside you; it’s a gift from God!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Nor is it because of anything that you’ve done so you can brag."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Rather, we were something that was made for Him, having been created by the Anointed Jesus before God, by the good deeds that he prepared for us to walk in."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "So, don’t forget that you were once people of the nations in the flesh, and you were called the uncircumcised by those who were circumcised by hand in the flesh."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "And at that time, you were without the Anointed One… aliens to the citizens of Israel and strangers to the Sacred Agreements of the promise… you were godless and without hope in this world."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "But now (in the Anointed Jesus), you who were once far away have come to be near by means of the blood of the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "for he is our peace. He’s the one who made [Jews and Gentiles] one, and tore down the wall that fenced them off from each other."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "Through his flesh, he destroyed the hatred [that was brought about by] the Law of Commandments and rules, so he could make the two people a new man and bring peace through himself."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "He brought both [types of] people back to God in one body with the impaling pole, so he used himself to destroy the hatred."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Then when he came, he preached the good news of peace both to you who were far away and to those [of us] who were nearby."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "So, because of him we can now all approach the Father together through the same Spirit."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "As the result, you are no longer strangers and aliens; you are fellow citizens among the Holy Ones and fellow members of the house of God!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "You’ve been erected on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, whose highest cornerstone is the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "And through him, the whole building is coming together and is growing into a Holy Temple for Jehovah."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "Through him, you’re being assembled into a place for God to live through [His] Breath."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "I give thanks that I (Paul) am a slave to the Anointed Jesus on your behalf. Yes you, the people of the nations."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "Perhaps you’ve heard about the responsibility that I (by the loving care of God) was given for you,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "and how (as I wrote you briefly earlier) this mystery was revealed to me."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "As you read on, hopefully you can grasp [how well] I understand the mystery of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "[This mystery] wasn’t revealed to past generations of the sons of men. However, it has now been revealed to his holy Apostles and Prophets by means of [God’s] Breath…"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "that people of the nations will be fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise (in the Anointed One, Jesus), through the good news."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "I became a servant of this through the gift that was given me by the loving care of God, and in harmony with His Power."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "This caring was shown to me (a man who is less than the least of all the Holy Ones), so that I should preach the good news about the unimaginable richness of the Anointed One to the nations,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "and to shine a light on how this mystery that has been hidden away through the ages in God (who created all things) works out,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "so that governments and heavenly powers might learn about the vast wisdom of God through the called ones."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "This has been His purpose of the ages through the Anointed Jesus, our Lord."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "And it’s through our confidence and faith in Him that we have this freedom to speak and this direction."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "It’s also because of this that I’m asking you not to tire of the concern that I have for you, because it glorifies you."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "For, it’s over this that I thankfully bend my knees to the Father"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "(out of which all lines from a father, both in heaven and on earth, are named)"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "to [ask Him to] grant you (by the richness of His glory) the power to become strong in His Breath and to make the man that you are on the inside"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "alive in the Anointed One, through faith in your hearts with love; and to give you enough roots and foundation"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "to be able to understand (along with all the Holy Ones) the width, length, height, and depth;"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "to know of the love of the Anointed One (which is more than you can understand) and to fill you with all the fullness that God gives."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, to the One who (through His power that operates in us) can do far more than anything we can ask or even conceive;"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "may He be glorified by the congregation and by the Anointed Jesus into all generations of the age of the ages… may it be."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "So, as a prisoner in the Lord, I urge you to be worthy of the calling that you received,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "[doing this] with all humility, gentleness, and patience, while you lovingly put up with each other."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Try hard to recognize the unifying force of [God’s] Breath and its power to bring you together in peace."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "For, there’s just one body and one Spirit, according to the one hope that you were called to when you were called;"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "there’s just one Lord, one faith, one baptism,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "and one God and Father of everyone, who is over all, through all, and in all."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, the amount of loving care that was shown to each of us depends on how much of the Gift the Anointed One measured out to us."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "For he says, ‘He stepped up into the highest place and carried off captivity as a captive; then he gave gifts to the men.’"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, when it says ‘he stepped up,’ this also means that he first stepped down to the lower places… to the earth."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "So, the one who stepped down also stepped up – high above the skies – so he could make everything complete."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Then he gave them; those who are Apostles, those who are Prophets, those who are messengers of the good news, and those who are shepherds and teachers,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "in order to prepare the Holy Ones for the work of serving and strengthening the body of the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "until we all become one in the faith and gain an complete knowledge of the Son of God to the point where it’s a completed man who fully measures up to the stature of the Anointed One…"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "so we won’t be babies anymore, being tossed up and back by waves, and being blown around by every wind of the treacherous teachings of men who will use any means to do something that’s wrong."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "So, while holding onto the truth (and in love), let’s grow up in every way into he who is the head… the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "For, he brings the body together… he assembles its parts and makes all the connections so as to supply each part what it needs (depending on its function), so the body grows and strengthens itself in love."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "I tell you this and testify to it in the Lord: You must not continue in the path that the nations are following! For, their thoughts are worthless,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "their minds have been darkened to any understanding, and they are aliens to a Godly life because of their ignorance and [their] dull hearts."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "And because it no longer causes them any pain, they’ve given themselves over to living wasted lives and being greedy for filthy things."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "However, that isn’t the way you’ve learned the Anointed One to be –"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "if you for a fact did hear him and were taught about him – because, truth comes through Jesus."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "So, get rid of those old ways that are being corrupted by the enticements that come from desire,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "and renew the spirit of your minds!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "24", "text": "Then put on the new person; [the one] that is created by God’s Will in the righteousness and loyalty of the truth."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "25", "text": "Also, get rid of lying… you must always tell your neighbors the truth, because we’re all fellow body parts of each other!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "26", "text": "[You can] be provoked, but don’t sin… don’t let the sun set on the reason for your provokation,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "27", "text": "nor allow any room for the Slanderer."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "28", "text": "And the one who steals shouldn’t steal anymore. Rather, let him work hard and do good things with his hands, so he will have something to share with the needy."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "29", "text": "Nor should you allow any foul words to come out of your mouths. Rather, use good words that are upbuilding (as they are needed) to show that you care for those who listen to you."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "30", "text": "Don’t sadden the Holy Breath of God into which you were sealed in that Day when your ransom was paid!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "31", "text": "Cause all the bitterness, anger, wrath, screaming, and slandering to be taken away from you, along with everything [else] that’s bad,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "32", "text": "and be kind to each other… be sympathetic and graciously forgive each other, as God (by the Anointed One) has graciously forgiven you."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Become imitators of God as His loved children,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "and keep on walking in love, as the Anointed One loved you and gave himself up for you as an offering… a sweet smelling sacrifice to God."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "Don’t allow sexual immorality or any type of uncleanness or greediness to be even mentioned among you, as would be expected from holy people."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "Nor [should you share in] shameful conduct, foolishness, or dirty jokes (which are all unbecoming), but rather, in giving thanks."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "Because, you already recognize and know that all those who are immoral, unclean, and greedy (which really amounts to being idol worshipers) won’t have any inheritance in the Kingdom of God and the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Don’t allow anyone to seduce you into using empty words. For, it’s because of things like this that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "So, don’t join in with them,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "because; although you were once dark, you are now light in the Lord. So, keep walking as children of light!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "The fruitage of light is every sort of goodness, righteousness, and truth…"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "things that prove to be pleasing to the Lord."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "So, don’t share in the unproductive deeds of darkness, but speak out against them."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "It’s shameful to talk about things that are only done in private,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "because everything that the light speaks against is being exposed, and all the things that are being made known are the light."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "That’s why he says, ‘Wake up, you who are sleeping, and lift yourselves from among the dead; then the Anointed One will shine upon you.’"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "Therefore, pay close attention to the way you’re walking, so it’s not like those who are foolish, but as those who are wise."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "Buy time for yourselves, because these are wicked days…"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "And don’t be getting drunk on wine, which leads down an unsavory path. Rather, fill yourselves with the Breath [of God]."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "Sing to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and songs through the Breath [of God]… sing and create music in your hearts to Jehovah"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "in the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One. And always give thanks to our God and Father for everything!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "Submit to each other as in the fear of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "Wives should submit to their husbands as they would to the Lord,"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "because a husband is the head of his wife as the Anointed One is the head of the congregation and the savior of that body."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "So, as the congregation submits to the Anointed One, is how wives should [submit] to their husbands in everything."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "Husbands; Love your wives as the Anointed One loved the congregation and gave himself up"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "to make it holy. He washed it in a bath of water (so to speak),"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "in order to present a glorious gathering to himself that doesn’t have any spots, wrinkles, or any such things, but which is holy and without any blemishes."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "That’s how husbands should love their wives… as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "29", "text": "For, nobody ever hates his own flesh, but he feeds and takes pride in it, just as the Anointed One does the congregation."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "30", "text": "So, we’ve become parts of his body, and"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "31", "text": "that’s why ‘a man will leave his father and mother and stick with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "32", "text": "Now, this is a great mystery… I’m saying; Into the Anointed One and the congregation!"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "33", "text": "However, each of you should love your wives as you do yourselves, and wives should have [Godly] fear for their husbands."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "You children; Obey your parents in the Lord, because this is righteous."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "‘Honor your father and mother,’ for this is the first Commandment that came with a promise…"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "‘so things will go well for you and you can live in the land for a long time.’"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "Fathers; Don’t frustrate your children, but raise them with discipline and put the mind of the Lord in them."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "You slaves; Be obedient to those who are your fleshly masters, with [Godly] fear, and with contrite and sincere hearts, just as [you would] to the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "Don’t just put on a good show to please men, but as slaves of the Anointed One, do the will of God whole souled."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Be willing slaves of the Lord (not of men),"}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "because you know that whatever good each one does will be rewarded by the Lord, whether he’s a slave or a freeman."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "You masters; Keep on doing the same for [your slaves], and don’t threaten them, because you know that your Master in the heavens is over both them and you, and He doesn’t recognize any difference [between you]."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "Finally, become powerful in the mightiness and strength of the Lord."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Put on the complete suit of armor of The God, so you can resist the methods of the Slanderer."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "For, our fight isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the governments, the authorities, the mighty ones of this worldly darkness, and against the unseen power of wickedness in the heavens."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "So because of this, take up all the armor from God [so you can] fight in that wicked day and still be left standing in the end."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "Stand there with your hips wrapped in truth and wearing the breastplate of righteousness."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "Wrap your feet and get them ready with the good news of peace."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "And above all, pick up the large shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "Also, accept the helmet of salvation and the sword of [God’s] Breath, which is the sayings of God."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "Pray in every way and always keep begging [God]. Pray at all times in the Breath [of God] and stay awake… don’t give up! Also, keep begging [Him] on behalf of all the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "And [pray] for me too, so that words may be given to me to open my mouth and speak freely in order to make the mystery of the good news known."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "For, that’s why I’m an ambassador in chains… to speak out boldly about it and to tell the things that I’m supposed to say."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "Now, so you can know how I’m getting along and what I’m doing, TychiKos (a beloved brother and faithful servant of the Lord) will explain everything to you."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "22", "text": "This is why I’m sending him to you… to let you know what’s happening with us and to comfort your hearts."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "23", "text": "Peace to the brothers; And love with faith from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "EPH", "chapter": 6, "verse": "24", "text": "May all those who have an uncorrupted love for our Lord Jesus the Anointed One receive [His] loving care."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul and Timothy, slaves of the Anointed Jesus; to all the Holy Ones in the Anointed Jesus [who are] in Philippi, along with the overseers and servants:"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "May you have kindness and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "I thank my God every time you’re mentioned,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "and I’m always begging [God] in behalf of all of you… and I beg with joy,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "because of the share you’ve had in the good news from the first day until now."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "I’m confident that the one who started this good work among you will continue to perfect it until the Day of Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "So, it’s a righteous thing for me to be concerned about all of you, and I’ve kept you in my heart while I’m here in prison defending and reaffirming the good news, because all of you have shared with me in [his] loving care."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "God is my witness as to how much I long for all of you with the same tender affection that the Anointed Jesus has."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "And this is what I keep praying: That your love can continue to grow more and more, along with your accurate knowledge and understanding."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "[I also pray] that you will be sure to prove whether anything new that you hear is true, so you can be found to be sincere and not be stumbled until the Day of the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "and that you can be filled with righteous fruit through the Anointed Jesus, to God’s glory and praise."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Now, I want you to know this, brothers: I’m seeing results from the things that I’m doing for the advancement of the good news."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, my imprisonment because of the Anointed One has become public knowledge among the entire Praetorian Guard and everyone else [here]."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "And because most of the brothers in the Lord are now more confident as the result of my imprisonment, they are showing more courage when it comes to fearlessly teaching the Word of God."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "While it’s true that some are preaching the Anointed One out of envy and rivalry, many others are doing so for good motives…"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "they’re doing it out of love, because they know that [the reason why] I’m lying here is to defend the good news."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "But none of the rest are doing it for a good reason; they’re preaching the Anointed One by arguing, and they think that this will create more problems for me while I’m in prison."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "Why? It doesn’t make any difference, for whether they’re just pretending or they’re being sincere, the Anointed One is being made known, and I rejoice over this. In fact, I’ll keep on rejoicing,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "because I know that through your earnest prayers and a [generous] supply of the spirit of Jesus the Anointed One, I will be saved."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "I eagerly hope (and don’t expect to be disappointed) that I will soon be able to speak freely about the Anointed One as before, and now even more so, whether my body is dead or alive."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "For, life to me is the Anointed One and death is my reward."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "But if I keep living in the flesh, I consider this is the fruitage of my work. Which do I prefer? I won’t say,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "for I’m obsessed by the two. What I desire is to be released [from this body] and to be with the Anointed One. This is surely the best."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "However, for your sakes, it’s better for me to remain in the flesh."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "And because I’m confident of this, I know that I will survive and still be with all of you. [That way, I’ll be able] to help you to grow in the joy of the faith;"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "and then your reasons for pride in the Anointed Jesus will grow because of me, due to the fact that I’ll be with you again."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "Just behave in a way that’s worthy of the good news about the Anointed One, so that; regardless of whether I’m coming to visit or I’m far away, I can hear [good] things about you, such as; that you’re all standing firm with the same motivations, and that you’re serving the faith of the good news side-by-side as a single person,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "not being frightened by those who oppose you. Such [fine conduct on your part] proves all the others to be worthy of destruction, but you to be worthy of salvation. And such a thing comes from God,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "because you’ve been given the privilege to not only putting faith in Him, but also to suffer for the sake of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 1, "verse": "30", "text": "Yes, you’ve had to struggle with the same things that you saw I had to [struggle with], and which you’re now hearing are happening to me again."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "If there’s anything that would encourage me in the Anointed One (any consoling love, any sharing of spirit, any caring or compassion…"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "anything that would make my joy in you complete), [it would be to hear that] you all agree and share the same love; that you’ve become as a single person who is thinking the same thoughts;"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "[that you aren’t] doing anything out of spite or pride, but that you humbly believe all the others are better than you;"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "and that you’re not just watching out for yourselves, but for the best interests of each other."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "Keep this attitude in you that the Anointed Jesus had."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For, although he once existed in the same form as God, he didn’t consider trying to make himself equal to God."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Rather, he emptied himself into the shape of a slave and became a man."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "And when he found himself shaped as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death… yes, death on a pole."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "This is why God promoted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above all others,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "so that in the name of Jesus every knee in heaven, on earth, and under the ground should bend,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "and every tongue should confess that Jesus the Anointed One is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "So, my loved ones; In the same way that you have always obeyed (not just when I’m there but also while I’m away), keep working toward your salvation as you tremble with fear."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "For God is the One who provides the will and the way, if you have the desire."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "Do everything without complaining or arguing,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "so you can become blameless and innocent children of God who are unblemished in this crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as windows to the world!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "Hang onto the life-giving words, so that on the Day of the Anointed One, I can be proud that I didn’t run without any reason, or have worked so hard in vain."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, even if I am being poured out as a drink offering over the sacrifice and welfare of your faith, I’m thankful and I rejoice with all of you…"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "and I want you to be glad and rejoice with me in that same way!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "I hope (in the Lord Jesus) to send Timothy to you soon, so I can receive consolation by hearing how you’re getting along."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "For, I have no one else who shares this same spirit and who genuinely cares about your needs."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "Everyone else is watching out for their own interests… not those of the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "But you recognize how well [Timothy] has proven himself, for he has slaved with me like a child with his father, when it comes to promoting the good news."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "So, this is the man that I hope to send to you, just as soon as I see where I really stand in this situation I’m in."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "However, I’m confident in the Lord that I will soon be able to come to see you myself."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "I also considered it necessary to return EpaPhraditus (my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, but your envoy and social worker for my assistance) to you."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "This is because he has been longing to see all of you, and he’s concerned that you learned about his illness."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "Yes, he was indeed ill… almost to the point of death! However, God had mercy on him… and not just on him, but on me too, so I wouldn’t be grieved with sadness!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "So, I’m sending him to you immediately, and when you see him, you can rejoice again (which will give me less reason for grief)."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "29", "text": "Give him your customary welcome in the Lord with all joy, and keep honoring such men!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 2, "verse": "30", "text": "Why, he came very close to being killed because of doing the Lord’s work, and he has exposed his life to great danger in order to make up for your not being here to provide for my welfare."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Finally, my brothers, keep rejoicing in the Lord. The fact that I’m writing the same things to you again is no trouble for me, and it’s for your safety."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "Watch out for the dogs; watch out for those who do bad things; and watch out for those who cut the flesh."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "We who offer our worship by the Breath of God are the ones with the real circumcision! For, we take pride in the Anointed Jesus and we don’t put our confidence in the flesh."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "However, if anyone has a reason for confidence in the flesh, it’s me. For, if anyone else thinks he has a reason for confidence in the flesh, I have even more,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "[because I was] circumcised on the eighth day, [I’m] of the race of Israel, of the tribe of BenJamin, and a Hebrew from among Hebrews. When it comes to the Law, a Pharisee;"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "when it comes to zeal, a persecutor of the congregation; when it comes to righteousness by following the Law, one who proved himself blameless."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Yet, the things that I [once] considered my assets are what I now consider my losses, because of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, for a fact; I consider everything a loss compared to the superiority of the knowledge of the Anointed Jesus, my Lord. And because of him I’ve accepted the loss everything and consider it all a lot of garbage, so I can gain the Anointed One"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "and become one with him. This isn’t because of my own righteousness due to following the Law; it comes from faith in the Anointed One. It’s the type of righteousness that God gives for faith,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "and this helps us to know [Jesus] and the power of his resurrection… and to share in his sufferings… and for me to resign myself to a death like his,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "so I can somehow be found worthy of an out-resurrection from the dead."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "[I’m not saying] that I’ve made it yet or that I’m already perfect, just that I’m chasing after it… I’m trying to grab hold of that for which the Anointed Jesus grabbed hold of me!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Brothers, I don’t think of myself as having achieved it yet, but I am doing this one thing: [I’m] forgetting the things in the past and stretching out to reach for the things that are ahead…"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "I’m running toward the goal, the prize of the higher calling from God, through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "So, may all of us who are mature think like this… and if your thinking is inclined any other way, God will reveal this to you."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Besides, that’s why we’ve made such progress; because of following the same path."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "Become one in imitation of me, brothers, and keep your eyes on those who are walking this way, because we’ve set the example."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "For, there are many that I often used to talk to you about, who I now mention with tears, because they’ve become enemies of the Anointed One’s impaling pole."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "And they will end up being destroyed, because their belly is their god, the things they are proud of are the things that shame them, and they just think about earthly things!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "As for us; We are citizens of heaven… from which we’re eagerly awaiting our savior, the Lord Jesus the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "who will transform our lowly bodies and mold them into the body of His Glory, in the same way that He’s able to put all things under his authority."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "So, my brothers who are loved and longed for (my joy and my [victory] crown); keep standing as you are in the Lord, O loved ones."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "I encourage EuOdia and SynTyche to think alike in the Lord."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Yes, and I’m also asking you who have truly shared under my same yoke to stick by these women who have worked so hard, side by side with me in the good news… along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are [written] in the Scroll of Life."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Always rejoice in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Rejoice!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Let all men know how reasonable you are! The Lord is near,"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "so don’t worry about anything! Plead and pray to God, in order to let Him know whatever you wish to ask of Him… in addition to thanking Him."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "And then the peace of God that controls all thoughts will guard your hearts and your reasoning, through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "Finally, brothers; Keep thinking about whatever things are true, serious, righteous, chaste, lovable, well spoken of, virtuous, and praiseworthy."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Keep doing the things that you learned, accepted, heard, and saw through me, and then the God of peace will be with you."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "I’m so joyful in the Lord that you’ve finally started thinking about my needs once again. It’s not that you’ve forgotten me, it’s just that you didn’t have much opportunity."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "I’m not saying this because I’m in need, for I’ve learned to be very self-sufficient."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "I know how to be poor, and I know how to have plenty. In everything and in every way, I’ve learned the secrets of how to have enough to eat and how to go hungry; of having plenty and of not having enough."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "I have the strength for everything by the One who gives me power."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "However, you have acted well by sharing with me during my difficulties."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "In fact, you Philippians know of how, back in the early [days] of the good news (after I left Macedonia), not a single congregation was willing to share with me in the matter of giving and receiving, other than just you."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "Why, even [when I was] in Thessalonica, you sent something to help with my needs… not just once but twice!"}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "It’s not that I’m begging for such gifts; I’m just looking for the fruitage of becoming a greater part of your conversations."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "I’ve received everything that I need from you, which is more than enough! I’ve been filled with the sweet-smelling odor of a sacrifice that is acceptable and very pleasing to God, now that I’ve received these things from you through EpaPhraditus."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "Be assured that my God will in turn fully supply all your needs from His richness in glory, through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, may our God and Father be glorified for ages of ages… may it be."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "Give my greetings to all the Holy Ones in the Anointed Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "All the Holy Ones – and especially those of the house of Caesar – send you their greetings."}
