Scripture Reading

Amos.6-Amos.7,Rom.4.16-Rom.5.11,Ps.86.11-Ps.86.17

Amos.6-Amos.7

Amos.6.1

Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Amos.6.1

Woe to you who think you live on easy street in Zion, who think Mount Samaria is the good life. You assume you're at the top of the heap, voted the number-one best place to live.

Amos.6.1

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!

Amos.6.1

Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, And trust in Mount Samaria, Notable persons in the chief nation, To whom the house of Israel comes!

Amos.6.1

How terrible it will be for you who lounge in luxury and think you are secure in Jerusalem and Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, you to whom the people go for help.

Amos.6.2

Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?

Amos.6.2

Well, wake up and look around. Get off your pedestal. Take a look at Calneh. Go and visit Great Hamath. Look in on Gath of the Philistines. Doesn't that take you off your high horse? Compared to them, you're not much, are you?

Amos.6.2

Go to Calneh and look at it; go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours?

Amos.6.2

Go over to Calneh and see; And from there go to Hamath the great; Then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory?

Amos.6.2

Go over to Calneh and see what happened there. Then go to the great city of Hamath and on down to the Philistine city of Gath. You are no better than they were, and look at how they were destroyed.

Amos.6.3

Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;

Amos.6.3

Woe to you who are rushing headlong to disaster! Catastrophe is just around the corner!

Amos.6.3

You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror.

Amos.6.3

Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, Who cause the seat of violence to come near;

Amos.6.3

You push away every thought of coming disaster, but your actions only bring the day of judgment closer.

Amos.6.4

That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;

Amos.6.4

Woe to those who live in luxury and expect everyone else to serve them!

Amos.6.4

You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.

Amos.6.4

Who lie on beds of ivory, Stretch out on your couches, Eat lambs from the flock And calves from the midst of the stall;

Amos.6.4

How terrible it will be for you who sprawl on ivory beds surrounded with luxury, eating the meat of tender lambs and choice calves.

Amos.6.5

That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

Amos.6.5

Woe to those who live only for today, indifferent to the fate of others! Woe to the playboys, the playgirls, who think life is a party held just for them!

Amos.6.5

You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.

Amos.6.5

Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, And invent for yourselves musical instruments like David;

Amos.6.5

You sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and you fancy yourselves to be great musicians, as King David was.

Amos.6.6

That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Amos.6.6

Woe to those addicted to feeling good--life without pain! those obsessed with looking good--life without wrinkles! They could not care less about their country going to ruin.

Amos.6.6

You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

Amos.6.6

Who drink wine from bowls, And anoint yourselves with the best ointments, But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Amos.6.6

You drink wine by the bowlful, and you perfume yourselves with exotic fragrances, caring nothing at all that your nation is going to ruin.

Amos.6.7

Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.

Amos.6.7

But here's what's really coming: a forced march into exile. They'll leave the country whining, a rag-tag bunch of good-for-nothings.

Amos.6.7

Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

Amos.6.7

Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives, And those who recline at banquets shall be removed.

Amos.6.7

Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your revelry will end.

Amos.6.8

The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.

Amos.6.8

GOD, the Master, has sworn, and solemnly stands by his Word. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: "I hate the arrogance of Jacob. I have nothing but contempt for his forts. I'm about to hand over the city and everyone in it."

Amos.6.8

The Sovereign LORD has sworn by himself-the LORD God Almighty declares: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and detest his fortresses; I will deliver up the city and everything in it."

Amos.6.8

The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself, The LORD God of hosts says: "I abhor the pride of Jacob, And hate his palaces; Therefore I will deliver up the city And all that is in it."

Amos.6.8

The Sovereign LORD has sworn by his own name, and this is what he, the LORD God Almighty, says: "I despise the pride and false glory of Israel, and I hate their beautiful homes. I will give this city and everything in it to their enemies."

Amos.6.9

And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.

Amos.6.9

Ten men are in a house, all dead.

