Isa.55.1

"Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway--buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money--everything's free!

Isa.55.1

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Isa.55.1

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

Isa.55.1

"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free!

Isa.55.2

Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest.

Isa.55.2

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Isa.55.2

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Isa.55.2

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul!

Isa.55.3

Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I'm making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.

Isa.55.3

Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

Isa.55.3

Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you-- The sure mercies of David.

Isa.55.3

"Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to David.

Isa.55.4

I set him up as a witness to the nations, made him a prince and leader of the nations,

Isa.55.4

See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples.

Isa.55.4

Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people.

Isa.55.4

He displayed my power by being my witness and a leader among the nations.

Isa.55.5

And now I'm doing it to you: You'll summon nations you've never heard of, and nations who've never heard of you will come running to you Because of me, your GOD, because The Holy of Israel has honored you."

Isa.55.5

Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."

Isa.55.5

Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you."

Isa.55.5

You also will command the nations, and they will come running to obey, because I, the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious."

Isa.55.6

Seek GOD while he's here to be found, pray to him while he's close at hand.

Isa.55.6

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Isa.55.6

Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

Isa.55.6

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

Isa.55.7

Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to GOD, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

Isa.55.7

Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Isa.55.7

Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Isa.55.7

Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isa.55.8

"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." GOD's Decree.

Isa.55.8

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Isa.55.8

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

Isa.55.8

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

Isa.55.9

"For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.

Isa.55.9

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa.55.9

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa.55.9

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isa.55.10

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,

Isa.55.10

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Isa.55.10

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,

Isa.55.10

"The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.

Isa.55.11

So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty--handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them.

Isa.55.11

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isa.55.11

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Isa.55.11

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Isa.55.12

"So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause.

Isa.55.12

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isa.55.12

"For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isa.55.12

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

Isa.55.13

No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines--Monuments to me, to GOD, living and lasting evidence of GOD."

Isa.55.13

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

Isa.55.13

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Isa.55.13

Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD's name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.

Isa.56.1

GOD's Message: "Guard my common good: Do what's right and do it in the right way, For salvation is just around the corner, my setting-things-right is about to go into action.

Isa.56.1

This is what the LORD says: "Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

Isa.56.1

Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed.

Isa.56.1

"Be just and fair to all," says the LORD. "Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you.

Isa.56.2

How blessed are you who enter into these things, you men and women who embrace them, Who keep Sabbath and don't defile it, who watch your step and don't do anything evil!

Isa.56.2

Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."

Isa.56.2

Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil."

Isa.56.2

Blessed are those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest by refusing to work. And blessed are those who keep themselves from doing wrong.

Isa.56.3

Make sure no outsider who now follows GOD ever has occasion to say, "GOD put me in second-class. I don't really belong.' And make sure no physically mutilated person is ever made to think, "I'm damaged goods. I don't really belong.'"

Isa.56.3

Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people." And let not any eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree."

Isa.56.3

Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "Here I am, a dry tree."

Isa.56.3

"And my blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they commit themselves to the LORD. Do not let them think that I consider them second-class citizens. And my blessings are also for the eunuchs. They are as much mine as anyone else.

Isa.56.4

For GOD says: "To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths and choose what delights me and keep a firm grip on my covenant,

Isa.56.4

For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant-

Isa.56.4

For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant,

Isa.56.4

For I say this to the eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy, who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me:

Isa.56.5

I'll provide them an honored place in my family and within my city, even more honored than that of sons and daughters. I'll confer permanent honors on them that will never be revoked.

Isa.56.5

to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

Isa.56.5

Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.

Isa.56.5

I will give them--in my house, within my walls--a memorial and a name far greater than the honor they would have received by having sons and daughters. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear!

Isa.56.6

"And as for the outsiders who now follow me, working for me, loving my name, and wanting to be my servants--All who keep Sabbath and don't defile it, holding fast to my covenant--

Isa.56.6

And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-

Isa.56.6

"Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants-- Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant--

Isa.56.6

"I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the LORD and serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who have accepted his covenant.

