32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

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I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband,(A) to Christ, so that I might present you(B) as a pure virgin to him.

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I saw the Holy City,(A) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,(B) prepared as a bride(C) beautifully dressed for her husband.

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My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(A) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(B) of God, namely, Christ,

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No longer will they call you Deserted,(A)
    or name your land Desolate.(B)
But you will be called Hephzibah,[a](C)
    and your land Beulah[b];
for the Lord will take delight(D) in you,
    and your land will be married.(E)
As a young man marries a young woman,
    so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom(F) rejoices over his bride,
    so will your God rejoice(G) over you.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 62:4 Hephzibah means my delight is in her.
  2. Isaiah 62:4 Beulah means married.

For your Maker(A) is your husband(B)
    the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One(C) of Israel is your Redeemer;(D)
    he is called the God of all the earth.(E)

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Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!(A)
For the wedding of the Lamb(B) has come,
    and his bride(C) has made herself ready.
Fine linen,(D) bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts(E) of God’s holy people.)

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29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom.(A) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.(B)

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16 Beyond all question, the mystery(A) from which true godliness(B) springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,(C)
    was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,(D)
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

Daughters of kings(A) are among your honored women;
    at your right hand(B) is the royal bride(C) in gold of Ophir.(D)

10 Listen, daughter,(E) and pay careful attention:(F)
    Forget your people(G) and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;(H)
    honor(I) him, for he is your lord.(J)
12 The city of Tyre(K) will come with a gift,[a](L)
    people of wealth will seek your favor.
13 All glorious(M) is the princess within her chamber;
    her gown is interwoven with gold.(N)
14 In embroidered garments(O) she is led to the king;(P)
    her virgin companions(Q) follow her—
    those brought to be with her.
15 Led in with joy and gladness,(R)
    they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
    you will make them princes(S) throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;(T)
    therefore the nations will praise you(U) for ever and ever.(V)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 45:12 Or A Tyrian robe is among the gifts

19 Pray also for me,(A) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(B) make known the mystery(C) of the gospel,

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In the same way, deacons[a](A) are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine,(B) and not pursuing dishonest gain.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.

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