The Bridegroom-King Listen, my dearest darling, you are so beautiful—you are beauty itself to me! Your eyes glisten with love, like gentle doves behind your veil. What devotion I see each time I gaze upon you. You are like a sacrifice ready to be offered.[a] 2 When I look at you, I see how you have taken my fruit and tasted my word. Your life has become clean and pure, like a lamb washed and newly shorn. You now show grace and balance with truth on display. 3 Your lips are as lovely as Rahab’s scarlet ribbon,[b] speaking mercy, speaking grace. The words of your mouth are as refreshing as an oasis. What pleasure you bring to me! I see your blushing cheeks opened like the halves of a pomegranate,[c] showing through your veil of tender meekness. 4 When I look at you, I see your inner strength, so stately and strong. You are as secure as David’s fortress. Your virtues and grace cause a thousand famous soldiers to surrender to your beauty. 5 Your pure faith and love rest over your heart as you nurture those who are yet infants. The Shulamite 6 I’ve made up my mind. Until the darkness disappears and the dawn has fully come, in spite of shadows and fears, I will go to the mountaintop with you-- the mountain of suffering love[d] and the hill of burning incense. Yes, I will be your bride.[e] The Bridegroom-King 7 Every part of you is so beautiful, my darling. Perfect is your beauty, without flaw within. 8 Now you are ready, my bride, to come with me as we climb the highest peaks together. Come with me through the archway of trust.[f] We will look down[g] from the crest of the glistening mounts and from the summit of our sublime sanctuary. Together we will wage war in the lion’s den and the leopard’s lair as they watch nightly for their prey. 9 For you reach into my heart. With one flash of your eyes I am undone by your love, my beloved, my equal, my bride. You leave me breathless-- I am overcome by merely a glance from your worshiping eyes, for you have stolen my heart.[h] I am held hostage by your love and by the graces of righteousness shining upon you.[i] 10 How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride. Your love is my finest wine—intoxicating and thrilling. And your sweet, perfumed praises—so exotic, so pleasing. 11 Your loving words are like the honeycomb to me; your tongue releases milk and honey, for I find the Promised Land flowing within you.[j] The fragrance of your worshiping love surrounds you with scented robes of white.[k] 12 My darling bride, my private paradise, fastened to my heart. A secret spring are you that no one else can have-- my bubbling fountain hidden from public view. What a perfect partner to me now that I have you. 13–14 Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit. What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.[l] When I’m near you, I smell aromas of the finest spice, for many clusters of my exquisite fruit now grow within your inner garden. Here are the nine: pomegranates of passion,[m] henna from heaven,[n] spikenard so sweet,[o] saffron shining,[p] fragrant calamus from the cross,[q] sacred cinnamon,[r] branches of scented woods,[s] myrrh, like tears from a tree,[t] and aloe as eagles ascending.[u] 15 Your life flows into mine, pure as a garden spring. A well of living water springs up from within you, like a mountain brook flowing into my heart![v] The Shulamite Bride 4:16–5:1 Then may your awakening breath blow upon my life until I am fully yours. Breathe upon me with your Spirit wind. Stir up the sweet spice of your life within me. Spare nothing as you make me your fruitful garden. Hold nothing back until I release your fragrance. Come walk with me as you walked with Adam in your paradise garden.[w] Come taste the fruits of your life in me. The Bridegroom-King I have come to you, my darling bride, for you are my paradise garden! The Shulamite Bride Come walk with me until I am fully yours. Come taste the fruits of your life in me.
0 Comments
Giving with Pure Motives
“Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of your heavenly Father. 2 So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it and make a show of it just to be seen by people,[a] like the hypocrites[b] in the streets and in the marketplace.[c] They’ve already received their reward! 3 But when you demonstrate generosity, do it with pure motives and without drawing attention to yourself.[d] 4 Give secretly and your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”[e] Prayer 5 “Whenever you pray, be sincere and not like the pretenders who love the attention they receive while praying before others in the meetings and on street corners. Believe me, they’ve already received in full their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God,[f] praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly. 7 When you pray, there is no need to repeat empty phrases, praying like those who don’t know God,[g] for they expect God to hear them because of their many words. 8 There is no need to imitate them, since your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray like this: ‘Our Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn.[h] 10 Manifest your kingdom realm,[i] and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven. 11 We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day.[j] 12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done[k] as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. 13 Rescue us every time we face tribulation[l] and set us free from evil.[m] For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. Amen.’[n] 14 “And when you pray, make sure you forgive the faults of others so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you. 15 But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.” Fasting 16 “When you fast, don’t look like those who pretend to be spiritual. They want everyone to know they’re fasting, so they appear in public looking miserable, gloomy, and disheveled.[o] Believe me, they’ve already received their reward in full. 17–18 When you fast, don’t let it be obvious, but instead, wash your face[p] and groom yourself and realize that your Father in the secret place is the one who is watching all that you do in secret and will continue to reward you openly.” Treasures in Heaven19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.[q] 20 Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures[r] for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. 21 For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.[s] 22 “The eyes of your spirit allow revelation-light[t] to enter into your being. If your heart is unclouded, the light floods in! 23 But if your eyes are focused on money,[u] the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place.[v] How profound will be the darkness within you[w] if the light of truth cannot enter! 24 “How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!”[x] Don’t Worry 25 “This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing? 26 “Look at all the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? 27 So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life?[y] 28 “And why would you worry about your clothing? Look at all the beautiful flowers of the field. They don’t work or toil, 29 and yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was robed in beauty more than one of these! 30 So if God has clothed the meadow with hay, which is here for such a short time and then dried up and burned, won’t he provide for you the clothes you need—even though you live with such little faith? 31 “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?[z] 33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom[aa] and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.[ab] 34 Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time.[ac] Tomorrow will take care of itself.” Godly Character of Jesus’ Servants My dear brothers and sisters, it’s obvious that our ministry among you has proven to be fruitful.