{"book": "PHP", "chapter": 4, "verse": "23", "text": "May the kindness of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with the spirit [you’ve shown]."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, an Apostle of the Anointed Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "to the holy and faithful brothers in the Anointed One at Colossae: May you have loving care and peace from our Father, God."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, when we pray for you,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "since we’ve heard of your faith in the Anointed Jesus and of the love you have for all the Holy Ones,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "through the hope that has been reserved for you in the heavens. This is the same hope that you learned of when the truth of the good news"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "was first brought to you. [And today], it’s producing fruit and increasing throughout the entire world, just as it has been doing among you since the day you first heard of it and came to an accurate understanding about the truth of God’s loving care."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "That’s what you’ve learned from EpaPhras our beloved fellow slave, who is a faithful servant of the Anointed One on our behalf."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "And he’s the one who told us of the love that you have by the Breath [of God]."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "It’s because of this, that; from the day we heard [of it], we haven’t stopped praying for you and asking for you to be filled with a complete knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding through the Breath [of God]."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "We want you to walk in a way that’s worthy of the Lord and to be completely pleasing as you keep on producing the fruit of all sorts of good work and growing in a full knowledge of God,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "getting stronger in the power of His Glorious Might, so you can endure everything in joy and patience,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "while you thank the Father who qualified you to receive a part of the inheritance of the Holy Ones in the light."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "He drew us to Himself from out of the power of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "And the ransom price that frees us from our sins has been paid through him."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "For, he’s the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "Through him everything in heaven and on the earth was created, both the things that are visible and those that are invisible. Everything has been created through him and for him, regardless of whether they are thrones, or rulerships, or governments, or powers."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "He was before everything and everything came into existence through him."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "He’s the head of the body of the congregation; he’s the beginning and the first one to be born from the dead, so that he would be first in everything."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "[God] saw that it was good for him to be complete in everything,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "and used [Jesus] to bring everything back into a good relationship with Himself, by making peace through his blood [that was shed] on the pole, regardless of whether these things are heavenly or earthly."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "Why at one time, you were aliens and enemies; because, all you thought about was doing bad things."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "But [Jesus] has restored your relationship with [God] by means of the death of [his] fleshly body. [This was done so that] you could be presented to Him as holy, without blemishes, and free from any accusations…"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "that is, as long as you stay firmly founded and deeply rooted in the faith, and aren’t diverted from the hope of the good news that you heard, which is being preached in all creation under heaven, and of which I (Paul) am a servant."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Even as I suffer, I’m rejoicing over you. Right now, my flesh is finishing whatever may have been lacking during the difficult time that the Anointed One endured. I’m doing this in behalf of his body, the congregation,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "which is what I’m serving. It’s a responsibility that God assigned to me for your sakes, to fulfill God’s Word"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "about the mystery that was hidden from past ages and generations, but has now been made clear to His Holy Ones."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "It was God’s Will to make those of the nations understand the glorious richness of this mystery, so that the Anointed One would be in you, [giving you] the hope of glory."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "28", "text": "So, he’s the one we’re advertising… we are wisely teaching and putting his mind in every man, so we can present every man as being complete in the Anointed One."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 1, "verse": "29", "text": "This is why I’m working hard and struggling; so he can show his power and his way of doing things through me."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "I want you to realize what a great struggle I’m undergoing on your behalf, as well as for those in LaoDikea and for all those who haven’t met me face to face yet."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "I want your hearts to be comforted over this, so you can be brought together in love; and for you to be provided a rich and sure understanding, as well as an accurate knowledge of the mystery of God… the Anointed One."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "For, hidden in him are the treasures of all wisdom and knowledge."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "I want to explain this to you so that no one can mislead you with strong arguments."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "For, although I’m not there in the flesh, I’m with you in spirit. I’m rejoicing, because I’ve noticed the way that you’ve come into line with and become firm in the Anointed One."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "So, since you’ve accepted the Anointed Jesus (the Lord), [you must] keep on walking with him."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Become rooted and built up in him; and become firm when it comes to faith in the things you were taught… overflow with it whenever you’re giving thanks!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Watch out so that no one carries you off as a captive with the philosophies and empty hopes of human traditions, because these base things of the world don’t come from the Anointed One;"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "for in him lives all the fullness of the divine body…"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "and you’re also one with him [in this fullness], and he’s the head of all governments and powers."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "You were circumcised into him with a circumcision that was done without hands, when you stripped away your fleshly bodies… this is the circumcision of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "You were all buried with him when [you were] baptized, and you were all raised together by faith in what God (who raised him from the dead) has done in you."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "For, that’s when you died to your errors and to the uncircumcised state of your flesh, and when you became alive with him. Then he kindly forgave all your errors"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "and wiped away the handwritten Law that held us down and oppressed us… he lifted it out of the way and nailed it on the pole!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "Then he stripped away the governments and powers, and openly displayed that this is how he conquered them."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "So, don’t let anyone judge you when it comes to [what you] eat or drink, or over your views of the festivals, such as the New Moon or Sabbath,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "for these are just shadows of things to come, while the reality belongs to the Anointed One."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "And don’t allow anyone to take the prize away from you by suggesting some lowly form of worship of the messengers [of God], or by making strong claims for things he has seen. [This man has become] overly impressed with something he imagined in the flesh,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "and he’s not hanging onto the head… the one who holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and which keeps growing with the [type of] growth that comes from God."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "So, if you’ve already died to the base things of this world along with the Anointed One, then why do you (as though you’re still living in this world) put yourself under such laws as,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "‘don’t feel it,’ ‘don’t taste it,’ or ‘don’t touch it’ …"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "especially when it comes to things that are just going to be consumed? These are the commands and teachings of men!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "Choosing such a form of worship may sound wise, with all its humility and mistreatment of the body, but it has no value when it comes to satisfying fleshly needs!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "So, if you’ve been raised with the Anointed One, search for the things that are above… at the right hand of God, where the Anointed One is sitting."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "Also, think about the things that are above (not on the earth),"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "because you died and your life has been hidden away in the Anointed One and in God."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "And then, when the Anointed One (who is our life) shows himself, you will also be seen with him in glory."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "So, while you’re on the earth, deaden your body parts to sexual immorality, uncleanness, passions, desires for bad things, and greediness (which is idolatry)."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "For, it’s due to such things that the wrath of God is coming."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, that’s the way you acted when you used to live for such things."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "But now, get all of that out of your mouths (the wrath, anger, badness, slander, and obscenities)"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "and don’t lie to each other! Take off the old person and the things that he did,"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "and put on the new man who has been renewed by coming to an complete knowledge… become the image of the One who created [this new man]"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "in [a body] where there are no Greeks or Jews, circumcised or uncircumcised, foreigners, Scythians, slaves, or freemen… just the Anointed One, who is everything and in everything!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "So, as God’s chosen people who are holy and loved, put on the caring traits of empathy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Keep putting up with each other and forgiving each other kindly (whenever anyone has a reason to complain)… just as the Lord kindly forgave you, you do the same!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "And add love to all of that, because it’s the perfect unifying force."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "Let the peace of the Anointed One serve as the referee in your hearts, because it called [all of] you into one body. So, be thankful and"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "allow the words of the Anointed One to live in you richly and in all wisdom, as you kindly teach and remind each other through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Breath [of God]. Sing to God from your hearts!"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "And no matter what you say or do, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God (the Father) through him."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "Wives; Always obey your husbands, since this is proper [for those who are] in the Lord."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "Husbands; Love your wives and don’t be bitterly angry with them."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Children; Obey everything your parents [tell you to do], because this pleases the Lord."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "Fathers; Don’t frustrate your children, so they don’t become discouraged."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "Slaves; Obey those who are your fleshly masters in everything. Don’t just put on a good show to please men, but [do everything] sincerely and from the heart, in the fear of the Lord."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "Whatever you’re doing, work at it with your whole strength as though [you are doing it] for the Lord, and not for men."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "You know that you’ll get the reward of the inheritance from the Lord, so slave for the Lord (the Anointed One),"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 3, "verse": "25", "text": "because, those who are unrighteous will only receive the unrighteousness that they do, and they won’t be recognized."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Masters; Be righteous and fair with your slaves, because you know that you also have a Master (in heaven)."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "Keep on praying, staying alert, and giving thanks."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "And at the same time, also pray for us… that God may open a door [of opportunity] for us to speak and to tell the mystery of the Anointed One, which is the reason why why I’m shackled…"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "to show whatever it is that I’m supposed to say."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Keep on walking wisely when it comes to those on the outside, and keep watching for opportunities."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "Be respectful in everything you say… season it with salt and know how to answer each person."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "TychiKos (my dear brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord) will tell you everything that’s happening with me."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "That’s why I’m sending him to you… to keep you abreast of what’s going on and to comfort your hearts."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "[I’m also sending] Onesimus, my faithful and loved brother who came from you. They will tell you all the rest."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "AristArchus (my fellow prisoner) sends you his greetings, as does Mark (BarNabas’ cousin). He’s the one that you were told to welcome if he ever comes to [visit] you…"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "and so does Jesus (who’s also called Justus). All these are circumcised, but they are also my fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, and they’ve done so much to console me."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "EpaPhras (who came from you), a slave of the Anointed Jesus, sends his greetings. He always puts a lot of effort into his prayers for you, asking that you might become perfect in the stand that you’re taking and [that you’ll] completely carry out the Will of God."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "I can testify to the fact that he goes to a lot of effort on your behalf, and for those at LaoDikea and at HierApolis."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "Luke (the beloved physician) sends you his greetings, and so does Demas."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "Give my greetings to the brothers at LaoDikea, as well as to Nympha and the called ones in her home."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "After this letter has been read among you, also arrange for it to be read in the LaoDikean congregation… and you read the one from LaoDikea."}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "Also, tell ArcHippus to keep an eye on the service assignment that he accepted in the Lord and to make sure he fulfills it.’"}
{"book": "COL", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "Here is my greeting (Paul’s) in my own hand. Remember me in prison. May [God’s] loving care be with you."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the congregation of Thessalonians who are one in God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Anointed: May you have [God’s] peace and loving care."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "We always thank God when we mention you in our prayers,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "because we never forget your faithful work, loving labors, and endurance that comes from [your] hope in our Lord Jesus the Anointed, [who stands] before our God and Father."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "For we know that He chose you, our brothers who are loved by God,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "because the good news that we are preaching didn’t become just words to you, but power, Holy Breath, and a strong conviction, since you recognized what sort of men we became to you for your sakes."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "Then you started acting like us and the Lord, because, you accepted the word with the joy of [God’s] Holy Breath despite many difficulties,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "and became examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, you’ve preached the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere that your faith in God has spread, so we don’t have to say anything more."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "For, they all keep reporting about the way we first came to you and how you turned away from idols, then [turned toward] God… yes, to slave for a God who’s alive and true."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "And [they tell of how you’re] awaiting His Son from the heavens who He raised from the dead, Jesus, who draws us to himself and away from the coming wrath."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "Brothers, you know that our visit to you hasn’t been without results."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "For, although we had just suffered and been mistreated in Philippi (as you well know), our God gave us the boldness to speak to you about the good news of God… however, with a lot of difficulty."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Because, the encouragement we give doesn’t come from errors, uncleanness, or deceit."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "And, since God has proven us fit to be entrusted with the good news, we don’t speak just to please men, but [to please] God, who proves what’s in our hearts."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "So, as God is my witness (and as you well know), we didn’t come with flattering words or pretending to be in need of anything,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "nor have we looked for glory from men… no, not from you or from anyone else (and as Apostles of the Anointed One, we could be quite a burden)."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "However, we came to you gently, as a mother who feeds and cares for her children."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "And because we care for you so much, we were not only happy to share the good news of God with you, but also our lives, because you’ve become so dear to us."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Brothers, surely you remember how we worked hard and labored. Why, we worked night and day so we wouldn’t put an expensive burden on any of you as we preached to you about the good news of God."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "And both you and God are our witnesses as to how loyal, righteous, and free from blame we became to you believers."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "In the same way, you each know how we kept on encouraging you, consoling you, and witnessing to you as a father does to his children."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "[We did this] so that you would keep on walking in a way that’s worthy of the God who’s calling you to His Kingdom and glory."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "So, that’s why we keep on thanking God; because, when you accepted the word of God that you heard from us, you didn’t accept it as the word of men, but just as it truthfully is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "You became our imitators and brothers, like the congregations of The God in Judea (those who are in the Anointed Jesus), because you started suffering at the hands of your own countrymen as they did at the hands of those Judeans"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "who killed the Lord Jesus, the Prophets, and who even persecuted us. Such men aren’t pleasing to God, for they oppose all men"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "by trying to keep us from speaking to people of the nations so we can save them. As the result, they’re always filled to the brim with their sins. But in the end, His wrath will come upon them."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "As for us, brothers; We’re forced to be orphans to you for a short time (in body, not in our hearts) as we anxiously desire to see your faces."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "That’s why we wanted to come to you – yes, I Paul – on two different occasions. However, the Opposer kept cutting us off."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "For, when our Lord Jesus arrives and we’re standing before him, why would we have any hope, or joy, or the crown of pride, if not over you?"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "You… yes you, are our glory and joy!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "So, when we couldn’t bear it any longer, we arranged to be sent to Athens alone."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "Then we sent Timothy – our brother and God’s servant in the good news about the Anointed One – to strengthen and comfort you in your faith,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "so that no one would be discouraged by all these difficulties. However, you know that we were appointed [to endure] things like this."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, when we were there with you, we warned you that we were about to suffer persecution (as you well know is now happening)."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "And it’s because I just couldn’t stand [not knowing], that I sent [Timothy] to find out how your faithfulness [is holding up], so that the Tempter doesn’t tempt you and bring all our hard work [on your behalf] to nothing."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "However, Timothy has just now returned from you, and he gave us the good news about your faithfulness and love, and [he told us] how you keep us in your fond memories and always long to see us, just as we [long to see] you."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "And that’s why, brothers, despite all our own needs and difficulties, we find comfort in you and in the faithfulness that you show."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Because, if you’re standing firm in the Lord, we are alive!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "So, what kind of thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy that we now have because of you, before our God,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "as we keep on begging night and day to see your faces and to correct anything that may be lacking in your faith."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus straighten our road to you."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "May the Lord cause you to grow and to have more than enough love for each other and for all, as we have for you."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "And may he make your hearts firm in holiness, without any blame before our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus and all his Holy Ones arrive."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Finally, brothers; We ask and urge you by the Lord Jesus, to follow the path of the things you learned from us and to keep pleasing God. Although you’re already doing this, you must do it even more so!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "You know the orders that we gave you through the Lord Jesus,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "that; What God wants is [for you] to be made holy and to stay free from sexual immorality."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "You should each learn how to take control of yourselves in holiness and honor…"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "not in passionate desires like those nations who don’t know God!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "Nobody should overstep the limits or take advantage of his brother in this matter, for the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we warned you before and explained completely."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, God didn’t call us to uncleanness, but to holiness!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "So, you who [choose to] disregard this [warning] aren’t disregarding a man, but The God who put His Holy Breath in you."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "When it comes to the matter of brotherly love; there isn’t any need for us to write you, because God taught you to love each other…"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "and you’re doing this to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. However, we urge you brothers to become even better at it!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Also, pledge yourselves to living quietly, minding your own business, and working for a living (as we’ve instructed you to do),"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "so that you’re acting in an appropriate way toward those who are on the outside, and so you’ll be in need of nothing."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Brothers, we want you to understand the situation of those who are sleeping [in death], so you aren’t saddened (as are those who have no hope)."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "For, if we believe that Jesus died and was resurrected, then we also believe that The God will lead those who have [have been] sleeping through Jesus, to be with him."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "What we are saying to you is the word of the Lord… that the living who remain until the coming of the Lord will definitely not go ahead of those who have been sleeping."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "Because, the Lord himself will come down from heaven and give the command in the voice of the highest messenger [of God] and with God’s trumpet; then those who have died in the Anointed One will be resurrected first."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "And we the living (those remaining at the time) will be snatched into the clouds along with them for a meeting of the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be together with the Lord."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "Keep comforting each other with these words."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, when it comes to the times and seasons, brothers, nothing needs to be written to you,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "because you know very well that the Lord’s Day is coming as a thief in the night."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "And whenever they’re saying ‘Peace and security,’ destruction will come on them instantly like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they won’t escape."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "However, brothers, you aren’t in the dark… so that Day shouldn’t sneak up on you like thieves!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "Why, you’re all sons of light and sons of the day… and we don’t belong to night or to darkness!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Really then; Let’s not fall asleep like all the rest. Let’s stay awake and keep sober,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "for those who are sleeping, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "But, may we who belong to the day stay sober, as we wear the breastplate of faith and love, and [put on] our hope of salvation as though it were a helmet."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Because, The God didn’t assign us to His wrath, but to being saved through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, he died for us, so that whether we stay awake or we’re asleep, we should live together with him!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "Keep comforting each other with this [thought] and keep building each other up, just as you’re already doing."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "Now brothers; We’re asking you to give [special] recognition to those who are working so hard among you by presiding over you in the Lord, and counseling you."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "Give them extraordinary loving consideration because of what they’re doing, and be at peace with each other!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "We also urge you brothers to reprimand the disorderly, to comfort the depressed, to support the weak, and to be patient with everyone."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "Also, see to it that no one is trying to get even with anyone else over bad things… always search for what’s best for each other and for everyone else!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "Always be rejoicing,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "praying constantly,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "and giving thanks for everything, because this is God’s Will for you, in the Anointed Jesus!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "Don’t put out the fire of [God’s] Breath"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "or take prophesies lightly,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "but prove everything, then hang onto whatever is good…"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "and stay away from everything that appears to be wicked!"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "May the very God of peace make you completely holy and sound in every way – in spirit, life, and body – and find you blameless when our Lord Jesus the Anointed arrives;"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "for He who is calling you is faithful, and He will make it happen."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "Brothers; keep praying for us,"}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "26", "text": "and greet all the brothers with a holy kiss."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "27", "text": "I’m putting you under oath in the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers."}
{"book": "1TH", "chapter": 5, "verse": "28", "text": "May the loving care of our Lord Jesus the Anointed be with you."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the congregation of the Thessalonians who are in God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Anointed:"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "May you have loving care and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "We’re always obligated to give thanks to God for you, brothers. This is appropriate because of the super growth of your faith, and [because of] the love that you have for each other, which keeps on growing."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "We also take special pride in you among all the congregations of God, because of the endurance and faith that you’ve shown through all the persecutions and difficulties that you’ve been enduring."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "So, the righteous judgment of God is being revealed in that you’re being counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you are suffering."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "And it’s a righteous thing for God to repay those who are persecuting you by crushing them,"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "while providing relief to you who are suffering this persecution (and to us also) when the Lord Jesus is revealed in the sky with his powerful messengers"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "in a flaming fire. Then he’ll bring vengeance upon all those who don’t know God and those who aren’t obeying the good news about our Lord Jesus."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "[His] justice will repay them with ages of ruin away from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his strength."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "[He will do this] when he comes to receive the glory of his Holy Ones into himself; and then all those who believe will be awed in that Day, because you believed the testimony we gave."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "Another reason why we’re always praying for you, is so that our God may count you worthy of the calling and fulfill upon you all [His] good intentions and powerful deeds of faith,"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you (and you in him), through the caring of our God and of the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "However, brothers; regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One and our being gathered to him; we urge you"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "not to quickly lose hope, or to be disturbed by [something from the] spirit, or by words, or in a letter that may have come through us, indicating that the Lord’s Day has arrived."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Don’t allow anyone to mislead you in any way, because it won’t come until after there is a great turning away and the lawless man is revealed… the son of destruction."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "For, he opposes and puts himself higher than all others that are called gods or things of worship, and he seats himself in the Temple of God where he publicly displays himself as being a god."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "Don’t you remember that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you?"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "So, now you know what’s holding him down and keeping him from being revealed in his appointed time;"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "for the mystery of this lawlessness is already being worked from within. However, he’s being held down until what’s in its midst comes to be."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Then the lawless one will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will do away with him by the breath from his mouth and bring him to nothing, when he arrives."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "However, the Opposer will bring [the lawless one] to those who are destroying themselves through his powers of lying signs, omens,"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "and every sort of unrighteous deception. [They will choose this] instead of love of the truth, which would save them."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "So, that’s what God is sending to them instead. He’s allowing this wrong thing to be, so they can believe the lie…"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "and so that all those who don’t believe the truth, but prefer unrighteousness, may be judged."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "However, we are obliged to always thank God for you brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the start to be saved, to make you holy by his Breath, and to have faith in the truth."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "This is why He called you through the good news we brought… so you would receive the glory of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "Therefore, brothers; Stand firm and hang onto the traditions you were taught, whether by word [of mouth] or in letters from us."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "May our Lord Jesus the Anointed One himself, and God our Father who loved us and kindly gave us comfort and a good hope in this age,"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "comfort your hearts and make you firm in all good words and deeds!"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Finally, brothers; Pray for us… and that the word of the Lord may be glorified and spread rapidly, as is being done among you."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "And [pray] that we may be delivered from unruly and wicked men, because The Faith isn’t for everyone."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "But the Lord is faithful and he will make you firm and guard you from the wicked one."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "We also have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing – and will continue to do – the things we’re telling you to do."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the endurance of the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "Now brothers; We’re instructing you in the name of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One, to stay away from any brother who isn’t following the instructions and traditions you’ve received from us."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "For, you know very well that it’s important to imitate us, because we didn’t step out of line when we were with you,"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "nor did we ask anyone to give us food. Rather, we worked hard night and day so as not to be a burden on any of you."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "It’s not that we weren’t authorized to [ask for your support], but we wanted to set an example for you to imitate."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, when we were with you we said: ‘If anyone isn’t willing to work, don’t feed him.’"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "But we’re hearing that some among you aren’t following these instructions… they aren’t working at all, but meddling in other people’s affairs."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "We instruct and urge them in the Lord Jesus the Anointed One, to be quiet and go to work so they’ll have something to eat."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "However, brothers; Don’t give up in doing what’s good!"}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "And if anyone isn’t willing to obey the things we wrote in this letter, mark him and don’t associate with him, to shame him."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "However, don’t think of him as an enemy, council him as a brother."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, may the Lord of peace himself give you peace in every way throughout all time. May the Lord be with all of you."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "[Here’s] my greeting in my own (Paul’s) hand. Every letter proves it, because, this is the way that I write."}
{"book": "2TH", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "May the loving care of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with all of you."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, an Apostle of the Anointed Jesus, by the authorization of God our Savior and of the Anointed Jesus, [who is] our hope,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "to Timothy, a genuine child in the faith: May you find loving care, mercy, and peace from God the Father and [from] the Anointed Jesus our Lord."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "[Please] stay in Ephesus as I had encouraged you to do, while I go on to Macedonia. For, I want you to give orders to some who are there not to be teaching something that’s different,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "or to be paying attention to myths and genealogies, because there’s no end to these things. Such research detracts from the job of serving the needs of the Faith in the household of God."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "Rather, the end result of these orders is to love out of a clean heart, with a good conscience, and with faith that isn’t judgmental."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "It’s because of [these other] teachings that some are being misled into foolish discussions."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "For there [are those who] want to be teachers of the Law, but they don’t have any idea what they’re talking about, and of the types of effects they will have."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, we know that the Law is good… as long as it’s used for legal purposes."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "But recognize that the Law wasn’t given for righteous men, but for the lawless and undisciplined, the godless and sinners, the disloyal and unclean, those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "the sexually immoral, men who have sex with men, the presumptuous, liars, oath breakers, and all else that goes against the wholesome teachings"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "that come from the glorious good news which our blest God has entrusted to me."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "I’m so grateful to the Anointed Jesus our Lord who gave me this power, because he considered me faithful and made me his servant,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "[despite the fact that] I used to be a slanderer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. However, I was shown mercy (for I was just ignorant and I acted [that way] because I didn’t believe)"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "by the caring of our Lord, who works so faithfully and lovingly through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "So, when we say that the Anointed Jesus came into the world to save sinners, those words are faithful and deserve to be believed, because I was the most outstanding of them!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "And the reason why I was shown mercy was so that the Anointed Jesus might demonstrate all his patience and use me as a prime example of those who can still put faith in him and receive life in the age."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, to the King of the ages [who is] incorruptible and invisible (the only God), may there be honor and glory into the ages of ages… may it be."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "This is the responsibility that I’m laying on you, Timothy my son: As the prophecies about you foretold – that you would be a soldier in a good war –"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "hang onto your faith and good conscience, for some have pushed theirs aside and experienced shipwreck."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "This includes Hymenaeus and Alexander, who I’ve handed over to the Opposer so they can be taught not to blaspheme."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "First, I’m encouraging you to beg, pray, ask for, and give thanks [to God] for all types of men –"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "for kings and all those who are in high offices – so that we can go on living a calm and quiet life, devoutly and seriously."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "This is good and acceptable in the eyes of our Savior, God,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "because He wants all men to be saved and to come to a complete knowledge of the truth."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "For, there’s just one God and there’s just one mediator between God and men – a man – the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For, he gave himself as the ransom price for everyone at just the right time in proof of this."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "And this is the reason why I was made a preacher, an Apostle (I’m not lying, I’m telling the truth) and a teacher of faith and truth to the nations!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "So, I wish to pray that men everywhere would all raise their hands together in loyalty and set aside their anger and arguments;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "and that women would dress themselves modestly and adorn themselves sensibly… not with fancy hairstyles or in gold and pearls or expensive clothes,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "but in ways befitting women who have promised to worship God and to do everything that’s good."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "Let women learn quietly and obediently."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "For I don’t allow women to teach or to preside over men… just to be silent,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "because Adam was created first, then Eve."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman was thoroughly deceived and went beyond [what she was told]."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "However, [the women] will be kept safe through childbirth as long as they remain in the Faith (in love, holiness, and sensibleness)."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "You can believe that if someone is reaching out to be an Overseer, he’s looking for good work."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "But an overseer has to be free from accusations, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sensible, orderly, friendly to strangers, and a teacher;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "not [someone who is] addicted to alcohol or headstrong, but [someone who is] willing to give in; and not a quarrelsome or greedy person."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "[He should] take the lead in his family and have children who obey him seriously,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "because; if any man doesn’t know how to take the lead in his own family, how will he take care of God’s congregation?"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "He must not be a newly-converted man, for fear that he might become too proud and fall into the judgment of the Slanderer."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "And those outside [the congregation] should also speak well of him, so he doesn’t fall into disgrace and into the Slanderer’s snare."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Servants [in the congregation] should also be serious, not deceitful, not excessive drinkers, and not looking for easy money,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "but holding the mystery of the faith with a clean conscience."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Let them prove themselves first; then if they do well, allow them to serve."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "Women should likewise be serious and not slanderous, but moderate in their habits and faithful in everything."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Servants should only have one wife and be taking the lead over their households and children."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Then those who serve well will gain a good position in the faith and have opportunities to speak boldly, through the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "I’m writing these things to you, although I’m hoping to come to you shortly,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "so that (just in case I’m delayed) you’ll know how you should conduct yourself in God’s household (the congregation of the living God) as a pillar and supporter of the truth."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Admittedly, this sacred [thing that we are] devoted to is a great mystery. For, ‘He was shown in the flesh, called righteous in spirit, appeared to [God’s] messengers, was preached about among the nations, was believed in the world, and was taken up in glory.’"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "However, the Breath definitely says that some will leave the faith in the future and pay attention to wicked spirits and the teachings of demons,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "and to hypocritical men who are liars and whose consciences are seared as with branding irons."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "They will forbid [people] to marry or to eat food that God created to be eaten appreciatively by all those who have faith and who understand the truth."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "For everything that God created is good and nothing is to be thrown away. And if we thank Him for it,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "it becomes holy by what we say to God in prayer."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "By explaining these things to the brothers, you’ll be a fine servant of the Anointed Jesus. [You’ll] grow strong on the words of the faith and on the fine teachings that you’re following so closely."