Matt.6.25

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Matt.6.25

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Matt.6.25

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Matt.6.25

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?

Matt.6.26

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Matt.6.26

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matt.6.26

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matt.6.26

Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.

Matt.6.27

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?

Matt.6.27

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matt.6.27

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Matt.6.27

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.

Matt.6.28

All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop,

Matt.6.28

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Matt.6.28

"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

Matt.6.28

"And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,

Matt.6.29

but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

Matt.6.29

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Matt.6.29

and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matt.6.29

yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Matt.6.30

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

Matt.6.30

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matt.6.30

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matt.6.30

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

Matt.6.31

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.

Matt.6.31

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

Matt.6.31

"Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?'

Matt.6.31

"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.

Matt.6.32

People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.

Matt.6.32

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Matt.6.32

For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Matt.6.32

Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs,

Matt.6.33

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Matt.6.33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matt.6.33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matt.6.33

and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Matt.6.34

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matt.6.34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matt.6.34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt.6.34

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Matt.7.1

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment.

Matt.7.1

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

Matt.7.1

"Judge not, that you be not judged.

Matt.7.1

"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.

Matt.7.2

That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.

Matt.7.2

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matt.7.2

For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Matt.7.2

For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.

Matt.7.3

It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.

Matt.7.3

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Matt.7.3

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

Matt.7.3

And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?

Matt.7.4

Do you have the nerve to say, "Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt?

Matt.7.4

How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Matt.7.4

Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

Matt.7.4

How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?

Matt.7.5

It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Matt.7.5

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Matt.7.5

Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Matt.7.5

Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

Matt.7.6

"Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege.

Matt.7.6

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Matt.7.6

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Matt.7.6

"Don't give what is holy to unholy people. Don't give pearls to swine! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

Matt.7.7

"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.

Matt.7.7

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matt.7.7

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matt.7.7

"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.

Matt.7.8

This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.

Matt.7.8

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matt.7.8

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Matt.7.8

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

Matt.7.9

If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust?

Matt.7.9

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Matt.7.9

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Matt.7.9

You parents--if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?

Matt.7.10

If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?

Matt.7.10

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

Matt.7.10

Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

Matt.7.10

Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!

Matt.7.11

As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

Matt.7.11

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matt.7.11

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matt.7.11

If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Matt.7.12

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

Matt.7.12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matt.7.12

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matt.7.12

"Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Matt.7.13

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do.

Matt.7.13

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Matt.7.13

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

Matt.7.13

"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.

Matt.7.14

The way to life--to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention.

Matt.7.14

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matt.7.14

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matt.7.14

But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.

Matt.7.15

"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character.

Matt.7.15

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Matt.7.15

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Matt.7.15

"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart.

Matt.7.16

Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.

Matt.7.16

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matt.7.16

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

Matt.7.16

You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles.

Matt.7.17

"Knowing the correct password--saying "Master, Master,' for instance--isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience--doing what my Father wills.

Matt.7.17

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matt.7.17

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matt.7.17

A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit.

Matt.7.18

I can see it now--at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, "Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.'

Matt.7.18

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Matt.7.18

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

Matt.7.18

A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.

Matt.7.19

And do you know what I am going to say? "You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

Matt.7.19

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matt.7.19

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matt.7.19

So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Matt.7.20

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.

Matt.7.20

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Matt.7.20

Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Matt.7.20

Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.

Matt.7.21

Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

Matt.7.21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matt.7.21

"Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matt.7.21

"Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven.

Matt.7.22

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.

Matt.7.22

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

Matt.7.22

Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

Matt.7.22

On judgment day many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.'

Matt.7.23

When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."

Matt.7.23

Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Matt.7.23

And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Matt.7.23

But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized. '