[a] 2 And though we had already suffered greatly in Philippi, where we were shamefully mistreated,[b] we were emboldened by faith in our God to fearlessly preach his wonderful gospel to you in spite of incredible opposition. 3 Our coming alongside you to encourage you was not out of some delusion, or impure motive, or an intention to mislead you, 4 but we have been approved by God to be those who preach the gospel. So our motivation to preach is not pleasing people but pleasing God, who thoroughly examines our hearts. 5 God is our witness that when we came to encourage you, we never once used cunning compliments as a pretext for greed, 6 nor did we crave the praises of men, whether you or others.[c] 7 Even though we could have imposed upon you our demands as apostles of Christ,[d] instead we showed you kindness and were gentle among you.[e] We cared for you in the same way a nursing mother cares for her own children. 8 With a mother’s love and affectionate attachment to you, we were very happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our lives—because you had become so dear to us.[f] 9 Beloved brothers and sisters, surely you remember how hard we labored among you. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to you while we preached the wonderful gospel of God. 10 With God as our witness you saw how we lived among you—in holiness, in godly relationships,[g] and without fault. 11 And you know how affectionately we treated each one of you, like a loving father cares for his own children. 12 We comforted and encouraged you and challenged you to adopt a lifestyle worthy of God, who invites you into his kingdom and glory.[h] The Faithfulness of the Thessalonians 13 This is why we continually thank God for your lives, because you received our message wholeheartedly. You embraced it not as the fabrication of men but as the word of God. And the word continues to be an energizing force in you who believe. 14 My dear brothers and sisters, the same thing happened to you as happened to God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you received the same kind of mistreatment from your fellow countrymen as they did from theirs, the Jews 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and ran us out of town. They are offending God and hostile to everyone else 16 by hindering us from speaking to the unbelievers[i] so that they might be saved. By so doing they are constantly filling up to the brim the measure of their guilt,[j] and punishment[k] has come upon them at last![l] Paul’s Concern for the Thessalonians 17 Beloved friends, we may have been torn away[m] from you physically for a season, but never in our hearts. For we have had intense longings and have endeavored to come and see in your faces the reflection of this great love.[n] 18 We miss you badly, and I personally wanted to come to you, trying again and again, but our adversary,[o] Satan, blocked our way. 19 For what will be our confident hope, our exhilarating joy, or our wonderful trophy[p] that we will boast in before our Lord Jesus at his appearing?[q] It is you! 20 Yes, you are our glorious pride and joy![r] The Glorious King 24 David’s poetic praise to God[a] 1 God claims the world as his. Everything and everyone belongs to him! 2 He’s the one who pushed back oceans to let the dry ground appear, planting firm foundations for the earth. 3 Who, then, ascends into the presence of the Lord?[b] And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place? 4 Those who are clean—whose works and ways are pure, whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth, those who never deceive, whose words are sure. 5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and righteousness given by the Savior-God. 6 They will stand before God, for they seek the pleasure of God’s face,[c] the God of Jacob. Pause in his presence 7 So wake up, you living gateways! Lift up your heads, you ageless doors of destiny! Welcome the King of Glory, for he is about to come through you. 8 You ask, “Who is this Glory-King?” The Lord, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, invincible in every way! 9 So wake up, you living gateways, and rejoice![d] Fling wide, you ageless doors of destiny! Here he comes; the King of Glory is ready to come in. 10 You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?” He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory! Pause in his presence The Living Expression 1 We saw him with our very own eyes.[a] We gazed upon him[b] and heard him speak.[c] Our hands actually touched him,[d] the one who was from the beginning, the Living Expression of God.[e] 2 This Life-Giver was made visible and we have seen him. We testify to this truth: the eternal Life-Giver lived face-to-face with the Father and has now dawned upon us. 3 So we proclaim to you what we have seen and heard about this Life-Giver so that we may share and enjoy this life together. For truly our fellowship[f] is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus, the Anointed One.[g] 4 We are writing these things to you because we want to release to you our fullness of joy.[h] God Is Light 5 This is the life-giving message[i] we heard him share and it’s still ringing in our ears. We now repeat his words to you: God is pure light. You will never find even a trace of darkness in him.[j] 6 If we claim that we share life with him,[k] but keep walking in the realm of darkness, we’re fooling ourselves and not living the truth. 7 But if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him,[l] we share unbroken fellowship with one another,[m] and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin. Purified from Sin 8 If we boast that we have no sin, we’re only fooling ourselves and are strangers to the truth. 9 But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them,[n] he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.[o] 10 If we claim that we’re not guilty of sin when God uncovers it with his light,[p] we make him a liar and his word is not in us. Truth Worth Fighting ForFrom Judah,[a] a loving servant[b] of Jesus, the Anointed One, and brother of James.[c] I’m writing to the chosen ones who are wrapped in the love of Father God—kept and guarded for[d] Jesus, the Messiah. 2 May God’s mercy, peace, and love[e] cascade over you![f]
3 Dearly loved friend, I was fully intending to write to you about our amazing salvation we all participate in, but felt the need instead to challenge you to vigorously defend and contend for[g] the beliefs that we cherish.[h] For God, through the apostles, has once for all entrusted these truths to his holy believers. Warning against False Teachers4 There have been some who have sneaked in among you unnoticed.[i] They are depraved people whose judgment was prophesied in Scripture[j] a long time ago. They have perverted the message of God’s grace into a license to commit immorality[k] and turn against[l] our only absolute Master,[m] our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I need to remind you, even though you are familiar with it all, that the Lord Jesus[n] saved his people out of Egypt but subsequently destroyed those who were guilty of unbelief. 6 In the same way, there were heavenly messengers in rebellion who went outside their rightful domain of authority[o] and abandoned their appointed realms.[p] God bound them in everlasting chains and is keeping them in the dark abyss of the netherworld until the judgment of the great day. 7 In a similar way, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and nearby towns[q] gave themselves to sexual immorality and the unnatural desire of different flesh.[r] Now they all serve as examples of those who experience the punishment of eternal fire.[s] The Fate of Apostates8 In the same way, these sensual “dreamers” corrupt and pollute the natural realm, while on the other hand they reject the spiritual realms of governmental power and repeatedly scoff at heavenly glories.