Matthew 10:16-20
New American Standard Bible
A Hard Road Ahead of Them
16 “(A)Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as (B)wary as serpents, and as (C)innocent as doves. 17 But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the (D)courts and flog you (E)in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 (F)But when they hand you over, (G)do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. 20 For (H)it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking [a]in you.
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- Matthew 10:20 Or by you
Matthew 10:16-20
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be [a]wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and [b]without falsity) as doves.(A)
17 Be on guard against men [whose [c]way or nature is to act in opposition to God]; for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their synagogues,
18 And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to bear testimony before them and to the Gentiles (the nations).
19 But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to say will be given you in that very hour and [d]moment,
20 For it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 10:16 John Wycliffe, The Wycliffe Bible.
- Matthew 10:16 Martin Luther, cited by Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
- Matthew 10:17 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
- Matthew 10:19 James Moulton and George Milligan, The Vocabulary.
Matthew 10:16-20
New Living Translation
16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. 18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.[a] 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
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- 10:18 Or But this will be your testimony against the rulers and other unbelievers.
John 3:33
New American Standard Bible
33 The one who has accepted His testimony (A)has certified that God is true.
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John 3:33
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
33 Whoever receives His testimony has set his seal of approval to this: God is true. [That man has definitely certified, acknowledged, declared once and for all, and is himself assured that it is divine truth that God cannot lie].
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John 3:33
New Living Translation
33 Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.
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Acts 4:33
New American Standard Bible
33 And (A)with great power the apostles were giving (B)testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
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Acts 4:33
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
33 And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.
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Acts 4:33
New Living Translation
33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.
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1 Corinthians 1:4-9
New American Standard Bible
4 (A)I thank [a]my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were (B)enriched in Him, in all (C)speech and (D)all knowledge, 6 just as (E)the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed [b]in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly (F)await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 (G)who will also [c]confirm you to the end, blameless on (H)the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 (I)God is faithful, through whom you were (J)called into (K)fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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- 1 Corinthians 1:4 Two early mss do not contain my
- 1 Corinthians 1:6 Or among
- 1 Corinthians 1:8 Or strengthen
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
4 I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
5 [So] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning].
6 In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you
7 That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [[a]the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all.
8 And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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- 1 Corinthians 1:7 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
New Living Translation
Paul Gives Thanks to God
4 I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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2 Corinthians 1:12
New American Standard Bible
Paul’s Integrity
12 For our [a]proud confidence is this: the testimony of (A)our conscience, that in holiness and (B)godly sincerity, (C)not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
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- 2 Corinthians 1:12 Or source of pride
2 Corinthians 1:12
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
12 It is a reason for pride and exultation to which our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [generally] and especially toward you, with devout and pure motives and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God (the unmerited favor and [a]merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian virtues).
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- 2 Corinthians 1:12 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
2 Corinthians 1:12
New Living Translation
Paul’s Change of Plans
12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness[a] and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
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- 1:12 Some manuscripts read honesty.
2 Thessalonians 1:9-12
New American Standard Bible
9 These people will pay the penalty of (A)eternal destruction, (B)away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be (C)glorified among His [a]saints on that (D)day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our (E)testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we (F)pray for you always, that our God will (G)consider you worthy of your (H)calling, and fulfill every desire for (I)goodness and the (J)work of faith with power, 12 so that the (K)name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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- 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
2 Thessalonians 1:9-12
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
9 Such people will pay the penalty and suffer the punishment of everlasting ruin (destruction and perdition) and eternal exclusion and banishment from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 When He comes to be glorified in His saints [on that day He will be made more glorious in His consecrated people], and [He will] be marveled at and admired [in His glory reflected] in all who have believed [who have adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him], because our witnessing among you was confidently accepted and believed [and confirmed in your lives].
11 With this in view we constantly pray for you, that our God may deem and count you worthy of [your] calling and [His] every gracious purpose of goodness, and with power may complete in [your] every particular work of faith (faith which is that [a]leaning of the whole human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness).
12 Thus may the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified and become more glorious through and in you, and may you [also be glorified] in Him according to the grace (favor and blessing) of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
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- 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.
