Zeph.1.1

GOD's Message to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. It came during the reign of Josiah son of Amon, who was king of Judah:

Zeph.1.1

The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:

Zeph.1.1

The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

Zeph.1.1

The LORD gave these messages to Zephaniah when Josiah son of Amon was king of Judah. Zephaniah was the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah.

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"I'm going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning." GOD's Decree.

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"I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the LORD.

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"I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land," Says the LORD;

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"I will sweep away everything in all your land," says the LORD.

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"Men and women and animals, including birds and fish--Anything and everything that causes sin--will go, but especially people. [JC]

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"I will sweep away both men and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. The wicked will have only heaps of rubble when I cut off man from the face of the earth," declares the LORD.

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"I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land," Says the LORD.

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"I will sweep away both people and animals alike. Even the birds of the air and the fish in the sea will die. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, along with the rest of humanity," says the LORD.

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"I'll start with Judah and everybody who lives in Jerusalem. I'll sweep the place clean of every trace of the sex-and-religion Baal shrines and their priests.

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"I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests-

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"I will stretch out My hand against Judah, And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, The names of the idolatrous priests with the pagan priests--

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"I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship. I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.

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I'll get rid of the people who sneak up to their rooftops at night to worship the star gods and goddesses; Also those who continue to worship GOD but cover their bases by worshiping other king-gods as well;

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those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the LORD and who also swear by Molech,

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Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by the LORD, But who also swear by Milcom;

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For they go up to their roofs and bow to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the LORD, but then they worship Molech, too. So now I will destroy them!

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Not to mention those who've dumped GOD altogether, no longer giving him a thought or offering a prayer. [JC]

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those who turn back from following the LORD and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.

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Those who have turned back from following the LORD, And have not sought the LORD, nor inquired of Him."

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And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do. They no longer ask for the LORD's guidance or seek my blessings."

Zeph.1.7

"Quiet now! Reverent silence before me, GOD, the Master! Time's up. My Judgment Day is near: The Holy Day is all set, the invited guests made holy.

Zeph.1.7

Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

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Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; For the day of the LORD is at hand, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.

Zeph.1.7

Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign LORD, for the awesome day of the LORD's judgment has come. The LORD has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners.

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On the Holy Day, GOD's Judgment Day, I will punish the leaders and the royal sons; I will punish those who dress up like foreign priests and priestesses,

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On the day of the LORD's sacrifice I will punish the princes and the king's sons and all those clad in foreign clothes.

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"And it shall be, In the day of the LORD's sacrifice, That I will punish the princes and the king's children, And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.

Zeph.1.8

"On that day of judgment," says the LORD, "I will punish the leaders and princes of Judah and all those following pagan customs.

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Who introduce pagan prayers and practices; And I'll punish all who import pagan superstitions that turn holy places into hellholes.

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On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold, who fill the temple of their gods with violence and deceit.

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In the same day I will punish All those who leap over the threshold, Who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

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Yes, I will punish those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies, and those who steal and kill to fill their masters' homes with loot.

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Judgment Day!" GOD's Decree! "Cries of panic from the city's Fish Gate, Cries of terror from the city's Second Quarter, sounds of great crashing from the hills!

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"On that day," declares the LORD, "a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills.

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"And there shall be on that day," says the LORD, "The sound of a mournful cry from the Fish Gate, A wailing from the Second Quarter, And a loud crashing from the hills.

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"On that day," says the LORD, "a cry of alarm will come from the Fish Gate and echo throughout the newer Mishneh section of the city. And a great crashing sound will come from the surrounding hills.

Zeph.1.11

Wail, you shopkeepers on Market Street! Moneymaking has had its day. The god Money is dead.

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Wail, you who live in the market district; all your merchants will be wiped out, all who trade with silver will be ruined.

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Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! For all the merchant people are cut down; All those who handle money are cut off.

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Wail in sorrow, all you who live in the market area, for all who buy and sell there will die.

Zeph.1.12

On Judgment Day, I'll search through every closet and alley in Jerusalem. I'll find and punish those who are sitting it out, fat and lazy, amusing themselves and taking it easy, Who think, "GOD doesn't do anything, good or bad. He isn't involved, so neither are we.'

