Amos.1.1

The Message of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa, that he received on behalf of Israel. It came to him in visions during the time that Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II son of Joash was king of Israel, two years before the big earthquake.

Amos.1.1

The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa-what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.

Amos.1.1

The words of Amos, who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

Amos.1.1

This message was given to Amos, a shepherd from the town of Tekoa in Judah. He received this message in visions two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam II, the son of Jehoash, was king of Israel.

Amos.1.2

The Message: GOD roars from Zion, shouts from Jerusalem! The thunderclap voice withers the pastures tended by shepherds, shrivels Mount Carmel's proud peak.

Amos.1.2

He said: "The LORD roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers."

Amos.1.2

And he said: "The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, And the top of Carmel withers."

Amos.1.2

This is his report of what he saw and heard: "The LORD's voice roars from his Temple on Mount Zion; he thunders from Jerusalem! Suddenly, the lush pastures of the shepherds dry up. All the grass on Mount Carmel withers and dies."

Amos.1.3

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Damascus -make that four--I'm not putting up with her any longer. She pounded Gilead to a pulp, pounded her senseless with iron hammers and mauls.

Amos.1.3

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth,

Amos.1.3

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron.

Amos.1.3

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Damascus have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They beat down my people in Gilead as grain is threshed with threshing sledges of iron.

Amos.1.4

For that, I'm setting the palace of Hazael on fire. I'm torching Ben-hadad's forts.

Amos.1.4

I will send fire upon the house of Hazael that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.

Amos.1.4

But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, Which shall devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.

Amos.1.4

So I will send down fire on King Hazael's palace, and the fortresses of King Ben-hadad will be destroyed.

Amos.1.5

I'm going to smash the Damascus gates and banish the crime king who lives in Sin Valley, the vice boss who gives orders from Paradise Palace. The people of the land will be sent back to where they came from--to Kir." GOD's Decree.

Amos.1.5

I will break down the gate of Damascus; I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir," says the LORD.

Amos.1.5

I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, And cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, And the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden. The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir," Says the LORD.

Amos.1.5

I will break down the gates of Damascus and slaughter its people all the way to the valley of Aven. I will destroy the ruler in Beth-eden, and the people of Aram will return to Kir as slaves. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Amos.1.6

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Gaza -make that four--I'm not putting up with her any longer. She deported whole towns and then sold the people to Edom.

Amos.1.6

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom,

Amos.1.6

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they took captive the whole captivity To deliver them up to Edom.

Amos.1.6

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Gaza have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They sent my people into exile, selling them as slaves in Edom.

Amos.1.7

For that, I'm burning down the walls of Gaza, burning up all her forts.

Amos.1.7

I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses.

Amos.1.7

But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, Which shall devour its palaces.

Amos.1.7

So I will send down fire on the walls of Gaza, and all its fortresses will be destroyed.

Amos.1.8

I'll banish the crime king from Ashdod, the vice boss from Ashkelon. I'll raise my fist against Ekron, and what's left of the Philistines will die." GOD's Decree.

Amos.1.8

I will destroy the king of Ashdod and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines is dead," says the Sovereign LORD.

Amos.1.8

I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, And the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn My hand against Ekron, And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish," Says the Lord GOD.

Amos.1.8

I will slaughter the people of Ashdod and destroy the king of Ashkelon. Then I will turn to attack Ekron, and the few Philistines still left will be killed. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!"

Amos.1.9

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Tyre -make that four--I'm not putting up with her any longer. She deported whole towns to Edom, breaking the treaty she had with her kin.

Amos.1.9

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood,

Amos.1.9

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, And did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.

Amos.1.9

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Tyre have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They broke their treaty of brotherhood with Israel, selling whole villages as slaves to Edom.

Amos.1.10

For that, I'm burning down the walls of Tyre, burning up all her forts."

Amos.1.10

I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre that will consume her fortresses."

Amos.1.10

But I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, Which shall devour its palaces."

Amos.1.10

So I will send down fire on the walls of Tyre, and all its fortresses will be destroyed."

Amos.1.11

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Edom -make that four--I'm not putting up with her any longer. She hunts down her brother to murder him. She has no pity, she has no heart. Her anger rampages day and night. Her meanness never takes a timeout.

Amos.1.11

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because he pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked,

Amos.1.11

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because he pursued his brother with the sword, And cast off all pity; His anger tore perpetually, And he kept his wrath forever.

Amos.1.11

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Edom have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They chased down their relatives, the Israelites, with swords. They showed them no mercy and were unrelenting in their anger.

Amos.1.12

For that, I'm burning down her capital, Teman, burning up the forts of Bozrah."

Amos.1.12

I will send fire upon Teman that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah."

Amos.1.12

But I will send a fire upon Teman, Which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah."