[t] 9 Even the archangel Michael,[u] when he was disputing with the devil over the body of Moses,[v] dared not insult or slander him, but simply said, “The Lord Yahweh[w] rebuke you!”[x] 10 These people insult anything they don’t understand. They behave like irrational beasts by doing whatever they feel like doing.[y] Because they live by their animal instincts, they corrupt themselves and bring about their own destruction. 11 How terrible it is for them![z] For they have followed in the steps of Cain.[aa] They have abandoned[ab] themselves to Balaam’s error because of their greedy pursuit of financial gain.[ac] And since they have rebelled like Korah rebelled, they will experience the same fate of Korah and likewise perish.[ad] 12 These false teachers are like dangerous hidden reefs at your love feasts,[ae] lying in wait to shipwreck the immature. They feast among you without reverence,[af] having no shepherd but themselves.[ag] They are clouds with no rain,[ah] swept along by the winds.[ai] Like fruitless late-autumn trees[aj]—twice dead,[ak] barren, and plucked up by the roots! 13 They are wild waves of the sea, flinging out the foam of their shame and disgrace.[al] They are misleading like wandering stars,[am] for whom the complete darkness of eternal gloom has been reserved.[an] Enoch’s Prophecy14 Enoch, the seventh direct descendant from Adam,[ao] prophesied of their doom[ap] when he said, “Look! Here comes the Lord Yahweh[aq] with his countless myriads of holy ones. 15 He comes to execute judgment against them all and to convict each one of them for their ungodly deeds and for all the terrible words that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”[ar] 16 These people are always complaining and never satisfied—finding fault with everyone. They follow their own evil desires and their mouths speak scandalous things. They enjoy using seductive flattery to manipulate others.[as] A Call to Remain Faithful17 But you, my delightfully loved friends, remember the prophecies of the apostles of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. 18 They taught you, “In the last days[at] there will always be mockers, motivated by their own ungodly desires.”[au] 19 These people cause divisions and are followers of their own natural instincts, devoid of the life of the Spirit. 20 But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith[av] by praying every moment in the Spirit.[aw] 21 Fasten your hearts to the love of God and receive the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives us eternal life.[ax] 22 Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts,[ay] 23 and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh.[az] 24 Now, to the one with enough power to prevent you from stumbling into sin[ba] and bring you faultless before his glorious presence to stand before him with ecstatic delight, 25 to the only God our Savior, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be endless glory and majesty, great power and authority—from before he created time, now, and throughout all the ages of eternity. Amen![bb Song of Songs 3 The Passion Translation (TPT) Night after night I’m tossing and turning on my bed of travail.
Why did I let him go from me? How my heart now aches for him, but he is nowhere to be found! 2 So I must rise in search of him, looking throughout the city,[a] seeking until I find him. Even if I have to roam through every street, nothing will keep me from my search. Where is he—my soul’s true love? He is nowhere to be found. 3 Then I encountered the overseers as they encircled the city. So I asked them, “Have you found him-- my heart’s true love?” 4 Just as I moved past them, I encountered him. I found the one I adore! I caught him and fastened myself to him, refusing to be feeble in my heart again. Now I’ll bring him back to the temple within where I was given new birth-- into my innermost parts, the place of my conceiving. The Bridegroom-King 5 Promise me, O Jerusalem maidens, by the gentle gazelles and delicate deer, that you’ll not disturb my love until she is ready to arise. The Voice of the Lord 6 Who is this one ascending from the wilderness in the pillar of the glory cloud? He is fragrant with the anointing oils of myrrh and frankincense—[b] more fragrant than all the spices of the merchant. 7 Look! It is the king’s marriage carriage. The love seat surrounded by sixty champions, the mightiest of Israel’s host, are like pillars of protection. 8 They are angelic warriors standing ready with swords to defend the king and his fiancée from every terror of the night. 9 The king made this mercy seat for himself out of the finest wood that will not decay. 10 Pillars of smoke, like silver mist-- a canopy of golden glory dwells above it. The place where they sit together is sprinkled with crimson. Love and mercy cover this carriage, blanketing his tabernacle throne. The king himself has made it for those who will become his bride. 11 Rise up, Zion maidens, brides-to-be! Come and feast your eyes on this king as he passes in procession on his way to his wedding. This is the day filled with overwhelming joy-- the day of his great gladness. Transformation
50 Now, I tell you this, my brothers and sisters, flesh and blood are not able to inherit God’s kingdom realm, and neither will that which is decaying be able to inherit what is incorruptible. 51 Listen, and I will tell you a divine mystery: not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. 52 It will happen in an instant[am]—in the twinkling of his eye. For when the last trumpet is sounded, the dead will come back to life. We will be indestructible and we will be transformed. 53 For we will discard our mortal “clothes” and slip into a body that is imperishable. What is mortal now will be exchanged for immortality. 54 And when that which is mortal puts on immortality, and what now decays is exchanged for what will never decay, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says: Death is swallowed up by a triumphant victory![an] 55 So death, tell me, where is your victory? Tell me death, where is your sting?[ao] 56 It is sin that gives death its sting and the law that gives sin its power.[ap] 57 But we thank God[aq] for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.[ar] 58 So now, beloved ones,[as] stand firm and secure. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord,[at] because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures.[au] I am truly his rose, the very theme of his song.[a] I’m overshadowed by his love, growing in the valley! The Shepherd-King 2 Yes, you are my darling companion. You stand out from all the rest. For though the curse of sin surrounds you,[b] still you remain as pure as a lily,[c] even more than all others. The Shulamite 3 My beloved is to me the most fragrant apple tree-- he stands above the sons of men.[d] Sitting under his grace-shadow, I blossom in his shade, enjoying the sweet taste of his pleasant, delicious fruit, resting with delight where his glory never fades. 4 Suddenly, he transported me into his house of wine-- he looked upon me with his unrelenting love divine.[e] 5 Revive me with your raisin cakes.[f] Refresh me again with your apples.[g] Help me and hold me, for I am lovesick![h] I am longing for more-- yet how could I take more? 6 His left hand[i] cradles my head while his right hand holds me close.[j] I am at rest in this love. The Shepherd-King 7 Promise me, brides-to-be, by the gentle gazelles[k] and delicate deer, that you’ll not disturb my love until she is ready to arise. The Shulamite 8 Listen! I hear my lover’s voice. I know it’s him coming to me-- leaping with joy over mountains, skipping in love over the hills that separate us,[l] to come to me. 9 Let me describe him: he is graceful as a gazelle, swift as a wild stag. Now he comes closer, even to the places where I hide.[m] He gazes into my soul, peering through the portal as he blossoms within my heart. 