Trouble Getting Back To Sleep (1 Hour Of Bible Reading)

This track is a calm, continuous reading of selected New Testament passages designed to help you relax and get back to sleep. The scriptures focus on peace, reassurance, and steady guidance, read in a gentle and even tone. There is no commentary or interruption, allowing your mind to settle as you listen. You can unwind quietly or let the reading continue as you drift into restful sleep.

Transcript

Matthew 5 Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, And He sat down. His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth, And He taught them, Saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, For they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, Persecute you, And say all kinds of false, Evil things against you because of me. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad. For great is your reward in heaven, For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, But if the salt has lost its flavor, With what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, Except to be thrown out and trampled under men's feet. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can't be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a basket, But instead you put it on a stand, And it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, Let your light shine before men, So that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Don't think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, But to fulfill them. For definitely, I tell you, Until heaven and earth pass away, Not even the smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke will pass away from the law, Until all things are fulfilled. So, Whoever breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to do so, Will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever will do and teach them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the teachers of the law and Pharisees, There is no way you will enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, You shall not murder, And whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever speaks harshly to his brother saying, You idiot, Will be in danger of the court. Whoever says, You fool, Will be in danger of the fire of hell. So, If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you, Leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First, Be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Come to agreement with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way to court, Before the prosecutor hands you over to the judge and the judge hands you over to the officer and you are thrown into prison. Most definitely, I tell you, You will not get out of there until you have paid the last penny of the fine. You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that everyone who lusts after a woman in his heart has already committed adultery with her. If your right eye causes you to sin, Pluck it out and throw it away, For it is better for you that one part of your body should perish than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, Cut it off and throw it away, For it is better for you that one part of your body should perish than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife, Let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, Except in the case of adultery, Makes her an adulteress, And whoever marries her when she is divorced commits adultery. Again, You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, You shall not break your promises, But keep your vows to the Lord. But I tell you, Don't swear an oath at all, Not by heaven, For it is the throne of God, Or by the earth, For it is the footstool of his feet, Or by Jerusalem, For it is the city of the great king. Don't swear by your head, For you can't make one hair white or black, But let your yes be yes and your no be no. Anything more than this is of the evil one. You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, Don't resist an evil person. If he strikes you on your right cheek, Turn to him the left cheek also. If anyone sues you to take away your shirt, Let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, Go two miles with him. Give to the one who asks of you, And don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, You are to love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who mistreat and persecute you, So that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his son to rise on the evil and the good, And sends his reign on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, What reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do that? If you only greet your friends, What more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do that? So, You are to be perfect, Just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 6 Be careful that you don't do your acts of righteousness and charity just to be seen by people, Or else you'll have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you do righteous acts, Don't blow a trumpet to call attention to yourself, As the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, So that they will be praised by people. Most certainly, I tell you, That is the only reward they will receive. But when you do righteous acts, Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, So that your righteous acts are done in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly. When you pray, Don't be like the hypocrites, Because they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, So that they may be seen by people. Most definitely, I tell you, That is the only reward they will receive. But when you pray, Enter into your private room and shut the door. Then pray to your Father in secret, And your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly. When you are praying, Don't use vain repetitions like the Gentiles do, For they think that they will be heard because of their many words. So, Don't be like them, Because your Father knows what things you need before you ask Him. Pray like this, Our Father in heaven, May your name be honored. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Don't let us be led into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, The power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive others when they sin, Your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive others, Neither will your Father forgive you. Furthermore, When you fast, Don't be like the hypocrites who put on sad faces, For they make faces so that others will see that they are fasting. Most definitely, I tell you, That is the only reward they will receive. But you, When you fast, Make yourself presentable and wash your face, So that your fasting is not seen by others, But it will be by your Father who sees what is done in secret, And He will reward you. Don't store up treasures for yourself on the earth, Where moth and rust consume and where thieves break through and steal. But store up for yourself treasures in heaven, Where neither moth nor rust consume, And where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, There your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, Your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, Your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light that is in you is darkness, How great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters, For