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Stay away from things that are worldly and the old-wives tales, and do your exercises toward reverence."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "For, while physical exercise does a little good, reverence is good for everything, because it holds the promise of life both now and in the future"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "(what I just said is true and worth believing)."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "This is the reason why we’re struggling and working so hard; because we’re putting our hope in a living God. He’s the Savior of all men… but mostly of the faithful."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "So, give orders about these things and teach them!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "And don’t allow anyone to look down on you because you’re young. Rather, become an example to the faithful in what you say, in the way you act, in your love, in your faith, and in your purity."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Until I get there, work at public reading, giving council, and teaching."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "Don’t be careless with the gift in you that was given through prophecy when the elders laid their hands on you."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "Think hard on these things… get wrapped up in them so everyone can see the progress you’re making."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "Keep paying attention to yourself and to your teaching, and stick with it; for if you do that, you will save yourself and those who listen to you!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Don’t be too harsh with older men, but speak to them as you would to fathers; to younger men as brothers;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "to older women as mothers; and to younger women as sisters, with all purity."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "Show honor to the widows who are really living as widows."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "However, if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn the lesson of how to show deep respect inside their own families, by paying what they owe to their parents and grandparents, for this is the only right thing to do in God’s sight."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, an actual widow who has been left on her own puts her hope in God, so she keeps begging to [God] in prayer night and day."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "But the [the widow] who lives for herself and for pleasure is already dead, though still alive."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Keep on giving these instructions, so they’ll be found blameless:"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "For if anyone doesn’t provide for his own – and especially for those in his own home – he has denied the faith and is worse than unbelievers are!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Put a widow on the list if she’s more than sixty years old; had only one husband;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "has done good things that can be attested to; has raised children; has been hospitable; has washed the feet of Holy Ones; has provided for those in difficulty; and has followed the course of doing all sorts of good deeds."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "On the other hand, turn down younger widows. For when they feel the sexual urge, they leave the Anointed One because they want to marry."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "And they’re judged for this, because they set aside the faith they had at first."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "And at the same time, they also learn wasteful habits, such as going around and doing a lot of visiting. They’re not only wasting time, but they gossip, meddle in other people’s affairs, and talk about things they shouldn’t."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "I prefer to see younger widows marry, have children, and manage a home. That way, the Opposer isn’t given something that he can gleefully gloat over."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "Why, some of them have already turned to following the Slanderer."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "So, if any believing woman has widows [in her family], she should take care of them herself, so the congregation won’t have to handle the burden. Then [the congregation] can help the real widows."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "Let the elders who take the lead in a fine way be considered worthy of a double honor… especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "For the Scriptures tell us: ‘You shouldn’t muzzle a bull when it’s threshing grain,’ and, ‘A worker deserves his pay.’"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "[Nor should you] accept an accusation against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "Expose those who are guilty of sin before everyone who is watching, so the rest of them will also be afraid."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "Before God, the Anointed Jesus, and the chosen messengers; I solemnly charge you to do these things. However, don’t jump to conclusions before you hear the evidence, and never make a decision because you’re biased one way or the other."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "22", "text": "Never be too quick to lay your hands on any man [to appoint him to a responsibility], so you aren’t found to be a sharer in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "23", "text": "Also, quit drinking [just] water, but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and for your frequent illnesses."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "24", "text": "The sins of some men are done in the open and lead directly to judgment; however, those of the rest eventually become known also."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 5, "verse": "25", "text": "And just as many of the good deeds are widely known, the [sins] can’t be kept hidden either."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "Those who are in bondage as slaves should consider their masters worthy of all honor, so the Name of God and the teaching won’t be slandered."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "And those who have believing owners shouldn’t think less of them because they are brothers. Rather, let them really be slaves; because those who work hard are faithful, so they are loved in return. Keep on teaching these things and giving this encouragement."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "And if anyone teaches differently and doesn’t follow these life-giving words (which are those of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One), or doesn’t teach deep respect for God,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "he’s just blowing smoke, he doesn’t understand anything well, and has become mentally diseased with doubts and debates over words. The result of this is envying, arguing, slandering, wicked suspicions,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "and ‘making mountains out of mole hills’ on the part of men with corrupt minds who have been robbed of the truth… those who imply that we should earn a profit from this worship."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "But for a fact; we do profit a lot from this worship… that is, if we pay our own way!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "For we didn’t bring anything into the world and we can’t carry anything out;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "so if we have enough to eat and wear, we should be satisfied with that."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "Those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a snare, and many foolish and damaging desires, which drag men down into destruction and ruin;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "because the love of money is the root of everything that’s bad. And when some have reached out for it, they were led away from the faith and into error, stabbing themselves all over, which caused them a lot of pain."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "However; you, O man of God… flee from these things and chase after righteousness, reverence, faith, love, endurance, and inner strength."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "Wrestle in the fine match of the faith… put on the the life in the age that you were called to and about which you offered such a fine confession before so many witnesses!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "I’m ordering you in the sight of God (who brought life to everything) and the Anointed Jesus (who gave such a fine confession before Pontius Pilate)"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "to obey these instructions spotlessly and blamelessly until our Lord Jesus the Anointed One reveals himself."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "And he will reveal himself at his own set time… he, the blest and only ruler; the King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords;"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "the only one who has immortality and who lives in unapproachable light; he who no man has seen or can see. To him be honor and power through the ages… may it be!"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "Give orders to those who are rich in this era not to think too much of themselves, and not to trust in wealth (which is fickle), but in God who brings [the type of] wealth to us that we can truly enjoy."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "[Teach them to] work at being good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and ready to share,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "as they safely store away for themselves the treasures of a fine foundation in that which is coming, so they can put on the real life."}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "O Timothy; Guard this hope and turn away from all the unclean and opposing empty talk that is falsely called knowledge,"}
{"book": "1TI", "chapter": 6, "verse": "21", "text": "through which some who once showed promise in the faith were turned aside. May [God’s] loving care be with you."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, an Apostle of the Anointed Jesus by the will of God, and by the promise of life in the Anointed Jesus,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "to my loved child Timothy: May you find loving care, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Anointed Jesus our Lord."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "I thank God, whom I’m worshiping with a clean conscience (as did my forefathers) that I never forget you in the prayers, which I offer night and day,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "since I long to see you and remember you with tears, so I can be filled with joy."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "For, I think fondly of the unhypocritical faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice had first, and which I’m confident that you have also. And this is the reason why I want to remind you to rekindle the gift of God that you have because I laid my hands on you."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "You see, God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and good sense."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "So, don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord… or of me, a prisoner for his sake. By the power of God, share with us when it comes to suffering evil for the good news."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Because, he saved us and called us to holiness, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of His Will and the caring that He felt for us, through Jesus the Anointed One, before the times of the ages."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "And this can now be seen through the coming of our Savior, the Anointed Jesus, who has done away with death and is shining a light on life and on freedom from corruption through this good news,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "of which I was appointed a preacher, an Apostle, and a teacher."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "This is the reason why I’m suffering these things and why I’m unashamed. For, I know who it is that I’ve put my faith in, and I’m confident that he’s able to guard the things that I will be accumulating [in him] until that Day."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "So, follow the example of the life-giving words that you heard beside me through faith and the love of the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "And guard the things that you’ve been given through the Holy Breath, which dwells within us."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "You already know that everyone in the [province of] Asia has turned their backs on me, including PhyGelus and HermoGenes."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "But, may the Lord’s mercy rest on the household of OnesiPhorus, because he often brought me refreshment and he wasn’t ashamed of my chains."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, when he happened to be in Rome, he started searching for me and found me quickly."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "So, may Jehovah show him the mercy to sit beside the Lord in that Day. It would be good if you knew all the services he provided in Ephesus."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "However, you my child; Keep growing stronger in the loving care of the Anointed Jesus,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "and teach the things that you heard from so many witnesses while you were with me, to faithful men who are qualified to teach others."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, as a fine soldier of the Anointed Jesus, [be ready to] endure the hardships."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "Realize that no soldier can just go on living his life as he used to, because he wants to please the one who enlisted him."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "And the same is true of an athlete… he can’t take the prize unless he plays by the rules."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "However, the hardworking farmer must also be the first to eat the fruit."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "So now, visualize what I’m saying, and then the Lord will truly give you insight into everything."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Remember that the good news I’ve been preaching teaches that Jesus the Anointed seed of David was raised from the dead."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "And it’s over this that I’m being persecuted and imprisoned like a criminal. However, the word of God wasn’t locked up [along with me]."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "And the reason why I keep on enduring all of this is for the sake of the elected ones… so they can also gain the salvation that comes from being in the Anointed Jesus, with ages of glory."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "So, the word is faithful: If we die together, we will also live together…"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "and if we keep hanging on, we’ll rule as kings together! However, if we deny this, he’ll deny us."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "But even if we’re unfaithful, he’ll be faithful, because he can’t deny himself."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "Keep reminding [the brothers] about these things, and instruct them in the sight of God not to be arguing over words, for this is just a waste of time and a trap to those who listen to it."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "As for you; Zealously keep seeking God’s approval, so you can be accepted by Him as a workman who has nothing to be ashamed of. Tell things as they really are, when it comes to expressing the truth,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "and avoid speaking about worldly and foolish topics, because this leads [people] away from pure worship…"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "and whatever is said [spreads like] pastures of gangrene! That was the problem with Hymenaeus and PhileTos;"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "they got away from the truth and started teaching that the resurrection has already happened, which misdirected the faith of some."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "But you have a solid foundation in God and you have His seal [of approval]. As we were told, ‘Jehovah knows those who belong to Him’ and, ‘Let everyone who speaks the Name of the Lord stop doing what’s unrighteous.’"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, in a large house there are not only containers that are made of gold and silver, but there are also those [that are made] of wood and pottery. Some were made for honorable purposes, and others for dishonorable purposes."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "Likewise, if anyone chooses to be clean, he removes [everything that’s dishonorable] from himself, so he can become a container for an honorable purpose that is holy and useful to his master; for then, he’s been prepared for any type of good use."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "So, flee from the desires of youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with all those who call on the Lord with a clean heart."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "However, avoid foolish and ignorant questions, because you know that they just create fights."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "A slave of the Lord shouldn’t be fighting. Rather, he should be gentle with everyone, a good teacher, [someone who] keeps his composure in bad [situations]"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "and who can calmly teach those who disagree. Why, perhaps God will lead them to repent and to an accurate knowledge of the truth,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "so that they may escape the Slanderer’s snares and return to their good senses, once they realize that they’ve been lured into his cage."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Recognize that the last days will bring fierce times."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "For, people will love themselves and money; they’ll be braggarts, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, and disloyal;"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "they won’t love their families or be willing to agree on anything; they’ll be slanderers who don’t have any self-control; they’ll be wild and won’t love anything that’s good;"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "they’ll be betrayers who are headstrong and proud; they’ll prefer pleasures to caring about God;"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "and they’ll have a form of religion, but they won’t follow it. Reject things like this,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "because it’s from among such people that certain men will come along who will work their way into homes and seduce weak women who are loaded with sins (because they have so many desires)."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Thus they will always be just students, because they can never come to an accurate knowledge of truth."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, follow the example of Moses when he opposed JanNes and JamBres. That’s how you should treat the men who keep resisting the truth, corrupting their own minds, and who are disapproved when it comes to the faith."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "They won’t make any more inroads, because their unreasonableness will become very plain to everyone, as happened [to JanNes and JamBres]."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "You have closely followed my teachings, my directions, my purposes, my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "[You’ve also shared in] my persecution and my sufferings (such as the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra)… [yes, you’ve endured] the same types of persecution that I’ve had to endure, but the Lord delivered me from all of it."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, everyone who wants to worship God (through the Anointed Jesus) will also be persecuted,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "because wicked and deceitful men will get worse and worse, misleading and being misled."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "As for you; Stick with the things that you’ve learned and were convinced to believe in… and remember who you learned them from."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "Why, you’ve been familiar with the Holy Writings since you were a child, and they can make you wise enough to save you, through belief in the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "For, all the Scriptures are inspired by God and are good for teaching, for correcting, for setting things straight, and for providing righteous discipline."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "They qualify a man of God and provide him with whatever he needs to do all sorts of good work."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "So, I solemnly charge you in the sight of God and the Anointed Jesus (who’s about to judge the living and the dead), as well as by the way he revealed himself and by his Kingdom,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "to preach the word! Keep doing it in good times and bad. Offer criticism, evaluate, and give encouragement, [but do this] patiently and with all your teaching skills."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "For, the time is coming when they won’t put up with life-giving teachings anymore, but they will follow their own desires. Then they will gather teachers for themselves who will tell them whatever they wish to hear."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Yes, they’ll stop listening to the truth, but all will turn out to listen to myths."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "But as for you; Be serious about everything, endure what’s bad, preach the good news, and completely carry out everything that’s involved in your service!"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "For, I’m already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my release is almost here."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "I’ve wrestled the fine match; I’ve finished the race; I’ve obeyed the faith;"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "and all that’s left for me now, is to lay down my golden crown, which the Lord (who isn’t over just me, but over everyone who loves the way in which he showed himself) will give back to me in that Day."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Hurry… come to me quickly!"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "For, Demas has let me down and gone to Thessalonica, because he still loves this age; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "and Luke is the only one with me. Go get Mark and bring him with you also, because his service to me is very useful."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "Oh, I also sent Tychicus off to Ephesus."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "And when you come, bring the robe that I left with Carpus in Troas… and the scrolls… especially the parchments."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "Alexander the coppersmith testified against me, saying many bad things. But the Lord will repay him for what he has done."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "You watch out for him too, because he really opposed everything we had to say."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "In my first court hearing, nobody was there with me… they all left me! However, I don’t want it held against them,"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "because the Lord stood by me. He gave me strength, so that the preaching might be completed through me, and all the nations might hear it. As the result, I was virtually saved from the lion’s mouth!"}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "And for a fact, the Lord will save me from every sort of wickedness and preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. May he be glorified through the ages of ages… may it be."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of OnesiPhorus."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "Erastus stayed in Corinth and I left Trophimus at Miletus, because he was sick."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "Hurry, before winter gets here! EuBoulos sends you his greetings, as do Poudes, Linos, Klaudia, and all the brothers."}
{"book": "2TI", "chapter": 4, "verse": "22", "text": "May the Lord bless the spirit you’re showing, and may his loving care be with all of you."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, a slave of God and an Apostle of Jesus the Anointed; a follower of the faith of God’s elected who have a complete knowledge of truth, which reverence"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "is based on the hope of life in the age that the God who can’t lie promised in the time before the ages;"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "who in His own due time made His Word known through an important message that was entrusted to me by the command of our Savior, God."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "To Titus, a true child in our faith: May you have loving care and peace from God the Father and from the Anointed Jesus our Savior."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "The reason why I left you in Crete is so that you would straighten out some of the problems there, and for you to appoint elders in each city, as I instructed you."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "[Choose those who] are blameless, husbands of one wife, and having believing children that aren’t rebellious or accused of being beyond hope;"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "because, as a manager of the household of God, an overseer must be blameless. [He can’t be] selfish, quick tempered, a heavy drinker, a fighter, or a greedy person."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Rather, [he should be] hospitable, a faithful friend, levelheaded, righteous, devout, self-controlled,"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "[and someone who] lives by the word of truth, so he can teach and encourage those who are strong, while exposing the wrongs of those who contradict."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "For there are many who are rebellious windbags and deceitful (most of whom are circumcised)"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "whose mouths need to be sealed. They’re the ones who are dishonestly making money by teaching things they shouldn’t, and they’re misleading entire households."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, one of their own prophets said: ‘Cretans are always liars and dangerous wild animals with bottomless stomachs’ …"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "and that’s a fact! For this reason, be tough when it comes to exposing their wrong ways, so they can become healthy in the faith."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "[And don’t allow them to] pay attention to Jewish myths or rules of men, and thus turn themselves away from the truth."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "For, everything is clean to those who are clean, but for those who are dirty and faithless, nothing is clean, because both their minds and their consciences are dirty."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "They claim to know God, but everything they do disproves it, because they are disgusting, disobedient, and unqualified to do anything that’s good."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "You, however, keep on talking about whatever is appropriate for healthy teaching."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "Old men should be free from excesses, and they should be serious, levelheaded, and healthy in their faith, love, and endurance."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Old women should behave as though they had just entered a holy place. They shouldn’t be slanderers or alcoholics, but teachers of things that are good."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "They should encourage younger women to love their husbands and their children,"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "to be level headed, pure, homemakers, good, and willing to obey their husbands, so that God’s Word won’t be talked about in a bad way."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "And give younger men the same encouragement… to be levelheaded."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "[Tell them to] become good examples in all sorts of good deeds, to be serious and blameless in their teaching,"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "and to speak in a wholesome way so there’s nothing that anyone can [use to] condemn them. Then those who oppose us won’t have anything bad to say about us."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Tell the slaves to obey their masters in everything… to please them well and not talk back,"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "and not to steal things! They should show that they are faithful in doing whatever is right, so they can adorn the teachings of our Savior God in everything."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "For God’s caring was shown in order to save all men."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "And once we’ve rejected all the godlessness and worldly desires, it teaches us how to endure sensibly, righteously, and devoutly in this age,"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "while we await the blest hope and the manifestations of the glory of the great God, and of our Savior, the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "Why, he gave himself over in order to free us by ransom from lawlessness, and to clean up people for himself who will be zealous in doing whatever is good."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "You are authorized to talk about such things… to encourage and to correct… and don’t let anyone ignore you."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Keep reminding them to obey and submit to governments and powers, and to be ready and willing to do good things."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "They shouldn’t slander anyone or want to fight with anyone. [Rather, they should] be willing to give in to [the wishes of] others and to be humble before everyone."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "For, at one time we were all senseless, disobedient sinners who were slaves to our own desires and who had to endure badness and envy. [We were] disgusting [people] who hated each other."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "However, when our Savior God showed His caring and love for mankind"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "(not because of anything righteous that we did, but simply because of His mercy), He saved us through the bath that re-created us and made us new by His Holy Breath."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "He poured plenty of it out over us, through Jesus our Anointed Savior,"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "so that after we were called righteous by His loving care, we might become heirs to the hope of life in the age."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "You can believe these things. And these are the instructions that I want you to keep giving them, so that those who have believed in God will stand firm in doing what’s right… these are good and helpful things to tell them."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "Avoid foolish questions, genealogies, arguments, and fights over the Law, for they don’t do any good and they’re just a waste of time."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "And if a man keeps promoting a sect after you’ve reasoned with him a first and a second time, reject him!"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "[Do this] because you know that [people] like that who have been turned from The Way, are self-condemned sinners!"}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "After I send Artemas or TychiKos to you, try hard to come to me at NicOpolis, because that’s where I’ve decided to spend the winter."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Hurry and send Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos… and make sure they have everything they need."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "Let our [brothers] learn how to do good things by providing for their needs, so their efforts aren’t wasted."}
{"book": "TIT", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "All of those who are with me send you their greetings. Give my greetings to all those in the faith who care about us. May [God’s] loving care be with all of you."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Paul, a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to our loved fellow worker PhileMoni,"}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "our sister ApPhia, our fellow soldier ArcHippus, and to the congregation in your home:"}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "May you receive care and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers,"}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "because I keep hearing about the love and the faith that you have in the Lord Jesus and for all the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "[So I pray] that we can share in the faith that’s in you, as you learn accurately of all the good we’re doing through the Anointed One."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "For, I have felt so much joy and comfort because of your love, our brother, due to the very kind things that you’ve done to refresh the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "This is the reason why I feel free in the Anointed One to obligate you to do something that would be very becoming of you."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Or should I say, I’m encouraging you because of love, seeing that I am what I am, Paul an old man, and now a prisoner for the sake of the Anointed Jesus."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "The encouragement I’m offering is in regard to my child (to whom I became a father while I was in prison), Onesimus."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "And although he was once useless to you, now he’s useful to both you and me."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "So, I’m sending this one (who I care for deeply) back to you."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "I would like to keep him here for myself instead of sending him to you, so he can continue serving my needs while I’m in the shackles that I’m wearing for the sake of the good news."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "However, I don’t want to do anything without your consent, because I don’t want any good deed that you may wish to do, to be done because you were forced to into it… but because you want to."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "Perhaps that’s really the reason why he broke away for a short period of time, so you could have him back in this era,"}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a loved brother. He’s especially this to me, but how much more so to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "So, if you consider me a worthy associate, welcome him kindly, as you would welcome me."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "And if he did you any wrong, or if he owes you anything, charge it to my account."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "I (Paul) am writing this in my own hand, and I’ll pay it back (of course, let me remind you that you already owe me)."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "Yes, brother; may I receive some profit from you in the Lord. Give me some refreshment in the tender care of the Anointed One!"}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "I’m writing you in full confidence that you’ll go along with my request, and I’m sure that you’ll do even more than what I’ve suggested."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "In addition, prepare a place for me to stay; because I hope that (because of all your prayers) I’ll soon be free for your sakes."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "EpaPhras, my fellow captive in the Anointed One, sends you his greetings, as do"}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Mark, AristArchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers."}
{"book": "PHM", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "May the kindness of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with the spirit you show."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Long ago, God spoke to our fathers through the Prophets in many places and in many ways."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "And in the last part of these days, He speaks to us through a Son who He has made the heir to everything… the one that He used to create the ages."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "He shines with the same glory, is the exact image of His being, and is responsible for everything that’s said through His power. And after he cleansed us of our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Great One in the highest places."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "And now He has become so much greater than the [other] messengers [of God] and so different, that he has inherited a [special] name among them."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "For example, to which of His [other] messengers did He ever say, ‘You’re my son. Today I’ve become your Father.’ Or, ‘I will become his Father and he will become My son.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "And again, when He brings His firstborn into [man’s] habitation, He says, ‘Let all of God’s messengers bow low before him.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "When He spoke of His messengers, He said, ‘He makes His messengers spirits and His public servants as flames of fire.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "But when He spoke of his Son, [He said], ‘God is your throne into the age of the age, and your king’s scepter is the scepter of righteousness."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "You loved righteousness and hated wickedness. That’s why God (your God) anointed you with the oil of great joy among those who are your companions.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "And, ‘Long ago, O Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth, and [you] made the heavens with your hands."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "But they’ll pass away while you still remain; for like clothes they will grow old."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Then, as [you would do to] a robe, you will wrap them up and repair them. Yes, you’re the one and your years will never expire.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "And to which one of His messengers did He ever say, ‘Sit here at My right until I set your enemies as a stool at your feet?’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "So, aren’t they all just spirits… public servants who are sent to serve the needs of those who will inherit salvation?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "This is why it’s necessary for us to pay extraordinary attention to the things we’ve heard… so we don’t drift away!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "Because, if these words that were spoken through [God’s] messengers prove true; and the reward for all errors and disobedient acts is going to be strictly enforced;"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "and if we are unconcerned about the salvation that was spoken of by the mouth of the Lord and which was verified for us by those who heard him, then how can we escape such a terrible thing?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, even God Himself joined in this testimony by providing signs, omens, many powerful deeds, and by distributing His Holy Breath as He wished."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, He isn’t making the coming habitation [of man] (the one we’ve been talking about) obedient just for the sake of His messengers."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For, someone somewhere testified to this fact, when he asked, ‘Just what is man that You should remember him, or the son of man that You should watch over him?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, You made him a little lower than [Your] messengers; You crowned him with glory and honor; and You put him in charge of everything that You made with Your hands,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "then You put everything under his feet.’ So, when [God] puts everything under [our feet], He doesn’t leave anything that [men] aren’t in charge of. However, we don’t see everything obeying us yet."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, look at Jesus; he was made a little lower than [God’s] messengers, and because he suffered and died, he was crowned with glory and honor. So, due to God’s loving care, [Jesus] tasted death for everyone!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "It was fitting that [Jesus] – the one for whom and through whom everything exists; this primary leader [who is responsible for] our salvation – should bring many sons to glory and make them perfect through his sufferings."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "For, the one who makes [others] holy and those who are made holy all come from that one. And that’s why he isn’t ashamed to call them brothers,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "saying, ‘I will report Your Name back to my brothers; I will sing praises to You in the midst of the congregation.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "And again, ‘I will have trusted in them.’ And again, ‘{Look!} The boys whom Jehovah gave me, and I…’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "So, since his ‘boys’ share in his blood and flesh, he shares [with them] in the same way, so that; through his death he can finish off the one who has the power [to bring] death, the Slanderer,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "and to set all of those free who have spent their lives as slaves to the fear of death."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "So, [when he came], he really didn’t take on [the shape] of one of [God’s] messengers somewhere, but he took [the shape of] Abraham’s seed."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "For, he was obligated to become like his brothers in every way, so he could become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God and offer a sacrifice to cover peoples’ sins."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "And it’s because he suffered and was tempted that he is able to help those who are being tempted."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Therefore, holy brothers among the calling of heavenly partakers; Let’s consider this Apostle and High Priest whom we confess, Jesus."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "He was faithful to the One who made him, just as Moses was within His whole House."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "However, [Jesus] was considered to be worthy of greater glory than Moses, because he who builds the house receives more honor there."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "Of course, every house is built by someone, but He who builds all things is God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "Now, Moses was truly a faithful subordinate within His whole House, [for he served] as a witness to things that hadn’t been explained."