10 The one I love calls to me: The Bridegroom-King Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out. For now is the time, my beautiful one. 11 The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth[n] 12 and left it bright with blossoming flowers. The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived.[o] I hear the cooing of doves in our land,[p] filling the air with songs to awaken you and guide you forth. 13 Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth.[q] The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me. 14 For you are my dove, hidden in the split-open rock.[r] It was I who took you and hid you up high in the secret stairway of the sky. Let me see your radiant face and hear your sweet voice.[s] How beautiful your eyes of worship and lovely your voice in prayer. 15 You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship.[t] For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together. The Shulamite 16 I know my lover is mine and I have everything in you, for we delight ourselves in each other.[u] 17 But until the day springs to life and the shifting shadows of fear disappear, turn around, my lover, and ascend to the holy mountains of separation without me.[v] Until the new day fully dawns, run on ahead like the graceful gazelle and skip like the young stag over the mountains of separation. Go on ahead to the mountain of spices-- I’ll come away another time. Jesus Comforts His Disciples
“Don’t worry or surrender to your fear.[a] For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also.[b] 2 My Father’s house has many dwelling places.[c] If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go[d] to prepare a place for you to rest. 3 And when everything is ready, I will come back and take[e] you to myself so that you will be where I am. 4 And you already know the way to the place where I’m going.”[f] 5 Thomas said to him, “Master, we don’t know where you’re going, so how could we know the way there?” 6 Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth,[g] and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father[h] except through union with me.[i] To know me is to know my Father too. 7 And from now on you will realize that you have seen him and experienced him.” 8 Philip spoke up, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be all that we need!” 9 Jesus replied, “Philip, I’ve been with you all this time and you still don’t know who I am? How could you ask me to show you the Father, for anyone who has looked at me has seen the Father. 10 Don’t you believe that the Father is living in me and that I am living in the Father? Even my words are not my own but come from my Father, for he lives in me and performs his miracles of power through me. 11 Believe that I live as one with my Father and that my Father lives as one with me—or at least, believe because of the mighty miracles I have done. 12 “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father! 13 For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And that is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him. 14 Ask me anything in my name, and I will do it for you!” Jesus Prophesies about the Holy Spirit 15 “Loving me empowers you to obey my commands.[j] 16–17 And I will ask the Father and he will give you another[k] Savior,[l] the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.[m] 18 “I promise that I will never leave you helpless or abandon you as orphans—I will come back to you![n] 19 Soon I will leave this world and they will see me no longer, but you will see me, because I will live again, and you will come alive too. 20 So when that day comes, you will know that I am living in the Father and that you are one with me, for I will be living in you. 21 Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.” 22 Then one of the disciples named Judas[o] (not Judas Iscariot) said, “Lord, why is it you will only reveal your identity to us and not to everyone?” 23 Jesus replied, “Loving me empowers you to obey my word.[p] And my Father will love you so deeply that we will come to you and make you our dwelling place. 24 But those who don’t love me will not obey my words. The Father did not send me to speak my own revelation, but the words of my Father. 25 I am telling you this while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Spirit of Holiness, the One like me who sets you free,[q] he will teach you all things in my name. And he will inspire you to remember every word that I’ve told you. 27 “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous![r] 28 “Remember what I’ve told you, that I must go away, but I promise to come back to you. So if you truly love me, you will be glad for me, since I’m returning to my Father, who is greater than I. 29 So when all of these things happen, you will still trust and cling to me. 30 I won’t speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this dark world[s] is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me. 31 I am doing exactly what the Father destined for me to accomplish,[t] so that the world will discover how much I love my Father. Now come with me.” 1 The most amazing song of all, by King Solomon.
The Shulamite[a] 2 Let him[b] smother me with kisses—his Spirit-kiss divine.[c] So kind are your caresses,[d] I drink them in like the sweetest wine![e] 3 Your presence releases a fragrance so pleasing-- over and over poured out. For your lovely name is “Flowing Oil.”[f] No wonder the brides-to-be adore you.[g] 4 Draw me into your heart. We will run away together into the king’s cloud-filled chamber.[h] The Chorus of FriendsWe will remember your love, rejoicing and delighting in you,[i] celebrating your every kiss as better than wine. No wonder righteousness adores you! The Shulamite5 Jerusalem maidens, in this twilight darkness[j] I know I am so unworthy—so in need. The Shepherd-KingYet you are so lovely! The ShulamiteI feel as dark and dry as the desert tents of the wandering nomads.[k] The Shepherd-KingYet you are so lovely-- like the fine linen tapestry hanging in the Holy Place. The Shulamite to Her Friends6 Please don’t stare in scorn because of my dark and sinful ways.[l] My angry brothers quarreled with me and appointed me guardian of their ministry vineyards, yet I’ve not tended my vineyard within. 7 Won’t you tell me, lover of my soul, where do you feed your flock? Where do you lead your beloved ones[m] to rest in the heat of the day? For I wish to be wrapped all around you as I wander among the flocks of your shepherds. It is you I long for, with no veil between us![n] The Shepherd-King8 Listen, my radiant one-- if you ever lose sight of me, just follow in my footsteps where I lead my lovers. Come with your burdens and cares. Come to the place near the sanctuary of my shepherds.[o] 9 My dearest one,[p] let me tell you how I see you-- you are so thrilling to me. To gaze upon you is like looking at one of Pharaoh’s finest horses-- a strong, regal steed pulling his royal chariot.[q] 10 Your tender cheeks are aglow-- your earrings and gem-laden necklaces set them ablaze. 11 We will enhance your beauty,[r] encircling you with our golden reins of love. You will be marked with our redeeming grace.[s] The Shulamite12 As the king surrounded me at his table,[t] the sweet fragrance of my praise perfume[u] awakened the night. 13 A sachet of myrrh is my lover, like a tied-up bundle of myrrh[v] resting over my heart. 14 He is like a bouquet of henna blossoms-- henna plucked near the vines at the fountain of the Lamb.[w] I will hold him and never let him part. The Shepherd-King15 Look at you, my dearest darling, you are so lovely! You are beauty itself to me.[x] Your passionate eyes are like gentle doves.[y] The Shulamite16 My beloved one,[z] both handsome and winsome, you are pleasing beyond words. Our resting place[aa] is anointed and flourishing, like a green forest meadow bathed in light. 17 Rafters of cedar branches are over our heads and balconies of pleasant-smelling pines.[ab] The Greatest Commandment
