2 Peter 1

freedom from fear and decay
self control

(Amplified Bible)

1SIMON PETER, a servant and apostle (special messenger) of Jesus Christ, to those who have received (obtained an equal privilege of) like precious faith with ourselves in and through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is [a]perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and [b]freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, [c]precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).

4By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.

5For this very reason, [e]adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in [f]exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence),

6And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),

7And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.

8For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [[g]full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

9For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [[h]spiritually] shortsighted, [i]seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall.

11Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold].

13I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle (tent, body), to stir you up by way of remembrance,

14Since I know that the laying aside of this body of mine will come speedily, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.

15Moreover, I will diligently endeavor [to see to it] that [even] after my departure (decease) you may be able at all times to call these things to mind.

16For we were not following cleverly devised stories when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty (grandeur, authority of sovereign power).

17For when He was invested with honor and glory from God the Father and a voice was borne to Him by the [splendid] Majestic Glory [in the bright cloud that overshadowed Him, saying], This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased and delight,

18We [actually] heard this voice borne out of heaven, for we were together with Him on the holy mountain.

19And we have the prophetic word [made] firmer still. You will do well to pay close attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place, until the day breaks through [the gloom] and the Morning Star rises ([j]comes into being) in your hearts.

20[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving).

21For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 4

faith, god's promises

(New Living Version)

20Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise.
In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

(MSG)
He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said.

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Ephesians 3

God can do anything, depth of Christ, more than your wildest dreams

(New International Version)

14For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.


(MSG)
God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

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2 Timothy 2

Pure heart, controversies, truth

(English Standard Version)

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

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1 Timothy 6

fight of Faith

(English Standard Version)

11But as for you, O man of God,(W) flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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1 Peter 5

(New International Version)

5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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Romans 5

Peace with God Through Faith, growing stronger

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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Proverbs 3

health to your nerves, favor with man, tranquility, clear pathways, trust in the LORD with all your heart

(English Standard Version)

1(A) My son, do not forget my teaching,
(B) but let your heart keep my commandments,
2for(C) length of days and years of life
and(D) peace they will add to you.

3Let not(E) steadfast love and(F) faithfulness forsake you;
(G) bind them around your neck;
(H) write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will(I) find favor and(J) good success[a]
in the sight of God and man.

5(K) Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and(L) do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways(M) acknowledge him,
and he(N) will make straight your paths.

(Amplified Bible)

1MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

2For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.

3Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.(A)

4So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.(B)

5Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

7Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.(C)

8It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.

9Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income;(D)

10So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.(E)

11My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof,(F)

12For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

13Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],

14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.

(New International Version)

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]

1 John 5

(New International Version)

Faith in the Son of God

¹Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ²This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. ³This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ⁴for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

⁶This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷For there are three that testify: ⁸the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. ⁹We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. ¹⁰Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. ¹¹And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

(Amplified Bible)

¹EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).

²By this we come to know (recognize and understand) that we love the children of God: when we love God and obey His commands (orders, charges)--[when we keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and His teaching].

³For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).

⁴For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.

⁵Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?

⁶This is He Who came by (with) water and blood [His baptism and His death], Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--not by (in) the water only, but by (in) the water and the blood. And it is the [Holy] Spirit Who bears witness, because the [Holy] Spirit is the Truth.

⁷So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One;

⁸and there are three witnesses on the earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree [are in unison; their testimony coincides].

⁹If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [if we are willing to take human authority], the testimony of God is greater (of stronger authority), for this is the testimony of God, even the witness which He has borne regarding His Son.

¹⁰He who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] has the testimony [possesses this divine attestation] within himself. He who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him out to be and represented Him as a liar, because he has not believed (put his faith in, adhered to, and relied on) the evidence (the testimony) that God has borne regarding His Son.

¹¹And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

¹²He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.

Psalm 37

(English Standard Version)

He Will Not Forsake His Saints

Of David.

¹Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
²For they will soon fade like the grass
and witherlike the green herb.

³ Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
⁴Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
⁶ He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

⁸ Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
^R Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
⁹ For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall^T)">(T) inherit the land.

¹⁰In^U)">(U) just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at^V)">(V) his place, he will not be there.
¹¹But^W)">(W) the meek (those who know there power but choose to not use it without God's wisdom) shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in^X)">(X) abundant peace.

¹²The wicked^Y)">(Y) plots against the righteous
and^Z)">(Z) gnashes his teeth at him,
¹³but the Lord^AA)">(AA) laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his^AB)">(AB) day is coming.

¹⁴The wicked draw the sword and^AC)">(AC) bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose^AD)">(AD) way is upright;
¹⁵their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their^AE)">(AE) bows shall be broken.

¹⁶^AF)">(AF) Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
¹⁷For^AG)">(AG) the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the LORD^AH)">(AH) upholds the righteous.

¹⁸The LORD^AI)">(AI) knows the days of the blameless,
and their^AJ)">(AJ) heritage will remain forever;
¹⁹they are not put to shame in evil times;
in^AK)">(AK) the days of famine they have abundance.

²⁰But the wicked will perish;
the enemies of the LORD are like^AL)">(AL) the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like^AM)">(AM) smoke they vanish away.

²¹The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous^AN)">(AN) is generous and gives;
²²for those blessed by the LORD^c]">[c] shall^AO)">(AO) inherit the land,
but those cursed by him^AP)">(AP) shall be cut off.

²³The^AQ)">(AQ) steps of a man are^AR)">(AR) established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way;
²⁴^AS)">(AS) though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the LORD^AT)">(AT) upholds his hand.

²⁵I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children^AU)">(AU) begging for bread.
²⁶He is ever^AV)">(AV) lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.

²⁷^AW)">(AW) Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you^AX)">(AX) dwell forever.
²⁸For the LORD^AY)">(AY) loves justice;
he will not forsake his^AZ)">(AZ) saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be^BA)">(BA) cut off.
²⁹The righteous shall inherit the land
and^BB)">(BB) dwell upon it forever.

³⁰The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
³¹^BC)">(BC) The law of his God is in his heart;
his^BD)">(BD) steps do not slip.

³²The wicked^BE)">(BE) watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
³³The LORD will not^BF)">(BF) abandon him to his power
or let him^BG)">(BG) be condemned when he is brought to trial.

³⁴^BH)">(BH) Wait for the LORD and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on^BI)">(BI) when the wicked are cut off.

³⁵^BJ)">(BJ) I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like^BK)">(BK) a green laurel tree.^d]">[d]
³⁶But he passed away,^e]">[e] and behold,^BL)">(BL) he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.

³⁷Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of^BM)">(BM) peace.
³⁸But^BN)">(BN) transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked^BO)">(BO) shall be cut off.

³⁹^BP)">(BP) The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in^BQ)">(BQ) the time of trouble.
⁴⁰The LORD helps them and^BR)">(BR) delivers them;
^BS)">(BS) he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they^BT)">(BT) take refuge in him.