Amos.6.9

If ten men are left in one house, they too will die.

Amos.6.9

Then it shall come to pass, that if ten men remain in one house, they shall die.

Amos.6.9

If there are ten men left in one house, they will all die.

Amos.6.10

And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.

Amos.6.10

A relative comes and gets the bodies to prepare them for a decent burial. He discovers a survivor huddled in a closet and asks, "Are there any more?" The answer: "Not a soul. But hush! GOD must not be mentioned in this desecrated place."

Amos.6.10

And if a relative who is to burn the bodies comes to carry them out of the house and asks anyone still hiding there, "Is anyone with you?" and he says, "No," then he will say, "Hush! We must not mention the name of the LORD."

Amos.6.10

And when a relative of the dead, with one who will burn the bodies, picks up the bodies to take them out of the house, he will say to one inside the house, "Are there any more with you?" Then someone will say, "None." And he will say, "Hold your tongue! For we dare not mention the name of the LORD."

Amos.6.10

And when a close relative--one who is responsible for burning the dead--goes into the house to carry away a dead body, he will ask the last survivor, "Is there anyone else with you?" And the person will answer, "No!" Then he will say, "Hush! Don't even whisper the name of the LORD. He might hear you!"

Amos.6.11

For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.

Amos.6.11

Note well: GOD issues the orders. He'll knock large houses to smithereens. He'll smash little houses to bits.

Amos.6.11

For the LORD has given the command, and he will smash the great house into pieces and the small house into bits.

Amos.6.11

For behold, the LORD gives a command: He will break the great house into bits, And the little house into pieces.

Amos.6.11

When the LORD gives the command, homes both great and small will be smashed to pieces.

Amos.6.12

Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

Amos.6.12

Do you hold a horse race in a field of rocks? Do you plow the sea with oxen? You'd cripple the horses and drown the oxen. And yet you've made a shambles of justice, a bloated corpse of righteousness,

Amos.6.12

Do horses run on the rocky crags? Does one plow there with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness-

Amos.6.12

Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow there with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into gall, And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,

Amos.6.12

Can horses gallop over rocks? Can oxen be used to plow rocks? Stupid even to ask--but that's how stupid you are when you turn justice into poison and make bitter the sweet fruit of righteousness.

Amos.6.13

Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?

Amos.6.13

Bragging of your trivial pursuits, beating up on the weak and crowing, "Look what I've done!"

Amos.6.13

you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar and say, "Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?"

Amos.6.13

You who rejoice over Lo Debar, Who say, "Have we not taken Karnaim for ourselves By our own strength?"

Amos.6.13

And just as stupid is this bragging about your conquest of Lo-debar. You boast, "Didn't we take Karnaim by our own strength and power?"

Amos.6.14

But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness.

Amos.6.14

"Enjoy it while you can, you Israelites. I've got a pagan army on the move against you" -this is your GOD speaking, God-of-the-Angel-Armies--"And they'll make hash of you, from one end of the country to the other."

Amos.6.14

For the LORD God Almighty declares, "I will stir up a nation against you, O house of Israel, that will oppress you all the way from Lebo Hamath to the valley of the Arabah."

Amos.6.14

"But, behold, I will raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel," Says the LORD God of hosts; "And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath To the Valley of the Arabah."

Amos.6.14

"O people of Israel, I am about to bring an enemy nation against you," says the LORD God Almighty. "It will oppress you bitterly throughout your land--from Lebo-hamath in the north to the Arabah Valley in the south."

Amos.7.1

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.

Amos.7.1

GOD, my Master, showed me this vision: He was preparing a locust swarm. The first cutting, which went to the king, was complete, and the second crop was just sprouting.

Amos.7.1

This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king's share had been harvested and just as the second crop was coming up.

Amos.7.1

Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king's mowings.

Amos.7.1

The Sovereign LORD showed me a vision. I saw him preparing to send a vast swarm of locusts over the land. This was after the king's share had been harvested from the fields and as the main crop was coming up.