either he will hate the one and love the other, Or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and money. So, I tell you, Don't be worried about your life, What you will eat or what you will drink, Or for your body, What you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, That they don't plant, Harvest, Or store food in barns. Your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they are? Which of you by worrying can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you worried about clothing? Think about how the lilies of the field grow. They don't work, Neither do they make clothes. Yet I tell you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not dressed as nice as one of these. But if God clothes the grass of the field, Which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, Won't he much more clothe you, You of little faith? So, Don't be worried saying, What will we eat? What will we drink? Or what will we wear? For the Gentiles search after all of these things, But your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, And all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, Don't be worried about tomorrow. For tomorrow will have its own worries, But each day's own trouble is enough. Matthew 7 Don't judge so that you won't be judged. For however you judge, You will be judged in the same way. And with whatever measure you measure, It will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is on your brother's eye, But don't consider the log that is in your own eye? How will you tell your brother, Let me remove the speck from your eye, When there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First, Remove the log from your eye, And then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye. Don't give that which is holy to dogs, And don't throw your pearls to pigs, Because they may trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces. Ask, And it will be given to you. Seek, And you will find. Knock, And the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, Receives. He who seeks, Finds. To him who knocks, The door will be opened. Who among you, If your son asks for bread, Will give him a stone instead? Or if he asks for a fish, Will give him a snake? If you then, Being evil, Know how to give good gifts to your children, How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him? So, Whatever you want other people to do to you, You also do it to them. For this summarizes the law in the prophets. Enter in through the narrow gate, For the gate that leads to destruction is wide, And the way is broad, And there are many who enter in by it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow, And the way is difficult. There are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, Who come to you in sheep's clothing, But inwardly are vicious wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorn bushes, Or figs from thistles? In the same way, Every good tree produces good fruit, But a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, Neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So, By their fruits, You will know them. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, Will enter the kingdom of heaven, But he who does the will of my Father, Who is in heaven, Will. Many will tell me on that day, Lord, Lord, In your name, Didn't we prophesy, Cast out demons, And do many great works? Then I will tell them, I never knew you, Leave me, You lawbreakers. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, The floods came, And the winds blew and beat on that house, But it didn't fall, For it was built on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, The floods came, And the winds blew and beat on that house, And it fell, And it was completely destroyed. When Jesus finished saying these things, The crowds were astonished at his teaching, For he taught them with authority and not like the experts in the law. Matthew 11 When Jesus had finished instructing his 12 disciples, He left there to teach and preach in their cities. Now, When John, Who was in prison, Heard about the works of Christ, He sent two of his disciples to ask him, Are you the one who comes or should we look for another? Jesus answered them, Go and tell John the things that you see and hear. The blind receive their sight, The lame walk, The lepers are cleansed, The deaf hear, The dead are raised up, And the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who does not stumble because of me. As John's disciples left, Jesus spoke to the crowds concerning John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man in nice clothes? Those who wear nice clothes are in king's houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, And much more than a prophet, For he is the one who was written about in Malachi. Look, I will send a messenger before you who will prepare the way before you. Most definitely, I tell you, Of all who have ever lived, There has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. From the days of John the Baptist until now, The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets in the law, Prophesied until John came. If you are willing to accept it, This is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, Let him hear. But what will I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who say to one another, We played the flute for you and you didn't dance. We mourned for you and you didn't cry. For John came neither eating or drinking, And they say he has a demon. The son of man came eating and drinking, And they say, Look, He is a glutton and a drunk, A friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom is justified by our actions. Then he began to condemn the cities in which most of his miracles had been done because they didn't repent. There is sorrow coming to you, Korazin and Bethsaida. For if the miracles I did in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, They would have repented long ago in funeral clothes and ashes. But I tell you, It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, Who are exalted to heaven, You will go down to hell. For if the miracles I had done in you were done in Sodom, It would still be here today. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you. Then Jesus said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, That you hid these things from those who think themselves wise and understanding and have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, For it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. Neither does anyone know the Father except the Son and those the Son desires to reveal Him. Come to me, All you who work and are heavily burdened, And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, For I am gentle and humble in heart, And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. John 14 Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you with me so that where I am, You will also be. You know where I am going and you know the way. Thomas said to Him, Lord, We don't know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, The truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, You would have known my Father also. From now on, You know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, Lord, Show us the Father and that will be good enough for us. Jesus said to him, Have I been with you all this time and you don't know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say show us the Father? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I tell you, They are not my own. They are from the Father who lives in me and does His works. Believe me, That I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the very works you've seen me do. Most certainly I tell you, Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do. He will do even greater works than these because I am going to my Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father will be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, Keep my commandments. I will pray to the Father and He will give you the Holy Spirit so that He may be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth who the world can't receive for it doesn't see Him and doesn't know Him. You know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you. In a little while, The world will no longer see me, But you will see me. Because I live, You will live also. On that day, You will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, That person is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me is loved by my Father and I will love him and will reveal myself to him. Judas, Not Iscariot, Said to him, Lord, Why are you about to reveal yourself to us and not to the world? Jesus answered him, If a man loves me, He will keep my word. My Father will love him and will come to him and make our home with him. He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine. It is the Father's who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still living with you, But the Counselor, The Holy Spirit, Who the Father will send in my name, Will teach you all things and will remind you of everything that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give like the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled and don't be afraid. You heard me tell you, I am going away and I will come back to you. If you loved me, You would have rejoiced because I have said, I am going to my Father, For the Father is greater than me. Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, You will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, For the Prince of this world comes and He has no power over me. But so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me. Get up. Let's be going. John 15 I am the true vine, And my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that doesn't produce fruit, He takes away. Every branch that produces fruit, He prunes so that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, And I will remain in you. Just as the branch can't produce fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, So neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, You are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him produces an abundance of fruit. Because away from me, You can do nothing. If a man doesn't remain in me, He is thrown out as a branch and shrivels up, And they are gathered and thrown into the fire and are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, You will ask whatever you desire, And it will be done for you. By this, My Father is glorified, That you produce an abundance of fruit and show that you are my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, You will remain in my love, Even as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you so that my joy can remain in you, And so that your joy can be made full. This is my commandment. Love one another like I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, That they would lay down their life for their friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, For the servant doesn't know what his master does, But I have called you friends. For everything that I heard from my Father, I have told you. You didn't choose me, But I chose you and appointed you that you should go and produce fruit, And that your fruit should remain that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, He may give it to you. I command these things to you that you may love one another. If the world hates you, You know that it hated me first. If you were of the world, The world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, Since I chose you out of the world, It hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, They will persecute you also. If they obeyed my word, They will also obey yours. They will do all these things to you because of me, Because they don't know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, They would not have been guilty of sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father also. If I hadn't done my works among them, Which no one else did, They wouldn't have been guilty of sin. But now they have seen and have hated both me and my Father. This has happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law. They hated me for no reason, As it says in the Psalms. When the Counselor comes, Who I will send to you from the Father, Who is the Spirit of truth from the Father, He will testify about me. You will also testify, Because you have been with me from the beginning. John 16 I have told you these things so that you won't stumble. They will kick you out of the synagogues. Yes, The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he is doing it as a service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me. But I have told you these things so that when the time comes, You will remember that I told you about them. I didn't tell you these things from the beginning because I was with you, But now I am going to Him who sent me, And none of you asks me where are you going. But because I have told you these things, Sadness has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, It is to your advantage that I go away. For if I don't go away, The counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, He will convict the world about sin, About righteousness and about judgment. About sin, Because they don't believe in me. About righteousness, Because I am going to my Father and you won't see me anymore. About judgment, Because the prince of this world has been judged. I still have many things to tell you, But you can't bear them now. However, When He, The Spirit of Truth has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak from Himself, But whatever He hears, He will speak. He will tell you things that are coming. He will glorify me, For He will take what is mine and will tell you. Everything that the Father has is mine, Which is why I tell you that He takes what is mine and will tell you. A little while longer and you will not see me. Then, After a little while, You will see me. Some of His disciples said to one another, What does He mean by a little while longer and you will not see me and then after a little while you will see me and because I go to the Father? They said, What does He mean a little while? We don't know what He is saying. Jesus could tell they wanted to ask Him something and said to them, Are you asking yourselves about what I said, A little while longer and you will not see me and then after a little while you will see me? Most certainly I tell you that you will cry and mourn, But the world will rejoice. You will be sad, But your sadness will be turned into joy. A woman, When she is giving birth, Has distress because her time has