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "But the Anointed One is a Son [that is] over His House, and we are that House… as long as we continue in our [work of] speaking openly and boasting about our hope to the end."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "It’s because of this, that [God’s] Holy Breath says, ‘If you should hear His voice today,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "don’t harden your hearts as happened in the bitter day of testing in the desert. don’t harden your hearts as happened in the bitter day of testing in the desert.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "For, that’s when your fathers tested Me to prove [My power]… yet they’d been watching what I was doing for forty years!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "This is the reason why I became so disgusted with that generation and said, Their hearts are always wandering, and they’ve never understood My ways."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "So, in My anger I swore, They will never enter My rest.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Therefore, watch out brothers, that none of your hearts ever become wicked and unbelieving, and then cause you to pull away from the Living God!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Encourage each other every day – including today – so that none of you will become hardened and be tempted to sin."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "For, we are sharers in the Anointed One as long as we hang onto this position that we’ve started with until the end."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "That’s why it was said, ‘If you should hear His Voice today,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, just who was it that heard and caused this bitterness? Wasn’t it all those who left Egypt under Moses?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "And just who was it that He became disgusted with for forty years? Wasn’t it those who had sinned and whose carcasses fell in the desert?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "And who was it that He said wouldn’t enter His Rest… if not those who disobeyed?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "So, we can see that they couldn’t enter [His Rest] due to their lack of faith!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Therefore, we should [all] fear that some of us might be left behind when it comes to the promise of entering His rest,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "because we’ve had the good news preached to us, just as they did. Yet, they failed to benefit from hearing those words, because the faith of those who heard and believed didn’t rub off on them!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "However, those of us who have believed will enter His Rest. And although He said, ‘So, in my anger I swore that they’ll never enter My Rest,’ His work [has actually been finished] since the founding of the world!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, in one place He said this about the seventh day: ‘God rested from all His works on the seventh day.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "And here [He said], ‘They will never enter My rest.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "So, we must conclude that some will enter it! However, those to whom this good news was first given didn’t enter it because of their disobedience."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Then He mentioned a particular day, ‘today,’ in David’s [psalm]. And later on, He said (as I mentioned before), ‘If you should hear His voice today,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "don’t harden your hearts.’ Now, if Joshua had already led them to this place of rest, [God] wouldn’t have spoken of another day later on."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "So, there’s still a Sabbath for the people of God to observe."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "And those who enter His rest must also rest from the things they’re doing, just as God rested from [the things] He [was doing]."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Therefore, let’s do everything that we can to enter that rest, so no one will fail because of disobedience."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "For, the word of God is alive and at work, and it’s sharper than any two-edged sword. Why, it cuts so fine that it can separate the breath from the breather, as well as his joints and marrow! So, it becomes the judge of the thoughts and desires of [our] hearts."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, nothing in creation is invisible to His eyes… everything is naked and open before He who sent us His Word!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "So, in view of the fact that we have such a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens – Jesus the Son of God – let’s keep talking about him!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "And we don’t have a High Priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses; we have one who has been tested in every way… just like us! However, [he didn’t] sin."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "So, let’s approach his throne of loving care and speak freely, so we can receive his mercy, loving care, and aid, when we need it."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Now, all High Priests are selected from among men, and then they’re appointed over men and assigned to the things of God… the offering of gifts and sacrifices for sins."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "So, they feel a kinship with those who don’t understand and who make mistakes, since they’re surrounded by their own weaknesses."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "And this is why they have to make offerings not only for the sins of the people, but also for themselves!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "But no man can take this honor on himself; he can only be called to it by God, as Aaron was."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "Likewise, the Anointed One didn’t glorify himself to the position of High Priest. That was done by the One who said to him, ‘You’re My Son… today I have generated you!’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "And as He said in another place, ‘You’re a Priest through the age in the order of MelchiZedek.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, during the time that he was here in the flesh, [Jesus] begged and pleaded with the One who was able to save him from death, calling out with tears; and he was drawn close and listened to because of his faithfulness."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "And although he was the Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Then, after his [training] was finished, he became the one who brings salvation in the age to all those who obey him."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "Thus, God made him a High Priest in the line of MelchiZedek."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, we have much to say about him that will be hard to explain, since you’ve become so slow in your hearing."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "For, although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you now need someone to go back and teach you the basics of God’s Word again… you’ve become people who need milk, not solid food!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "Those who live on milk are babies who are unfamiliar with righteous teachings,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "while the adults eat solid food and have trained their senses to recognize the difference between right and wrong."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "So, now that we’ve gone beyond the basics of the Anointed One, may we be carried on toward maturity. Let’s not go back and lay a new foundation on such matters as repenting over bad deeds, having faith in God,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "or learning about baptisms, [spiritual] appointments, and the resurrection of the dead, or the judgments on this age."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "Yes, we can [go beyond the basics], if God allows it."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "You see; it’s impossible for those who have once and for all been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, been partakers in [God’s] Holy Breath,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "and savored the Word of God, His power, and the age to come,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "to be revived and make them repent once they’ve fallen away. This is because they would have to hang the Son of God back up on the pole again and make him a public spectacle."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, when the ground drinks in all the rain that falls on it, it gives birth to green plants, which are then cultivated by those who hope to receive their blessings from God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "However, if it just produces thorns and thistles, that ground will be rejected and almost cursed… and in the end, burned off!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, although we’ve been saying all of this; When it comes to you, loved ones; we believe that there will be better things and salvation,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "because God isn’t unrighteous, so He won’t forget the things that you’ve done, the love that you’ve shown for His Name, or how you’ve served the needs of the Holy Ones (and [how you] keep on doing so)."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "But, what we want is for each of you to show a real zeal when it comes to carrying out that which we hope for, all the way to completion…"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "we don’t want you to become lazy! Rather, we want you to imitate those who, through faith and patience, will inherit the promises."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "For [example]; When God gave his promise to Abraham (and because He couldn’t swear by anyone greater, He swore by Himself),"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "He said: ‘When it comes to blessings, I will bless you. And when it comes to growth, I will make you grow.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "Then, by being patient, [Abraham] received what he was promised."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, men always swear by the greater one. And whenever there’s a disagreement, this is what ensures the thing that was promised."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "So, when God wanted to show the heirs of the promise how unchangeable His words are, He agreed with an oath."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "18", "text": "[And He did this], so that through two unchangeable things about which God cannot lie, we who are fleeing would have a strong incentive to grab onto the hope that He has laid before us."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "19", "text": "This is the sure and stable anchor for our lives, since it goes behind the [Temple’s] inner curtain"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 6, "verse": "20", "text": "where Jesus entered earlier on our behalf (through the line of MelchiZedek), as the High Priest into the age."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "For, this MelchiZedek (a king of Salem and a Priest of the Most High God) was the one who met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings. Then Abraham blest him"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "and gave him a Tenth of everything [he had captured]. First, [MelchiZedek] translates as King of Righteousness. And then, as the king of Salem, he’s also the King of Peace."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "And because there are no genealogical records of him, he was [virtually] without a father or mother; so there was no beginning or end to his life. So, as the Son of God, [Jesus] remains a Priest until [everything is] completed."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "Now, do you see how great this man was, to whom [our] family head Abraham gave a tenth of the best things from his booty?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "Yes, it’s true that the sons of Levi were [also] made Priests, and they were commanded by the Law to collect a tithe from the people (who were their brothers, because they all came from the loins of Abraham)."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "But this man, whose genealogy we can’t trace, took ten percent from Abraham himself! Then he blest the one who had been given the promise!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, you can’t argue the fact that the lesser one is always blest by the greater."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "And in this first case, those who received the tithe were dying. But in the second case, it is someone whom we agree is [still] living."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "So we can say that Levi paid the tithe through Abraham,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "because he was in the loins of his forefather when MelchiZedek met him!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "So, if perfection came through the Levite Priesthood (which was possible for people under the Law), why would we need another Priest to come in the line of MelchiZedek… someone who isn’t of the line of Aaron?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "This is because, the Priesthood is being changed, and as the result, there must be a change in the Law!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "For, this man that we are talking about was a member of another tribe… one from which no one has ever served at the Altar!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "Why, we all recognize that our Lord came out of Judah, a tribe that Moses never spoke of as Priests!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "And this makes it even more obvious that a new Priest has arisen who is like MelchiZedek,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "because he didn’t become [a Priest] by the Law of human commandments, but by the power of a life that can’t be destroyed!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "And in witness to this fact it was said: ‘You’re a Priest into the age in the line of MelchiZedek.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "18", "text": "So, the earlier commandments have obviously been set aside, because they were weak and they didn’t do any good,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "19", "text": "since the Law didn’t make anything perfect. All it did was lead us to a better hope that’s [now] drawing us closer to God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "20", "text": "[This Law] also came about without a sworn oath…"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "21", "text": "so there were those who became Priests without a sworn oath! And no one else has had an oath sworn about him by He who said, ‘Jehovah has sworn (and He won’t change His mind): You’re a Priest through the age.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "22", "text": "So, Jesus has become the promise of a better Sacred Agreement."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "23", "text": "Now, [under the old Agreement], many became Priests, because death prevented them from continuing [in that position]."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "24", "text": "However, he remains through the age, so he unmistakably has the Priesthood;"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "25", "text": "and he’s able to save those who approach God through him, because he will always be alive to plead on their behalf!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "26", "text": "He’s the best High Priest for us, because he’s loyal, righteous, and pure. He was also removed from among the sinners and put higher than the sky."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "27", "text": "And unlike former High Priests who had to offer sacrifices daily (first for their own sins and then for those of the people), he did this just once when he offered himself!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 7, "verse": "28", "text": "You see; The Law appointed men as High Priests who had weaknesses. But the promise that came with a sworn oath (and which supersedes the Law) appointed a Son who is perfect into the age."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "So, the point I’m making is this: We already have such a High Priest, and he’s sitting at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in the heavens,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "where He’s handling Priestly duties at the Most Holy in the real Tent that was built by Jehovah, not by men."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "Now, every High Priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices… so it was necessary for him to have something to offer also."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "But he likely wouldn’t be a Priest if he was here on the earth, since there are already those who are appointed by the Law to offer the gifts."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "However, when they handle their Priestly duties, what they’re doing is following a pattern, which is just a shadow of how these sacred duties are being handled in the heavens! It’s the same as when Moses was about to finish the [Sacred] Tent. For, he was given a divine warning then, which said, ‘Be sure to assemble everything by the pattern you were shown on the mountain.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "But now, [Jesus] has received a much better Priestly assignment, for he’s also the mediator of a better Sacred Agreement, which was legally established on better promises."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, if there weren’t problems with the first [Agreement], there wouldn’t have been any reason to search for a second."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "However, He did find a problem with the people, because He said, ‘{Look!} The time is coming, says Jehovah, when I will make a new Sacred Agreement with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "This won’t be like the Agreement that I made with their ancestors at the time that I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt… because they didn’t keep their side of it. As the result, I stopped caring for them, says Jehovah."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "This is the Agreement that I’m going to make with the House of Israel at that time, says Jehovah: I’ll put my laws in their minds and write them in their hearts. I will become their God and they will be My people."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "Then, citizens of the land won’t have to teach their brothers about Jehovah, because they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "And I will be merciful toward their unrighteousness, and I’ll forget their sins.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "So, when He spoke of a New Sacred Agreement, He made the old one obsolete. And now, that which was made obsolete is growing old and is about to disappear!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "That first [Agreement] set out the righteous requirements for service in a worldly Most Holy."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "There was this first Tent where the [sacred] lampstand and the table for the showbread were kept that was called the Holy Place."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "Then behind this curtain was a second Tent that was called the Most Holy."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "This contained a golden incense holder and the Chest of the Sacred Agreement, which was completely overlaid with gold; and it held the golden jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that grew buds, and the [Sacred] Tablets of the Agreement."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "Then over it, there were the glorious cherubs that cast a shadow on the cover. So, now it is time to discuss some of the details of these things."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "After these things were constructed, the Priests would continuously enter the first Tent to perform their sacred duties,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "but the second [compartment] was only entered once a year, and just by the High Priest. However, even he couldn’t enter it without blood, which he had to offer both for himself and for the sins of the peoples’ ignorance."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, the Holy Breath makes it clear that the entrance to the Most Holy couldn’t be seen while the first Tent was standing…"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "and this is a parable of the time that we’re now living in. So, with this parable in mind, [recognize that] the gifts and sacrifices which are offered can’t make the conscience of the one who is serving perfect,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "for that whole thing has to do with food, drink, and types of cleansing, which were fleshly, legal requirements [that would last] until the time came when all of this would be thoroughly layed down and straightened out."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "Well, when the Anointed One came as the High Priest of good things (through the greater and more perfect Tent that he didn’t create and which wasn’t made by [human] hands),"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "he didn’t enter the Most Holy with the blood of goats and young bulls; [he entered] the Holies with his own blood, having found a single ageless ransom!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, if the blood of goats and bulls, or the ashes of a heifer that are sprinkled on those who’ve become unclean can make their flesh holy and clean,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "how much more so will [this be done by] the blood of the Anointed One! For, he offered himself to God as an ageless, unblemished spirit, to cleanse our consciences of the deeds of the dying, so we can worship the living God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "And he is the mediator of this New Sacred Agreement, for [his] death paid the ransom to release those who were under the first Agreement from their errors, so that those who have been called could receive the promised inheritance of the age!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "For, whenever there’s [any sort of an] agreement, death is part of the bargain for the one who agrees to it,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "because an agreement that lasts until death is something that has been proven. However, it isn’t as strong while the one who made the agreement is still alive."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "Therefore, that first [Sacred Agreement] had to be made with blood."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "And after Moses explained all the Commandments of the Law to the people, he took the blood of young bulls and goats, mixed it with water, and then [he] used scarlet wool and hyssop to sprinkle the scroll and all the people."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "And he said, ‘This is the blood of the Sacred Agreement that God made with you.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "And thereafter, he sprinkled the blood on the Tent and over all the things that were used for worship."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "22", "text": "Yes, according to the Law, almost everything is made clean by blood. And unless blood is spilled, there is no forgiving."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "23", "text": "That’s why it was necessary for the heavenly things that are symbolized by all of this to be cleansed that way. However, heavenly things require better sacrifices."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "24", "text": "So, the Anointed One didn’t enter a Most Holy that was made with hands (which is just a copy of the real thing), he actually entered heaven itself to stand in front of God for us!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "25", "text": "Nor does he have to offer himself often, as does the High Priest who enters the Most Holy each year with blood that isn’t his own."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "26", "text": "Otherwise, he would have suffered many times since the founding of the world. But now he has displayed himself at the end of the age and offered himself in order to do away with sins just once, through his sacrifice."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "27", "text": "And in the same way that men must die just once (which is followed by a judgment),"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 9, "verse": "28", "text": "the Anointed One was also offered just once, to carry the sins of many. So, the next time he’s seen by those who are so eagerly awaiting him, they will be free from sin and ready for salvation."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "So, since the Law isn’t the reality, but just a shadow of good things to come, the sacrifices that are offered annually will never make the one who brings them perfect."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "Why, if that were true, they wouldn’t have to be offered anymore. And if those who are worshiping this way had been made clean once and for all time, they wouldn’t even think about sinning."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "However, these sacrifices remind us of our sins year after year,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "because the blood of bulls and goats can’t take away sins."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "It was because of this, that, when he came into the world he said, ‘You didn’t want sacrifices and offerings, but You prepared a body for me."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "Nor did You approve of burnt offerings and sin offerings.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he said, ‘Look, I’ve come to do Your Will, O God, just as it was written about me in the front of the book!’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, after first saying, ‘You didn’t want or approve of sacrifices and offerings, or burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (which are being offered in observance of the Law), he then said, ‘Look, I’ve come to do Your Will.’ So, he removed the first to establish the second!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "And it’s because of this Will that we’ve been made holy… it’s through that single offering of the body of Jesus the Anointed One!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "Now, all the Priests take their stations each day in Temple service. And there they offer the same sacrifices repeatedly; yet they can never take sins away completely."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "12", "text": "However, he offered one sacrifice for sins through the ages, and then he sat down at the right hand of God,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "13", "text": "where he’s awaiting [the time when] his enemies will be set as a stool for his feet."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "14", "text": "So, he gave this single offering that made the Holy Ones perfect."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "15", "text": "Why, the Holy Breath [of God] testifies to us about this, for first it said,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "16", "text": "‘This is the Sacred Agreement that I will make with them in those days, says Jehovah: I will put my laws in their hearts and I’ll write them in their minds.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "17", "text": "[Then it says,] ‘I will be merciful whenever they do things that aren’t right, and I’ll forget their sins.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "18", "text": "And when such things are forgotten, there isn’t any more need for sin offerings!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "19", "text": "So brothers; We can obviously say that we have an access into the Most Holy through the blood of Jesus,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "20", "text": "for he has worked out a way through the curtain for us… a sacrificial but living way, through his flesh."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "21", "text": "And since we now have such a great Priest over the House of God,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "22", "text": "let’s approach with honest hearts and complete faith, having rinsed a wicked conscience from our hearts and having washed our bodies in clean water."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "23", "text": "So, let’s hang onto the confession of our hope and not give up, because the One who gave us the promise is faithful."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "24", "text": "And let’s keep reminding ourselves to help each other to grow in love and good deeds."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "25", "text": "And don’t stop meeting together (as some have made it their custom), but [continue to] encourage each other… and [do this] even more so as you see the Day getting closer."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "26", "text": "Why, if we choose to follow a sinful course after coming to an accurate knowledge of the truth, there are no more sacrifices left for sins."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "27", "text": "All [that’s left] is the fear and anticipation of judgment, and the roaring of the fiery zeal that’s going to consume those who oppose us."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "28", "text": "Now, if anyone rejected the Law of Moses and two or three testified against him, he was to die without compassion."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "29", "text": "So, how much more worthy of punishment do you think someone will be who tramples on the Son of God; or who considers the blood of the Sacred Agreement that made him holy as something unclean; or who has outraged the loving care of the Breath [of God] by treating it with contempt?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "30", "text": "For, we know the One who said, ‘Vengeance belongs to Me… I will repay!’ And again, ‘Jehovah will judge His people.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "31", "text": "So, it’s a fearsome thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "32", "text": "I want you to think back to the days, just after you came to an understanding and were enduring so much suffering, what a hard fight it was."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "33", "text": "Why, sometimes it was just like being on a stage where you were insulted and persecuted, along with [many] others who shared your experience."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "34", "text": "Back then, you were so sympathetic toward those who were in prison. And when [all] the things you owned were taken away, you were joyful, because you knew that you had something better and longer lasting!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "35", "text": "So, don’t throw away your willingness to speak out, because you’ve paid too much to earn it!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "36", "text": "You need to endure, so that after you’ve done God’s will, you can walk off with [the prize] that you were promised!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "37", "text": "For, it’s just a little while longer until the one who is coming will be here, and he won’t be late!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "38", "text": "‘But My righteous one will live because of his faith,’ and, ‘If he gives up, My soul finds no pleasure in him.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 10, "verse": "39", "text": "Now, we’re not the type that gives up just to be destroyed; [we’re] the type that has the faith that will save our lives!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "[This is the definition of] faith: It’s when [you] expect the things that you’re hoping for, and [you’re] convinced of things you haven’t [really] seen."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "And we can testify [that such] faith [existed among the] men [of ancient times]."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "When it comes to faith, we’re reminded (and have come to believe) that the things God has promised down through the ages couldn’t be seen. Yet we can see them now, because they’ve already happened!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, it was because of his faith that Abel offered a greater sacrifice to God than Cain did. And due to this, the One who witnessed his righteousness and the One who saw the gifts that he offered, was God. As the result, although [Abel] is dead, he still speaks."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "It was because of his faith that Enoch was transported, so he wouldn’t see death… he couldn’t be found, because God transported him. However, before he was transported, it was testified to that he had pleased God well."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "You see, it’s impossible to please Him well without faith. Because, whoever wants to come to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who are eagerly searching for Him."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "It was because of his faith that Noah (after being given a divine warning of things he hadn’t seen yet) trusted in God and built a chest to save his family. And due to this righteous faith, he condemned the world and became its heir."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "It was because of his faith that Abraham obeyed when he was called, and he traveled to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. Yet, as he was leaving, he didn’t even know where he was going!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "Then he faithfully lived as an alien in a foreign land, which was the very land that he was promised. He lived there in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were [fellow] heirs of that same promise,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "because he was laying the foundations of a city that would be created and watched over by God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "It was because of [her] faith that Sarah received the power to conceive a seed when she was too old to do so, since she had high regard for and faith in the One who made the promise."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "So, from [this woman] who was sexually dead, came a huge number… like the stars of the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore… innumerable!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "All of these died faithful, and although they didn’t receive what was promised, they saw it and welcomed it from a distance, as they publicly admitted that they were strangers and aliens in the land."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "Now, when people say things such as this, they prove that they’re looking for a home."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "And if they ever started longing for the place they left, they probably would have gone back."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "However, they were reaching out for something better… something that belongs to heaven. As the result, God isn’t ashamed of them, nor [is He ashamed] to be called their God. In fact, He created a city for them!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "Abraham’s faith was tested over Isaac, for he brought his only son as an offering. Yet, this was the one about whom the promise had been made…"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "the one of whom it was said, ‘Your seed will come through Isaac!’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "But [Abraham] figured that God was able to raise him from the dead. And in effect, that’s where he got him from."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "20", "text": "It was also because of his faith that Isaac blest Jacob and Esau concerning future things."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "21", "text": "And it was because of his faith that Jacob blest each of the sons of Joseph before he died, and bowed low as he leaned on his cane."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "22", "text": "Then Joseph, when he was getting close to his end, showed his faith when he talked about the exodus of the sons of Israel, and when he gave instructions regarding his bones."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "23", "text": "The parents of Moses showed faith when they hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that the young child was beautiful, and they weren’t afraid of the king’s decree."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "24", "text": "Then after he became great, Moses showed his faith by refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "25", "text": "he chose to be treated badly with the people of God, rather than spending his time enjoying sinful pleasures,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "26", "text": "because he considered the insults of being the anointed as far more valuable than the treasures of Egypt… he was looking to the future for his reward!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "27", "text": "So, his faith then moved him to leave Egypt… and he wasn’t afraid of the king’s anger. He stuck to the Invisible One with all his might, as though he could actually see Him."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "28", "text": "Then in faith, he celebrated the Passover and splashed the blood, so the destroyer wouldn’t touch their firstborn."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "29", "text": "It took faith to pass through the Red Sea as though it were dry land; for when the Egyptians tried that, it swallowed them down."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "30", "text": "And it was because of faith that the walls of Jericho fell after they had been circled for seven days."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "31", "text": "Then, it was because of her faith (when she peacefully welcomed the spies [into her home]) that RaHab the prostitute didn’t die along with those who disobeyed."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "32", "text": "What more can I say? I don’t have enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, JephThah, David, or of SamuEl and the Prophets."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "33", "text": "Yet, by their faith they defeated kingdoms in war, did righteous things, received the promises, fenced off the mouths of lions,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "34", "text": "overcame the force of fire, and escaped the edge of the sword. Nor [can I tell] of the weak ones who were made powerful and became mighty in war, and then drove off foreign armies."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "35", "text": "Women received their dead by resurrection; others were beaten with rods; and in order to receive a better resurrection, they wouldn’t allow a ransom to be paid on their behalf."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "36", "text": "Yes, others were mocked and tried with whips… and even more than that, [they were] put in shackles and in prisons!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "37", "text": "They were tried, stoned, sawed in half, and they were slaughtered with swords… they dressed themselves in sheepskins and goatskins as they were in need, in a lot of trouble, and treated badly."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "38", "text": "The world didn’t deserve them, but they were forced to wander the deserts, mountains, caves, and peepholes of the earth."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "39", "text": "And although their faith testifies about all of them, they never received what they were promised."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 11, "verse": "40", "text": "Yet, because God saw something better in us, they won’t be brought to perfection without us."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "So, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses lying around us, we should each get rid of the things that are weighing us down and any sins that are standing in our way. Then, let’s run the difficult course that’s ahead of us with endurance,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "as we look forward in faith to our supreme leader, our goal, Jesus. Why, in return for the joy that he had before him, [Jesus] endured the shame of the impaling pole and thought nothing of it… then he sat down to the right of the Throne of God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "So, pay close attention to his example and how he was able to endure all of that at the hands of sinners (who just condemned themselves), so you don’t tire out and give up on your lives!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, so far, none of you has had to struggle against sin to the point of bleeding."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "And you’ve forgotten the encouragement that was given to you as [His] sons, that said, ‘My son; Don’t treat the discipline of Jehovah lightly, and don’t try to avoid being corrected by Him."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "For, Jehovah disciplines those whom He Loves and He whips those whom He accepts as His sons.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, the only reason you’ve made it this far, is because of discipline; and this proves that God is treating you as sons! After all, which son doesn’t his father discipline?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "So, if you’ve never been disciplined [by God], you aren’t one of us… you’re bastards, not sons!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "We all had fleshly fathers who used to discipline us, and we respected them. So, shouldn’t we obey the Father who gave us His Breath even more… so we can live?"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "For a brief period [in our lives, our fathers] used to discipline us over things that seemed right to them. However, we’re being brought [before Him] to be partakers of His Holiness!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "And while it’s true that discipline doesn’t make us joyful when we receive it (it makes us sad); later on, those who learn from it harvest the fruit of peace and righteousness."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "So, straighten up your drooping arms, firm up those shaky knees,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "and make sure that the tracks you’re making with your feet are straight… be healed rather than lame!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "Try to make peace with everyone and to become holy, because without that, no one can see the Lord."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "Make sure that none of you are falling short of God’s loving care, and that no bitter roots sprout up to create trouble and make many of you unclean."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "[Of course, I’m talking about people] who are immoral or worldly, like Esau, who gave away his rights as the firstborn for a single meal."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "Remember that he changed his mind later on and wanted to inherit the blessing, but despite the fact that he tearfully tried to reclaim it, he was rejected."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, [this mountain] that you’ve approached can’t be felt, nor is any fire burning there… or darkness, or fog, or storms."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "19", "text": "There’s no sound of a trumpet blowing, or of a voice speaking [from the heavens]… a voice that the people begged not to have to listen to,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "20", "text": "and which they couldn’t bear when they heard it say so clearly, ‘If even some wild animal touches this mountain, it must be stoned!’