Book of Common Prayer
So We Don’t Lose Heart In This Ministry Or Its Reception; God Is Shining Through Us
4 For this reason, having this ministry even-as[a] we received-mercy, we do not lose-heart. 2 But we renounced the hidden things of [b] shame, not walking in craftiness[c], nor handling-deceitfully[d] the word of God, but by the open-disclosure of the truth, commending[e] ourselves to every conscience of mankind[f] in the sight of God. 3 And if indeed our good-news is veiled, it is veiled in the ones perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelievers so that they might not see[g] the illumination of the good-news of the glory of Christ— Who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus, 6 because God, the One having said “Light will shine out of darkness”, is He Who shined in our hearts for[h] the illumination of [i] the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
God Is Making Life Known Through Clay Vessels Handed Over To Death
7 But[j] we have this treasure in vessels made-of-clay, in order that the excess[k] of the power may be God’s and not from us— 8 in every way being afflicted[l] but not restrained[m], being perplexed but not utterly-perplexed, 9 being persecuted but not forsaken, being struck down but not perishing; 10 at-all-times carrying-around in our body the dying[n] of Jesus in order that the life of Jesus may also be made-evident[o] in our body. 11 For we the ones living are always being handed-over to death for the sake of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be made-evident in our mortal flesh. 12 So then, death is at-work in us, but life in you.
Some Say Avenge an Eye For an Eye. I Say Do Not Retaliate, But Do The Opposite
38 “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for[a] an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. 39 But I say to you not to resist[b] the evil person. But whoever slaps[c] you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And to the one wanting to sue you and take your tunic[d], permit him also the cloak. 41 And whoever will press you into service[e] for one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from the one wanting to borrow from you.
Some Say Hate Your Enemies. I Say Love Them And Pray For Them
43 “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. 44 But I say to you, be loving your enemies, and be praying for the ones persecuting you, 45 so that you may prove-to-be[f] sons of your Father[g] in the heavens— because He causes His sun to rise upon evil and good ones, and He sends rain upon righteous and unrighteous ones. 46 For if you love the ones loving you, what reward do you have? Are not even the tax-collectors doing the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not even the Gentiles[h] doing the same?
Be Perfect Reflections of Your Heavenly Father
48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing