Psalm 30

Joy in the Morning

A psalm; a dedication song for the house. Of David.

Who Is the Greatest?

18 At that time^[a](A) the disciples^(B) came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ^{(C) 2} He called a small child and had him stand among them. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children,^(D) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.^{(E) 4} Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes^[b] one child like this in my name welcomes me.

⁶ “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.^{(F) 7} Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes.^{(G) 8} If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.^{(H) 9} And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.^[c](I)

The Purpose of the Law

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given?^(A) It was added for the sake of transgressions^[a] until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels^(B) by means of a mediator.^{(C) 20} Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.^{(D) 21} Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. ²² But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power,^[b](E) so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith^(F) in Jesus Christ to those who believe.^{(G) 23} Before this faith^(H) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.^{(I) 24} The law, then, was our guardian until Christ,^(J) so that we could be justified by faith. ²⁵ But since that faith^(K) has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.

Sons and Heirs

²⁷ For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.^{(L) 28} There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,^(M) male and female;^(N) since you are all one^(O) in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs^(P) according to the promise.^(Q)

4 Now I say that as long as the heir^(R) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(S) of everything. ² Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements^[c] of the world.^{(T) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,^(U) born of a woman,^(V) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(W) 6} And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(X) into our^[d] hearts, crying, “Abba,^[e] Father!” ^{(Y) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(Z) but a son,^(AA) and if a son, then God has made you an heir.^(AB)