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "21", "text": "Why, it was such a frightening scene that even Moses admitted, ‘I’m terrified and shaking!’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "22", "text": "So, what you’ve approached is Mount Zion; the City of the Living God. It’s Heavenly Jerusalem, where there are millions of [God’s] messengers"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "23", "text": "attending a convention… the gathering of the firstborn whose names have been written in the heavens… and God is the judge over them all. [You’ve approached] the unseen force of those who are righteous and who have been made perfect;"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "24", "text": "and [you’ve approached] Jesus, the mediator of a New Sacred Agreement, whose sacrificial blood speaks out better than Abel’s."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "25", "text": "Therefore, be sure that you aren’t also found as begging not to have to listen to the One who is speaking. For, those who begged not to listen to the One who gave that divine warning here on the earth had to listen to it anyhow! So, how much more should we refuse to turn away from the One who’s speaking to us from the heavens!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "26", "text": "Why, back then, His voice just shook the ground! But now He has promised, ‘Next time, I’ll not only shake the ground, [I’ll also shake] the sky!’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "27", "text": "And when He spoke of the next time, He implied that the only things which are going to be shaken are the things that were made… yes, they will be done away with; but the things that aren’t shaken will remain."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "28", "text": "So, in view of the fact that we’re going to receive a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s show how much we care! For, that’s how we can please God in our worship to Him, [doing so] in awe and deep respect,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 12, "verse": "29", "text": "because our God is a consuming fire."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "So, love your brothers…"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "and don’t forget to care about people who you don’t know! For, it was because they did this, that some unknowingly showed hospitality to [God’s] messengers!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "And don’t forget those who are in prison… act as though you’re locked up with them! Also, [don’t forget] those who are being persecuted… [act as though it’s happening to] your own bodies!"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "May each of your marriages be kept honorable and your beds be kept clean, because God will judge the sexually immoral and the adulterers."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "Live your lives free from the love of money… be satisfied with the things you have, because He promised, ‘I won’t forget you and I’ll never let you down.’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "So, let’s be courageous and say, ‘I won’t be afraid, because the Lord is my helper… so what can men do to me?’"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "Listen to those who are taking the lead among you and speaking to you about the Word of God. Then, as you see the results of their conduct, imitate their faith."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "[Remember that] Jesus the Anointed One is the same yesterday, today, and through the ages;"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "so, don’t allow yourselves to be carried off by strange teachings. It’s best for [your] hearts to be made strong through [God’s] loving care… not by the things that you eat, which are of no benefit at all to those who are walking [in The Way]."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "Why, we have an Altar that those who serve God at His Tent aren’t authorized to eat from."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "For, in the same way that the bodies of those animals whose blood is taken into the Most Holy by the High Priest as a sin offering are burned up outside the camp,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "Jesus also suffered outside the gate to make people holy with his blood."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "So, let’s go to him outside the camp bearing all the bad things that were said about him,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "because the city that’s here [today] isn’t going to survive! Since we’re searching for the one who is coming,"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "let’s always offer sacrifices of praise (the fruit of our lips) to God, through [Jesus], as we keep talking about his name."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "And don’t forget to do good things and to share whatever you have with others, because, these are the types of sacrifices which are pleasing to God."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "Also, obey and submit to those who are taking the lead among you, because they’re responsible for watching over your lives! May they do this with joy, not with groaning, since that would be hazardous to you."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "Also, keep praying for us. We feel that our consciences are clear, since we’ve acted properly in everything."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "19", "text": "I especially want to encourage you to do this, so that I can be returned to you a bit sooner."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, may the God of peace who raised the great Shepherd of the sheep from the dead with the blood of a Sacred Agreement that lasts through the age (our Lord Jesus),"}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "21", "text": "use everything that’s good to make any adjustments that are necessary for you to do His Will. To He who acts within us (through Jesus the Anointed One) so as to accomplish everything that He sees to be good, be the glory into the ages of ages… may it be."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "22", "text": "Now, I urge you brothers to live up to these words of encouragement, although I really haven’t written much."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "23", "text": "By the way, I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released, and if he gets here soon, I’ll come to see you."}
{"book": "HEB", "chapter": 13, "verse": "24", "text": "Give my greetings to all those who are taking the lead among you and to all the Holy Ones. Those in Italy send you their greetings."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One, to the twelve tribes that are scattered about; Rejoice!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "Yes, consider it all joy, my brothers, when you have to endure various types of trials,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "because you know that this proving of your faith helps you to endure."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "May your endurance reach its goal, so you can become perfect and complete in every way, lacking in nothing."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "If any of you are short of wisdom, continue to ask God and it will be given to you, because He provides it easily and without scolding anyone."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "However, you must believe [that you’ll receive it] and not have any doubts, because those who doubt are like waves of the sea that are driven and blown about by the wind."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "Such a person shouldn’t expect to receive anything at all from the Lord,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "because he’s unsure and he doesn’t trust in anything."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Let the lowly brother brag about his high standing,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "and the one who is rich about his lowliness, because he too will pass away like a flower in a field."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "For, when the sun comes up and puts out all its heat, the plant withers, the flower drops off, and its beauty fades. That’s how the rich man will fade away in his journey through life."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "But the man who endures his trials is blest, because when he’s approved, he’ll receive the crown of life that the Lord promised to all those who love him."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "May no one who is being tried ever say, ‘I’m being tried by God,’ because God doesn’t bring bad things to try us. In fact, He doesn’t try anyone."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "Rather, we are each being tried by our own desires, which bait us and lead us on."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "Then, when a desire becomes pregnant, it gives birth to sin. And once the sin is committed, it ends in death."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "Don’t allow anyone to mislead you, my loved brothers."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "Every good deed and every perfect gift comes to us from above. It comes down from the Father of the Lights, who doesn’t change any more than a shadow when it turns."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "And because it was His will, He gave birth to us through the message of truth, so we could be some of the first fruitage of His creation."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "Recognize this, my loved brothers: Every man must be eager to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "because a man’s anger doesn’t make him righteous with God."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "So, once you’ve gotten rid of all the filth and badness, humbly allow the Word to grow inside you, because it can save your lives."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "Become a person who does whatever the Word tells him. Don’t be someone who just listens, then draws his own conclusions."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "Because, if anyone just listens to the Word and doesn’t act on it, he’s like a man who is gazing into a mirror at the face he was born with."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "He carefully examines himself, and then he leaves and immediately forgets what sort of man he is."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "However, the man who gazes into the perfect law that belongs to a free people – and then keeps on looking into it – isn’t someone who listens and forgets, he’s someone who takes action! This man will be blest in whatever he does."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "26", "text": "Now, if anyone thinks of himself as a worshiper, but misleads his heart by not putting a bridle on his tongue, his worship is worthless."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 1, "verse": "27", "text": "What our God and Father views as clean, pure worship is this: Watching over orphans and widows when they’re in need and keeping ourselves free from the stains of this world."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "My brothers; Are you showing prejudice when it comes to the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "For example, if a man who is wearing gold rings on his fingers and expensive clothes comes into your synagogue, then someone who is poor and whose clothes aren’t clean also enters,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "would you favor the one that’s wearing expensive clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good place to sit,’ then say to the poor one, ‘Why don’t you stand,’ or, ‘Sit here beside my footstool?’"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "If so, aren’t you condemned as prejudiced and wicked judges?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "Listen, my loved brothers! Didn’t God choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom that He promised to those who love Him?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "However, you dishonor the poor. Don’t the rich oppress you and drag you into courts?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Don’t they blaspheme the good name of the very one that you are called by?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, if you’re obeying the kingly law of the Scriptures that says, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "But if you’re showing prejudice, you’re sinning, and the Law exposes you as being in violation."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, if anyone who is trying to obey the Law fails in one part of it, he has broken the whole thing."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "For, He who said, ‘You must not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘You must not murder.’ So, if you don’t commit adultery but you murder someone, you’ve broken the whole Law."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "Therefore, speak and behave as though you’re about to be judged by the law of a free people."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "Because, those who aren’t merciful will be judged without mercy, since mercy is an important part of justice."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "What good does it do, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but isn’t moved to do anything about it? Can such faith save him?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "If a brother or sister doesn’t have clothing or enough food for each day,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "yet one of you were to tell him, ‘Go in peace, be warm and well fed,’ and you don’t give him what he needs to survive, what good is it?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "So, faith that doesn’t do anything is dead."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, someone can say, ‘You have faith and I have deeds.’ But you show me your faith without deeds and I’ll show you my faith by the things that I do."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "So, you have faith that there’s just one God, do you? That’s good. So, do the demons! They believe and it frightens them!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "Do you care to know, O empty man, that faith that doesn’t do anything is useless?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "Wasn’t our father Abraham called righteous because of the things he did, such as when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "As you can see, [Abraham’s] faith and actions worked together, and [his] actions are what made his faith perfect."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "Then the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham put faith in God, which was considered to be righteousness,’ and he was called ‘God’s friend.’"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "So you see, a man is called righteous by the things he does, not just by his faith."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "The same thing was true of RaHab the prostitute. Wasn’t she called righteous because of what she did when she took the messengers in and then sent them out by another way?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "So, just as a body that isn’t breathing is dead, faith without action is dead."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Brothers, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we will be held more responsible,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "and we all make a lot of mistakes. Why, if someone doesn’t say anything that’s wrong, he’s a perfect man who can lead his whole body with a bridle."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Now, if we put a bridle in the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, we also control its whole body."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "{Look!} Why, even large boats that are driven by strong winds are steered wherever the pilot wishes by very small rudders."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "That’s how the tongue is. It’s just a little body part, yet it can brag about big things. Look at how little a flame it takes to set a whole forest on fire!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "And the tongue is a fire, for the tongue can bring a world of unrighteousness into our bodies. It stains the whole body and sets the natural cycles of life on fire… and that leads to the flames of the garbage dump."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Why, every sort of wild animal, flying creature, slithering thing, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by men,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "but no man can tame the tongue. It won’t stop doing bad things and it’s full of deadly poison."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "We can use it to bless our Lord and Father, or curse men who came into existence in God’s image."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "So, out of the same mouth comes both blessings and curses. There’s no need for things like this to keep happening, my brothers."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "Are there any fountains that bubble up both sweet and bitter [water]?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Fig trees can’t produce olives, grapevines can’t produce figs, nor can salt water produce sweet water; can it my brothers."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show that he has the inner strength that comes from wisdom by the way he acts and the things he does."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "But if you are bitterly jealous, and in your hearts you just want to argue, don’t be too proud of this, and don’t lie about the facts."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "This isn’t wisdom that comes from above; it’s earthly, animalistic, and demonic."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "For, where you find jealousy and arguing, you’ll also find turmoil and everything that’s foul."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "Now, the wisdom that comes from above is first, pure. Then it’s peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, and full of mercy and good fruitage. It isn’t hypocritical or prejudiced,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "because the seeds of the fruit of righteousness are planted in peace, by those making peace."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "So, where are all these fights and wars among you coming from? Aren’t they the result of battles that are being fought in your body parts over [sensual] pleasures?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "You want, but you can’t have. You’re jealous and murderous, but that doesn’t get you anything. You’re fighting and waging war, but you haven’t received, because you haven’t asked."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "And when you do ask, you don’t receive, because you’re asking for the wrong reasons. All you’re interested in is pleasure!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Adulteresses, don’t you know that if you’re a friend of the world you’re an enemy of God? So, whoever wants to be a friend of the world is putting himself down as God’s enemy."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Or do you think that the scripture doesn’t apply that says, ‘[God’s] Breath, which lives in us, tends to be jealous.’"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "Yet, the loving care that He offers is even greater. So it says, ‘God opposes those who are proud, but He’s kind to those who are humble.’"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Therefore, obey God! Resist the Opposer and he’ll run from you!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "But come close to God and He’ll come close to you! Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you who can’t decide!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Otherwise, [you can] cry, moan, be miserable, and allow your laughter to be turned into moaning and your joy into sadness!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "But if you humble yourselves in the eyes of the Lord, he will lift you up."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Brothers, stop complaining about each other, because the one who speaks against or judges a brother, speaks against and judges law. And if you judge law, you aren’t someone who’s under it; you’re its judge!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "However, there’s just one lawgiver and judge, and He can either save or destroy. So, who are you to be judging your neighbor?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "And those of you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we’re going to travel to this city or that, and we’ll spend a year there doing business and making profits… ’"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "why, you don’t know what’s going to happen in your life tomorrow; for, you’re just a mist that appears for a little while then disappears!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "So, what you should be saying is, ‘If it’s the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "But now you’re taking pride in things that you just assume to be true. And having pride in such things is wickedness."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, if someone knows what’s right and doesn’t do it, that’s a sin for him!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Go on, you who are rich, cry and bawl over the miseries that you’ll have to endure;"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "for, your wealth [will] have rotted away and your clothes [will] have become moth-eaten;"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "your gold and silver [will] have corroded, and whatever remains will testify against you and eat your flesh like the fire that’s stored up for you in the last days."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "Look! The wages that you refused to pay the workers who harvested your fields are calling out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of Jehovah of armies!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "You’ve lived on the earth in luxury and for immoral pleasure; you’ve provided your hearts everything they could desire on the day of slaughter;"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "and you’ve condemned and murdered the Righteous One! So, won’t He stand and oppose you?"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Be patient brothers, until the Lord arrives. {Look!} As the farmer harvests the precious fruitage of the ground after patiently waiting for both the early and late rains,"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "you be patient also – with determined hearts – because the arrival of the Lord is near."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Brothers, don’t be moaning about each other, so you won’t be judged. For look, the Judge is standing at the doors!"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "Brothers, learn the example of how to suffer bad things and how to be patient from the Prophets who spoke in the Name of Jehovah."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "{Look!} We call those who endured blest! Why, you’ve heard of the endurance of Job, and you saw the way Jehovah ended it. [This proves] that Jehovah is very kind and merciful."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "And above all, my brothers, stop swearing oaths – not by heaven, or earth, or by anything else – just let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no, so you don’t fail when you’re being judged."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "Is anyone among you being persecuted? Let him keep praying. Is there anyone who is cheerful? Let him sing psalms."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Is there anyone among you who is sick? Let him call the elders and have them pray over him, as they grease him with oil in the name of the Lord."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "Then this prayer of faith will rescue the weak one and the Lord will make him well. Also, if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "So, admit your sins to each other and pray that each one of you will be healed, because prayer has a lot of power when it’s working through a righteous man."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "EliJah was a man with passions like ours, and yet when he [went to God] in prayer and prayed for it not to rain, it didn’t rain in the land for three and a half years."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "Then he prayed again, and the heavens poured rain, causing the ground to produce its fruitage."}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "My brothers, if someone is led from the truth and then someone else turns him around;"}
{"book": "JAS", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "recognize that the one who turns the sinner back from the error of his ways will save his life from death, and it will cover many, many sins as well."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Peter, an Apostle of Jesus the Anointed One, to the elected ones among the scattered who are currently living in Pontus, Galatia, CappaDocia, Asia, and Bithynia,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "who God the Father has known, who were made holy by [God’s] Breath, and who are obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus the Anointed One: May you grow in [God’s] peace and loving care."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, who showed His great mercy by regenerating us from among the dead ones into the hope of life through the resurrection of Jesus the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "as an incorruptible and clean inheritance, which can never grow old or fade away… because this is what’s awaiting you in the heavens."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "The power of God is watching over you because of your faith in [this hope] of being saved, which is soon to be seen in the last days,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "and in which you are rejoicing, although right now you’re undergoing many trials for a brief period."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "This is happening so that the proof of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold that is refined and proven by fire, may be found to be a reason for praise, honor, and glory, during the revelation of Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "For, although you’ve never seen him, you’ve love him. And although you can’t see him, you believe in him and are rejoicing with an unspeakable and glorified joy,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "as you carry off for yourselves the reward of this faith… the saving of your souls."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "When it comes to salvation, the Prophets looked and searched for this loving-care that’s being shown to you."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "They tried, through the spirit of anointing that was in them, to determine the exact time and circumstances of the sufferings of the Anointed One and of his being glorified, which they knew about even back then."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "And although it wasn’t revealed to them, [it was] to you. For they were just servants of things that those who preached the good news to you have shown you, through the Holy Breath that was sent from heaven, and which even the messengers [of God] want to learn more about."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "As the result, prepare your minds to understand! Be perfectly sober about your hope of the loving care that will be conveyed to you at the revelation of Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "As obedient children, don’t go back to being what you used to be by desiring ignorant things."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "But, like the Holy One who called you, become holy in all your ways."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "For it is written, ‘You must be holy, because I am holy!’"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "So, if you are calling on this Father (who doesn’t discriminate, but judges each one by what he does), it’s time for you to fearfully turn back from your isolation."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "For, you must recognize that the ransom, which was paid to release you from the worthless way of life that you learned from your fathers, wasn’t paid for with things that corrode, like silver or gold."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "It was [paid for] with the precious blood of the Anointed One, who is like a spotless and perfect lamb."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "Although he was known before the world was established, he is being recognized in you at the end of this period in time,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "whenever you (through him) are being faithful to God (the One who raised him from the dead and glorified him), so that your faith and hope will be in God."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "So, now that obedience to the truth has purified your lives; truly care about your brothers and reach out in sincere love for them with your whole hearts."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "For, you weren’t regenerated as seeds that rot, but by something that doesn’t decay… the promises of the living and enduring God."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Because, ‘All flesh is like grass, and its glory is like flowers in a field. Grass dries up and flowers drop,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "but the words of Jehovah remain through the age.’ These are the words that we preached to you as good news."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "As the result, get rid of all your badness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all the slandering."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "Then, like newborn babies, develop a taste for the pure milk of the Word, which will help you to grow to salvation,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "once you’ve tasted the tender care of the Lord."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "Approach him as though he’s a living block of stone (who for a fact was rejected by men but was chosen as precious by God)"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "[upon whom] you as living blocks are being built into a spiritual house – a Holy Priesthood – to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God, through Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For the Scripture says, ‘{Look!} I’m laying a block that I selected in Zion – a precious top cornerstone – and anyone who believes in it will never be shamed.’"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "So, while this is a precious opportunity for you who are believers, it isn’t for those who aren’t believers. For [the Scriptures say]: ‘The block that the builders rejected has become the head cornerstone,’"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "and, ‘a stone of stumbling and a tripping block.’ So, they stumble because they aren’t obeying the word. And this is the lot they were given."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "However, you are a chosen race, a royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a people who were specially selected to announce the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "And although you once weren’t a nation, now you’re a nation of God. And although you were once shown no mercy, you’re now the ones who are shown mercy."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "My loved ones; I want to encourage you (as foreigners and those who are living away from their homes) not to indulge in things that your bodies may crave and which fight a battle against your lives…"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "while you’re [living] among the nations, behave yourselves! Then, when they condemn you and say bad things about you, let them see the good things you’re doing so they can glorify God in the Day when He comes for His inspection."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "Obey every office that has been created by men (through the Lord), regardless of whether the one who is over you is a king,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "or [just] a governor who has been sent [by the king] to punish criminals and to praise those who do good things."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "It’s God’s Will for you to do good things, so you can put a muzzle on the ignorant accusations of unreasonable men."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "Be free people; but as slaves of God, don’t use your freedom as a cover-up to do bad things."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Show honor to everyone; love your brothers; fear God; and show special honor to the king!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "Those who work in homes should obey and fear their masters… and not just those who are good and reasonable, but those who are hard to please."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "For, if someone (because of a Godly conscience) puts up with the grief of having to suffer for something he didn’t do, this shows a lot of inner strength."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "After all, what good is it if you endure being slapped for doing something wrong? But if you have to endure suffering when you’ve only done what’s good, this shows your inner strength to God."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "And for a fact, you were called to this [course]. Why, the Anointed One also suffered for you so he could set an example for you to follow in his tracks."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "Yet, he wasn’t guilty of sin, nor did his mouth tell lies."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "When they shouted bad things at him, he didn’t shout back; and when he was suffering, he didn’t threaten anyone. He just left himself [in the hands of] the One who judges righteously."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "He was carrying our sins when his body was put on the pole, so that once the sins were gone, we could live righteously. For, ‘by his wounds you were healed.’"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "You were like sheep that were wandering off, but now you’ve returned to the shepherd who watches over your lives."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Women should obey their husbands, so that those who aren’t obeying The Word can be won over without words by the woman’s conduct…"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "when they see the fear that you’re showing in being pure."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Don’t let your beauty come from fancy hairstyles, gold jewelry, or the arrangement of your clothes."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "Rather, let [your beauty] be that which is hidden in your hearts… a clean, quiet, and mild personality, which is valuable in the eyes of God."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "Why, that’s how holy women who put their hope in God have been beautifying themselves for a long time… they obeyed their husbands,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "just as Sarah used to obey Abraham, calling him ‘lord.’ So, become her children in doing good things, and then you’ll have nothing to fear."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Husbands; You too… be wise when it comes to living with [your wives]. Treat them as you would delicate china. Show them the type of honor that should be shown to women who are fellow heirs of the gift of life, so it doesn’t affect your prayers."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Finally, all of you should share that same attitude when it comes to being sympathetic, loving your brothers, caring, being humble,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "and by not trying to get even or through trading insults. Rather, bestow blessings! For, you were called to this [way of life] so you could inherit blessings."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "‘May he who loves life and wants to see good days keep his tongue from [doing] what’s bad, and his lips from telling lies;"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "let him turn away from what’s bad and do what is good; let him search for peace and chase after it."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Because, Jehovah watches out for the righteous and He listens to them whenever they ask [for help]. But Jehovah opposes those who do bad things.’"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Why, who will treat you badly if you’re zealous when it comes to doing what’s right?"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "And if you suffer for doing something righteous, you’ll be blest… so don’t be afraid or even be bothered by them!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "Make the Anointed One the Holy Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to defend [the faith] before anyone who demands to know why you have this hope. However, do this calmly and with [Godly] fear."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "Keep a clean conscience, so that whenever someone should accuse you, those who are speaking out against you will be shamed by your fine conduct."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "Because, it’s better to suffer for doing something good (if that’s God’s will) than for doing something that’s bad."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "Why, even the Anointed One died (once and for all time) over sins (someone who is righteous for those who are unrighteous) to lead you to God. And although his flesh was in fact killed, he was brought to life as a spirit;"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "then he preached to the spirits who had been imprisoned"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "because they had disobeyed, as God was patiently waiting for the chest to be built during the time of Noah… in which a few people (eight lives) were saved through the water."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "[And what that chest pictured] is now saving you too… it’s baptism! For, its purpose isn’t to get rid of fleshly filth; it’s to ask God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "And now he has gone to heaven – to God’s right hand – where [God’s] messengers as well as all authorities and powers must obey him."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "So, since the Anointed One suffered in the flesh, you’d best start thinking about fighting the same battle. For, someone who has suffered in the flesh has stopped sinning"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "and doesn’t live for human desires anymore, but to do God’s will for the rest of his life in the flesh."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "Why, enough time has elapsed for the desires of the nations to be resolved [within you]. For they have gone their own immoral ways, following their desires, drinking too much wine, partying, getting drunk, and breaking [God’s] laws by worshiping idols."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "And because you don’t go along and follow them into the same deadly course down into the sewer, they slander you."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "But they’ll have to answer to the One who is ready to judge both the living and the dead."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "This is why we are preaching the good news to those who are the dead; so they can be judged as fleshly men and then come to life by the Breath of God!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "However, the end of everything is getting closer. So, use good sense and be very serious about prayer."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "And above all else, reach out to each other in love, because love covers a huge number of sins."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "Be hospitable to each other without grumbling,"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "and each of you should use the various gifts that you were given for good purposes… as house servants to the kindness of God."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "So, whenever anyone speaks, may it be what God has commanded. And whenever anyone serves, may it be done by the strength of God, so that God can be glorified in everything through Jesus the Anointed One… may He have glory and power for ages of ages… may it be."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "Loved ones; Don’t fail to notice that there’s a fire blazing among you! Something strange is marching toward you, and it’s coming to test you."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "But as you [find yourselves] sharing in the sufferings of the Anointed One, rejoice! Because, when his glory is revealed, you will once again be happy and cry out joyfully!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "If you’re being slandered over the name of the Anointed One, you are blest… because God’s glory and Breath is resting upon you."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "But none of you should ever have to suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or for not minding your own business."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "However, if you suffer because of being a Christian, don’t ever be ashamed. Rather, keep on glorifying God in that name."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, the time of judgment has arrived… and it’s starting with the House of God. So if it’s starting with us first, how will those who don’t obey the good news of God end up?"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "For, ‘If the righteous are just barely being saved, where will those who are godless and the sinners make a showing?’"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "So, let those who (by God’s will) are suffering, dedicate themselves to the faithful Creator by doing whatever is good."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "I encourage the elders among you (my fellow elders and witnesses of the sufferings of the Anointed One who will share in the glory that’s soon to be revealed)"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "to shepherd the flock of God that has been entrusted to your [care]. Don’t [do this] because you have to, but because you want to! Don’t do it to make a lot of money, but because you want to help!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "Don’t [set yourselves up as] rulers over those who have been entrusted to your care, but become examples to the flock."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "Then, when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will walk away with the enduring crown of glory!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "And the same [is true] for you younger men; Obey the elders! All of you should be humble toward each other. In fact, tie humility to yourselves with knots, because God opposes those who think too much of themselves, but He’s kind to those who are humble."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so He can eventually raise you to a higher position."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "Throw all your worries upon Him, because He cares about you!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "Also, be serious and stay alert, because your accuser (the Slanderer) is roaming around like a roaring lion that is looking for someone to swallow down."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Oppose him by standing solidly in the faith, and realize that the things you’re suffering in this world are also going to happen to the entire brotherhood."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "However, after you’ve suffered for a little while, the God of all loving care – the One who, through the Anointed One, called you into His glory during the age – will restore you and make you firm and strong…"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "may He be mighty through the ages… may it be!"}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "I’m sending what I consider these few words that I wrote through Silvanus (a faithful brother), to be encouraging, and to testify to the fact that you’re standing in the true loving-care of God."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "I send greetings from the woman who was also chosen along with you, and Mark (my son), from Babylon."}