Isa.56.7

I'll bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. They'll be welcome to worship the same as the "insiders,' to bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to my altar. Oh yes, my house of worship will be known as a house of prayer for all people."

Isa.56.7

these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Isa.56.7

Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Isa.56.7

I will bring them also to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Isa.56.8

The Decree of the Master, GOD himself, who gathers in the exiles of Israel: "I will gather others also, gather them in with those already gathered." [JC]

Isa.56.8

The Sovereign LORD declares- he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

Isa.56.8

The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him."

Isa.56.8

For the Sovereign LORD, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel."

Isa.56.9

A call to the savage beasts: Come on the run. Come, devour, beast barbarians!

Isa.56.9

Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour, all you beasts of the forest!

Isa.56.9

All you beasts of the field, come to devour, All you beasts in the forest.

Isa.56.9

Come, wild animals of the field! Come, wild animals of the forest! Come and devour my people!

Isa.56.10

For Israel's watchmen are blind, the whole lot of them. They have no idea what's going on. They're dogs without sense enough to bark, lazy dogs, dreaming in the sun--

Isa.56.10

Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.

Isa.56.10

His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Isa.56.10

For the leaders of my people--the LORD's watchmen, his shepherds--are blind to every danger. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.

Isa.56.11

But hungry dogs, they do know how to eat, voracious dogs, with never enough. And these are Israel's shepherds! They know nothing, understand nothing. They all look after themselves, grabbing whatever's not nailed down.

Isa.56.11

They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.

Isa.56.11

Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory.

Isa.56.11

And they are as greedy as dogs, never satisfied. They are stupid shepherds, all following their own path, all of them intent on personal gain.

Isa.56.12

"Come," they say, "let's have a party. Let's go out and get drunk!" And tomorrow, more of the same: "Let's live it up!"

Isa.56.12

"Come," each one cries, "let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better."

Isa.56.12

"Come," one says, "I will bring wine, And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant."

Isa.56.12

"Come," they say. "We will get some wine and have a party. Let's all get drunk. Let this go on and on, and tomorrow will be even better."

Isa.57.1

Meanwhile, right-living people die and no one gives them a thought. God-fearing people are carted off and no one even notices. The right-living people are out of their misery, they're finally at rest.

Isa.57.1

The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

Isa.57.1

The righteous perishes, And no man takes it to heart; Merciful men are taken away, While no one considers That the righteous is taken away from evil.

Isa.57.1

The righteous pass away; the godly often die before their time. And no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.

Isa.57.2

They lived well and with dignity and now they're finally at peace. [JC]

Isa.57.2

Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

Isa.57.2

He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness.

Isa.57.2

For the godly who die will rest in peace.

Isa.57.3

"But you, children of a witch, come here! Sons of a slut, daughters of a whore.

Isa.57.3

"But you-come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

Isa.57.3

"But come here, You sons of the sorceress, You offspring of the adulterer and the harlot!

Isa.57.3

"But you--come here, you witches' children, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!

Isa.57.4

What business do you have taunting, sneering, and sticking out your tongue? Do you have any idea what wretches you've turned out to be? A race of rebels, a generation of liars.

Isa.57.4

Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars?

Isa.57.4

Whom do you ridicule? Against whom do you make a wide mouth And stick out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression, Offspring of falsehood,

Isa.57.4

Whom do you mock, making faces and sticking out your tongues? You children of sinners and liars!

Isa.57.5

You satisfy your lust any place you find some shade and fornicate at whim. You kill your children at any convenient spot--any cave or crevasse will do.

Isa.57.5

You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags.

Isa.57.5

Inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, Slaying the children in the valleys, Under the clefts of the rocks?

Isa.57.5

You worship your idols with great passion beneath every green tree. You slaughter your children as human sacrifices down in the valleys, under overhanging rocks.

Isa.57.6

You take stones from the creek and set up your sex-and-religion shrines. You've chosen your fate. Your worship will be your doom.