Amos.7.2

And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.

Amos.7.2

The locusts ate everything green. Not even a blade of grass was left. I called out, "GOD, my Master! Excuse me, but what's going to come of Jacob? He's so small."

Amos.7.2

When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!"

Amos.7.2

And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: "O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, For he is small!"

Amos.7.2

In my vision the locusts ate everything in sight that was green. Then I said, "O Sovereign LORD, please forgive your people! Unless you relent, Israel will not survive, for we are only a small nation."

Amos.7.3

The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

Amos.7.3

GOD gave in. "It won't happen," he said. [JC]

Amos.7.3

So the LORD relented. "This will not happen," the LORD said.

Amos.7.3

So the LORD relented concerning this. "It shall not be," said the LORD.

Amos.7.3

So the LORD relented and did not fulfill the vision. "I won't do it," he said.

Amos.7.4

Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.

Amos.7.4

GOD showed me this vision: Oh! GOD, my Master GOD was calling up a firestorm. It burned up the ocean. Then it burned up the Promised Land.

Amos.7.4

This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: The Sovereign LORD was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land.

Amos.7.4

Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory.

Amos.7.4

Then the Sovereign LORD showed me another vision. I saw him preparing to punish his people with a great fire. The fire had burned up the depths of the sea and was devouring the entire land.

Amos.7.5

Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.

Amos.7.5

I said, "God, my Master! Hold it--please! What's going to come of Jacob? He's so small."

Amos.7.5

Then I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!"

Amos.7.5

Then I said: "O Lord GOD, cease, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, For he is small!"

Amos.7.5

Then I said, "O Sovereign LORD, please don't do it. Unless you relent, Israel will not survive, for we are only a small nation."

Amos.7.6

The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

Amos.7.6

GOD gave in. "All right, this won't happen either," GOD, my Master, said. [JC]

Amos.7.6

So the LORD relented. "This will not happen either," the Sovereign LORD said.

Amos.7.6

So the LORD relented concerning this. "This also shall not be," said the Lord GOD.

Amos.7.6

Then the LORD turned from this plan, too. "I won't do that either," said the Sovereign LORD.

Amos.7.7

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

Amos.7.7

GOD showed me this vision: My Master was standing beside a wall. In his hand he held a plumb line.

Amos.7.7

This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand.

Amos.7.7

Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand.

Amos.7.7

Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was checking it with a plumb line to see if it was straight.

Amos.7.8

And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:

Amos.7.8

GOD said to me, "What do you see, Amos?" I said, "A plumb line." Then my Master said, "Look what I've done. I've hung a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. I've spared them for the last time. This is it!

Amos.7.8

And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

Amos.7.8

And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said: "Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.

Amos.7.8

And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I answered, "A plumb line." And the Lord replied, "I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.

Amos.7.9

And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

Amos.7.9

Isaac's sex-and-religion shrines will be smashed, Israel's unholy shrines will be knocked to pieces. I'm raising my sword against the royal family of Jeroboam.

Amos.7.9

"The high places of Isaac will be destroyed and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined; with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam."

Amos.7.9

The high places of Isaac shall be desolate, And the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste. I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam."

Amos.7.9

The pagan shrines of your ancestors and the temples of Israel will be destroyed, and I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to a sudden end."

Amos.7.10

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.

Amos.7.10

Amaziah, priest at the shrine at Bethel, sent a message to Jeroboam, king of Israel: "Amos is plotting to get rid of you; and he's doing it as an insider, working from within Israel. His talk will destroy the country. He's got to be silenced. Do you know what Amos is saying?

Amos.7.10

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: "Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words.

Amos.7.10

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.

Amos.7.10

But when Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, heard what Amos was saying, he rushed a message to King Jeroboam: "Amos is hatching a plot against you right here on your very doorstep! What he is saying is intolerable. It will lead to rebellion all across the land.

Amos.7.11

For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.

Amos.7.11

Jeroboam will be killed. Israel is headed for exile."