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At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.'

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"And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, "The LORD will not do good, Nor will He do evil.'

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"I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem's darkest corners to find and punish those who sit contented in their sins, indifferent to the LORD, thinking he will do nothing at all to them.

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But just wait. They'll lose everything they have, money and house and land. They'll build a house and never move in. They'll plant vineyards and never taste the wine.

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Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. They will build houses but not live in them; they will plant vineyards but not drink the wine.

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Therefore their goods shall become booty, And their houses a desolation; They shall build houses, but not inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards, but not drink their wine."

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They are the very ones whose property will be plundered by the enemy, whose homes will be ransacked. They will never have a chance to live in the new homes they have built. They will never drink wine from the vineyards they have planted.

Zeph.1.14

"The Great Judgment Day of GOD is almost here. It's countdown time:... seven, six, five, four... Bitter and noisy cries on my Judgment Day, even strong men screaming for help.

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"The great day of the LORD is near- near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there.

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The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out.

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"That terrible day of the LORD is near. Swiftly it comes--a day when strong men will cry bitterly.

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Judgment Day is payday--my anger paid out: a day of distress and anguish, a day of catastrophic doom, a day of darkness at noon, a day of black storm clouds,

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That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,

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That day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness,

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It is a day when the LORD's anger will be poured out. It is a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, of clouds, blackness,

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a day of bloodcurdling war cries, as forts are assaulted, as defenses are smashed.

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a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.

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A day of trumpet and alarm Against the fortified cities And against the high towers.

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trumpet calls, and battle cries. Down go the walled cities and strongest battlements!

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I'll make things so bad they won't know what hit them. They'll walk around groping like the blind. They've sinned against GOD! Their blood will be poured out like old dishwater, their guts shoveled into slop buckets.

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I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth.

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"I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, Because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, And their flesh like refuse."

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"Because you have sinned against the LORD, I will make you as helpless as a blind man searching for a path. Your blood will be poured out into the dust, and your bodies will lie there rotting on the ground."

Zeph.1.18

Don't plan on buying your way out. Your money is worthless for this. This is the Day of GOD's Judgment--my wrath! I care about sin with fiery passion--A fire to burn up the corrupted world, a wildfire finish to the corrupting people."

Zeph.1.18

Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD's wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth."

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Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the LORD's wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His jealousy, For He will make speedy riddance Of all those who dwell in the land.

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Your silver and gold will be of no use to you on that day of the LORD's anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth.

Zeph.2.1

So get yourselves together. Shape up! You're a nation without a clue about what it wants.

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Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation,

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Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation,

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Gather together and pray, you shameless nation.

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Do it before you're blown away like leaves in a windstorm, Before GOD's Judgment-anger sweeps down on you, Before GOD's Judgment Day wrath descends with full force. [JC]

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before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.

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Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD's anger comes upon you!

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Gather while there is still time, before judgment begins and your opportunity is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD's anger begins.

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Seek GOD, all you quietly disciplined people who live by GOD's justice. Seek GOD's right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you'll be hidden on the Day of GOD's anger.

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Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

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Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger.

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Beg the LORD to save you--all you who are humble, all you who uphold justice. Walk humbly and do what is right. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.

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Gaza is scheduled for demolition, Ashdod will be cleaned out by high noon, Ekron pulled out by the roots.

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Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted.

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For Gaza shall be forsaken, And Ashkelon desolate; They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, And Ekron shall be uprooted.

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Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron--these Philistine cities, too, will be rooted out and left in desolation.

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Doom to the seaside people, the seafaring people from Crete! The Word of GOD is bad news for you who settled Canaan, the Philistine country: "You're slated for destruction--no survivors!" [JC]

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Woe to you who live by the sea, O Kerethite people; the word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines. "I will destroy you, and none will be left."

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Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: "I will destroy you; So there shall be no inhabitant."

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And how terrible it will be for you Philistines who live along the coast and in the land of Canaan, for this judgment is against you, too! The LORD will destroy you until not one of you is left.

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The lands of the seafarers will become pastureland, A country for shepherds and sheep.

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The land by the sea, where the Kerethites dwell, will be a place for shepherds and sheep pens.

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The seacoast shall be pastures, With shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks.