Amos.1.12

So I will send down fire on Teman, and the fortresses of Bozrah will be destroyed."

Amos.1.13

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Ammon -make that four--I'm not putting up with her any longer. She ripped open pregnant women in Gilead to get more land for herself.

Amos.1.13

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders,

Amos.1.13

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, That they might enlarge their territory.

Amos.1.13

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Ammon have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! When they attacked Gilead to extend their borders, they committed cruel crimes, ripping open pregnant women with their swords.

Amos.1.14

For that, I'm burning down the walls of her capital, Rabbah, burning up her forts. Battle shouts! War whoops! with a tornado to finish things off!

Amos.1.14

I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah that will consume her fortresses amid war cries on the day of battle, amid violent winds on a stormy day.

Amos.1.14

But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, And it shall devour its palaces, Amid shouting in the day of battle, And a tempest in the day of the whirlwind.

Amos.1.14

So I will send down fire on the walls of Rabbah, and all its fortresses will be destroyed. There will be wild shouts during the battle, swirling like a whirlwind in a mighty storm.

Amos.1.15

The king has been carted off to exile, the king and his princes with him." GOD's Decree. [JC]

Amos.1.15

Her king will go into exile, he and his officials together," says the LORD.

Amos.1.15

Their king shall go into captivity, He and his princes together," Says the LORD.

Amos.1.15

And their king and his princes will go into exile together. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Amos.2.1

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Moab -make that four--I'm not putting up with her any longer. She violated the corpse of Edom's king, burning it to cinders.

Amos.2.1

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because he burned, as if to lime, the bones of Edom's king,

Amos.2.1

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime.

Amos.2.1

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Moab have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They desecrated the tomb of Edom's king and burned his bones to ashes.

Amos.2.2

For that, I'm burning down Moab, burning down the forts of Kerioth. Moab will die in the shouting, go out in the blare of war trumpets.

Amos.2.2

I will send fire upon Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet.

Amos.2.2

But I will send a fire upon Moab, And it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth; Moab shall die with tumult, With shouting and trumpet sound.

Amos.2.2

So I will send down fire on the land of Moab, and all the fortresses in Kerioth will be destroyed. The people will fall in the noise of battle, as the warriors shout and the trumpets blare.

Amos.2.3

I'll remove the king from the center and kill all his princes with him." GOD's Decree.

Amos.2.3

I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him," says the LORD.

Amos.2.3

And I will cut off the judge from its midst, And slay all its princes with him," Says the LORD.

Amos.2.3

And I will destroy their king and slaughter all their princes. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Amos.2.4

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Judah -make that four--I'm not putting up with them any longer. They rejected GOD's revelation, refused to keep my commands. But they swallowed the same old lies that got their ancestors onto dead-end roads.

Amos.2.4

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. Because they have rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed,

Amos.2.4

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have despised the law of the LORD, And have not kept His commandments. Their lies lead them astray, Lies which their fathers followed.

Amos.2.4

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Judah have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They have rejected the laws of the LORD, refusing to obey him. They have been led astray by the same lies that deceived their ancestors.

Amos.2.5

For that, I'm burning down Judah, burning down all the forts of Jerusalem."

Amos.2.5

I will send fire upon Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem."

Amos.2.5

But I will send a fire upon Judah, And it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem."

Amos.2.5

So I will send down fire on Judah, and all the fortresses of Jerusalem will be destroyed."

Amos.2.6

GOD's Message: "Because of the three great sins of Israel -make that four--I'm not putting up with them any longer. They buy and sell upstanding people. People for them are only things--ways of making money. They'd sell a poor man for a pair of shoes. They'd sell their own grandmother!

Amos.2.6

This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.

Amos.2.6

Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals.

Amos.2.6

This is what the LORD says: "The people of Israel have sinned again and again, and I will not forget it. I will not let them go unpunished any longer! They have perverted justice by selling honest people for silver and poor people for a pair of sandals.

Amos.2.7

They grind the penniless into the dirt, shove the luckless into the ditch. Everyone and his brother sleeps with the "sacred whore'--a sacrilege against my Holy Name.

Amos.2.7

They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.

Amos.2.7

They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor, And pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl, To defile My holy name.

Amos.2.7

They trample helpless people in the dust and deny justice to those who are oppressed. Both father and son sleep with the same woman, corrupting my holy name.

Amos.2.8

Stuff they've extorted from the poor is piled up at the shrine of their god, While they sit around drinking wine they've conned from their victims.

Amos.2.8

They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.

Amos.2.8

They lie down by every altar on clothes taken in pledge, And drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.

Amos.2.8

At their religious festivals, they lounge around in clothing stolen from their debtors. In the house of their god, they present offerings of wine purchased with stolen money.

