Isa.57.14

Someone says: "Build, build! Make a road! Clear the way, remove the rocks from the road my people will travel."

Isa.57.14

And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people."

Isa.57.14

And one shall say, "Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people."

Isa.57.14

I will say, `Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.'"

Isa.57.15

A Message from the high and towering God, who lives in Eternity, whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy places, but also with the low-spirited, the spirit--crushed, And what I do is put new spirit in them, get them up and on their feet again.

Isa.57.15

For this is what the high and lofty One says- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isa.57.15

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Isa.57.15

The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: "I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.

Isa.57.16

For I'm not going to haul people into court endlessly, I'm not going to be angry forever. Otherwise, people would lose heart. These souls I created would tire out and give up.

Isa.57.16

I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me- the breath of man that I have created.

Isa.57.16

For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made.

Isa.57.16

For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always show my anger. If I did, all people would pass away--all the souls I have made.

Isa.57.17

I was angry, good and angry, because of Israel's sins. I struck him hard and turned away in anger, while he kept at his stubborn, willful ways.

Isa.57.17

I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways.

Isa.57.17

For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.

Isa.57.17

I was angry and punished these greedy people. I withdrew myself from them, but they went right on sinning.

Isa.57.18

When I looked again and saw what he was doing, I decided to heal him, lead him, and comfort him, creating a new language of praise for the mourners.

Isa.57.18

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him,

Isa.57.18

I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.

Isa.57.18

I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them and comfort those who mourn.

Isa.57.19

Peace to the far-off, peace to the near--at-hand," says GOD- "and yes, I will heal them.

Isa.57.19

creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the LORD. "And I will heal them."

Isa.57.19

"I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him."

Isa.57.19

Then words of praise will be on their lips. May they have peace, both near and far, for I will heal them all," says the LORD.

Isa.57.20

But the wicked are storm-battered seas that can't quiet down. The waves stir up garbage and mud.

Isa.57.20

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.

Isa.57.20

But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

Isa.57.20

"But those who still reject me are like the restless sea. It is never still but continually churns up mire and dirt.

Isa.57.21

There's no peace," God says, "for the wicked.

Isa.57.21

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Isa.57.21

"There is no peace," Says my God, "for the wicked."

Isa.57.21

There is no peace for the wicked," says my God.

Isa.58.1

"Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back--a trumpet-blast shout! Tell my people what's wrong with their lives, face my family Jacob with their sins!

Isa.58.1

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.

Isa.58.1

"Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.

Isa.58.1

"Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Tell my people Israel of their sins!

Isa.58.2

They're busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people--law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask me, "What's the right thing to do?' and love having me on their side.

Isa.58.2

For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.

Isa.58.2

Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God.

Isa.58.2

Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to hear my laws. You would almost think this was a righteous nation that would never abandon its God. They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf.

Isa.58.3

But they also complain, "Why do we fast and you don't look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?'"Well, here's why: "The bottom line on your "fast days' is profit. You drive your employees much too hard.

Isa.58.3

'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?'"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

Isa.58.3

"Why have we fasted,' they say, "and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.

Isa.58.3

`We have fasted before you!' they say. `Why aren't you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!'"I will tell you why! It's because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers.

Isa.58.4

You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight. You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won't get your prayers off the ground.

Isa.58.4

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Isa.58.4

Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high.

Isa.58.4

What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.

Isa.58.5

Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, GOD, would like?

Isa.58.5

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?

Isa.58.5

Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?

Isa.58.5

You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?

Isa.58.6

"This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts.

Isa.58.6

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Isa.58.6

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

Isa.58.6

"No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn.

Isa.58.7

What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.

Isa.58.7

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Isa.58.7

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Isa.58.7

I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Isa.58.8

Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The GOD of glory will secure your passage.

Isa.58.8

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Isa.58.8

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Isa.58.8

"If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

Isa.58.9

Then when you pray, GOD will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, "Here I am.'"If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins,

Isa.58.9

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

Isa.58.9

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, "Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

Isa.58.9

Then when you call, the LORD will answer. `Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. "Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors!

Isa.58.10

If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down--and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.

Isa.58.10

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Isa.58.10

If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

Isa.58.10

Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.