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The coastal area will become a pasture, a place of shepherd camps and enclosures for sheep.

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What's left of the family of Judah will get it. Day after day they'll pasture by the sea, and go home in the evening to Ashkelon to sleep. Their very own GOD will look out for them. He'll make things as good as before. [JC]

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It will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The LORD their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes.

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The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; They shall feed their flocks there; In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will intervene for them, And return their captives.

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The few survivors of the tribe of Judah will pasture there. They will lie down to rest in the abandoned houses in Ashkelon. For the LORD their God will visit his people in kindness and restore their prosperity again.

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"I've heard the crude taunts of Moab, the mockeries flung by Ammon, The cruel talk they've used to put down my people, their self-important strutting along Israel's borders.

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"I have heard the insults of Moab and the taunts of the Ammonites, who insulted my people and made threats against their land.

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"I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the insults of the people of Ammon, With which they have reproached My people, And made arrogant threats against their borders.

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"I have heard the taunts of the people of Moab and Ammon, mocking my people and invading their borders.

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Therefore, as sure as I am the living God," says GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's personal God, "Moab will become a ruin like Sodom, Ammon a ghost town like Gomorrah, One a field of rocks, the other a sterile salt flat, a moonscape forever. What's left of my people will finish them off, will pick them clean and take over.

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Therefore, as surely as I live," declares the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, "surely Moab will become like Sodom, the Ammonites like Gomorrah- a place of weeds and salt pits, a wasteland forever. The remnant of my people will plunder them; the survivors of my nation will inherit their land."

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Therefore, as I live," Says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, And the people of Ammon like Gomorrah-- Overrun with weeds and saltpits, And a perpetual desolation. The residue of My people shall plunder them, And the remnant of My people shall possess them."

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Now, as surely as I live," says the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, "Moab and Ammon will be destroyed as completely as Sodom and Gomorrah. Their land will become a place of stinging nettles, salt pits, and eternal desolation. Those of my people who are left will plunder them and take their land."

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This is what they get for their bloated pride, their taunts and mockeries of the people of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.

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This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the LORD Almighty.

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This they shall have for their pride, Because they have reproached and made arrogant threats Against the people of the LORD of hosts.

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They will receive the wages of their pride, for they have scoffed at the people of the LORD Almighty.

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GOD will be seen as truly terrible--a Holy Terror. All earth-made gods will shrivel up and blow away; And everyone, wherever they are, far or near, will fall to the ground and worship him.

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The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.

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The LORD will be awesome to them, For He will reduce to nothing all the gods of the earth; People shall worship Him, Each one from his place, Indeed all the shores of the nations.

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The LORD will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. Then people from nations around the world will worship the LORD, each in their own land.

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Also you Ethiopians, you too will die--I'll see to it." [JC]

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"You too, O Cushites, will be slain by my sword."

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"You Ethiopians also, You shall be slain by My sword."

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"You Ethiopians will also be slaughtered by my sword," says the LORD.

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Then GOD will reach into the north and destroy Assyria. He will waste Nineveh, leave her dry and treeless as a desert.

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He will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert.

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And He will stretch out His hand against the north, Destroy Assyria, And make Nineveh a desolation, As dry as the wilderness.

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And the LORD will strike the lands of the north with his fist. He will destroy Assyria and make its great capital, Nineveh, a desolate wasteland, parched like a desert.

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The ghost town of a city, the haunt of wild animals, Nineveh will be home to raccoons and coyotes--they'll bed down in its ruins. Owls will hoot in the windows, ravens will croak in the doorways--all that fancy woodwork now a perch for birds.

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Flocks and herds will lie down there, creatures of every kind. The desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns. Their calls will echo through the windows, rubble will be in the doorways, the beams of cedar will be exposed.

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The herds shall lie down in her midst, Every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; Their voice shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be at the threshold; For He will lay bare the cedar work.

Zeph.2.14

The city that once was so proud will become a pasture for sheep and cattle. All sorts of wild animals will settle there. Owls of many kinds will live among the ruins of its palaces, hooting from the gaping windows. Rubble will block all the doorways, and the cedar paneling will lie open to the wind and weather.