Amos.2.9

"In contrast, I was always on your side. I destroyed the Amorites who confronted you, Amorites with the stature of great cedars, tough as thick oaks. I destroyed them from the top branches down. I destroyed them from the roots up.

Amos.2.9

"I destroyed the Amorite before them, though he was tall as the cedars and strong as the oaks. I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.

Amos.2.9

"Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, Whose height was like the height of the cedars, And he was as strong as the oaks; Yet I destroyed his fruit above And his roots beneath.

Amos.2.9

"Yet think of all I did for my people! I destroyed the Amorites before my people arrived in the land. The Amorites were as tall as cedar trees and strong as oaks, but I destroyed their fruit and dug out their roots.

Amos.2.10

And yes, I'm the One who delivered you from Egypt, led you safely through the wilderness for forty years And then handed you the country of the Amorites like a piece of cake on a platter.

Amos.2.10

"I brought you up out of Egypt, and I led you forty years in the desert to give you the land of the Amorites.

Amos.2.10

Also it was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt, And led you forty years through the wilderness, To possess the land of the Amorite.

Amos.2.10

It was I who rescued you from Egypt and led you through the desert for forty years so you could possess the land of the Amorites.

Amos.2.11

I raised up some of your young men to be prophets, set aside your best youth for training in holiness. Isn't this so, Israel?" GOD's Decree.

Amos.2.11

I also raised up prophets from among your sons and Nazirites from among your young men. Is this not true, people of Israel?" declares the LORD.

Amos.2.11

I raised up some of your sons as prophets, And some of your young men as Nazirites. Is it not so, O you children of Israel?" Says the LORD.

Amos.2.11

I chose some of your sons to be prophets and others to be Nazirites. Can you deny this, my people of Israel?" asks the LORD.

Amos.2.12

"But you made the youth-in-training break training, and you told the young prophets, "Don't prophesy!'

Amos.2.12

"But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

Amos.2.12

"But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, And commanded the prophets saying, "Do not prophesy!'

Amos.2.12

"But you caused the Nazirites to sin by making them drink your wine, and you said to my prophets, `Shut up!'

Amos.2.13

You're too much for me. I'm hard-pressed--to the breaking point. I'm like a wagon piled high and overloaded, creaking and groaning.

Amos.2.13

"Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain.

Amos.2.13

"Behold, I am weighed down by you, As a cart full of sheaves is weighed down.

Amos.2.13

"So I will make you groan as a wagon groans when it is loaded down with grain.

Amos.2.14

"When I go into action, what will you do? There's no place to run no matter how fast you run. The strength of the strong won't count. Fighters won't make it.

Amos.2.14

The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.

Amos.2.14

Therefore flight shall perish from the swift, The strong shall not strengthen his power, Nor shall the mighty deliver himself;

Amos.2.14

Your fastest runners will not get away. The strongest among you will become weak. Even the mightiest warriors will be unable to save themselves.

Amos.2.15

Skilled archers won't make it. Fast runners won't make it. Chariot drivers won't make it.

Amos.2.15

The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life.

Amos.2.15

He shall not stand who handles the bow, The swift of foot shall not escape, Nor shall he who rides a horse deliver himself.

Amos.2.15

The archers will fail to stand their ground. The swiftest soldiers won't be fast enough to escape. Even warriors on horses won't be able to outrun the danger.

Amos.2.16

Even the bravest of all your warriors Won't make it. He'll run off for dear life, stripped naked." GOD's Decree.

Amos.2.16

Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," declares the LORD.

Amos.2.16

The most courageous men of might Shall flee naked in that day," Says the LORD.

Amos.2.16

On that day, the most courageous of your fighting men will drop their weapons and run for their lives. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Rom.2.17

If you're brought up Jewish, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation,

Rom.2.17

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God;

Rom.2.17

Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God,

Rom.2.17

If you are a Jew, you are relying on God's law for your special relationship with him. You boast that all is well between yourself and God.

Rom.2.18

a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines!

Rom.2.18

if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;

Rom.2.18

and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

Rom.2.18

Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong because you have been taught his law.

Rom.2.19

I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out,

Rom.2.19

if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,

Rom.2.19

and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,

Rom.2.19

You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a beacon light for people who are lost in darkness without God.

Rom.2.20

feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God.

Rom.2.20

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--

Rom.2.20

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.

Rom.2.20

You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that in God's law you have complete knowledge and truth.

Rom.2.21

While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I'm quite serious. While preaching "Don't steal!" are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you?

Rom.2.21

you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

Rom.2.21

You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?

Rom.2.21

Well then, if you teach others, why don't you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?

Rom.2.22

The same with adultery. The same with idolatry.

Rom.2.22

You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

Rom.2.22

You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

Rom.2.22

You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you do it? You condemn idolatry, but do you steal from pagan temples?

Rom.2.23

You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law.

Rom.2.23

You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

Rom.2.23

You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?