28 Now a certain religious scholar overheard them debating. When he saw how beautifully Jesus answered all their questions, he posed one of his own, and asked him, “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest of all?” 29 Jesus answered him, “The most important of all the commandments is this: ‘The Lord Yahweh, our God, is one!’[s] 30 You are to love the Lord Yahweh, your God, with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, with every thought that is within you, and with all your strength. This is the great and supreme commandment. 31 And the second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor[t] in the same way you love yourself.’ You will never find a greater commandment than these.” 32 The religious scholar replied, “Yes, that’s true, Teacher. You spoke beautifully when you said that God is one, and there is no one else besides him.[u] 33 And there is something more important to God than all the sacrifices and burnt offerings: it’s the commandment to constantly love God with every passion of your heart, with your every thought, and with all your strength—and to love your neighbor in the same way as you love yourself.” 34 When Jesus noticed how thoughtfully and sincerely the man answered, he said to him, “You’re not far from the reality of God’s kingdom realm.”[v] After that, no one dared to question him again. Song for the Slandered Soul
A passionate song to the Lord To the tune of “Breaking the Curse of Cush, the Benjamite,” by King David 1 O Lord my God, I turn aside to hide my soul in you. I trust you to save me from all those who pursue and persecute me. 2 Don’t leave me helpless! Don’t let my foes fall upon me like fierce lions with teeth bared. Can’t you see how they want to rip me to shreds, dragging me away to tear my soul to pieces? 3 Lord, if I were doing evil things, that would be different, for then I would be guilty, deserving all of this. 4 If I have wronged someone at peace with me, if I have betrayed a friend, repaying evil for good, or if I have unjustly harmed my enemy, 5 Then it would be right for you to let my enemy pursue and overtake me. In fact, let them grind me into the ground. Let them take my life from me and drag my dignity in the dust! Pause in his presence 6 Now, Lord, let your anger arise against the anger of my enemies. Awaken your fury and stand up for me! Decree that justice be done against my foes. 7 Gather all the people around you. Return to your place on high to preside over them and once more occupy the throne of judgment. 8 You are the Exalted One who judges the people, so vindicate me publicly and restore my honor and integrity. Before all the people declare me innocent. 9 Once and for all, end the evil tactics of the wicked! Reward and prosper the cause of the righteous, for you are the righteous God, the soul searcher, who looks deep into every heart to examine the thoughts and motives. 10 God, your wrap-around presence is my protection and my defense. You bring victory to all who reach out for you. 11 Righteousness is revealed every time you judge. Because of the strength of your forgiveness,[a] your anger does not break out every day, even though you are a righteous judge. 12–13 Yet if the wicked do not repent, you will not relent with your wrath, slaying them with your shining sword. You are the conqueror with an arsenal of lethal weapons that you’ve prepared for them. You have bent and strung your bow, making your judgment-arrows shafts of burning fire. 14–15 Look how the wicked conceive their evil schemes. They go into labor with their lies and give birth to trouble. They dig a pit for others to fall into, not knowing that they will be the very ones who will fall into their own pit of failure. 16 For you, God, will see to it that every pit-digger who works to trap and harm others will be trapped and harmed by his own treachery. 17 But I will give all my thanks to you, Lord, for you make everything right in the end. I will sing my highest praise to the God of the Highest Place![b] The Great Cloud of Witnesses As for us, we have all of these great witnesses[a] who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us[b] and the sin we so easily fall into.[c] Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race[d] with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.[e] 2 We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection.[f] His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his,[g] he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation,[h] and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God! 3 So consider carefully how Jesus faced such intense opposition from sinners who opposed their own souls,[i] so that you won’t become worn down and cave in under life’s pressures. 4 After all, you have not yet reached the point of sweating blood[j] in your opposition to sin. 5 And have you forgotten his encouraging words spoken to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct you.[k] 6 For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love.[l] And when he draws you to himself, it proves you are his delightful child.”[m] 7 Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training,[n] for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected?[o] 8 We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured his correction it only proves we are strangers[p] and not sons. 9 And isn’t it true that we respect our earthly fathers even though they corrected and disciplined us? Then we should demonstrate an even greater respect for God, our spiritual Father, as we submit to his life-giving discipline.[q] 10 Our parents corrected us for the short time of our childhood as it seemed good to them. But God corrects us throughout our lives for our own good, giving us an invitation to share his holiness. 11 Now all discipline[r] seems to be more pain than pleasure at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace[s] to those who yield to it.[t] 12 So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees,[u] 13 for as you keep walking forward on God’s paths[v] all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed! 14 In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition,[w] and run swiftly toward holiness, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.[x] 15 Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness[y] sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many. 16 Be careful that no one among you lives in immorality, becoming careless about God’s blessings, like Esau who traded away his rights as the firstborn for a simple meal. 17 And we know that later on when he wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was turned away, even though he begged for it with bitter tears, for it was too late then to repent.[z] Entering into God’s Presence 18 For we are not coming, as Moses did, to a physical mountain with its burning fire, thick clouds of darkness and gloom, and with a raging whirlwind.[aa] 19 We are not those who are being warned by the jarring blast of a trumpet and the thundering voice;[ab] the fearful voice that they begged to be silenced. 20 They couldn’t handle God’s command that said, “If so much as an animal approaches the mountain it is to be stoned to death!” 21 The astounding phenomena Moses witnessed caused him to shudder with fear and he could only say, “I am trembling in terror!”[ac] 22 By contrast, we have already come[ad] near to God in a totally different realm, the Zion-realm,[ae] for we have entered the city of the Living God, which is the New Jerusalem in heaven![af] We have joined the festal gathering of myriads of angels[ag] in their joyous celebration![ah] 23 And as members of the church[ai] of the Firstborn[aj] all our names have been legally registered[ak] as citizens of heaven! And we have come before God who judges all, and who lives among the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect in his eyes![al] 24 And we have come to Jesus who established a new covenant with his blood sprinkled upon the mercy seat; blood that continues to speak from heaven, “forgiveness,” a better message than Abel’s blood that cries from the earth, “justice.”[am] 25 Make very sure that you never refuse to listen to God when he speaks![an] For the God who spoke on earth from Sinai is the same God who now speaks from heaven. Those who heard him[ao] speak his living Word on earth found nowhere to hide, so what chance is there for us to escape if we turn our backs on God and refuse to hear his warnings as he speaks from heaven? 26 The earth was rocked at the sound of his voice from the mountain, but now he has promised, “Once and for all I will not only shake the systems of the world,[ap] but also the unseen powers in the heavenly realm!”[aq] 27 Now this phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order,[ar] so only what is unshakeable will remain. 28 Since we are receiving our rights[as] to an unshakeable kingdom[at] we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart[au] as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe.[av] 29 For our God is a holy, devouring fire![aw] Paul’s Reliance on Spiritual Power