2 Thessalonians 1:9-12
New Living Translation
9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.[a]
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- 1:12 Or of our God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7-11
New American Standard Bible
7 For God has not given us a (A)spirit of [a]timidity, but of power and love and [b]discipline.
8 Therefore (B)do not be ashamed of the (C)testimony of our Lord or of me (D)His prisoner, but join with me in (E)suffering for the (F)gospel according to the power of God, 9 who (G)saved us and (H)called us with a holy (I)calling, (J)not according to our works, but according to His own (K)purpose and grace, which was granted to us in (L)Christ Jesus from (M)all eternity, 10 but has (N)now been revealed by the (O)appearing of our Savior (P)Christ Jesus, who (Q)abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 (R)for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
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- 2 Timothy 1:7 Or cowardice
- 2 Timothy 1:7 Or sound judgment
2 Timothy 1:7-11
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
8 Do not blush or be ashamed then, to testify to and for our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake, but [[a]with me] take your share of the suffering [to which the preaching] of the Gospel [may expose you, and do it] in the power of God.
9 [For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].
10 [It is that purpose and grace] which He now has made known and has fully disclosed and made real [to us] through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who annulled death and made it of no effect and brought life and immortality (immunity from eternal death) to light through the Gospel.
11 For [the proclaiming of] this [Gospel] I was appointed a herald (preacher) and an apostle (special messenger) and a teacher of the Gentiles.
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- 2 Timothy 1:8 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.
2 Timothy 1:7-11
New Living Translation
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
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Hebrews 10:14-25
New American Standard Bible
14 For by one offering He has (A)perfected (B)for all time those who are [a]sanctified. 15 And (C)the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
16 “(D)This is the covenant which I will make with them
After those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws upon their hearts,
And write them on their mind,”
He then says,
17 “(E)And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will no longer remember.”
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.
A New and Living Way
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we (F)have confidence to (G)enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by (H)a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through (I)the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have (J)a great priest (K)over the house of God, 22 let’s (L)approach God with a [b]sincere heart in (M)full assurance of faith, having our hearts (N)sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies (O)washed with pure water. 23 Let’s hold firmly to the (P)confession of our (Q)hope without wavering, for (R)He who promised is faithful; 24 and let’s consider how (S)to [c]encourage one another in love and (T)good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own (U)meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but (V)encouraging one another; and all the more as you see (W)the day drawing near.
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- Hebrews 10:14 Or being sanctified
- Hebrews 10:22 Lit true
- Hebrews 10:24 Or stir up
Hebrews 10:14-25
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.
15 And also the Holy Spirit adds His testimony to us [in confirmation of this]. For having said,
16 This is the agreement (testament, covenant) that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds (on their inmost thoughts and understanding),
17 He then goes on to say, And their sins and their lawbreaking I will remember no more.(A)
18 Now where there is absolute remission (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty) of these [sins and lawbreaking], there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin.
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus,
20 By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh,
21 And since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God,
22 Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by [a]that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.
23 So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the [b]hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.
24 And let us consider and give [c]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,
25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
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- Hebrews 10:22 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon.
- Hebrews 10:23 William Tyndale, The Tyndale Bible, Miles Coverdale, The Coverdale Bible, and others.
- Hebrews 10:24 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
Hebrews 10:14-25
New Living Translation
14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,
16 “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day,[a] says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”[b]
17 Then he says,
“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.”[c]
18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.
A Call to Persevere
19 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[d] we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death,[e] Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
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- 10:16a Greek after those days.
- 10:16b Jer 31:33a.
- 10:17 Jer 31:34b.
- 10:19 Greek brothers.
- 10:20 Greek Through his flesh.
Hebrews 12:1-3
New American Standard Bible
Jesus, the Example
12 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s (A)rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s (B)run with (C)endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the [a](D)originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him (E)endured the cross, (F)despising the shame, and has (G)sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For (H)consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [b](I)and lose heart.
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- Hebrews 12:2 Or leader
- Hebrews 12:3 Lit fainting in your souls
Hebrews 12:1-3
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
12 Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(A)
3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.
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Hebrews 12:1-3
New Living Translation
God’s Discipline Proves His Love
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[a] Because of the joy[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;[c] then you won’t become weary and give up.
Read full chapterNew American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