Isa.57.6

The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; they, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In the light of these things, should I relent?

Isa.57.6

Among the smooth stones of the stream Is your portion; They, they, are your lot! Even to them you have poured a drink offering, You have offered a grain offering. Should I receive comfort in these?

Isa.57.6

Your gods are the smooth stones in the valleys. You worship them with drink offerings and grain offerings. They, not I, are your inheritance. Does all this make me happy?

Isa.57.7

You've climbed a high mountain to practice your foul sex-and-death religion.

Isa.57.7

You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices.

Isa.57.7

"On a lofty and high mountain You have set your bed; Even there you went up To offer sacrifice.

Isa.57.7

You have committed adultery on the mountaintops by worshiping idols there, and so you have been unfaithful to me.

Isa.57.8

Behind closed doors you assemble your precious gods and goddesses. Deserting me, you've gone all out, stripped down and made your bed your place of worship. You've climbed into bed with the "sacred' whores and loved every minute of it, adoring every curve of their naked bodies.

Isa.57.8

Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked on their nakedness.

Isa.57.8

Also behind the doors and their posts You have set up your remembrance; For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me, And have gone up to them; You have enlarged your bed And made a covenant with them; You have loved their bed, Where you saw their nudity.

Isa.57.8

Behind closed doors, you have set up your idols and worship them instead of me. This is adultery, for you are loving these idols instead of loving me. You have climbed right into bed with these detestable gods.

Isa.57.9

You anoint your king-god with ointments and lavish perfumes on yourselves. You send scouts to search out the latest in religion, send them all the way to hell and back.

Isa.57.9

You went to Molech with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the grave itself!

Isa.57.9

You went to the king with ointment, And increased your perfumes; You sent your messengers far off, And even descended to Sheol.

Isa.57.9

You have given olive oil and perfume to Molech as your gift. You have traveled far, even into the world of the dead, to find new gods to love.

Isa.57.10

You wear yourselves out trying the new and the different, and never see what a waste it all is. You've always found strength for the latest fad, never got tired of trying new religions.

Isa.57.10

You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.' You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint.

Isa.57.10

You are wearied in the length of your way; Yet you did not say, "There is no hope.' You have found the life of your hand; Therefore you were not grieved.

Isa.57.10

You grew weary in your search, but you never gave up. You strengthened yourself and went on.

Isa.57.11

"Who talked you into the pursuit of this nonsense, leaving me high and dry, forgetting you ever knew me? Because I don't yell and make a scene do you think I don't exist?

Isa.57.11

"Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?

Isa.57.11

"And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken it to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?

Isa.57.11

Why were you more afraid of them than of me? How is it that you don't even remember me or think about me? Is it because I have not corrected you that you have no fear of me?

Isa.57.12

I'll go over, detail by detail, all your "righteous' attempts at religion, and expose the absurdity of it all.

Isa.57.12

I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.

Isa.57.12

I will declare your righteousness And your works, For they will not profit you.

Isa.57.12

"Now I will expose your so-called good deeds that you consider so righteous. None of them will benefit or save you.

Isa.57.13

Go ahead, cry for help to your collection of no-gods: A good wind will blow them away. They're smoke, nothing but smoke. "But anyone who runs to me for help will inherit the land, will end up owning my holy mountain!" [JC]

Isa.57.13

When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain."

Isa.57.13

When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain."

Isa.57.13

Let's see if your idols can do anything for you when you cry to them for help. They are so helpless that a breath of wind can knock them down! But whoever trusts in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain.

Eph.2.1

It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin.

Eph.2.1

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

Eph.2.1

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Eph.2.1

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins.

Eph.2.2

You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.

Eph.2.2

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Eph.2.2

in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

Eph.2.2

You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Eph.2.3

We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us.

Eph.2.3

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

Eph.2.3

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Eph.2.3

All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

Eph.2.4

Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love,

Eph.2.4

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

Eph.2.4

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

Eph.2.4

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much,

Eph.2.5

he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us!