Isa.58.11

I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places--firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

Isa.58.11

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isa.58.11

The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isa.58.11

The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Isa.58.12

You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.

Isa.58.12

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isa.58.12

Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

Isa.58.12

Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.

Isa.58.13

"If you watch your step on the Sabbath and don't use my holy day for personal advantage, If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy, GOD's holy day as a celebration, If you honor it by refusing "business as usual,' making money, running here and there--

Isa.58.13

"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

Isa.58.13

"If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,

Isa.58.13

"Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day. Honor the LORD in everything you do, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. If you do this,

Isa.58.14

Then you'll be free to enjoy GOD! Oh, I'll make you ride high and soar above it all. I'll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob." Yes! GOD says so!

Isa.58.14

then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isa.58.14

Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Isa.58.14

the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and give you your full share of the inheritance I promised to Jacob, your ancestor. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Isa.59.1

Look! Listen! GOD's arm is not amputated--he can still save. GOD's ears are not stopped up--he can still hear.

Isa.59.1

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.

Isa.59.1

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.

Isa.59.1

Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call.

Isa.59.2

There's nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that he doesn't hear.

Isa.59.2

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Isa.59.2

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Isa.59.2

But there is a problem--your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

Isa.59.3

Your hands are drenched in blood, your fingers dripping with guilt, Your lips smeared with lies, your tongue swollen from muttering obscenities.

Isa.59.3

For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Isa.59.3

For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.

Isa.59.3

Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption.

Isa.59.4

No one speaks up for the right, no one deals fairly. They trust in illusion, they tell lies, they get pregnant with mischief and have sin-babies.

Isa.59.4

No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.

Isa.59.4

No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Isa.59.4

No one cares about being fair and honest. Their lawsuits are based on lies. They spend their time plotting evil deeds and then doing them.

Isa.59.5

They hatch snake eggs and weave spider webs. Eat an egg and die; break an egg and get a snake!

Isa.59.5

They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider's web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.

Isa.59.5

They hatch vipers' eggs and weave the spider's web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.

Isa.59.5

They spend their time and energy spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions.

Isa.59.6

The spider webs are no good for shirts or shawls. No one can wear these weavings! They weave wickedness, they hatch violence.

Isa.59.6

Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

Isa.59.6

Their webs will not become garments, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And the act of violence is in their hands.

Isa.59.6

They cheat and shortchange everyone. Nothing they do is productive; all their activity is filled with sin. Violence is their trademark.

Isa.59.7

They compete in the race to do evil and run to be the first to murder. They plan and plot evil, think and breathe evil, and leave a trail of wrecked lives behind them.

Isa.59.7

Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.

Isa.59.7

Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths.

Isa.59.7

Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Wherever they go, misery and destruction follow them.

Isa.59.8

They know nothing about peace and less than nothing about justice. They make tortuously twisted roads. No peace for the wretch who walks down those roads!

Isa.59.8

The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace.

Isa.59.8

The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.

Isa.59.8

They do not know what true peace is or what it means to be just and good. They continually do wrong, and those who follow them cannot experience a moment's peace.

Isa.59.9

Which means that we're a far cry from fair dealing, and we're not even close to right living. We long for light but sink into darkness, long for brightness but stumble through the night.

Isa.59.9

So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.

Isa.59.9

Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!

Isa.59.9

It is because of all this evil that deliverance is far from us. That is why God doesn't punish those who injure us. No wonder we are in darkness when we expected light. No wonder we are walking in the gloom.

Isa.59.10

Like the blind, we inch along a wall, groping eyeless in the dark. We shuffle our way in broad daylight, like the dead, but somehow walking.

Isa.59.10

Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.

Isa.59.10

We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.

Isa.59.10

No wonder we grope like blind people and stumble along. Even at brightest noontime, we fall down as though it were dark. No wonder we are like corpses when compared to vigorous young men!

Isa.59.11

We're no better off than bears, groaning, and no worse off than doves, moaning. We look for justice--not a sign of it; for salvation--not so much as a hint.

Isa.59.11

We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away.

Isa.59.11

We all growl like bears, And moan sadly like doves; We look for justice, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far from us.