Zeph.2.15

Can this be the famous Fun City that had it made, That boasted, "I'm the Number-One City! I'm King of the Mountain!" So why is the place deserted, a lair for wild animals? Passersby hardly give it a look; they dismiss it with a gesture.

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This is the carefree city that lived in safety. She said to herself, "I am, and there is none besides me." What a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.

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This is the rejoicing city That dwelt securely, That said in her heart, "I am it, and there is none besides me." How has she become a desolation, A place for beasts to lie down! Everyone who passes by her Shall hiss and shake his fist.

Zeph.2.15

This is the fate of that boisterous city, once so secure. "In all the world there is no city as great as I," it boasted. But now, look how it has become an utter ruin, a place where animals live! Everyone passing that way will laugh in derision or shake a defiant fist.

Zeph.3.1

Doom to the rebellious city, the home of oppressors--Sewer City!

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Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!

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Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, To the oppressing city!

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How terrible it will be for rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime.

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The city that wouldn't take advice, wouldn't accept correction, Wouldn't trust GOD, wouldn't even get close to her own god!

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She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God.

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She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the LORD, She has not drawn near to her God.

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It proudly refuses to listen even to the voice of the LORD. No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God.

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Her very own leaders are rapacious lions, Her judges are rapacious timber wolves out every morning prowling for a fresh kill.

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Her officials are roaring lions, her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning.

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Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are evening wolves That leave not a bone till morning.

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Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims--out for everything they can get. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.

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Her prophets are out for what they can get. They're opportunists--you can't trust them. Her priests desecrate the Sanctuary. They use God's law as a weapon to maim and kill souls.

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Her prophets are arrogant; they are treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.

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Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, They have done violence to the law.

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Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God's laws.

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Yet GOD remains righteous in her midst, untouched by the evil. He stays at it, day after day, meting out justice. At evening he's still at it, strong as ever. But evil men and women, without conscience and without shame, persist in evil. [JC]

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The LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.

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The LORD is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame.

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But the LORD is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day his justice is more evident, but no one takes notice--the wicked know no shame.

Zeph.3.6

"So I cut off the godless nations. I knocked down their defense posts, Filled her roads with rubble so no one could get through. Her cities were bombed-out ruins, unlivable and unlived in.

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"I have cut off nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are destroyed; no one will be left-no one at all.

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"I have cut off nations, Their fortresses are devastated; I have made their streets desolate, With none passing by. Their cities are destroyed; There is no one, no inhabitant.

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"I have wiped out many nations, devastating their fortress walls and towers. Their cities are now deserted; their streets are in silent ruin. There are no survivors to even tell what happened.

Zeph.3.7

"I thought, "Surely she'll honor me now, accept my discipline and correction, Find a way of escape from the trouble she's in, find relief from the punishment I'm bringing.' But it didn't faze her. Bright and early she was up at it again, doing the same old things.

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I said to the city, 'Surely you will fear me and accept correction!' Then her dwelling would not be cut off, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.

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I said, "Surely you will fear Me, You will receive instruction'-- So that her dwelling would not be cut off, Despite everything for which I punished her. But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.

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I thought, `Surely they will have reverence for me now! Surely they will listen to my warnings, so I won't need to strike again.' But no; however much I punish them, they continue their evil practices from dawn till dusk and dusk till dawn."

Zeph.3.8

"Well, if that's what you want, stick around." GOD's Decree. "Your day in court is coming, but remember I'll be there to bring evidence. I'll bring all the nations to the courtroom, round up all the kingdoms, And let them feel the brunt of my anger, my raging wrath. My zeal is a fire that will purge and purify the earth.

Zeph.3.8

Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them- all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.

Zeph.3.8

"Therefore wait for Me," says the LORD, "Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination is to gather the nations To My assembly of kingdoms, To pour on them My indignation, All My fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured With the fire of My jealousy.

Zeph.3.8

So now the LORD says: "Be patient; the time is coming soon when I will stand up and accuse these evil nations. For it is my decision to gather together the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.

Zeph.3.9

"In the end I will turn things around for the people. I'll give them a language undistorted, unpolluted, Words to address GOD in worship and, united, to serve me with their shoulders to the wheel.

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"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

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"For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one accord.

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"On that day I will purify the lips of all people, so that everyone will be able to worship the LORD together.