Rom.2.23

You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.

Rom.2.24

The line from Scripture, "It's because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God," shows it's an old problem that isn't going to go away.

Rom.2.24

As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

Rom.2.24

For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," as it is written.

Rom.2.24

No wonder the Scriptures say, "The world blasphemes the name of God because of you."

Rom.2.25

Circumcision, the surgical ritual that marks you as a Jew, is great if you live in accord with God's law. But if you don't, it's worse than not being circumcised.

Rom.2.25

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.

Rom.2.25

For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

Rom.2.25

The Jewish ceremony of circumcision is worth something only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.

Rom.2.26

The reverse is also true: The uncircumcised who keep God's ways are as good as the circumcised--

Rom.2.26

If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?

Rom.2.26

Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

Rom.2.26

And if the Gentiles obey God's law, won't God give them all the rights and honors of being his own people?

Rom.2.27

in fact, better. Better to keep God's law uncircumcised than break it circumcised.

Rom.2.27

The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

Rom.2.27

And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

Rom.2.27

In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will be much better off than you Jews who are circumcised and know so much about God's law but don't obey it.

Rom.2.28

Don't you see: It's not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew.

Rom.2.28

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

Rom.2.28

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

Rom.2.28

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision.

Rom.2.29

You become a Jew by who you are. It's the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics. [JC]

Rom.2.29

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Rom.2.29

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Rom.2.29

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.

Rom.3.1

So what difference does it make who's a Jew and who isn't, who has been trained in God's ways and who hasn't?

Rom.3.1

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?

Rom.3.1

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

Rom.3.1

Then what's the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the Jewish ceremony of circumcision?

Rom.3.2

As it turns out, it makes a lot of difference--but not the difference so many have assumed. First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures.

Rom.3.2

Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Rom.3.2

Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

Rom.3.2

Yes, being a Jew has many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

Rom.3.3

So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness?

Rom.3.3

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?

Rom.3.3

For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

Rom.3.3

True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean God will break his promises?

Rom.3.4

Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; Rejection doesn't faze you.

Rom.3.4

Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

Rom.3.4

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."

Rom.3.4

Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say, "He will be proved right in what he says, and he will win his case in court."

Rom.3.5

But if our wrongdoing only underlines and confirms God's rightdoing, shouldn't we be commended for helping out? Since our bad words don't even make a dent in his good words, isn't it wrong of God to back us to the wall and hold us to our word? These questions come up.

Rom.3.5

But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)

Rom.3.5

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

Rom.3.5

"But," some say, "our sins serve a good purpose, for people will see God's goodness when he declares us sinners to be innocent. Isn't it unfair, then, for God to punish us?" (That is actually the way some people talk.)

Rom.3.6

The answer to such questions is no, a most emphatic No! How else would things ever get straightened out if God didn't do the straightening?

Rom.3.6

Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?

Rom.3.6

Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

Rom.3.6

Of course not! If God is not just, how is he qualified to judge the world?

Rom.3.7

It's simply perverse to say, "If my lies serve to show off God's truth all the more gloriously, why blame me? I'm doing God a favor."

Rom.3.7

Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"

Rom.3.7

For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

Rom.3.7

"But," some might still argue, "how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?"

Rom.3.8

Some people are actually trying to put such words in our mouths, claiming that we go around saying, "The more evil we do, the more good God does, so let's just do it!" That's pure slander, as I'm sure you'll agree.

Rom.3.8

Why not say--as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.

Rom.3.8

And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

Rom.3.8

If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!

Prov.17.5

Whoever mocks poor people, insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

Prov.17.5

He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

Prov.17.5

He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Prov.17.5

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

Prov.17.6

Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.

Prov.17.6

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Prov.17.6

Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

Prov.17.6

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

Prov.17.7

We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.

Prov.17.7

Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

Prov.17.7

Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

Prov.17.7

Eloquent speech is not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

Prov.17.8

Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.

Prov.17.8

A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds.

Prov.17.8

A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Prov.17.8

A bribe seems to work like magic for those who give it; they succeed in all they do.

Prov.17.9

Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and--good-bye, friend!

Prov.17.9

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Prov.17.9

He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Prov.17.9

Disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.

Prov.17.10

A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.

Prov.17.10

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Prov.17.10

Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Prov.17.10

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

Prov.17.11

Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long--they'll meet it coming and going!

Prov.17.11

An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him.

Prov.17.11

An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

Prov.17.11

Evil people seek rebellion, but they will be severely punished.

Prov.17.12

Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly.

Prov.17.12

Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

Prov.17.12

Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

Prov.17.12

It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in folly.

Prov.17.13

Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning.

Prov.17.13

If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

Prov.17.13

Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

Prov.17.13

If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.

Prov.17.14

The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.

Prov.17.14

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Prov.17.14

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Prov.17.14

Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.