Eph.2.5

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.

Eph.2.5

even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Eph.2.5

that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!)

Eph.2.6

Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.

Eph.2.6

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Eph.2.6

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Eph.2.6

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one with Christ Jesus.

Eph.2.7

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus.

Eph.2.7

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Eph.2.7

that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Eph.2.7

And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

Eph.2.8

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish!

Eph.2.8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--

Eph.2.8

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Eph.2.8

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Eph.2.9

We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing!

Eph.2.9

not by works, so that no one can boast.

Eph.2.9

not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Eph.2.9

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Eph.2.10

No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Eph.2.10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Eph.2.10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Eph.2.10

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Eph.2.11

But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways

Eph.2.11

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)--

Eph.2.11

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--

Eph.2.11

Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth. You were called "the uncircumcised ones" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.

Eph.2.12

had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large.

Eph.2.12

remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

Eph.2.12

that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph.2.12

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God's people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

Eph.2.13

Now because of Christ--dying that death, shedding that blood--you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

Eph.2.13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Eph.2.13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Eph.2.13

But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ.

Eph.2.14

The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance.

Eph.2.14

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Eph.2.14

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Eph.2.14

For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us.

Eph.2.15

He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.

Eph.2.15

by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,

Eph.2.15

having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

Eph.2.15

By his death he ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new person from the two groups.

Eph.2.16

Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility.

Eph.2.16

and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Eph.2.16

and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Eph.2.16

Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Eph.2.17

Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders.

Eph.2.17

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Eph.2.17

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

Eph.2.17

He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near.

Eph.2.18

He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father.

Eph.2.18

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Eph.2.18

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Eph.2.18

Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Eph.2.19

That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all--irrespective of how we got here--in what he is building.

Eph.2.19

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,

Eph.2.19

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Eph.2.19

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.

Eph.2.20

He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone

Eph.2.20

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Eph.2.20

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

Eph.2.20

We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

Eph.2.21

that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day--a holy temple built by God,

Eph.2.21

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

Eph.2.21

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Eph.2.21

We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

Eph.2.22

all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Eph.2.22

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Eph.2.22

in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Eph.2.22

Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Ps.110.1

The word of GOD to my Lord: "Sit alongside me here on my throne until I make your enemies a stool for your feet."

Ps.110.1

The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

Ps.110.1

The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

Ps.110.1

The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet."

Ps.110.2

You were forged a strong scepter by GOD of Zion; now rule, though surrounded by enemies!

Ps.110.2

The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.

Ps.110.2

The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

Ps.110.2

The LORD will extend your powerful dominion from Jerusalem; you will rule over your enemies.

Ps.110.3

Your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor on the great day of your conquest, Join you at the fresh break of day, join you with all the vigor of youth.

Ps.110.3

Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth.

Ps.110.3

Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.

Ps.110.3

In that day of battle, your people will serve you willingly. Arrayed in holy garments, your vigor will be renewed each day like the morning dew.

Ps.110.4

GOD gave his word and he won't take it back: you're the permanent priest, the Melchizedek priest.

Ps.110.4

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Ps.110.4

The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

Ps.110.4

The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow: "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek."

Ps.110.5

The Lord stands true at your side, crushing kings in his terrible wrath,

Ps.110.5

The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.

Ps.110.5

The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.

Ps.110.5

The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings in the day of his anger.

Ps.110.6

Bringing judgment on the nations, handing out convictions wholesale, crushing opposition across the wide earth.

Ps.110.6

He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.

Ps.110.6

He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries.

Ps.110.6

He will punish the nations and fill them with their dead; he will shatter heads over the whole earth.

Ps.110.7

The King-Maker put his King on the throne; the True King rules with head held high! he

Ps.110.7

He will drink from a brook beside the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

Ps.110.7

He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.

Ps.110.7

But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way. He will be victorious.