Amos.7.11

For this is what Amos is saying: "'Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.'"

Amos.7.11

For thus Amos has said: "Jeroboam shall die by the sword, And Israel shall surely be led away captive From their own land."'

Amos.7.11

He is saying, `Jeroboam will soon be killed and the people of Israel will be sent away into exile.'"

Amos.7.12

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

Amos.7.12

Then Amaziah confronted Amos: "Seer, be on your way! Get out of here and go back to Judah where you came from!

Amos.7.12

Then Amaziah said to Amos, "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.

Amos.7.12

Then Amaziah said to Amos: "Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, And there prophesy.

Amos.7.12

Then Amaziah sent orders to Amos: "Get out of here, you seer! Go on back to the land of Judah and do your preaching there!

Amos.7.13

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.

Amos.7.13

Hang out there. Do your preaching there. But no more preaching at Bethel! Don't show your face here again. This is the king's chapel. This is a royal shrine."

Amos.7.13

Don't prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom."

Amos.7.13

But never again prophesy at Bethel, For it is the king's sanctuary, And it is the royal residence."

Amos.7.13

Don't bother us here in Bethel with your prophecies, especially not here where the royal sanctuary is!"

Amos.7.14

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

Amos.7.14

But Amos stood up to Amaziah: "I never set up to be a preacher, never had plans to be a preacher. I raised cattle and I pruned trees.

Amos.7.14

Amos answered Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet nor a prophet's son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees.

Amos.7.14

Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit.

Amos.7.14

But Amos replied, "I'm not one of your professional prophets. I certainly never trained to be one. I'm just a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees.

Amos.7.15

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Amos.7.15

Then GOD took me off the farm and said, "Go preach to my people Israel.'

Amos.7.15

But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

Amos.7.15

Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, And the LORD said to me, "Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'

Amos.7.15

But the LORD called me away from my flock and told me, `Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.'

Amos.7.16

Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.

Amos.7.16

"So listen to GOD's Word. You tell me, "Don't preach to Israel. Don't say anything against the family of Isaac.'

Amos.7.16

Now then, hear the word of the LORD. You say, "'Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.'

Amos.7.16

Now therefore, hear the word of the LORD: You say, "Do not prophesy against Israel, And do not spout against the house of Isaac.'

Amos.7.16

"Now then, listen to this message from the LORD! You say, `Don't prophesy against Israel. Stop preaching against my people. '

Amos.7.17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

Amos.7.17

But here's what GOD is telling you: Your wife will become a whore in town. Your children will get killed. Your land will be auctioned off. You will die homeless and friendless. And Israel will be hauled off to exile, far from home."

Amos.7.17

"Therefore this is what the LORD says: "'Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.'"

Amos.7.17

"Therefore thus says the LORD: "Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; Your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; Your land shall be divided by survey line; You shall die in a defiled land; And Israel shall surely be led away captive From his own land."'

Amos.7.17

But this is what the LORD says: Because you have refused to listen, your wife will become a prostitute in this city, and your sons and daughters will be killed. Your land will be divided up, and you yourself will die in a foreign land. And the people of Israel will certainly become captives in exile, far from their homeland."

Rom.4.16-Rom.5.11

Rom.4.16

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Rom.4.16

This is why the fulfillment of God's promise depends entirely on trusting God and his way, and then simply embracing him and what he does. God's promise arrives as pure gift. That's the only way everyone can be sure to get in on it, those who keep the religious traditions and those who have never heard of them. For Abraham is father of us all. He is not our racial father--that's reading the story backwards. He is our faith father.

Rom.4.16

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring--not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

Rom.4.16

Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Rom.4.16

So that's why faith is the key! God's promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

Rom.4.17

As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Rom.4.17

We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing.

Rom.4.17

As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

Rom.4.17

(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

Rom.4.17

That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn't exist before.

Rom.4.18

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Rom.4.18

When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!"

Rom.4.18

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

Rom.4.18

who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be."