Zeph.3.10

They'll come from beyond the Ethiopian rivers, they'll come praying--All my scattered, exiled people will come home with offerings for worship.

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From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.

Zeph.3.10

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering.

Zeph.3.10

My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia will come to present their offerings.

Zeph.3.11

You'll no longer have to be ashamed of all those acts of rebellion. I'll have gotten rid of your arrogant leaders. No more pious strutting on my holy hill!

Zeph.3.11

On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.

Zeph.3.11

In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds In which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice in your pride, And you shall no longer be haughty In My holy mountain.

Zeph.3.11

And then you will no longer need to be ashamed of yourselves, for you will no longer be rebels against me. I will remove all the proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no pride on my holy mountain.

Zeph.3.12

I'll leave a core of people among you who are poor in spirit--What's left of Israel that's really Israel. They'll make their home in GOD.

Zeph.3.12

But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.

Zeph.3.12

I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

Zeph.3.12

Those who are left will be the lowly and the humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD.

Zeph.3.13

This core holy people will not do wrong. They won't lie, won't use words to flatter or seduce. Content with who they are and where they are, unanxious, they'll live at peace." [JC]

Zeph.3.13

The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid."

Zeph.3.13

The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid."

Zeph.3.13

The people of Israel who survive will do no wrong to each other, never telling lies or deceiving one another. They will live peaceful lives, lying down to sleep in safety; there will be no one to make them afraid."

Zeph.3.14

So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise the rafters, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! celebrate!

Zeph.3.14

Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!

Zeph.3.14

Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Zeph.3.14

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Zeph.3.15

GOD has reversed his judgments against you and sent your enemies off chasing their tails. From now on, GOD is Israel's king, in charge at the center. There's nothing to fear from evil ever again!

Zeph.3.15

The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.

Zeph.3.15

The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.

Zeph.3.15

For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will fear disaster no more.

Zeph.3.16

Jerusalem will be told: "Don't be afraid. Dear Zion, don't despair.

Zeph.3.16

On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

Zeph.3.16

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.

Zeph.3.16

On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid!

Zeph.3.17

Your GOD is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. [JC]

Zeph.3.17

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zeph.3.17

The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zeph.3.17

For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."

Zeph.3.18

"The accumulated sorrows of your exile will dissipate. I, your God, will get rid of them for you. You've carried those burdens long enough.

Zeph.3.18

"The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.

Zeph.3.18

"I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, Who are among you, To whom its reproach is a burden.

Zeph.3.18

"I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more.

Zeph.3.19

At the same time, I'll get rid of all those who've made your life miserable. I'll heal the maimed; I'll bring home the homeless. In the very countries where they were hated they will be venerated.

Zeph.3.19

At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame.

Zeph.3.19

Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.

Zeph.3.19

And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and renown to my former exiles, who have been mocked and shamed.

Zeph.3.20

On Judgment Day I'll bring you back home--a great family gathering! You'll be famous and honored all over the world. You'll see it with your own eyes--all those painful partings turned into reunions!" GOD's Promise.

Zeph.3.20

At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.

Zeph.3.20

At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes," Says the LORD.

Zeph.3.20

On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction among all the nations of the earth. They will praise you as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Phil.1.1

Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the Christians in Philippi, pastors and ministers included.

Phil.1.1

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Phil.1.1

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Phil.1.1

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons.

Phil.1.2

We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

Phil.1.2

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil.1.2

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil.1.2

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Phil.1.3

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.

Phil.1.3

I thank my God every time I remember you.

Phil.1.3

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Phil.1.3

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Phil.1.4

Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.

Phil.1.4

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

Phil.1.4

always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

Phil.1.4

I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy

Phil.1.5

I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present.

Phil.1.5

because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

Phil.1.5

for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

Phil.1.5

because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

Phil.1.6

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

Phil.1.6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil.1.6

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Phil.1.6

And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

Phil.1.7

It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God.

Phil.1.7

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.

Phil.1.7

just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

Phil.1.7

It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News.

Phil.1.8

He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

Phil.1.8

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Phil.1.8

For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Phil.1.8

God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

Phil.1.9

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings

Phil.1.9

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

Phil.1.9

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

Phil.1.9

I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding.

