Psalm 40

New International Version

Psalm 40^[a]^(A)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹I waited patiently^(B) for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.^(C)
²He lifted me out of the slimy pit,^(D)
    out of the mud^(E) and mire;^(F)
he set my feet^(G) on a rock^(H)
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
³He put a new song^(I) in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord^(J)
    and put their trust^(K) in him.

⁴Blessed is the one^(L)
    who trusts in the Lord,^(M)
who does not look to the proud,^(N)
    to those who turn aside to false gods.^[b]^(O)
⁵Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders^(P) you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare^(Q) with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many^(R) to declare.

⁶Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—^(S)
    but my ears you have opened^[c]—^(T)
    burnt offerings^(U) and sin offerings^[d] you did not require.
⁷Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.^[e]^(V)
⁸I desire to do your will,^(W) my God;^(X)
    your law is within my heart.”^(Y)

⁹I proclaim your saving acts^(Z) in the great assembly;^(AA)
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.^(AB)
¹⁰I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness^(AC) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.^(AD)

¹¹Do not withhold your mercy^(AE) from me, Lord;
    may your love^(AF) and faithfulness^(AG) always protect^(AH) me.
¹²For troubles^(AI) without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.^(AJ)
They are more than the hairs of my head,^(AK)
    and my heart fails^(AL) within me.
¹³Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.^(AM)

¹⁴May all who want to take my life^(AN)
    be put to shame and confusion;^(AO)
may all who desire my ruin^(AP)
    be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”^(AQ)
    be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶But may all who seek you^(AR)
    rejoice and be glad^(AS) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”^(AT)

¹⁷But as for me, I am poor and needy;^(AU)
may the Lord think^(AV) of me.
You are my help^(AW) and my deliverer;^(AX)
you are my God, do not delay.^(AY)

Footnotes

Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

Colossians 4

New International Version

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

²Devote yourselves to prayer,^(B) being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^(E) ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise^(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(G) make the most of every opportunity.^(H) ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(I) seasoned with salt,^(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(K)

Final Greetings

⁷Tychicus^(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[a]^(M) in the Lord. ⁸I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^(N) ⁹He is coming with Onesimus,^(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(R) the cousin of Barnabas.^(S) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[c] among my co-workers^(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹²Epaphras,^(U) who is one of you^(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(X) and fully assured. ¹³I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(Y) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴Our dear friend Luke,^(Z) the doctor, and Demas^(AA) send greetings. ¹⁵Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(AC)

¹⁶After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷Tell Archippus:^(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(AF)

¹⁸I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(AG) Remember^(AH) my chains.^(AI) Grace be with you.^(AJ)