Isa.59.11

We growl like hungry bears; we moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it is nowhere to be found. We look to be rescued, but it is far away from us.

Isa.59.12

Our wrongdoings pile up before you, God, our sins stand up and accuse us. Our wrongdoings stare us down; we know in detail what we've done:

Isa.59.12

For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities:

Isa.59.12

For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with us, And as for our iniquities, we know them:

Isa.59.12

For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are.

Isa.59.13

Mocking and denying GOD, not following our God, Spreading false rumors, inciting sedition, pregnant with lies, muttering malice.

Isa.59.13

rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived.

Isa.59.13

In transgressing and lying against the LORD, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

Isa.59.13

We know that we have rebelled against the LORD. We have turned our backs on God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies.

Isa.59.14

Justice is beaten back, Righteousness is banished to the sidelines, Truth staggers down the street, Honesty is nowhere to be found,

Isa.59.14

So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.

Isa.59.14

Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter.

Isa.59.14

Our courts oppose people who are righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth falls dead in the streets, and fairness has been outlawed.

Isa.59.15

Good is missing in action. Anyone renouncing evil is beaten and robbed. GOD looked and saw evil looming on the horizon--so much evil and no sign of Justice.

Isa.59.15

Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.

Isa.59.15

So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice.

Isa.59.15

Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries to live a godly life is soon attacked. The LORD looked and was displeased to find that there was no justice.

Isa.59.16

He couldn't believe what he saw: not a soul around to correct this awful situation. So he did it himself, took on the work of Salvation, fueled by his own Righteousness.

Isa.59.16

He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.

Isa.59.16

He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

Isa.59.16

He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his mighty power and justice.

Isa.59.17

He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a suit of armor, with Salvation on his head like a helmet, Put on Judgment like an overcoat, and threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders.

Isa.59.17

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

Isa.59.17

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Isa.59.17

He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with the robes of vengeance and godly fury.

Isa.59.18

He'll make everyone pay for what they've done: fury for his foes, just deserts for his enemies. Even the far-off islands will get paid off in full.

Isa.59.18

According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.

Isa.59.18

According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay.

Isa.59.18

He will repay his enemies for their evil deeds. His fury will fall on his foes in distant lands.

Isa.59.19

In the west they'll fear the name of GOD, in the east they'll fear the glory of GOD, For he'll arrive like a river in flood stage, whipped to a torrent by the wind of GOD.

Isa.59.19

From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.

Isa.59.19

So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.

Isa.59.19

Then at last they will respect and glorify the name of the LORD throughout the world. For he will come like a flood tide driven by the breath of the LORD.

Isa.59.20

"I'll arrive in Zion as Redeemer, to those in Jacob who leave their sins." GOD's Decree.

Isa.59.20

"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.

Isa.59.20

"The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," Says the LORD.

Isa.59.20

"The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem, "says the LORD, "to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins.

Isa.59.21

"As for me," GOD says, "this is my covenant with them: My Spirit that I've placed upon you and the words that I've given you to speak, they're not going to leave your mouths nor the mouths of your children nor the mouths of your grandchildren. You will keep repeating these words and won't ever stop." GOD's orders.

Isa.59.21

"As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.

Isa.59.21

"As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."

Isa.59.21

And this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Eph.3.1

This is why I, Paul, am in jail for Christ, having taken up the cause of you outsiders, so-called.

Eph.3.1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--

Eph.3.1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles--

Eph.3.1

I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ Jesus because of my preaching to you Gentiles.

Eph.3.2

I take it that you're familiar with the part I was given in God's plan for including everybody.

Eph.3.2

Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,

Eph.3.2

if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

Eph.3.2

As you already know, God has given me this special ministry of announcing his favor to you Gentiles.

Eph.3.3

I got the inside story on this from God himself, as I just wrote you in brief.

Eph.3.3

that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

Eph.3.3

how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,

Eph.3.3

As I briefly mentioned earlier in this letter, God himself revealed his secret plan to me.

Eph.3.4

As you read over what I have written to you, you'll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ.

Eph.3.4

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

Eph.3.4

by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

Eph.3.4

As you read what I have written, you will understand what I know about this plan regarding Christ.