{"book": "1PE", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Greet each other with a kiss of love! Peace to all of you in the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Simon Peter, a slave and Apostle of Jesus the Anointed One, to those who are all precious to us and who have received their share of faith by the righteousness of our God and of our Savior, Jesus the Anointed One:"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "May you grow in loving care and peace by coming to a higher knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "Since, in His Divine Power, He has freely given us everything that we need [to live] a devout life through a higher knowledge of the one who called us by glory and virtue,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "and through which He has given us the most precious and grandest promises… that, in all of this, you might become sharers in the Divine Nature, now that you’ve left the world and its corrupt desires."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "Yes, once you’ve zealously done all of this, add virtue to your faith, knowledge to [your] virtue,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "self-control to [your] knowledge, endurance to [your] self-control, piety to [your] endurance,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "brotherly-love to [your] piety, and pure love to [your] brotherly love."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Because, if you’re filled and overflowing with these things, they will keep you from being ineffective or from failing to produce fruitage as you spread the higher knowledge of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, some [of you] aren’t doing these things, so you are blind… you’re starting to close your eyes and you’ve forgotten how you were cleansed of your sins so long ago!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "Brothers; This is why it’s so urgent for you to make your calling and electing firm; for if you can do all of this, you won’t ever stumble."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "In fact, you’ll receive the wonderful invitation to enter the Kingdom of the age, which belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Anointed."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "This is why I always want to remind you of these things, despite the fact that you already know [them] and are firmly rooted in the truth."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "However, as long as I’m living in this tent, I will consider it righteous to shake you and remind you,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "since I realize that this tent will soon be set aside, as our Lord Jesus the Anointed One has indicated to me."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "So I’m going to do everything that I can, whenever I can, so that when I’m gone, you’ll remind each other of these things."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, what we’ve told you about the power and the coming of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One wasn’t some myth that we just made up. Rather, we were eyewitnesses of his magnificence!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "Why, he was honored and glorified by God (the Father) through a voice that came to him. And it glorified him in an appropriate way, saying, ‘This is My son whom I love and of whom I approve!’"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "Yes, we heard these words from heaven itself as we were there with him on the Holy Mountain!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "So, the prophecies are reliable, and it’s good that you’re paying attention to them. Because, they’re like a lamp that glows in a dark spot until daylight finally starts to shine, and he who brings the light comes into your hearts."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "Understand this: None of the prophecies in the Scriptures came from [someone’s own] ideas,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "nor did they happen just because some men wanted to prophecy. Rather, men spoke from God as His Holy Breath carried them along."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "However, there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These will introduce destructive heresies and deny the master who bought them, which will bring swift destruction upon them."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "But, many will follow them into doing dirty things. And because of this, the way of the truth will be slandered."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "Then, because they want whatever you have, they will worm their way [in among you] with carefully-planned words. However, the judgments on them (which were decided a long time ago) haven’t gone out of date, nor has the destruction [that they deserve] fallen asleep."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "Why, God didn’t spare the messengers who sinned, but threw them into the dark pits of Tartarus, where they are awaiting His justice."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "And He didn’t spare the first world. Yet, He guarded Noah (who was a preacher of righteousness) along with seven others, when He brought a downpour upon a world of godless people."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "And when He condemned the cities Sodom and GomorRah, He reduced them to ashes. These are examples of the things that are going to happen to godless people."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Yet, He protected righteous Lot, who was deeply bothered by the lewd actions of lawless people."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "Why, the wicked things this man saw and heard each day while he lived among them tormented his entire righteous inner self."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Yes, Jehovah knows how to rescue devout people from trials, while he keeps the unrighteous for a judgment day, when they will be destroyed."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "And this is especially true of those who want to go their own ways, misusing the bodies [of others] and who don’t respect those who are assigned over them. Since they are daring and independent, they aren’t afraid of the glorious ones and talk badly about them."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "Yet, even the messengers [of God], who are much stronger and more powerful, wouldn’t think of looking down on them for fear of being judged as blasphemers by the Lord."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "However, such ones are like unreasoning animals that were born to be caught and killed. And because they talk badly about things they don’t understand, they will rot in their filth."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "Yes, the payback for their unrighteousness is the mistreatment of themselves. For, their idea of pleasure is to spend their days in luxury. They are spots and flaws that enjoy doing anything that they feel tempted to do, as they feast among you."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "They have eyes that are always full of adultery and sins, and they tempt the weak. For, their hearts have been trained to desire things that aren’t theirs, and their curse is to be children"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "who have been led away from the straight path, and directed to the path of BalaAm [the son] of Beor. He loved the reward [that he received] for doing wrong,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "but he was scolded for going beyond the limits by a farm animal that couldn’t speak. Yet, it spoke in a man’s voice and stopped that crazy prophet."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Such people – like springs without any water and clouds blown by storms – are being saved for the gloom of darkness."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "They talk in big ways about stupid things, in order to tempt [people] into following human desires and a loose lifestyle, as they turn the little ones who are fleeing [the world] back into doing things that are wrong."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "They keep promising them freedom, but they are slaves to filth. For, whomever is conquered by another, becomes his slave."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "Why, if someone has escaped from the filth of the world by coming to an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus the Anointed, and they return to it and are conquered by it again, they’re worse off than when they started."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "Why, it would have been better for them if they had never learned about the way of righteousness, than to turn away after they’ve been told the Holy Commandments!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "What happens to them is as the proverb so truthfully says, ‘The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed, to rolling in its manure.’"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "My loved ones; This is now the second letter that I’ve written you. In the first letter, I tried to shake you into thinking clearly and to remind you to"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "never forget what the holy Prophets used to say, or of the commandments that our Lord and Savior gave through your Apostles."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "First, recognize this; In the last days, there will be those who ridicule. They will go their own way and do whatever they want,"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "and then mock you by asking, ‘Where is this coming of his? Why, this has been promised since our ancestors fell asleep, yet, all has stayed the same since the beginning of creation!’"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "The thing that they don’t want to understand is: The ancient earth and skies were out of the water and (in obedience to God’s instructions) stood together between the waters."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "And it was through these things that the world which was then, was deluged and destroyed by water."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "And by the same [instructions]; What’s [now] in store for the earth and skies is fire, which [will come] during the Judgment Day, when godless men will be destroyed."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "However, don’t overlook the fact, loved ones, that one day to Jehovah is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as just one day."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "So, Jehovah isn’t slow when it comes to His promises (as some people think). Rather, He’s being patient with you, because He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed; and He’s allowing enough time for everyone to repent!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "However, the Day of the Lord will come… just like a thief! Then the skies will become extremely hot, their basic parts will melt, and they will pass away with a hissing noise… and then the earth and everything that’s being done on it will be exposed!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "So, since all these things are going to be dissolved, what sort of people should you be when it comes to conducting [yourselves] in a holy way and in actively worshiping God?"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, we’re awaiting and anticipating the arrival of the Day of the Lord, during which the skies will burn and dissolve, and their basic parts will melt due to the intense heat;"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "and we’re awaiting the new earth and skies that He has promised, in which the righteous will dwell!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "So, loved ones; Since you’re awaiting these things, be swift about making yourselves spotless and flawless, so you can be at peace with Him!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "Why, think about the patience that our Lord shows when it comes to our salvation, as our loved brother Paul [also] wrote you. For, he was given wisdom concerning [things]"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "that he writes about in all of his letters… some of which is hard to understand and is being twisted by the ignorant and shaky, as they do to the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction!"}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "So, to you, my loved ones; Since you’ve been warned, be careful that you aren’t led astray by the bad things that these lawless people are doing and then lose your grip on your firm convictions."}
{"book": "2PE", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "Rather, keep growing in the loving care and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Anointed One. May he be glorified now and into the Day of the age."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "The message of life has been here since long ago. We’ve heard about it, seen it with our eyes, stared at it, and felt it with our hands."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "Yes, the life was on display. We’ve seen it, we’re testifying to it, and we’re reporting to you. Ages of life were with the Father and He showed this to us."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "As the result, we’re reporting what we’ve seen and heard to you, so we can also share in it with you. What’s more, we’re sharing with the Father and his Son, Jesus the Anointed One,"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "and we’re now writing these things down so that our joy can be realized."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "And the message that we heard from Him, which we want to announce to you is: God is light and there isn’t any darkness in Him!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "However, if we say that we’re sharing something with Him and we just keep on walking in the darkness, we’re lying, and we aren’t doing what’s right."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "But if we’re walking in the light (since He’s in the light), we will share with each other, and then the blood of His Son Jesus will cleanse us of all our sins."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Now, if we say that we don’t have any sins, we’re misleading ourselves and there’s no truth in us."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "But if we admit our sins, He will forgive our sins and wash away all our unrighteousness, because He is faithful and righteous."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "So, if we ever say that we haven’t sinned, we’re making Him out as a liar, and His words aren’t in us."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "My little children; I’m writing these things to you, in order to keep you from committing any sins. Yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have someone righteous who is our advocate with the Father, Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "He’s the sacrifice that begs forgiveness for our sins… and not just for ours, but also for those of the whole world!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "This is how we can be sure that we’ve come to know him: If we keep on obeying his commandments."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "So, he who says, ‘Now I know him,’ but doesn’t obey his commandments, is a liar and the truth isn’t in him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "However, God’s love has been made perfect in all those who really do what they’re told to do. So, that’s how we know whether we’re in him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "For, whoever says he’s in [Jesus] is obligated to keep walking in the way that he walked."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Loved ones; What I’m writing to you about here isn’t a new commandment, it’s an old commandment that you’ve had since the beginning. This old commandment is all the words that you’ve heard so far."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "However, I’m also writing you a new commandment, which is true for him and for you. This is because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, whoever says he’s in the light and still dislikes his brother, has been in the darkness all along."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "For, those who love their brothers are in the light, so they don’t have to go stumbling about."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "However, whoever dislikes his brother is still in darkness… he’s walking around in the dark and doesn’t have any idea where he’s going, because the darkness has left him blind."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "I’m writing to those of you who are still boys, because your sins have been forgiven through his name."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "I’m writing to those of you who are fathers, because you’ve come to know the one who is from long ago. I’m writing to those of you who are young men, because you’ve conquered the wicked one. I have written to you who are boys, because you’ve come to know the Father."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "I have written to you who are fathers, because you’ve come to know the one who is from long ago. I’ve written to you who are young men, because you are strong, God’s Word is in you, and you’ve conquered the wicked one."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "Don’t love the world or anything in the world. For, if anyone loves the world, there isn’t any love of the Father in him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "Because, everything in the world – fleshly desires, lusting after the things you can see, and trusting that you can provide for yourself – doesn’t come from the Father, it comes from the world."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "And the world with all its desires is passing away, but the one who does God’s Will remains through the age."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "Young children; It’s the last hour. And just as you’ve heard, the Antichrist is coming. Why, right now there are many Antichrists; and that’s how we know it’s the last hour."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "They left us, because they weren’t like us; for if they had been like us, they would still be with us. But [they left], which is proof that they aren’t like us."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "However, the Holy One has chosen you… but then, you all know that."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "So, I’m not writing to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you have known it. Why, lies don’t come from the truth."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "And who’s a liar? It is those who deny that Jesus is the Anointed One. This is the Antichrist: He who denies both the Father and the Son!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "Whoever denies the Son [also denies] the Father… but he who admits [to knowing] the Son also [admits to knowing] the Father."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "As for you; Hang onto the things that you heard long ago! For, if the things that you heard long ago stick with you, you will remain in the Son and in the Father."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "And this is what he has promised us: Life in the age."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "Now, I’m writing this to you [in order to warn you] about those who are trying to lead you in the wrong direction."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "I realize that you don’t need anyone to be teaching you, since the anointing that you received from him is still in you. His anointing is teaching you about everything… it’s true and it doesn’t lie. So, just as it taught you, remain in him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "Little children; Stay within him, so that when he is revealed, we can be free to talk (and not be ashamed) when he arrives."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 2, "verse": "29", "text": "If you recognize the fact that he’s righteous, you’ll realize that he has fathered everyone who does righteous things."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "Look at the type of love that the Father has given us… to be called the children of God (which is what we are). And that’s the reason why the world doesn’t understand us… because they don’t understand Him!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "Loved ones; Although we’re the children of God, we haven’t really been shown what we’ll be yet. What we do know is that when [Jesus] is revealed, we’ll be just like him, because we’ll see him just as He is."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "And everyone who has been given this hope purifies himself, as [Jesus] is pure."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "However, all those who are sinning are breaking the law, so sin is lawlessness."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "You know that he showed himself [in the flesh] for the purpose of taking away sins, and that he isn’t a sinner."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "So, no one who is in him will keep on sinning, for no one who continues to sin has seen him or come to know him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "Little children; Don’t allow anyone to mislead you. Only those who do righteous things are righteous in the same way that he’s righteous."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "Those who are sinners come from the Slanderer, because the Slanderer has been sinning since ancient times. That’s the reason why the Son of God was shown [in the flesh]; to eliminate the deeds of the Slanderer."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "No one who has been fathered by God is a sinner, because [God’s] seed is within him… so he can’t keep sinning, because God has fathered him!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, it’s easy to tell the children of God from the children of the Slanderer, because God didn’t father those who aren’t righteous and those who don’t love their brothers."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "Why, from the earliest [days] you’ve heard the message that we should love each other."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "[We don’t want to be] like Cain, who came from the wicked one and slaughtered his brother. And just why did he slaughter him? Because what his brother did was righteous, but what he did was wicked."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "So brothers; Don’t be surprised that the world hates you!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "Because we love our brothers, we know that we’ve crossed over from death to life. However, those who don’t love, stay dead."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "For, whoever dislikes his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer will receive life in the age."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "And we know that we are loved, because [Jesus] gave his living body for us. As the result, we owe our very lives to our brothers."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "So, how does God’s love stay with a person who has the worldly means to provide, but when he sees that his brother is in need, doesn’t feel pity for him?"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "Little children; Don’t just love with words and tongues, but in reality, by doing [the things that are needed];"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "for, that’s how we’ll know that we’ve been fathered by the truth! Why, when we stand before Him, our hearts must be sure;"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "because, if our hearts feel guilty, God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "Loved ones; If our hearts don’t hold anything to condemn us, we can speak freely to God."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "Then we’ll receive whatever we ask of Him, because we’re obeying His commandments and doing the things that are pleasing in His eyes."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "23", "text": "And this is what He has commanded: We must have faith in the name of His Son, Jesus the Anointed, and [we must] love each other, as He’s told us [before]."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 3, "verse": "24", "text": "For, whoever obeys His commandments is in Him and He’s in that person! And the way we know that He’s in us is when He gives us [His] Breath."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Loved ones; Don’t believe every breathed thing, but prove whether [the things that are] breathed come from God; because, many false prophets have gone out into the world."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "You can tell whether a prophecy is from God by this: Every prophecy that speaks of Jesus the Anointed One as having come in the flesh, comes from God."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "But any prophecy that doesn’t speak of Jesus, doesn’t come from God… they’re the prophecies of the Antichrist, who you heard would come into the world, and who is already here."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Little children; You were fathered by God and you’ve conquered them, because [He] who is in you is greater than the whole world!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "Those who were fathered by this world talk about worldly things, and the world listens to them."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "However, God fathered us; so, those who know God listen to us. But those who aren’t from God don’t listen to us… and that’s how we can tell the difference between the true prophecies and the false prophecies."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "Loved ones; Keep on loving each other, because love comes from God… and those who love know God, because love comes from God!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "But whoever doesn’t love, doesn’t know God, because God is love!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "God showed His love for us by sending His only-generated Son into this world, so that we could gain life through him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "This really is love, because, [back when] we didn’t love God, He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to cover our sins."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "Loved ones; If this is how much God loves us, then we’re obligated to love each other!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, no one has ever seen God, but as long as we love each other, God is in us, and He’s making His love perfect in us."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "13", "text": "We know that we’re in Him and He’s in us when He gives us His Breath…"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "14", "text": "and when we’ve seen and testified to the fact that the Father sent His Son as the Savior of the world."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "15", "text": "For, whenever anyone admits that Jesus the Anointed One is God’s Son, God is in him and he’s in God."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "16", "text": "And we’ve come to know and believe in the love that God has for us, because God is love, and whoever keeps on loving is in God and God is in him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "17", "text": "Love is being made perfect in us, so we’ll be able to speak freely in the Judgment Day. Yet, we can be just like Him while we’re still in this world!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "18", "text": "There isn’t any fear in love, for perfect love throws fear outside; because fear limits us. So, those who are afraid haven’t been made perfect in love."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "19", "text": "And as for us; We love because He loved us first!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "20", "text": "Now, if anyone says ‘I love God,’ and he still dislikes his brother, he’s a liar, because; If he doesn’t love his brother who he can see, he can’t love God who he hasn’t seen."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 4, "verse": "21", "text": "For [God] gave us this commandment: ‘Everyone who loves God should also love his brother!’"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "All who believe that Jesus is the Anointed One have been fathered by God. And everyone who loves the One who fathered him, loves the one whom He fathered."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "This is how we show that we love the children of God: By loving God and obeying His commandments."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "Yes, that’s how you show your love for God; by obeying His commandments… and His commandments aren’t hard to follow."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "Everything that has been fathered by God conquers the world, and the victor that has conquered the world is our faith."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "Who has conquered the world other than those who have faith that Jesus is the Son of God?"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Jesus the Anointed is the person who came through water and blood (not with just water, but through water and blood). And the Breath [of God] testifies to this, for, the Breath is the truth."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "So, there are three [things] that testify [about him];"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "the Breath, the water, and the blood, and all three [of these] are one."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "Now, if we believe the testimony that men provide, then the testimony of God is even greater. And that’s what God testified to as a witness for His son;"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "and whoever puts faith in the Son of God has the same witness given about him! But whoever doesn’t have faith in God makes Him out as a liar, because [such a person] hasn’t trusted the testimony that God Himself testified to about His Son."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "And this is what He testified to: That God gave us life in the age, and this life is in His Son."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "So, whoever has the Son has this life. And whoever doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have this life."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "I’m writing all of this to you, so you’ll know that those who have faith in the name of the Son of God [receive] life in the age."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "And we trust that no matter what we may ask for ourselves (as long as it’s His will), He hears us."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "15", "text": "So, if we know that He hears whatever we ask of Him, we know that we’ll have the things we’re asking for, because we asked Him."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "16", "text": "Now, if anyone sees his brother committing a sin that isn’t deadly, he can [speak to God] and give life to the one who is guilty of the sin, as long as it isn’t deadly… but there are deadly sins. When it comes to such sins, I’m telling you not to ask for anything."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "17", "text": "Of course, everything that is unrighteous is sin, but there are sins that aren’t deadly."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "18", "text": "We know that none of those who have been fathered by God continue to sin; for, having God as their Father will protect them, so the Wicked One can’t touch them."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "19", "text": "But, we know that we come from God and that the whole world is lying in [the power of] the wicked [one]."}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "20", "text": "We also know that the Son of God came and gave us the good sense to know the True One. And we are in the True One, through His son, Jesus the Anointed. This One is the true God, and He is [our] life in the age!"}
{"book": "1JN", "chapter": 5, "verse": "21", "text": "Little children; Guard yourselves from the idols!"}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "The older man, to the chosen lady and to her children whom I truly love… and not just me, but so do all those who’ve come to know the truth"}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "through the truth that exists in us and will be with us through the age."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "We’ll have the kindness, mercy, and peace from God (the Father), and from Jesus the Anointed One (the Son of the Father), in truth and in love."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "I’m so very happy that I’ve found your children walking in the truth and following the commandments that we received from the Father."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "So, now I’m asking you, lady (I’m not giving you a new commandment, but one that we’ve had from long ago), to love one another."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "And this is [how we prove our] love: By following His commandments! Yes, that’s the commandment! You’ve heard the same thing from the start; so just keep following it."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "Because, many have strayed [back] into the world and won’t admit that Jesus the Anointed One came in the flesh. And these who have strayed are the AntiChrists."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "Watch out for yourselves, so you don’t destroy the things we’ve worked [so hard] on. And then you can receive your full reward!"}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "But all those who are running ahead and aren’t remaining in the teaching of the Anointed One, don’t have God. Yet, whoever sticks with this teaching has both the Father and the Son."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "Now, if anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring this teaching, don’t welcome him into your homes or even greet him;"}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "because, those who greet him share in the wicked things that he’s doing."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Although I have many [other] things to write to you, I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. Rather, I’m hoping to come and speak with you face to face, so your joy can be realized."}
{"book": "2JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "The children of your chosen sister send you their greetings."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "The older man, to the loved GaiUs, whom I truly love."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "My loved one; I pray that you’re doing well in everything, and that you continue in good health as the inner man prospers."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "I was so happy when the brothers came and testified to the fact that you’ve continued to walk in the truth."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "Nothing brings me greater joy than to hear that my children keep on walking in the truth!"}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "Loved one; You’re doing a faithful work by helping the brothers… even those who are strangers."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "And they’ve testified about your love before the congregation. So, it would be a fine thing if you’d send them off in a way that is worthy of God;"}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "because, they’ve gone to people of the nations in [His] name and didn’t take anything from them."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "As the result, we’re obligated to welcome such ones hospitably, so we can be fellow workers for the truth."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "I wrote something to the congregation, but DiOtrephes (who likes to be the most prominent) refused to welcome us."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "That’s why, if I come there, I’m going to remember the way he acted and all the wicked rumors he spread about us. And even that wasn’t enough for him, because, not only does he fail to welcome the brothers, but he also prevents those who wish to… and he even throws them out of the congregation!"}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "Loved ones; Don’t imitate their bad things, but do what’s good. Because, whoever does what’s good comes from God, but the one who does what’s bad hasn’t seen God."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Everyone has testified about this matter to DeMetrius, so he knows the truth. And now we’re telling you about this, and you know that what we’re saying is true."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "I have many other things to write about, but I don’t wish to write them with pen and paper."}
{"book": "3JN", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "I hope to see you soon, and then we’ll talk face to face. May you have peace. The friends send you their greetings. Give my greetings to the friends by name."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "Jude, a slave of Jesus the Anointed One (the brother of James), to those who are united and loved in God the Father, and in Jesus the Anointed… those who’ve been set aside as called ones:"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "May you grow in mercy, peace, and love."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "Loved ones; Although I really wanted to write to you about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write in order to encourage you to struggle for the faith that the Holy Ones gave you;"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "because, some men have slipped in among you whose judgment was written about long ago. They are godless men who are turning the loving care of our God into something immoral, and they’re denying our only owner and Lord, Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "Despite the fact that you already know everything, I want to remind you that; although Jehovah saved people out of the land of Egypt, He thereafter destroyed those who didn’t show faith."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "He also locked up the [heavenly] messengers who didn’t keep the position they had long ago and left the place where they lived. So, He’s now keeping them in perpetual darkness where they await the judgment of the Great Day."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "The same is true of Sodom, GomorRah, and the cities around them. They became tired of just sexual immorality, and started chasing after other flesh; so they’ve been set before us as examples, since they’ve been condemned to the fire of the age."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "And that’s how you too (those of you who are living a dream) are dirtying the flesh… by not respecting those who have been put over you, and by speaking disrespectfully of the Glorious Ones."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "Why, when MichaEl, the Highest Messenger [of God] had an argument with the Slanderer over the body of Moses, he didn’t dare to judge him by speaking disrespectfully to him. All he said was, ‘May Jehovah give you what you deserve!’"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "However, these men continue to speak disrespectfully of many things that they don’t really understand. So, like senseless animals (who everyone knows [dirty themselves] naturally), they are messing on themselves [when they do] things like this."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "Woe to them, because they’re going the way of Cain; they’ve rushed into the wrongs of BalaAm for a reward; and they’re destroying themselves with the rebellious words of KorAh!"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Why, at your loving [congregational] meals, they are rocks that are hidden [below water] as they feast beside you. They are fearless shepherds over just themselves… dry clouds that are blown every direction by the wind… fruitless trees in late autumn that have died twice and been uprooted…"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "wild waves of the sea that foam shameful things on themselves… wandering stars that have been reserved for the gloom of darkness through the age."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "Why, the seventh man from Adam, Enoch, prophesied about them when he said, ‘[Look!] Jehovah came with His holy ten thousands of ten thousands"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "to condemn them all, and to give all the godless what they deserve for the godless things they’re doing in their worldly ways, and for all the shocking things these godless sinners have said against Him.’"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "These men grumble and complain about how things work out, but they keep on doing whatever they wish. They do much bragging with their mouths, and they fein admiration of people for their own purposes."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "But as for you, loved ones; Remember what you were once told by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus the Anointed…"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "remember that they used to say to you: ‘In the last days there will be [people] who speak disrespectfully, while they go their own way and do godless things."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "These are the ones who will create divisions… they are fleshly, for they don’t have the Breath [of God]!’"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "But as for you, loved ones; Build the most Holy Faith in yourselves; Pray with the Holy Breath [of God];"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "21", "text": "Keep yourselves in God’s love, as you’re awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One and life in the age."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "22", "text": "Also, be merciful to those who are unsure…"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "23", "text": "save [them] by snatching [them] out of the fire. But be fearful [when it comes to] showing them mercy, because you must hate the dirty underwear that was spotted by the flesh."}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "24", "text": "Now, to the One who is able to protect you against stumbling and who can put you (without defects and joyfully shouting aloud) within sight of His glory…"}