Rom.4.18

When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, "Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars," even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible!

Rom.4.19

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:

Rom.4.19

Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up.

Rom.4.19

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

Rom.4.19

And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.

Rom.4.19

And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children.

Rom.4.20

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Rom.4.20

He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God,

Rom.4.20

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

Rom.4.20

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,

Rom.4.20

Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

Rom.4.21

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Rom.4.21

sure that God would make good on what he had said.

Rom.4.21

being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Rom.4.21

and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Rom.4.21

He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised.

Rom.4.22

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Rom.4.22

That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right."

Rom.4.22

This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."

Rom.4.22

And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Rom.4.22

And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous.

Rom.4.23

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Rom.4.23

But it's not just Abraham;

Rom.4.23

The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone,

Rom.4.23

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,

Rom.4.23

Now this wonderful truth--that God declared him to be righteous--wasn't just for Abraham's benefit.

Rom.4.24

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Rom.4.24

it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless.

Rom.4.24

but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Rom.4.24

but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Rom.4.24

It was for us, too, assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead.

Rom.4.25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Rom.4.25

The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.

Rom.4.25

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Rom.4.25

who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

Rom.4.25

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.

Rom.5.1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom.5.1

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us--set us right with him, make us fit for him--we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.

Rom.5.1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom.5.1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom.5.1

Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Rom.5.2

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom.5.2

And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand--out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

Rom.5.2

through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Rom.5.2

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom.5.2

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.

Rom.5.3

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Rom.5.3

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,

Rom.5.3

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

Rom.5.3

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Rom.5.3

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure.

Rom.5.4

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Rom.5.4

and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.

Rom.5.4

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Rom.5.4

and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Rom.5.4

And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.

Rom.5.5

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Rom.5.5

In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary--we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Rom.5.5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Rom.5.5

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Rom.5.5

And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Rom.5.6

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom.5.6

Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway.

Rom.5.6

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom.5.6

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom.5.6

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Rom.5.7

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

Rom.5.7

We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice.

Rom.5.7

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

Rom.5.7

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

Rom.5.7

Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

Rom.5.8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom.5.8

But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

Rom.5.8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom.5.8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom.5.8

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Rom.5.9

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom.5.9

Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way.

Rom.5.9

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

Rom.5.9

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Rom.5.9

And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment.

Rom.5.10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Rom.5.10

If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!

Rom.5.10

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Rom.5.10

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Rom.5.10

For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life.

Rom.5.11

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Rom.5.11

Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!

Rom.5.11

Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Rom.5.11

And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Rom.5.11

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God--all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God.

Ps.86.11-Ps.86.17

Ps.86.11

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Ps.86.11

Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.

Ps.86.11

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Ps.86.11

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Ps.86.11

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you.

Ps.86.12

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Ps.86.12

From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; I've never kept secret what you're up to.

Ps.86.12

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Ps.86.12

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

Ps.86.12

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever,

Ps.86.13

For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Ps.86.13

You've always been great toward me--what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster!

Ps.86.13

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Ps.86.13

For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Ps.86.13

for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death!

Ps.86.14

O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

Ps.86.14

God, these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me--and they don't care a thing about you.

Ps.86.14

The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life- men without regard for you.

Ps.86.14

O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them.

Ps.86.14

O God, insolent people rise up against me; violent people are trying to kill me. And you mean nothing to them.

Ps.86.15

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Ps.86.15

But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit.

Ps.86.15

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Ps.86.15

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Ps.86.15

But you, O Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love and truth.

Ps.86.16

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Ps.86.16

So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child!

Ps.86.16

Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.

Ps.86.16

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.

Ps.86.16

Look down and have mercy on me. Give strength to your servant; yes, save me, for I am your servant.

Ps.86.17

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Ps.86.17

Make a show of how much you love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you, GOD, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet. A Korah psalm

Ps.86.17

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Ps.86.17

Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Ps.86.17

Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O LORD, help and comfort me.