My brothers and sisters,[a] when I first came to proclaim to you the secrets[b] of God, I refused to come as an expert, trying to impress you with my eloquent speech and lofty wisdom. 2 For while I was with you I was determined to be consumed with one topic—Jesus, the crucified Messiah.[c] 3 I stood before you feeling inadequate, filled with reverence for God,[d] and trembling under the sense of the importance of my words.[e] 4 The message I preached and how I preached it was not an attempt to sway you with persuasive arguments but to prove to you the almighty power of God’s Holy Spirit. 5 For God intended that your faith not be established on man’s wisdom but by trusting in his almighty power. Wisdom from God 6 However, there is a wisdom that we continually speak of when we are among the spiritually mature.[f] It’s wisdom that didn’t originate in this present age, nor did it come from the rulers of this age who are in the process of being dethroned.[g] 7 Instead, we[h] continually speak of this wonderful wisdom that comes from God, hidden before now in a mystery.[i] It is his secret plan, destined[j] before the ages, to bring us into glory.[k] 8 None of the rulers of this present world order understood it,[l] for if they had, they never would have crucified the Lord of shining glory.[m] 9 This is why the Scriptures say: Things never discovered or heard of before, things beyond our ability to imagine[n]-- these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers.[o] 10 But God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit.[p] Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit, who constantly explores all things. 11 After all, who can really see into a person’s heart and know his hidden impulses except for that person’s spirit? So it is with God. His thoughts and secrets are only fully understood by his Spirit, the Spirit of God. 12 For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and experience all that grace has lavished upon us. 13 And we[q] articulate these realities with the words imparted to us by the Spirit and not with the words taught by human wisdom. We join together Spirit-revealed truths with Spirit-revealed words.[r] 14 Someone living on an entirely human level[s] rejects[t] the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit. 15 Those who live in the Spirit are able to carefully evaluate all things, and they are subject to the scrutiny of no one but God. 16 For Who has ever intimately known the mind of the Lord Yahweh[u] well enough to become his counselor?[v] Christ has, and we possess Christ’s perceptions.[w] The Parable of a Prince and His Servants
11 At this time Jesus was getting close to entering Jerusalem. The crowds that followed him were convinced that God’s kingdom realm would fully manifest when Jesus established it in Jerusalem. 12 So he told them this story to change their perspective: “Once there was a wealthy prince who left his province to travel to a distant land, where he would be crowned king and then return. 13 Before he departed he summoned his ten servants together and said, ‘I am entrusting each of you with fifty thousand dollars[h] to trade with while I am away. Invest it and put the money to work until I return.’ 14 “Some of his countrymen despised the prince and sent a delegation after him to declare before the royals, ‘We refuse to let this man rule over us! He will not be our king!’ 15 “Nevertheless, he was crowned king and returned to his land. Then he summoned his ten servants to see how much each one had earned and what their profits came to. 16 “The first one came forward and said, ‘Master, I took what you gave me and invested it, and it multiplied ten times.’ 17 “‘Splendid! You have done well, my excellent servant. Because you have shown that you can be trusted in this small matter, I now grant you authority to rule over ten fortress cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Master, what you left with me has multiplied five times.’ 19 “His master said, ‘I also grant you authority in my kingdom over five fortress cities.’ 20 “Another came before the king and said, ‘Master, here is the money you entrusted to me. I hid it for safekeeping. 21 You see, I live in fear of you, for everyone knows you are a strict master and impossible to please. You push us for a high return on all that you own, and you always want to gain from someone else’s efforts.’[i] 22 “The king said, ‘You wicked servant! I will judge you using your own words. If what you said about me is true, that I am a harsh man, pushing you for a high return and wanting gain from others’ efforts, 23 why didn’t you at least put my money in the bank[j] to earn some interest on what I entrusted to you?’ 24 “The king said to his other servants, ‘Take the money he has and give it to the faithful servant who multiplied my money ten times over.’ 25 “‘But master,’ the other servants objected, ‘why give it to him? He already has so much!’ 26 “‘Yes,’ replied the king. ‘But to all who have been faithful, even more will be given them. And for the ones who have nothing, even the little they seem to have will be taken from them. 27 Now, bring all those rebellious enemies of mine who rejected me as their king—bring them here before me and execute them!’” 28 After saying all of this, Jesus headed straight for Jerusalem. 29 When he arrived at the stables of Annia[k] near the Mount of Olives,[l] he sent two of his disciples ahead, saying, 30 “When you enter the next village,[m] you will find tethered there a donkey’s young colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. 31 And if anyone stops you and asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just tell them this: ‘It is needed for the Lord of All.’”[n] 32 The two who were sent entered the village and found the colt exactly like Jesus had said. 33 While they were untying the colt, the owners approached them and asked, “What are you doing?” 34 The disciples replied, “We need this donkey for the Lord of All.” 35–36 They brought the colt to Jesus. Then they placed their prayer shawls on its back, and Jesus rode it as he descended the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem.[o] As he rode along, people spontaneously threw their prayer shawls on the path in front of him like a carpet.[p] 37 As soon as he got to the bottom of the Mount of Olives, the crowds of his followers shouted with a loud outburst of ecstatic joy over all the mighty wonders of power they had witnessed. 38 They shouted over and over, “Highest praises to God for the one who comes as King in the name of the Lord! Heaven’s peace and glory from the highest realm now comes to us!”[q] 39 Some Jewish religious leaders who stood off from the procession said to Jesus, “Teacher, you must order your followers at once to stop saying these things!” 40 Jesus responded, “Listen to me. If my followers were silenced, the very stones would break forth with praises!” Growing in Holiness2 So abandon[a] every form of evil, deceit, hypocrisy,[b] feelings of jealousy and slander. 2 In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure[c] spiritual milk of God’s Word.[d] For this “milk” will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life[e]-- 3 especially now that you have had a taste of the goodness of the Lord Jehovah and have experienced his kindness.[f]