Phil.1.10

so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of:

Phil.1.10

so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

Phil.1.10

that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

Phil.1.10

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.

Phil.1.11

bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

Phil.1.11

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

Phil.1.11

being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Phil.1.11

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Phil.1.12

I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered.

Phil.1.12

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Phil.1.12

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

Phil.1.12

And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

Phil.1.13

All the soldiers here, and everyone else too, found out that I'm in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they've learned all about him.

Phil.1.13

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Phil.1.13

so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

Phil.1.13

For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.

Phil.1.14

Not only that, but most of the Christians here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.

Phil.1.14

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Phil.1.14

and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Phil.1.14

And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.

Phil.1.15

It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world.

Phil.1.15

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

Phil.1.15

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:

Phil.1.15

Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.

Phil.1.16

One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help.

Phil.1.16

The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Phil.1.16

The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

Phil.1.16

They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News.

Phil.1.17

The others, now that I'm out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better--they think--for them.

Phil.1.17

The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

Phil.1.17

but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

Phil.1.17

Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

Phil.1.18

So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on! And I'm going to keep that celebration going

Phil.1.18

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Phil.1.18

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Phil.1.18

But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.

Phil.1.19

because I know how it's going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done.

Phil.1.19

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Phil.1.19

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Phil.1.19

For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance.

Phil.1.20

I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit!

Phil.1.20

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Phil.1.20

according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

Phil.1.20

For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.

Phil.1.21

Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose.

Phil.1.21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Phil.1.21

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Phil.1.21

For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better.

Phil.1.22

As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose.

Phil.1.22

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

Phil.1.22

But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.

Phil.1.22

Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better.

Phil.1.23

Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better

Phil.1.23

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Phil.1.23

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Phil.1.23

I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me,

Phil.1.24

. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here.

Phil.1.24

but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Phil.1.24

Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Phil.1.24

but it is better for you that I live.

Phil.1.25

So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues.

Phil.1.25

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

Phil.1.25

And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

Phil.1.25

I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith.

Phil.1.26

You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.

Phil.1.26

so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Phil.1.26

that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Phil.1.26

Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me.

Prov.23.29

Who are the people who are always crying the blues? Who do you know who reeks of self-pity? Who keeps getting beat up for no reason at all? Whose eyes are bleary and bloodshot?

Prov.23.29

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Prov.23.29

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

Prov.23.29

Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Prov.23.30

It's those who spend the night with a bottle, for whom drinking is serious business.

Prov.23.30

Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

Prov.23.30

Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine.

Prov.23.30

It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.

Prov.23.31

Don't judge wine by its label, or its bouquet, or its full-bodied flavor.

Prov.23.31

Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

Prov.23.31

Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly;

Prov.23.31

Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you.

Prov.23.32

Judge it rather by the hangover it leaves you with--the splitting headache, the queasy stomach.

Prov.23.32

In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Prov.23.32

At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.

Prov.23.32

For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper.

Prov.23.33

Do you really prefer seeing double, with your speech all slurred,

Prov.23.33

Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.

Prov.23.33

Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things.

Prov.23.33

You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.

Prov.23.34

Reeling and seasick, drunk as a sailor?

Prov.23.34

You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

Prov.23.34

Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

Prov.23.34

You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.

Prov.23.35

"They hit me," you'll say, "but it didn't hurt; they beat on me, but I didn't feel a thing. When I'm sober enough to manage it, bring me another drink!"

Prov.23.35

"They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"

Prov.23.35

"They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?|"

Prov.23.35

And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can have another drink?"

Prov.24.1

Don't envy bad people; don't even want to be around them.

Prov.24.1

Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company;

Prov.24.1

Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;

Prov.24.1

Don't envy evil people; don't desire their company.

Prov.24.2

All they think about is causing a disturbance; all they talk about is making trouble.

Prov.24.2

for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.

Prov.24.2

For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.

Prov.24.2

For they spend their days plotting violence, and their words are always stirring up trouble.

Prov.24.3

It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation;

Prov.24.3

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;

Prov.24.3

Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;

Prov.24.3

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.

Prov.24.4

It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.

Prov.24.4

through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Prov.24.4

By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

Prov.24.4

Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.