Eph.3.5

None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God's Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order.

Eph.3.5

which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

Eph.3.5

which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

Eph.3.5

God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now he has revealed it by the Holy Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets.

Eph.3.6

The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I've been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board.

Eph.3.6

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Eph.3.6

that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Eph.3.6

And this is the secret plan: The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children. Both groups have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus.

Eph.3.7

This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details.

Eph.3.7

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

Eph.3.7

of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Eph.3.7

By God's special favor and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Eph.3.8

When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities. And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ.

Eph.3.8

Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Eph.3.8

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Eph.3.8

Just think! Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is, I was chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

Eph.3.9

My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along.

Eph.3.9

and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Eph.3.9

and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Eph.3.9

I was chosen to explain to everyone this plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

Eph.3.10

Through Christians like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!

Eph.3.10

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

Eph.3.10

to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Eph.3.10

God's purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are joined together in his church.

Eph.3.11

All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus.

Eph.3.11

according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph.3.11

according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Eph.3.11

This was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph.3.12

When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.

Eph.3.12

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Eph.3.12

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Eph.3.12

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.

Eph.3.13

So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud! [JC]

Eph.3.13

I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Eph.3.13

Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Eph.3.13

So please don't despair because of what they are doing to me here. It is for you that I am suffering, so you should feel honored and encouraged.

Eph.3.14

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father,

Eph.3.14

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

Eph.3.14

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph.3.14

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,

Eph.3.15

this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth.

Eph.3.15

from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

Eph.3.15

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Eph.3.15

the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

Eph.3.16

I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength--

Eph.3.16

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Eph.3.16

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Eph.3.16

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.

Eph.3.17

that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love,

Eph.3.17

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

Eph.3.17

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Eph.3.17

And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.

Eph.3.18

you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!

Eph.3.18

may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Eph.3.18

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--

Eph.3.18

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

Eph.3.19

Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

Eph.3.19

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Eph.3.19

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Eph.3.19

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Eph.3.20

God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Eph.3.20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Eph.3.20

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Eph.3.20

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

Eph.3.21

Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Eph.3.21

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Eph.3.21

to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Eph.3.21

May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

Ps.111.1

Hallelujah! I give thanks to GOD with everything I've got--Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.

Ps.111.1

Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

Ps.111.1

Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

Ps.111.1

Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with his godly people.

Ps.111.2

GOD's works are so great, worth A lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!

Ps.111.2

Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Ps.111.2

The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.

Ps.111.2

How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.

Ps.111.3

Splendor and beauty mark his craft; His generosity never gives out.

Ps.111.3

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

Ps.111.3

His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever.

Ps.111.3

Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.

Ps.111.4

His miracles are his memorial--This GOD of Grace, this GOD of Love.

Ps.111.4

He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Ps.111.4

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

Ps.111.4

Who can forget the wonders he performs? How gracious and merciful is our LORD!

Ps.111.5

He gave food to those who fear him, He remembered to keep his ancient promise.

Ps.111.5

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

Ps.111.5

He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.

Ps.111.5

He gives food to those who trust him; he always remembers his covenant.

Ps.111.6

He proved to his people that he could do what he said: Hand them the nations on a platter--a gift! BOHBOH

Ps.111.6

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.

Ps.111.6

He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations.

Ps.111.6

He has shown his great power to his people by giving them the lands of other nations.

Ps.111.7

He manufactures truth and justice; All his products are guaranteed to last--

Ps.111.7

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

Ps.111.7

The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure.

Ps.111.7

All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.

Ps.111.8

Never out--of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof. All that he makes and does is honest and true:

Ps.111.8

They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.

Ps.111.8

They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness.

Ps.111.8

They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.

Ps.111.9

He paid the ransom for his people, He ordered his Covenant kept forever. He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.

Ps.111.9

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever- holy and awesome is his name.

Ps.111.9

He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.

Ps.111.9

He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

Ps.111.10

The good life begins in the fear of GOD- Do that and you'll know the blessing of GOD. His Hallelujah lasts forever! is

Ps.111.10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Ps.111.10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Ps.111.10

Reverence for the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. The rewards of wisdom come to all who obey him. Praise his name forever!