4 So keep coming to him who is the Living Stone[g]—though he was rejected and discarded by men but chosen by God and is priceless in God’s sight. 5 Come and be his “living stones”[h] who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests,[i] offering up spiritual sacrifices that he readily accepts through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in Scripture: Look! I lay a cornerstone in Zion,[j] a chosen and priceless stone! And whoever believes in him will certainly not be disappointed.[k] 7 As believers you know his great worth—indeed, his preciousness is imparted to you.[l] But for those who do not believe: The stone that the builders rejected and discarded has now become the cornerstone[m] 8 And A stone that makes them stumble and a rock to trip over.[n] They keep stumbling over the message because they refuse to believe it. And this they were destined to do. 9 But you are God’s chosen treasure[o]—priests who are kings,[p] a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.[q] 10 For at one time you were not God’s people, but now you are. At one time you knew nothing of God’s mercy, because you hadn’t received it yet, but now you are drenched with it![r] Living Godly Lives11 My divinely loved friends, since you are resident aliens and foreigners in this world, I appeal to you to divorce yourselves from the evil desires that wage war within you.[s] 12 Live honorable lives as you mix with unbelievers, even though they accuse you of being evildoers. For they will see your beautiful works and have a reason to glorify God in the day he visits us.[t] 13 In order to honor the Lord, you must respect and defer to the authority of every human institution,[u] whether it be the highest ruler[v] 14 or the governors he puts in place to punish lawbreakers and to praise those who do what’s right. 15 For it is God’s will for you to silence the ignorance of foolish people[w] by doing what is right. 16 As God’s loving servants, you should live in complete freedom, but never use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. 17 Recognize the value of every person and continually show love to every believer. Live your lives with great reverence and in holy awe of God. Honor your rulers. The Example of Christ’s Sufferings18 Those who are servants,[x] submit to[y] the authority of those who are your masters—not only to those who are kind and gentle but even to those who are hard and difficult. 19 You find God’s favor by deciding to please God even when you endure hardships because of unjust suffering. 20 For what merit is it to endure mistreatment for wrongdoing? Yet if you are mistreated when you do what is right, and you faithfully endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 In fact, you were called to live this way, because Christ also suffered in your place, leaving you his example for you to follow. 22 He never sinned and he never spoke deceitfully.[z] 23 When he was verbally abused, he did not return with an insult; when he suffered, he would not threaten retaliation.[aa] Jesus faithfully entrusted himself into the hands of God, who judges righteously. 24 He himself carried our sins[ab] in his body on the cross[ac] so that we would be dead to sin[ad] and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.[ae] 25 You were like sheep that continually wandered away,[af] but now you have returned to the true Shepherd of your lives—the kind Guardian who lovingly watches over your souls. Footnotes:
The Passion Translation (TPT)The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com Jews and Non-Jews Are Saved by Faith
15 “Although we’re Jews by birth and not non-Jewish ‘sinners,’ 16 we know full well that we don’t receive God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah![q] His faithfulness, not ours, has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws! 17 “If we are those who desire to be saved from our sins through our union with the Anointed One, does that mean our Messiah promotes our sins if we still acknowledge that we are sinners? How absurd! 18 For if I start over and reconstruct the old religious system that I have torn down with the message of grace, I will appear to be one who turns his back on the truth. 19 “But because the Messiah lives in me, I’ve now died to the law’s dominion over me so that I can live for God. 20 “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me--we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine![r] 21 “So that is why I don’t view God’s grace as something minor or peripheral. For if keeping the law could release God’s righteousness to us, the Anointed One would have died for nothing.” A Cry for Help To the Pure and Shining One David’s poetic lament to always remember 1 Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me! God, show me your favor and restore me. 2 Let all who seek my life be humiliated, confused, and ashamed. God, send them sprawling, all who wish me evil; they just want me dead. 3 Scoff at every scoffer and cause them all to be utter failures! Let them be ashamed and horrified over their complete defeat. 4 But let all who passionately seek you erupt with excitement and joy over what you’ve done! Let all your lovers, who continually rejoice in the Savior,[a] say aloud, “How great and glorious is our God!” 5 Lord, in my place of weakness and need, won’t you turn your heart toward me and hurry to help me? For you are my Savior and I’m always in your thoughts. So don’t delay to deliver me now, for you are my God. Footnotes:
The Passion Translation (TPT)The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com The Power of Your Words
My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be so eager to become a teacher in the church since you know that we who teach are held to a higher standard of judgment. 2 We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed. 3 Horses have bits and bridles in their mouths so that we can control and guide their large body. 4 And the same with mighty ships, though they are massive and driven by fierce winds, yet they are steered by a tiny rudder at the direction of the person at the helm. 5 And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power![a] Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! It can be compared to the sum total of wickedness[b] and is the most dangerous part of our human body. It corrupts the entire body[c] and is a hellish flame![d] It releases a fire that can burn throughout the course of human existence.[e] 7 For every wild animal on earth including birds, creeping reptiles, and creatures of the sea and land[f] have all been overpowered and tamed by humans, 8 but the tongue is not able to be tamed. It’s a fickle, unrestrained evil that spews out words full of toxic poison! 9 We use our tongue to praise God our Father[g] and then turn around and curse a person who was made in his very image![h] 10 Out of the same mouth we pour out words of praise one minute and curses the next. My brothers and sister, this should never be! 11–12 Would you look for olives hanging on a fig tree or go to pick figs from a grapevine? Is it possible that fresh and bitter water can flow out of the same spring? So neither can a bitter spring produce fresh water.[i] Wisdom from Above 13 If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful[j] life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise. 14 But if there is bitter jealousy or competition hiding in your heart, then don’t deny it and try to compensate for it by boasting and being phony. 15 For that has nothing to do with God’s heavenly wisdom but can best be described as the wisdom of this world, both selfish[k] and devilish.[l] 16 So wherever jealousy[m] and selfishness are uncovered, you will also find many troubles[n] and every kind of meanness. 17 But the wisdom from above is always pure,[o] filled with peace, considerate and teachable.[p] It is filled with love[q] and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy[r] in any form 18 and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace. Footnotes:
