Praise the Lord! Let all that I am praise the Lord.I will praise the Lord as long as I live.I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;there is no help for you there.When they breathe their last,...
“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when...
But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ...
O God, we have heard it with our own ears—our ancestors have told usof all you did in their day,in days long ago:You drove out the pagan nations by your powerand gave all the land to our ancestors.You crushed their enemiesand set our ancestors free.They...
O Lord, God of my salvation,I cry out to you by day.I come to you at night.Now hear my prayer;listen to my cry.For my life is full of troubles,and death draws near.I am as good as dead,like a strong man with no strength left.They have...
This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious...
“Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s...
Don’t worry about the wickedor envy those who do wrong.For like grass, they soon fade away.Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good.Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you your...
Truly God is good to Israel,to those whose hearts are pure.But as for me, I almost lost my footing.My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.For I envied the proudwhen I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.They seem to live such painless lives;their bodies...
Why are the nations so angry?Why do they waste their time with futile plans?The kings of the earth prepare for battle;the rulers plot togetheragainst the Lordand against his anointed one.“Let us break their chains,” they cry,“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” But the one who...
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from...
How wonderful to be wise,to analyze and interpret things.Wisdom lights up a person’s face,softening its harshness. Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can...
As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.No one is truly wise;no one is seeking God.All have turned away;all have become useless.No one does good,not a single one.”“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.Their tongues are filled with lies.”“Snake venom...
Only fools say in their hearts,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;not one of them does good! The Lord looks down from heavenon the entire human race;he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,if anyone seeks God.But no, all have turned...
My child, never forget the things I have taught you.Store my commands in your heart.If you do this, you will live many years,and your life will be satisfying.Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!Tie them around your neck as a reminder.Write them deep within your...
Lord, through all the generationsyou have been our home!Before the mountains were born,before you gave birth to the earth and the world,from beginning to end, you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying,“Return to dust, you mortals!”For you, a thousand years are as a...
A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.And the day you die is better than the day you are born.Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart.Sorrow is better than laughter,for sadness...
There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity. God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die,...
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!Sing about the glory of his name!Tell the world how glorious he is.Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.Everything on earth will worship you;they will sing your praises,shouting your name in...
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But...
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is,...
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of...
Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he...
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you...
I cry out to the Lord;I plead for the Lord’s mercy.I pour out my complaints before himand tell him all my troubles.When I am overwhelmed,you alone know the way I should turn.Wherever I go,my enemies have set traps for me.I look for someone to come...