{"book": "JUD", "chapter": 1, "verse": "25", "text": "to our only God and Savior (through our Lord Jesus the Anointed One) be glory, majesty, might, and authority, in front of this entire age and into all the ages… may it be"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "1", "text": "A revelation that God gave to Jesus the Anointed One, to show His slaves the things that must quickly take place. He sent it by His messenger to His slave John, in signs."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "2", "text": "And [John] testifies that everything he saw was the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus the Anointed One."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "3", "text": "Those who read it aloud, as well as those who listen to the words of this prophecy and obey the things that are written in it are blest, because the time is near."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "4", "text": "From John, to the seven congregations in the [province of] Asia; May you find loving care and peace from the One who is, who was, and who is coming; from the seven spirits that are near His throne;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "5", "text": "and from Jesus the Anointed One, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. [He’s] the one that loves us, who freed us from our sins by his own blood,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "6", "text": "and who made us to be a Kingdom of Priests to his God and Father. So, may he have glory and might into the ages… may it be!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "7", "text": "Look! He’s coming in the clouds and all eyes will see him, including those who pierced him, and all the nations of the earth will beat themselves because of him. Yes, may it be."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "8", "text": "‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says Jehovah The God; ‘He who is, who was, and who’s coming… the Almighty.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "9", "text": "I (John) am your brother… I’m someone who shares in your persecutions, and in the Kingdom and endurance of Jesus. I’m on this island called Patmos for talking about God and for testifying about Jesus."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "10", "text": "It was through the Breath [of God] that I found myself in the Lord’s Day. For, from behind me I heard a voice that was as loud as a trumpet"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "11", "text": "that said: ‘Write the things that you’re about to see on a scroll and send it to these seven congregations: Ephesus, Smyrna, PergaMōm, ThyaTira, Sardis, PhilAdelphia, and LaoDikia.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "12", "text": "Then I turned around to see who was talking to me. But when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "13", "text": "And between the lampstands, [I saw] someone [who looked] like a son of man. He was dressed in a robe that came down to his feet, and his chest was wrapped in gold."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "14", "text": "His head and hair were as bright as white wool or snow, and his eyes were as flames of fire."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "15", "text": "His feet looked like the finest copper as it pours from a furnace, and his voice sounded like the noise that’s made by large bodies of water."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "16", "text": "In his right hand [he held] seven stars; a long, sharp, two-edged sword was sticking out of his mouth; and his face glowed as brightly as the sun."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "17", "text": "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. Then he laid his right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid; I’m the first, the last,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "18", "text": "and the living one. And although I died, {Look!} I’m alive into the ages of the ages. I also have the keys to death and the grave."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "19", "text": "So, write about the things you see… the things that are, and the things that will soon be."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 1, "verse": "20", "text": "‘As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars signify the messengers of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands signify the seven congregations.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "1", "text": "Write this to the messenger of the congregation in Ephesus: ‘This is what the one who is holding the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands has to say:"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "2", "text": "I know what you’re doing… that you’ve worked hard and endured; that you can’t tolerate bad men; and that you’ve put those who say they are Apostles (but aren’t) to the test, and you found them to be liars."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "3", "text": "You’re also patient, because you’ve been carrying my name and haven’t given up."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "4", "text": "But you’ve lost the love you had at first, and I hold this against you,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "5", "text": "‘So, recognize how far you’ve fallen and turn around! Go back to doing what you did at the first. For if you don’t – and unless you repent – I’m coming to you and I’ll remove your lampstand from its place."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "6", "text": "However, I can say this in your behalf; You hate what the Nicolaitans are doing, and I hate what they’re doing too.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "7", "text": "Let those who have ears hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations: ‘I’ll allow the one who conquers to eat from the Tree of Life that is in the Paradise of God.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "8", "text": "And write this to the messenger of the congregation in Smyrna. ‘This is what the one who is first and last, who died and came to life, has to say:"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "9", "text": "I know about your problems and your poverty (although you’re rich), and about the blasphemy of those who say they’re Jews… although they really aren’t; they’re [really] a synagogue of the Slanderer."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "10", "text": "Don’t be afraid of the things that you’re about to suffer, for {Look!} The Slanderer is about to throw some of you in prison in order to test you, and you’ll be persecuted for ten days. But be faithful to death and I’ll give you the crown of life.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "11", "text": "Let those who have ears hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations: ‘Whoever conquers won’t be harmed by the second death!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "12", "text": "And write this to the messenger of the congregation in PergaMōm: ‘This is what he who has the long, sharp, two-edged sword has to say:"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "13", "text": "I know that the place where you live is the very throne of the Slanderer, and yet you keep hanging onto my name. Why, you didn’t deny your faith in me even in the days of my faithful witness AntiPas, who was killed right next to you, there where the Slanderer lives."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "14", "text": "However, I still have a few things against you, for there are some among you who are following the teachings of BalaAm. It was he who taught Balak how to set a trap before the Sons of Israel [by getting them] to eat idol sacrifices and to be sexually immoral."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "15", "text": "And you have those who are following the teachings of the Nicolaitans."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "16", "text": "So, turn around; for if you don’t, I’ll be there soon and I’ll war against you with the long sword of my mouth!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "17", "text": "Let those who have ears hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations: ‘To the one who conquers I’ll give some of the hidden manna and a white pebble. This pebble has a new name written on it that no one knows other than those who receive it.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "18", "text": "And write this to the messenger of the congregation in ThyaTira: ‘This is what the Son of God says… he who has eyes like flames of fire and whose feet are like fine copper:"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "19", "text": "I know what you’re doing, and of your love, faith, service, and endurance. And what you’ve been doing recently is even more than what you used to do!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "20", "text": "However, I do hold this against you: You’re still putting up with that woman Jezebel. She calls herself a prophetess, but she teaches and misleads my slaves into immoral sexual acts and into eating things that are sacrificed to idols."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "21", "text": "I gave her enough time to turn around, but she doesn’t want to repent from her immorality."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "22", "text": "So, {Look!} I’m throwing her into a bed and I will create big problems for those who are enjoying sex with her, unless they repent over what they’re doing with her."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "23", "text": "I’m also going to kill her children, so all the congregations will know that I am the one who searches the kidneys and hearts; and I’ll give each of you what you deserve for what you’ve done."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "24", "text": "‘However, to the rest of you in ThyaTira (those who don’t know about this teaching and who haven’t come to know about these things that are referred to as the deep things of the Slanderer), I say this: I won’t lay any other loads upon you."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "25", "text": "Just hang on until I get there,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "26", "text": "and then I’ll give he who conquers, and obeys whatever I tell him to do down to the end, power over the nations."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "27", "text": "He will shepherd the people [of the nations] with an iron rod using the same [power] that I received from my Father, and they’ll be broken to pieces like clay pots."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "28", "text": "I’ll also give him the morning star.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 2, "verse": "29", "text": "Let the one who has ears, hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "1", "text": "And write this to the messenger of the congregation in Sardis: ‘This is what he who has the seven Breaths of God and the seven stars says: I know what you’re doing, for while you have the reputation of being alive, you’re dead!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "2", "text": "Wake up and strengthen the things that haven’t died yet, because I don’t see where you’ve accomplished any of the things that you’re doing before my God!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "3", "text": "Start remembering [all the things] you received and heard, then hang onto them and repent! Why, if you don’t stay awake, I’m going to come like a thief, and you won’t know it until I’m right there on you!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "4", "text": "‘However, there are a few names in Sardis that haven’t dirtied their robes. They will walk with me and wear white [robes], because they deserve to."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "5", "text": "Those who conquer will be dressed like that… in white robes. I’ll never erase their names from the Scroll of Life, and then I’ll admit to knowing their names before my Father and His messengers.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "6", "text": "Let the one who has ears hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "7", "text": "And write this to the messenger of the congregation in PhilAdelphia: ‘This is what he who is holy and true… he who has the key of David – which opens what no one can close and closes what no one can open – has to say:"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "8", "text": "I know what you’re doing, and Look; I’ve put an open door before you that no one can close! I know that you don’t have much strength, but you’ve kept my word and haven’t denied knowing my name."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Look at what I’m going to do to those from the synagogue of the Slanderer who say they are Jews (but who aren’t and are just lying): {Look!} I’m going to make them come and bow at your feet, and I’ll make sure that they know how much I love you."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "10", "text": "And because you’ve obeyed my instructions to endure, I’m going to protect you from the hour of trial that’s going to come upon the earth to test all those who are living on it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "11", "text": "‘I’m coming soon, so keep hanging on and don’t let anyone steal your crown,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "12", "text": "for I’ll make the one who conquers a pillar in the Divine Habitation of my God, and he’ll never leave it. I’ll also write the Name of my God upon him, as well as the name of the city of my God, New Jerusalem (which will come down from my God out of the sky), along with my new name,’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "13", "text": "Let the one who has ears hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "14", "text": "And write this to the messenger of the congregation in LaoDikia: ‘This is what the Amen (the faithful and true witness, the beginning of creation by God) has said:"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "15", "text": "I know what you’re doing, and that you’re neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were either one or the other;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "16", "text": "but, since you’re neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, I’m going to vomit you out of my mouth!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "17", "text": "This is because you’re saying, I am rich, and because I’m rich, I don’t need anything! However, what you don’t realize is that you’re really miserable, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "18", "text": "So, my advice to you is to buy gold that has been refined by fire from me, in order for you to become rich and wear white robes (so nobody will see the shame of your nakedness), and buy salve to rub in your eyes so you can see."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "19", "text": "Because I correct and discipline all those whom I care for, [you should] repent and be zealous!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "20", "text": "Look, I’m standing at the door and knocking. And if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I’ll come in and we’ll have supper together."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "21", "text": "Then I’ll allow the one who conquers to sit down with me on my throne, just as my Father has allowed me to sit on His throne, because I have conquered,’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 3, "verse": "22", "text": "Let the one who has ears hear what [God’s] Breath says to the congregations!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "1", "text": "Then, after I saw those things, {Look!} a door opened in the skys, and the first voice that I heard speaking to me sounded like a trumpet. It said, ‘Come on up here, and I’ll show you the things that must happen.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "2", "text": "Then I immediately became like the wind. And look… there was a throne in the heavens with someone sitting on it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "3", "text": "The One who was sitting there looked like jasper and sardius gems; and all around the throne [there was] a rainbow that looked like an emerald."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "4", "text": "Then, all around the throne there were twenty-four thrones, upon which twenty-four older ones were sitting. They were dressed in white robes and had gold crowns on their heads;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "5", "text": "and lightning, thunder, and voices were coming from the throne. There were also seven flaming lamps that were burning before the throne, which are the seven Breaths of God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "6", "text": "Also, in front of the throne was a transparent sea that looked like crystal. On each of the four sides of the throne, there was an animal with many eyes, both on its front and backsides."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "7", "text": "The first animal looked like a lion, the second looked like a young bull, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth looked like a flying eagle."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "8", "text": "Also, each of the four animals had six wings that were wrapped around them, and the inside parts of their wings were full of eyes. They don’t rest night or day, and they were saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah God the Almighty, who was, who is, and who’s coming.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "9", "text": "And whenever the animals gave glory, honor, and thanksgiving to the One who is sitting on the throne (He who lives for ages of ages),"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "10", "text": "the twenty-four older ones fell down before He who is sitting on the throne, and bowed low before the One who lives for ages of ages. Then they threw their crowns before the throne saying,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 4, "verse": "11", "text": "‘O Jehovah our God; You deserve all the glory, honor, and power, because You created all things… they were created and exist because of Your Will!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I saw a scroll with writing on both sides, which was sealed tightly with seven seals, in the right hand of the One who was sitting on the throne."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "2", "text": "And I saw a mighty messenger who called out in a loud voice: ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "3", "text": "But there wasn’t anyone in heaven or on the earth that was able to open the scroll or examine it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "4", "text": "So at that, I started crying, because nobody could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and examine it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "5", "text": "But then, one of the older ones said to me: ‘Stop crying. Look! The Lion who is of the tribe of Judah – the root of David – has conquered, so he can open the scroll and its seven seals!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "6", "text": "Well, that’s when I saw a lamb that looked like it had been slaughtered standing between the throne, the four animals, and the older ones. It had seven horns and seven eyes (which symbolize the seven Breaths of God that have been sent into the entire earth)."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "7", "text": "So, [the lamb] went and immediately took [the scroll] out of the right hand of the One who was sitting on the throne."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "8", "text": "And when he took the scroll, the four animals and the twenty-four older ones fell down in front of him. Now, each one held a harp and golden bowls that were full of incense (which symbolizes the prayers of the Holy Ones),"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "9", "text": "and they sang a new song. It went: ‘Because you have been slaughtered, You deserve to take the scroll and open its seals. You bought people for God with your blood, From every tribe, language, country, and race."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "10", "text": "Then you made them rulers and Priests to our God, And they’ll rule as kings on the earth.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "11", "text": "And next, I looked around, because I heard the voices of many messengers around the throne, who (along with the animals and the older ones) numbered into the thousands of thousands and ten thousands of ten thousands!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "12", "text": "And they were all shouting in a loud voice, ‘This Lamb who was slaughtered deserves to receive the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength, the honor, the glory, and the blessings!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "13", "text": "And I heard all those in the heavens, those on the earth, those on the sea, and all the things that are in them say, ‘May the One who is sitting on the throne and the Lamb be praised, honored, and glorified; and may they have the power into the ages of the ages.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 5, "verse": "14", "text": "Then the four animals kept repeating, ‘May it be!’ as the older ones fell down and bowed to their faces."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four animals say in a thundering voice, ‘Come on out!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "2", "text": "And at that, {Look!} I saw a white horse, and the one who was sitting on it had a bow. He was given a crown, and then he conquered and completed his victory."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "3", "text": "Then he opened the second seal and I heard the second animal say, ‘Come on out!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "4", "text": "And a fire-red horse came out, and the one who was sitting on it was given a large sword. He was authorized to take peace away from the earth, so [people] would kill each other."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "5", "text": "Then he opened the third seal, and I heard the third animal say, ‘Come on out!’ And I saw {Look!} a black horse; and the one who was sitting on it had a balance scale in his hand."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "6", "text": "Then I heard a voice that sounded like it came from the midst of the four animals, which said, ‘A quart of wheat for a silver coin and three quarts of barley for a silver coin… but don’t waste the olive oil or the wine.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he opened the fourth seal, and I heard the voice of the fourth animal say, ‘Come on out!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "8", "text": "And I saw {Look!} a greenish-yellow horse, and he who was sitting on it was named Death… and the Grave came following him. They were then given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with the large sword, famines, plagues, and by the earth’s wild animals."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "9", "text": "Then he opened the fifth seal, and underneath the Altar I saw the lives of those who had been slaughtered because of the Word of God and because of the testimony that they gave."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "10", "text": "They were calling out in a loud voice asking, ‘O Sovereign Lord who is holy and true; How much longer will You hold back from passing judgment on those who live on the earth and avenging our blood?’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "11", "text": "Then they were each given a white robe and they were told to take it easy for just a little while longer, until the full number of their fellow slaves and brothers was filled (who were going to be killed as they were)."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "12", "text": "Then I saw him open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, which caused the sun to become as black as haircloth, and the entire moon to become like blood."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "13", "text": "Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree drops its figs when it’s shaken by a strong wind."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "14", "text": "And next; the sky disappeared as though it was being rolled up in a scroll, and all the mountains and islands were moved from their locations."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "15", "text": "And at that, all the kings of the earth, all the important people, all the military commanders, all the rich and powerful, as well as all the slaves and free people hid themselves in caves and under the rocks of the mountains."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "16", "text": "They kept saying to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall over us and hide us from the face of He who is sitting on the throne and from the rage of the Lamb,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 6, "verse": "17", "text": "because the Great Day of their rage has [finally] arrived, and who can stand against them?’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "1", "text": "After that, I saw four messengers who were standing at the four corners of the earth, hanging onto the four winds of the earth so the winds wouldn’t blow on the earth, the sea, or the trees."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "2", "text": "Then I saw another messenger who was coming up from the sunrise. He had the seal of the living God, and he shouted aloud to the four messengers who were allowed to harm the earth and sea,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "3", "text": "saying, ‘Don’t harm the earth, the sea, or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "4", "text": "And I heard how many of them had been sealed: a hundred and forty-four thousand from among every tribe of the sons of Israel."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "5", "text": "Twelve thousand were sealed from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "6", "text": "twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of NaphTali, twelve thousand from the tribe of ManasSeh,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "7", "text": "twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of IsSachar,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "8", "text": "twelve thousand from the tribe of ZebuLun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand were sealed from the tribe of BenJamin."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "9", "text": "And after all that, I saw {Look!} a crowd so large that no one could count them. They came from all countries, nationalities, ethnic groups, and languages; and they were standing within sight of the throne and within sight of the Lamb. They were all wearing white robes, they carried palm branches in their hands,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "10", "text": "and they were shouting, ‘We owe our salvation to our God who is sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "11", "text": "Then the messengers who were standing in a circle around the throne, the older ones, and the four animals all fell to their faces before the throne and prostrated themselves before God,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "12", "text": "saying, ‘May it be! May our God have all praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength through the ages of the ages… may it be!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "13", "text": "Then one of the older ones asked me: ‘Just who are these that are dressed in the white robes, and where did they come from?’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "14", "text": "And I replied, ‘My lord; You’re the one who knows!’ Then he told me, ‘They are the ones who have come out of the great time of difficulty, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "15", "text": "That is why they’re before the throne of God and worshiping Him day and night in His Holy Abode. He who is sitting on the throne will then spread His tent over them,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "16", "text": "and they won’t be hungry or thirsty anymore, nor will the sun beat down on them with blistering heat;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 7, "verse": "17", "text": "because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. He will guide them to the fountains of waters of life, and God will wipe all the tears from their eyes.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "1", "text": "And when he opened the seventh seal, the heavens were silent for about a half hour."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "2", "text": "Then I saw that the seven messengers who stand before God were given seven trumpets."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "3", "text": "Then another messenger showed up carrying a golden incense container. He stood at the Altar and he was given a lot of incense to offer on behalf of the prayers of all the Holy Ones, on the golden Altar in front of the throne."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "4", "text": "And the smoke from the incense that was being held by the messenger kept arising before God, along with the prayers of the Holy Ones."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "5", "text": "Then the messenger took the incense container and filled it with some of the fire from the Altar, and he threw it to the earth, which caused thunder, voices, lightning, and an earthquake."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "6", "text": "And then the seven messengers prepared to blow the seven trumpets."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "7", "text": "And when the first one blew his trumpet, hail and fire that was mixed with blood was thrown to the earth, which caused a third of the earth, the trees, and the green plants to be burned up."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "8", "text": "And when the second messenger blew his trumpet, something that looked like a huge burning mountain was thrown into the sea. [This caused] a third of the sea to turn into blood,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "9", "text": "which killed a third of the animals that lived in the sea and caused a third of the ships to be destroyed."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "10", "text": "When the third messenger blew his trumpet, a huge star that had been burning like a lamp, fell from the sky onto a third of the rivers and on the sources of water…"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "11", "text": "I was told that the name of this star was The Bitter Poison. So, a third of the water turned into bitter poison and many men died from the water, because it had become so bitter."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "12", "text": "When the fourth messenger blew his trumpet, a third of the sun was struck, as was a third of the moon and a third of the stars, so that a third of them to become dark. So, upon a third, the day and the night became dark."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 8, "verse": "13", "text": "Then I saw an eagle flying high in the sky, and I heard it shout, ‘Woe, woe, woe, to those who are living on the earth because of the remaining trumpet blasts of the three messengers, which are about to be blown!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "1", "text": "So, when the fifth messenger blew his trumpet, I saw a star that fell to the earth from the sky. And [this star] was given the key to the pit of the abyss."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "2", "text": "He then opened the pit of the abyss and smoke poured out of it such as would come from a huge furnace. And the smoke from the pit darkened the sun and the air."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "3", "text": "Then locusts came to the earth out of the smoke, and they were given the same power as earthly scorpions."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "4", "text": "They were told not to damage any of the earth’s vegetation or trees, just those men who don’t have God’s seal on their foreheads."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "5", "text": "They weren’t allowed to kill them, just to sting them for five months, and the pain that they would bring was like the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "6", "text": "And during that period, men will look for ways to die, but they won’t find any… they will wish to die, but death will escape them."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "7", "text": "These locusts looked like horses that are prepared for battle. On their heads were what appeared to be gold crowns, and their faces looked like men’s faces,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "8", "text": "but they had women’s hair. They had teeth like lions,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "9", "text": "and they wore breastplates that looked like they were made of iron. [The flapping] of their wings sounded like the attack of many chariots in a war,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "10", "text": "and they had tails and stingers like scorpions. These tails were allowed to sting men for five months."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "11", "text": "They had a king who led them… the messenger of the abyss. In Hebrew, his name is AbadDon, but he’s called ApolLyon (the Destroyer) in Greek."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "12", "text": "Then this first woe passed away. But look! Two more woes were yet to follow!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "13", "text": "When the sixth messenger blew his trumpet, I heard a voice come from the horns of the golden Altar that’s in front of God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "14", "text": "It said to the sixth messenger with the trumpet: ‘Set the four messengers free who have been tied upon the great River EuPhrates!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "15", "text": "Then these four messengers, who were prepared to kill a third of all men on [a specific] hour, day, month, and year, were untied."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "16", "text": "[These messengers led] an army that I was told had twenty-million horsemen."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "17", "text": "And this is what the horses and their riders looked like in the vision: They wore fire-red, hyacinth-blue, and sulfur-yellow breastplates. The horses had heads like lions; and fire, smoke, and sulfur came from their mouths."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "18", "text": "It was these three plagues (the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came from their mouths) that killed a third of all men."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "19", "text": "The power of the horses was all in their mouths and tails, and their tails were like snakes that have heads… and these are what they used to do all the damage."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "20", "text": "However, the rest of the men who weren’t killed by these plagues wouldn’t repent for the things they were doing, or stop worshiping the demons, or their idols of gold, silver, copper, stone, and wood (which can’t see, hear, or walk)."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 9, "verse": "21", "text": "Nor did they repent for their murders, their occult practices, their sexual immorality, or their thievery."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I saw another very powerful messenger coming down from heaven, who was wrapped in a cloud and wore a rainbow on his head. His face was [as bright] as the sun, and his feet were like columns of fire."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "2", "text": "He also held a small open scroll in his hand. Then he put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the ground,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "3", "text": "and he shouted in a loud voice that sounded like the roar of a lion. And as he shouted, the seven thunders each spoke in their own voices."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "4", "text": "Now, I was getting ready to write down the things that the seven thunders said, when I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Don’t write what the seven thunders said… seal [these words] up!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "5", "text": "Then this messenger (who I saw standing on the sea and on the ground) raised his right hand to heaven."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "6", "text": "And he swore this by the One who lives for ages of ages… He who created heaven and everything in it… the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: ‘The time has come!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "7", "text": "For, when the seventh messenger blows his trumpet (which is about to happen), God’s mystery, which was revealed in the good news He gave through His slaves the Prophets, will then be accomplished.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "8", "text": "Then I heard the voice out of heaven speak to me again. It said: ‘Go and take the little open scroll from the hand of the messenger who is standing on the sea and on the ground!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "9", "text": "So, I went over to the messenger and told him to give me the little scroll. And he replied, ‘Now take it and eat it! It will be as sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will be bitter in your stomach.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "10", "text": "Then I took the little scroll out of the hand of the messenger and ate it. And it was as sweet as honey, but after I ate it, my stomach became bitter."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 10, "verse": "11", "text": "Then I was told, ‘Now you must go on to prophesy to peoples, nations, languages, and many kings!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "1", "text": "Next, I was handed a reed that was like a walking stick. And he said, ‘Now, go measure the Temple of God, its Altar, and those who are worshiping there…"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "2", "text": "don’t pay any attention to the courtyard outside the Temple… don’t measure it, because it has been given to the nations, and they’re going to trample the Holy City under their feet for forty-two months."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "3", "text": "‘Then I’m going to have my two witnesses prophesy for one thousand, two hundred and sixty days wearing sackcloth."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "4", "text": "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that have been standing on the earth before the Lord."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "5", "text": "And if any of their enemies wish to harm them, fire will come from their mouths and consume them. So, if anyone wants to persecute them, that’s how they’re going to die,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "6", "text": "because they’ve been authorized to shut up the sky so no rain will fall during the period of their prophesying. They’re also authorized to turn water into blood and to bring every sort of plague to the earth whenever they wish."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "7", "text": "‘And when they’ve finished their witnessing, the wild animal that comes out of the abyss will fight against them, conquer them, and kill them."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "8", "text": "Then their corpses will lie in the main street of the great city, which [God’s] Breath refers to as Sodom and Egypt, for it’s where their Lord was hung on a pole."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "9", "text": "And there the peoples, nationalities, tongues, and the ethnic groups will look at their corpses for three and a half days, and they won’t allow them to be buried."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "10", "text": "All the while, those who live on the earth will be happy and approve of what happened to them. They’ll even send gifts to each other, because these two prophets will have been such a pain to those who live on the earth.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "11", "text": "However, after the three and a half days, God sent His breath of life into them and they stood up on their feet… and this frightened those who saw them."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "12", "text": "Then [the two witnesses] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come on up here.’ And their enemies saw them go into the sky in a cloud."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "13", "text": "This was followed by a tremendous shaking, and a tenth of the city [Sodom and Egypt] toppled. This shaking destroyed the names of seven thousand people, which frightened all those who remained, and they gave glory to the God of heaven."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "14", "text": "This ended the second woe. But look; The third woe was coming!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "15", "text": "When the seventh messenger blew his trumpet, there were loud voices in heaven shouting, ‘The kingdom of the world has become our Lord’s and His Anointed’s, and He will rule as king through ages of the ages.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "16", "text": "Then the twenty-four older ones who were sitting on their thrones before God fell to their faces and bowed low to Him,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "17", "text": "saying, ‘We thank You, Jehovah God the Almighty – the One who is and who was – because You’ve assumed Your great power and started ruling as King."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "18", "text": "This made the nations angry, but [the time for] Your rage arrived, as did the time for the dead to be judged and to reward Your slaves – the Prophets, the Holy Ones, and those fearing Your Name, the small and the great – and to thoroughly corrupt those who are corrupting the earth.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 11, "verse": "19", "text": "And at this, the heavenly Temple of God opened up and the Chest of his Sacred Agreement could be seen inside His Temple. Then there was lightning, voices, thundering, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "1", "text": "And then a great sign appeared in the sky. There was a woman who had the sun wrapped around her; the moon was under her feet; on her head was a crown of twelve stars;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "2", "text": "and she was pregnant… screaming to give birth in labor and agony."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "3", "text": "Then another sign appeared in the sky. {Look!} There was a huge fire-red dragon with seven heads and ten horns. On its heads there were seven royal turbans,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "4", "text": "and it was dragging a third of the stars of heaven with its tail. Then it threw them down to the earth! This dragon was standing in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so when she did give birth, he could eat it!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "5", "text": "Then she gave birth to a son… a male, who is going to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away to God and to His throne."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "6", "text": "Then the woman escaped into the desert to a place that God had prepared for her, where she would be fed for a thousand, two hundred and sixty days."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "7", "text": "Next, war broke out in heaven. Michael and his messengers went to war with the dragon, and the dragon and his messengers fought back;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "8", "text": "but he lost and could no longer stay in heaven."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "9", "text": "So, the huge dragon was thrown out. He is the first snake (the one who is called the Slanderer and Opposer) who is misleading the whole habitation [of man]. He was thrown down to the earth along with his messengers."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "10", "text": "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, ‘This is the moment when the salvation, the power, the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Anointed One begins. Because, he who has been accusing our brothers has been thrown down… the one who has been complaining about them day and night before our God!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "11", "text": "They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb, by the things they said while they were testifying, and because they didn’t value their lives even in the face of death!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "12", "text": "This is why the heavens and those who live there should be joyful! But woe to the earth and to the sea, because the Slanderer has come down to you in a rage, knowing that he has little time.