The Passion Translation (TPT)The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com The Majesty of God
A Friday song, composed by King David after being resettled in the land[a] 1 Look! Yahweh now reigns as King! He has covered himself with majesty and strength, wearing them as his splendor-garments. Regal power surrounds him as he sits securely on his throne. He’s in charge of it all, the entire world, and he knows what he’s doing! 2 Lord, you have reigned as King from the very beginning of time. Eternity is your home. 3–4 Chaos once challenged you. The raging waves lifted themselves over and over, high above the ocean’s depths, letting out their mighty roar! Yet at the sound of your voice they were all stilled by your might. What a majestic King, filled with power! 5 Nothing could ever change your royal decrees; they will last forever! Holiness is the beauty that fills your house;[b] you are the one who abides forevermore! Footnotes:
The Passion Translation (TPT)The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com Book 2 The Exodus Psalms Psalms of suffering and redemption A Cry for Revival [a]For the Pure and Shining One A contemplative poem for instruction, by the prophetic singers of Korah’s clan[b] 1 I long to drink of you, O God, drinking deeply from the streams of pleasure flowing from your presence. My longings overwhelm me for more of you![c] 2 My soul thirsts, pants, and longs for the living God. I want to come and see the face of God. 3 Day and night my tears keep falling and my heart keeps crying for your help while my enemies mock me over and over, saying, “Where is this God of yours? Why doesn’t he help you?” 4 So I speak over my heartbroken soul, “Take courage. Remember when you used to be right out front leading the procession of praise when the great crowd of worshipers gathered to go into the presence of the Lord? You shouted with joy as the sound of passionate celebration filled the air and the joyous multitude of lovers honored the festival of the Lord!” 5 So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for living before his face is my saving grace! 6 Here I am depressed and downcast. Yet I will still remember you as I ponder the place where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic--the mountains of your awesome presence.[d] 7 My deep need calls out to the deep kindness of your love. Your waterfall of weeping sent waves of sorrow over my soul, carrying me away, cascading over me like a thundering cataract. 8 Yet all day long God’s promises of love pour over me. Through the night I sing his songs, for my prayer to God has become my life. 9 I will say to God, “You are my mountain of strength; how could you forget me? Why must I suffer this vile oppression of my enemies-- these heartless tormentors who are out to kill me?” 10 Their wounding words pierce my heart over and over while they say, “Where is this God of yours?” 11 So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, living before his face is my saving grace! Footnotes:
The Passion Translation (TPT)The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com 22 Jesus taught his disciples, saying, “Listen to me. Never let anxiety enter your hearts. Never worry about any of your needs, such as food or clothing. 23 For your life is infinitely more than just food or the clothing you wear. 24 Take the carefree birds as your example. Do you ever see them worry? They don’t grow their own food or put it in a storehouse for later. Yet God takes care of every one of them, feeding each of them from his love and goodness. Isn’t your life more precious to God than a bird? Be carefree in the care of God! 25 “Does worry add anything to your life? Can it add one more year, or even one day? 26 So if worrying adds nothing, but actually subtracts from your life, why would you worry about God’s care of you? 27 “Think about the lilies. They grow and become beautiful, not because they work hard or strive to clothe themselves. Yet not even Solomon, wearing his kingly garments of splendor, could be compared to a field of lilies. 28 If God can clothe the fields and meadows with grass and flowers, can’t he clothe you as well, O struggling one with so many doubts?[g] 29 I repeat it: Don’t let worry enter your life. Live above the anxious cares about your personal needs. 30 People everywhere seem to worry about making a living, but your heavenly Father knows your every need and will take care of you. 31 Each and every day he will supply your needs as you seek his kingdom passionately, above all else. 32 So don’t ever be afraid, dearest friends! Your loving Father joyously gives you his kingdom realm with all its promises! 33 “So, now, go and sell what you have and give to those in need, making deposits in your account in heaven, an account that will never be taken from you. Your gifts will become a secure and unfailing treasure, deposited in heaven forever. 34 Where you deposit your treasure, that is where your thoughts will turn to—and your heart will long to be there also.” God’s Witnesses For the Pure and Shining One A poem of praise by King David, his loving servant God’s Story in the Skies 1 God’s splendor is a tale that is told; his testament is written in the stars.[a] Space itself speaks his story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. 2 Each day gushes out its message[b] to the next, night with night whispering its knowledge to all. 3 Without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard, 4 Yet all the world can see its story. Everywhere its gospel[c] is clearly read so all may know. 5 What a heavenly home God has set for the sun, shining in the superdome of the sky! See how he leaves his celestial chamber each morning, radiant as a bridegroom ready for his wedding, like a day-breaking champion eager to run his course. 6 He rises on one horizon, completing his circuit on the other, warming lives and lands with his heat. God’s Story in the Scriptures 7 God’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls! His laws lead us to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise. 8 His teachings make us joyful and radiate his light; his precepts are so pure! His commands, how they challenge us to keep close to his heart! The revelation-light of his word makes my spirit shine radiant. 9 Every one of the Lord’s commands is right; following them brings cheer.[d] Nothing he says ever needs to be changed. 10 The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth. That’s why I prize God’s word like others prize the finest gold. Nothing brings the soul such sweetness as seeking his living words. 11 For they warn us, his servants, and keep us from following the wicked way, giving a lifetime guarantee: great success to every obedient soul! 12 Without this revelation-light, how would I ever detect the waywardness of my heart?[e] Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. 13 Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion. 14 So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.[f] Footnotes:
The Passion Translation (TPT)The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com 1 [a]From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me,[b] the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” 10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Footnotes:
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
Archives
June 2018
Categories |