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "13", "text": "Now, when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he started persecuting the woman who gave birth to the male (child)."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "14", "text": "However, the woman was given the two wings of a huge eagle so she could fly to her place in the desert where she’s fed for a time, times, and half a time, and where the snake can’t reach her."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "15", "text": "Then this snake shot a river of water out of its mouth after the woman, in an attempt to drown her."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "16", "text": "But the earth came to the woman’s aid… the ground opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon shot out of its mouth."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "17", "text": "This made the dragon so angry with the woman that he went off to battle against the rest of her seed… those who obey God’s instructions and bear the testimony of Jesus."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 12, "verse": "18", "text": "Then [the dragon] stood still on the sands of the sea."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "1", "text": "Next, I saw a wild animal coming up out of the sea, which had ten horns and seven heads. On its horns there were ten royal turbans, and on its heads were blasphemous names."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "2", "text": "Now, the wild animal that I saw looked like a leopard, but it had feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. Then the dragon gave it power, a throne, and great authority."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "3", "text": "Then one of its heads looked like it had been slaughtered and killed; but this deathblow was healed, and the whole earth started to follow the wild animal admiringly."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "4", "text": "They also worshiped the dragon, because it gave the wild animal its authority, and they worshiped the wild animal, saying, ‘Who is like the wild animal, and who can stand against it?’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "5", "text": "Then it was given a mouth to speak great things and blasphemies, and it was given the authority to act for forty-two months."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "6", "text": "So it opened its mouth in blasphemy against God… it blasphemed His Name, and the place where place He lives… those who tent in heaven."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "7", "text": "Then he was allowed to battle with the Holy Ones and conquer them. And he was given power over every nation, people, language, and ethnic group,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "8", "text": "so that everyone on the earth would bow low before it… those whose names aren’t written in the Scroll of Life of the Lamb… he who had been slaughtered from the founding of the arrangement."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "9", "text": "If anyone has ears, let him listen,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "10", "text": "for if anyone is a jailer, he’ll be thrown in jail; and if anyone kills with the sword, he’ll be killed with a sword! This is where the Holy Ones need faith and endurance."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "11", "text": "Then I saw another wild animal coming up out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but it started talking like a dragon."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "12", "text": "And it had complete authority over everything that it saw the first wild animal doing. However, it made the earth and everyone who lives on it worship the first wild animal whose deathblow had been healed."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "13", "text": "And it performed great signs, even making fire come down from the sky onto the earth before everyone,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "14", "text": "in order to mislead those who live on the earth by the signs that it is allowed to perform in front of the wild animal. And it tells those who live on the earth to make an image to the wild animal that survived the sword stroke."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "15", "text": "Then it was allowed to give breath to the image of the wild animal, so that the image could speak and cause everyone who wouldn’t worship the image of the wild animal in any way, to be killed."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "16", "text": "It also forced everyone – the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves – to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "17", "text": "so that no one would be able to buy or sell except people who have the mark… which is the name of the wild animal or the number of its name."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 13, "verse": "18", "text": "This is where wisdom is required: Let those who have minds calculate the number of the wild animal… it’s a man’s number, six hundred and sixty-six."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I saw {Look!} the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s Name written on their foreheads."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "2", "text": "And I heard a noise coming from the sky that sounded like a lot of water and loud thunder. Well, the sound that I heard was that of people who were all playing harps and singing."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "3", "text": "They were singing a new song before the throne and before the four animals and the older ones, and no one was able to learn that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand who were purchased from the earth."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "4", "text": "These didn’t pollute themselves with women. In fact, they are virgins who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. They were bought from among mankind as first fruitage to God and to the Lamb."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "5", "text": "No lies are found in their mouths and they don’t have any defects."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "6", "text": "Then I saw another messenger flying high in mid-sky, and he had ages of good news to announce to those who live on the earth… to every ethnic group, nation, language, and people."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "7", "text": "He was shouting aloud, ‘Fear God and glorify Him, because His hour of judgment has arrived. So, worship the One who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "8", "text": "Then another – a second messenger – followed him, saying, ‘She has fallen! The Great Babylon has fallen! She’s the one who made all the nations drink the wine of her sexually-immoral rampage!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "9", "text": "Then another messenger – a third one – followed him, shouting aloud: ‘If anyone worships the wild animal and its image and they receive the mark on their foreheads or on their hands,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "10", "text": "they will also have to drink the pure wine of God’s rage that’s being poured into the cup of His anger. They will also be tortured with fire and sulfur where the holy messengers and the Lamb can see it;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "11", "text": "and the smoke from the torture of those who bow low before the wild animal and its image and all those who receive the mark of its name, will ascend through ages of the ages, and they won’t have any rest day or night…"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "12", "text": "this is where the Holy Ones who obey God’s commandments and have faith in Jesus will require endurance.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "13", "text": "Then I heard a voice from the sky that said, ‘Write this: From now on, the dead who die in the Lord are blest! Yes, [God’s] Breath said: Let them rest from their laboring, because their [good] deeds will follow them!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "14", "text": "Next, I saw {Look!} a white cloud, and someone was sitting on the cloud that looked like a son of man. He had a gold crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "15", "text": "Then another messenger came out of the Temple and he shouted this at the one who was sitting on the cloud: ‘Take that sickle and start bringing in the grain, because the earth is absolutely ripe and it’s time for the harvest!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "16", "text": "So, the one who was sitting on the cloud lowered his sickle to the earth and harvested it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "17", "text": "And one more messenger came out of the heavenly Temple, who also carried a sharp sickle."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "18", "text": "Then a messenger whose responsibility was burning, came out of the Altar and shouted to the one who held the sharp sickle: ‘Take that sharp sickle and harvest the clumps of grapes from the vine of the earth, because its grapes are now ripe!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "19", "text": "So, this messenger lowered his sickle to the earth, harvested the grapes of the earth, and threw them into the great winepress of God’s rage."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 14, "verse": "20", "text": "The [grapes] in this winepress were then squashed by foot outside the city, and what came out of this winepress was blood, which flowed in a stream that was as deep as a horse’s bridle for two hundred miles."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "1", "text": "Next, I saw another great and wonderful sign in heaven… there were seven messengers with seven plagues. They were the last ones, because they would finish the anger of God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "2", "text": "Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass and fire. And standing beside the glassy sea were those who had conquered the wild animal, its image, and the number of its name. They each had harps of God"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "3", "text": "and they were singing the song of God’s slave Moses and the song of the Lamb. It went: ‘The things that You do O Jehovah, the Almighty God, Are wonderful and great, King of ages; For Your ways are righteous and true,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "4", "text": "And who doesn’t fear You, Jehovah? [Who won’t] glorify Your Name? Because You are He who’s trustworthy, So, all nations will come and bow before You, For, Your righteous rules are now known.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "5", "text": "And after that, I looked and saw that the heavenly Most Holy (the [inside] of the Tent of Proofs) had been opened up."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "6", "text": "Then the seven messengers who had the seven plagues came out of the Most Holy wearing clean, bright linen, and [they had] gold braids around their chests."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "7", "text": "And thereafter, one of the four animals gave the seven messengers seven gold bowls that were full of the wrath of The God who lives for ages of the ages."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 15, "verse": "8", "text": "Then the Most Holy became filled with smoke, because of the glory of God and His power. So, no one could enter it until after the seven plagues brought by the seven messengers were completed."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I heard a loud voice from the Most Holy tell the seven messengers: ‘Now go and pour out the seven bowls of the anger of God onto the earth.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "2", "text": "So, the first one went and poured his bowl on the ground. And at that, the men who had the mark of the wild animal and who were worshiping its image broke out in very bad, malignant sores."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "3", "text": "Then the second one poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of dead men. So, everything in the sea – every living creature – died."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "4", "text": "Then the third one poured his bowl into the rivers and springs, and they turned into blood."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "5", "text": "And I heard the messenger who was over the water saying, ‘You, the One who is and who was – the loyal One – are righteous, because of these decisions that You’ve made."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "6", "text": "Due to the fact that they’ve shed the blood of the Holy Ones and the Prophets, You’ve given them blood to drink, and they deserve it!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "7", "text": "Then I heard the Altar speak. It said: ‘Yes, Jehovah God the Almighty; Your judgments are righteous and true.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "8", "text": "Next, the fourth one poured his bowl out on the sun, which caused it to sear men with fire."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "9", "text": "And although the tremendous heat seared the men, they just blasphemed the Name of The God who has the power over these plagues, and they didn’t turn around and glorify Him."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "10", "text": "Then the fifth one poured his bowl out on the throne of the wild animal. So, its whole kingdom became dark and the [people] were biting their tongues in pain."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "11", "text": "However, they just blasphemed the God of heaven for all their pain, and they didn’t repent ...."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "12", "text": "So, the sixth one poured out his bowl on the great EuPhrates River, which dried up its water. [He did this] to prepare the way for the kings from the sunrise."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "13", "text": "And then I saw three frog-like, dirty inspirations come out of the mouths of the dragon, the wild animal, and the false prophet."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "14", "text": "They were the inspirations of demons and they served as signs. These [inspirations] went to all the kings of the earth to bring them together for the war of the Great Day of the Almighty God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "15", "text": "‘Look, I’m coming as a thief! So, whoever stays awake and keeps his clothes on will be blest… he won’t have to walk around naked and have people see his shame.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "16", "text": "Then they gathered them together at the place that is called in Hebrew, Har-Mageddon."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "17", "text": "Finally, the seventh [messenger] poured his bowl out into the air. And at that, a loud voice from ... inside the Temple said, ‘It’s finished!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "18", "text": "Then there was thunder, lightning, voices, and a tremendous earthquake that was so great and covered so large an area that nothing has been seen like it since men have been on the earth."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "19", "text": "Why, it split the great city into three parts, and all the cities of the nations collapsed! Then God looked at The Great Babylon and remembered to also give her the cup of wine [which is filled with] the anger of His rage."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "20", "text": "For, all the islands were then gone, and there weren’t any mountains."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 16, "verse": "21", "text": "And then a great hailstorm fell on men from the sky. Why, each of its stones weighed about a hundred pounds! However, the men just blasphemed God over the plague of hail, because it was an unusually bad plague."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "1", "text": "Then one of the seven messengers who had the seven bowls came over and spoke to me, saying, ‘Come here! I’m going to show you the judgment on the great whore who sits over many waters."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "2", "text": "[She’s the one] who the earth’s kings have had sex with, and who made the people of the earth drunk from the wine of her sexual immorality.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "3", "text": "So, by the Breath [of God], he carried me into the desert. And there I saw a woman who was sitting on a scarlet-colored wild animal that was covered with blasphemous names, and which had seven heads and ten horns."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "4", "text": "This woman was wearing purple and scarlet clothes that were covered with gold, precious gems, and pearls. And in her hand [she held] a gold cup that was full of disgusting things and the filth of her immoral sexual acts."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "5", "text": "She had a mysterious name written on her forehead, ‘The Great Babylon; the Mother of Whores and of [all] the Disgusting Things of the Earth.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "6", "text": "Then I realized that the woman had gotten drunk on the blood of the Holy Ones, as well as on the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. Well, when I saw her, I was confused and amazed."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "7", "text": "So the messenger asked me: ‘Why are you confused? I’ll tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild animal with the seven heads and ten horns that she’s riding."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "8", "text": "The wild animal that you saw was, but it isn’t; yet it’s about to come out of the pit and go off into destruction. And when they see the return of the wild animal that was but isn’t, those who live on the earth will marvel at it. However, their names haven’t been written in the Scroll of Life since the founding of the world."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Here’s where intelligence and wisdom are required: The seven heads are seven mountains that the woman is sitting on."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "10", "text": "And there are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, and the other hasn’t arrived yet. But when he gets here, he will only be allowed to stay for a little while."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "11", "text": "However, the wild animal that was but isn’t, is an eighth king that comes from the seven, and it goes off into destruction."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "12", "text": "‘Now, the ten horns that you saw represent ten kings who haven’t received a kingdom yet, but they will be authorized to be kings for one hour with the wild animal."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "13", "text": "However, they’ll just have one idea in mind… to give their power and authority to the wild animal."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "14", "text": "Then they will go and fight against the Lamb. But, because he’s the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb and those who are with him (the called, elected, and faithful) will conquer them.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "15", "text": "Then he told me this: ‘The waters that you saw the whore sitting over, means people, crowds, ethnic groups, and languages."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "16", "text": "And those ten horns, and that wild animal that you saw, will hate the whore. They’re going to take away everything that she has and leave her naked. Then they’ll eat her flesh and burn [what’s left] in a fire."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "17", "text": "For, God put [the idea] into their hearts to do what He thinks she deserves. And He gave them the idea to hand their kingdoms over to the wild animal, so that whatever God says will be fulfilled."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 17, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, the woman that you saw means the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "1", "text": "Well after all that, I saw another messenger coming down from heaven who was very powerful. Why, the earth lit up with his glory."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "2", "text": "And he shouted in a strong voice, saying, ‘She has fallen! The Great Babylon has fallen, and she has become a place where demons live, a prison for unclean spirits, and a cage for scavenger birds!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "3", "text": "All the nations have fallen [victim] to the wine of the rage of her sexual immorality, because the kings of the earth had immoral sex with her, and the earth’s businessmen have become rich due to the power of her shameless luxury.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "4", "text": "Then I heard another voice from heaven say, ‘Come out of her my people! Come on out, so you don’t share in her sins and receive part of her plagues!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "5", "text": "Because, her sins have piled all the way to heaven, and God has remembered all the unjust things that she has done."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "6", "text": "So, pay her back for all the things she’s done! In fact, pay her back twice as much… double the payback for the things she did! If she poured [poison] in a cup, then put in twice as much for her!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "7", "text": "As much as she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, pay her back that much more in pain and sorrow! Because, she keeps saying in her heart: I’m sitting as a queen. I’m nobody’s widow and I’ll never have to mourn."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "8", "text": "That’s why her plagues will come upon her in a single day – death, mourning, and famine – and she’ll be burned up with fire, because her judge, Jehovah God, is powerful."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "9", "text": "‘Those kings of the earth who had sex and lived in shameless luxury with her will then bawl and beat themselves in grief over her, as they stand and watch the smoke from her fire."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "10", "text": "But they’ll stand at a distance, because they’ll be afraid of her torture. And they’ll say: ‘Oh, woe, woe, you great city, Babylon you strong city, because your judgment came in a single hour!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "11", "text": "‘The earth’s businessmen will also bawl and mourn over her, because there won’t be anyone to buy their complete stock of goods anymore…"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "12", "text": "or any of the gold and silver, the precious stones and pearls, the fine linen, the purple, the silk, the scarlet, any of the scented wood, or any of the things made of ivory, precious wood, copper, iron, or marble…"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "13", "text": "or the cinnamon, Indian spice, incense, perfumed oil, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour and wheat… or the cattle, sheep, horses, coaches, slaves, or the lives of humans."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "14", "text": "Yes, all of that juicy fruit that you so deeply desired has left you, as have all the fatty foods and the bright colors. They’re no longer available to you, and you’ll never have them again."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "15", "text": "‘The men who sold these things and who became rich from her will cry and mourn at some distance from her, because they’re [also] afraid of her torture."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "16", "text": "They’ll say, Oh, woe, woe, you great city that wore all the fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and that was so richly covered in gold, precious stones, and pearls,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "17", "text": "because all these great riches have been taken away in a single hour! ‘And this was also true of the ship captains, all those who sail, the seamen, and everyone who makes a living at sea. They too stood some distance away"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "18", "text": "and called out as they watched the smoke while she was burning, saying, What other city is like this great city?"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "19", "text": "They threw dust on their heads, bawled, and mourned, shouting, Oh, woe, woe, for this great city that made so many shipping companies rich with her wealth… and now everything has been taken away from her in a single hour!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "20", "text": "‘O heaven, you Holy Ones, you Apostles and Prophets; Rejoice over her, because God’s judgment has brought revenge upon her for your sakes!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "21", "text": "Then a very strong messenger picked up a stone that looked like a huge millstone and threw it into the sea saying, ‘This is how fast the city of Great Babylon will be thrown down, and she’ll never be found again."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "22", "text": "Nor will the sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, or trumpet players ever be heard in you again. No craftsman or any tradesman will ever be found in you again. ..."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "23", "text": "No lamplight will ever shine in you again, and the voice of a bride and groom won’t ever be heard in you again. For, your traveling merchants were once the most important men on the earth; you mislead all the nations with your sorcery;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 18, "verse": "24", "text": "and the blood of Prophets, Holy Ones, and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth were found in you!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "1", "text": "After all that, I heard what sounded like the voices of a huge crowd in heaven shouting, ‘Praise Jah… the salvation, glory, and power belong to our God,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "2", "text": "because His judgments are righteous and true! He passed judgment on the great whore who made the whole earth dirty with her immoral sex, and He has avenged the blood of His slaves [who died] at her hands!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "3", "text": "Then they shouted a second time, ‘Praise Jah, because the smoke from her will keep ascending through ages of the ages!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "4", "text": "Then the twenty-four older ones and the four animals fell down and bowed low before The God as He sat on His throne, saying, ‘May it be! Praise Jah!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "5", "text": "And a voice came out of the throne that said, ‘Praise our God, all you who are his slaves… the great and the small who fear Him!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "6", "text": "Then I heard what sounded like the voices of a huge crowd, along with the noise of a lot of water and heavy thunder. They were shouting: ‘Praise Jah, because Jehovah our God the Almighty has started ruling as king!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "7", "text": "Let’s rejoice, shout in joy, and glorify Him, because it’s time for the Lamb’s wedding! His bride has prepared herself,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "8", "text": "and she was found worthy to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen; for the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the Holy Ones.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "9", "text": "Then he told me, ‘Write this: Those who are invited to the Lamb’s wedding banquet are blest!’ And he added, ‘God really said this.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "10", "text": "Well at that, I fell down in front of his feet to bow low before him. But he warned me, ‘Be careful… don’t do that! All I am is just a fellow slave of you and your brothers, who are witnesses of Jesus. Being a witness for Jesus is the spirit behind this prophecy. So, worship God!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "11", "text": "Then I saw the sky open up and {Look!} there was a white horse. The one who was sitting on it was called Faithful and True, because he judges and fights the war for righteousness!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "12", "text": "His eyes were flames of fire and he wore many royal turbans on his head. He had a name that was written, which nobody knew but him."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "13", "text": "He was wrapped in a robe that was splattered with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "14", "text": "He was followed by all the armies in heaven who were [riding] white horses, and they were wearing white, clean, fine linen."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "15", "text": "He had a long, sharp sword sticking out of his mouth that he could use against the nations, and he will shepherd them with an iron staff. He’s [the one who] crushed the grapes with his feet in the winepress of the anger of the Almighty God’s rage."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "16", "text": "And on his robe and his thigh he has the name written, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "17", "text": "I also saw a messenger standing in the sun who was shouting in a loud voice telling all the creatures that fly high in the sky, ‘Come here! Gather for God’s great supper,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "18", "text": "where you can eat the flesh of kings, military commanders, mighty men, horses, and those who are riding them, as well as the flesh of all the freemen and slaves… the small and the great!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "19", "text": "Then I saw the wild animal, along with the kings of the earth and their armies, all gathered together to war against the one who was sitting on the [white] horse and his army."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "20", "text": "Well, the wild animal was captured (as was the false prophet that performed the signs in front of it, which he used to mislead those who received the mark of the wild animal, and those who had worshiped its image)… while they were both still alive, they were tossed into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 19, "verse": "21", "text": "However, the long sword that came from the mouth of the one who was riding the [white] horse killed all the rest, and then all the birds ate their fill of flesh."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I saw a messenger come down from heaven with a long chain in his hand, and the key to the abyss;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "2", "text": "and he grabbed the dragon – the original snake, the Slanderer and Opposer – and chained him up for a thousand years."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "3", "text": "Then he threw him into the abyss… closing it and locking it up over him, so he couldn’t mislead the nations anymore until the end of the thousand years. But after that, he has to be set free for a little while."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "4", "text": "And I saw thrones… and those who sat down on them were the ones who had been executed with axes for testifying about Jesus and for telling about God, and who hadn’t worshiped the wild animal or its image, and who hadn’t received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands. Then they were appointed judges, and they came to life and ruled as kings with the Anointed One for a thousand years"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "5", "text": "… this is the first resurrection."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "6", "text": "Those who have a part in the first resurrection are blest and holy, because the second death doesn’t have any power over them. For, they will be Priests of God and the Anointed One, and they will rule with him for the thousand years."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "7", "text": "Now, when the thousand years are completed, the Slanderer will be freed from his prison."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "8", "text": "Then he will go out and mislead people to the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, and bring them together for a battle… there will be as many as the sands of the sea!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "9", "text": "They will march across the earth and surround the camp of the Holy Ones and the loved city, but fire will then come from the sky and consume them!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "10", "text": "And the Opposer who misled them will be thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the wild animal and the false prophet already are, and they will be tortured day and night for ages of ages."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "11", "text": "Then I saw someone sitting on a huge white throne, before whom both the earth and the sky had vanished and couldn’t be found."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "12", "text": "Then I saw the dead – the great and the small – standing before the throne, and several scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, which was the Scroll of Life. And the dead were then judged by the things that were written in the scrolls, according to the things that they had done."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "13", "text": "The sea gave up its dead, death and the grave gave up those dead in them, and they were all judged by the things they had done."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "14", "text": "And finally, death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire (the lake of fire symbolizes the second death)."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 20, "verse": "15", "text": "And anyone whose name wasn’t found written in the Scroll of Life was also thrown into the lake of fire."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "1", "text": "Then I saw a new earth and a new sky, because the previous earth and sky had disappeared, as did the sea."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "2", "text": "I also saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, stepping down out of heaven from God, and she had been prepared as a bride who is adorned for her husband."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "3", "text": "Then I heard a loud voice from the throne say, ‘Look! The Tent of The God is with mankind! He’s going to pitch His Tent among them, then they will be His people and He will be their God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "4", "text": "He’s going to wipe all the tears from their eyes, and there won’t be any more death, mourning, wailing, or pain, because what used to be will be gone!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "5", "text": "Then the One who was sitting on the throne said, ‘{Look!} I’m making everything new!’ And he added, ‘Write this down, because these words are faithful and true.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "6", "text": "Then He told me: ‘It has all happened! I’m the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end – and I’m going to give anyone who is thirsty a free drink from the fountain of the waters of life!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "7", "text": "Whoever conquers will inherit these things… I’ll be his God and he’ll be my son!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "8", "text": "But as for the cowards, the unbelievers, the nasty, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who cast spells, the idol worshipers, and all the liars; their inheritance is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur… the second death.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "9", "text": "Then one of the seven messengers with the seven bowls that were full of the seven last plagues came and spoke to me, saying, ‘Come here and I’ll show you the bride… the Lamb’s wife!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "10", "text": "So he carried me away by [God’s] Breath to an enormously high mountain. And there he showed me Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down out of heaven from God."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "11", "text": "It had all the glory of God; it sparkled like the most precious of gems; and it gleamed like crystal-clear jasper stones."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "12", "text": "It had thick, high walls and twelve gates. And at the twelve gates there were twelve messengers, and [the gates] were inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "13", "text": "There were three gates on the east side, three gates on the north side, three gates on the south side, and three gates on the west side."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "14", "text": "The city wall also had twelve foundation stones, and the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb were written on them."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "15", "text": "Now, the one who was talking to me was holding a ruler (a golden reed) that he used to measure the city, its gates, and its walls."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "16", "text": "The city was square… as long as it was wide. So, he measured the entire city with the reed, and its length, width, and height (which were equal) [measured the same as] twelve-thousand stadiums."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "17", "text": "He also measured [the thickness of] its walls, and it was the length of a man’s forearm (which is about the same as for a messenger [of God]), times one hundred and forty-four."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "18", "text": "Now, the walls were made of jasper; the city was made of gold that was as pure as clear glass;"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "19", "text": "and the city wall’s foundation stones were decorated with all sorts of precious gems. The first foundation was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third was chalcedony, the fourth was emerald,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "20", "text": "the fifth was ruby, the sixth was sardius, the seventh was peridot, the eighth was beryl, the ninth was topaz, the tenth was chrysoprase, the eleventh was hyacinth, and the twelfth was amethyst."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "21", "text": "Also, the twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each of the gates was made of a single pearl; and the city’s main street was of gold that was as pure as clear glass!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "22", "text": "I didn’t see a Divine Habitation within [the city], because Jehovah God the Almighty and the Lamb are its Holy Place (gr. naos)."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "23", "text": "This city didn’t need the sun or moon to shine upon it, because it was lit by the glory of The God; and the Lamb was its lamp."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "24", "text": "All the nations will be able to walk in its light, and the earth’s kings will bring their glorious things into it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "25", "text": "Its gates won’t ever be closed during the day, and night won’t exist there."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "26", "text": "They will carry the glory and honor of the nations into it."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 21, "verse": "27", "text": "However, nothing that’s dirty, or anyone who does disgusting things or tells lies will ever enter it… only those [whose names] are written in the Lamb’s Scroll of Life."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "1", "text": "Then he showed me a river of the water of life… it was clear and flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "2", "text": "down the middle of [the city’s] Main Street. On both sides of the river were trees of life that put out twelve crops of fruit – one each month – and the trees’ leaves are used to cure the nations."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "3", "text": "Everything that causes people to sin will then be gone, for the Throne of God and the Lamb will be there. His slaves will worship Him,"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "4", "text": "they will see His face, and they’ll wear His Name on their foreheads."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "5", "text": "And since there won’t be any more night, they won’t need lamps or sunlight, because Jehovah God will shine upon them, and they’ll rule as kings for ages of the ages."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "6", "text": "Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true. Yes, Jehovah (The God who gave His Breath to the Prophets) sent His messenger to show His slaves the things that will happen very soon."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "7", "text": "And Look! I’m coming quickly! Blest is he who obeys the things that are prophesied in this scroll.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "8", "text": "Well, I (John) was the one who saw and heard these things. And after I saw and heard it all, I fell down to bow at the feet of the messenger who had shown me these things."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "9", "text": "But he warned me, ‘Be careful… don’t do that! All I am is just a fellow slave of you and your brothers, who are Prophets and who are obeying [the things that] they are told in this scroll. Bow before God!’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "10", "text": "He also warned me, ‘Don’t seal up the things that are said in the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "11", "text": "May the one who is acting unrighteously stay unrighteous, and may the filthy one stay filthy. But let those who are righteous remain righteous, and those who are holy remain holy."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "12", "text": "‘Look, I’m coming soon! And the reward that I bring is the repayment to each one for what he has done."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "13", "text": "I’m the Alpha and the Omega; the first and the last; the beginning and the end."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "14", "text": "Blest are those who wash their robes, for they’ll be allowed access to the trees of life, and they can enter the city gates."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "15", "text": "But the dogs, those who cast spells, those who are immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and everyone who enjoys lying, has to stay outside.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "16", "text": "‘I (Jesus) sent my messenger to [provide] you testimony about these things that are [coming] to the congregations. I am the root and the descendant of David… the bright morning star.’"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "17", "text": "‘[God’s] Breath and the bride keep saying, Come! And let everyone who hears this say, Come! Let anyone who’s thirsty come! Let anyone who wishes, partake of life’s water free!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "18", "text": "‘I’m testifying to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll, that if anyone adds anything to it, God will add the plagues to him that are written about in this scroll."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "19", "text": "And if anyone removes any of the words of this scroll of prophecy, God will take away his share from the trees of life, and from the things that are written in this scroll concerning the Holy City."}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "20", "text": "‘He who testified to these things says, Yes, I’m coming quickly!’ May it be! Come Lord Jesus!"}
{"book": "REV", "chapter": 22, "verse": "21", "text": "May the loving care of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with the Holy Ones."}