come, But after she has delivered the child, She doesn't remember the distress anymore due to her joy that her baby is born. Therefore, You now have distress, But I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you. At that time, You will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, Whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Until now, You have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive so that you will be full of joy. I have told you these things in figures of speech, But the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, But will tell you plainly about the Father. At that time, You will ask in my name and I don't say that I will pray to the Father for you, For the Father himself loves you, Because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go back to the Father. His disciples said, Look, Now you are speaking plainly and using no figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything and don't need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God. Jesus answered them, Do you believe now? Look, The time is coming. Yes, And it has already come that you will be scattered, Everyone to his own place, And you will leave me alone. But I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble, But cheer up, I have overcome the world. John 17 Jesus said these things, Then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, The time has come. Glorify your Son so that your Son may also glorify you. Even as you gave him authority over all people, He will give eternal life to all who you have given him. This is eternal life, That they know you, The only true God, And him you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, Glorify me with you. With the glory that I had with you before the world existed. I revealed your name to the people you gave me out of the world. They were yours and you gave them to me. They have kept your word. Now they know everything you have given me is from you. For the words which you gave me, I have given them and they have received them and knew for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, But for those you gave me, For they are yours. Everything that is mine is yours and everything that is yours is mine and I am glorified in them. I will no longer be in the world, But they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, Keep them through your name which you have given me so that they may be one even as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those you gave me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction so that the scripture would be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you and I say these things in the world so that they may have joy and be filled. I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world. I don't pray that you would take them out of the world, But that you would protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Purify them in your truth. Your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For their sakes, I sanctify myself so that they will also be sanctified in truth. Not only do I pray for them, But for all those who will believe in me through their word so that all of them may be one just as you, Father, Are in me and I am in you. May they also be one in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory that you gave me I have given them so that they may be one even as we are one. I in them and you in me so that they may be perfected into one so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I want those you gave me to be with me where I am so that they may see my glory which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. Righteous Father, The world hasn't known you, But I know you. And these that sent me know you. I have made your name known to them so that the love you love me with may be in them and I in them. Romans 8 Because of this, There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, Who don't walk according to the flesh, But according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law couldn't do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, Sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. He condemned sin in the flesh, That the rule of the law might be fulfilled in us, Who walk not after the flesh, But after the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, But those who live according to the Spirit, The things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, But the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God, For it refuses God's law and will not do so. Those who are in the flesh can't please God. But you are not in the flesh, But instead are in the Spirit, If the Holy Spirit is in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, He does not belong to him. If Christ is in you, The body is dead because of sin, But the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Holy Spirit who raised up Jesus from the dead is in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who is in you. So then, Brothers, We are debtors, Not to the flesh by living after its desires. Because if you live for its desires, You must die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh, You will live. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You didn't receive the Spirit of slavery again to fear, But you received the Spirit of adoption, By whom we cry, Daddy, Father. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. And if we are children, Then we are also heirs, Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not even worth being compared to the glory which will be revealed to us. For all creation waits with eager expectation for God's children to be revealed. For creation was subject to futility, Not of its own will, But because of Him who subjected it in hope that the creation itself will also be delivered from the slavery of decay into the freedom of the glory of God's children. For we know that all of creation groans and labors in pain together until now. Not only is this so, But we ourselves, Who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, Even we groan within ourselves, Waiting for adoption, The redemption of our bodies. For we were saved in hope, But hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he has already? But if we hope for that which we don't see, We wait for it with patience. In the same way, The Spirit also helps us with our weaknesses. For we don't know how to pray as we should, But the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be spoken. He who searches the heart knows what is on the Spirit's mind because He makes intercession for the saints according to God's will. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, Those who are called according to His purpose. For those that God knew would follow Him, He also predetermined them to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, That Jesus would be the firstborn among many brothers, Those He predetermined, He also called, Those He called, He also justified, Those He justified, He also glorified. What then can we say about these things? If God is for us, Who can be against us? God didn't spare His own Son, But gave Him up for all of us. So, How would He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It's God who justifies. Who is it that condemns? Instead, It is Christ who died. He was raised from the dead and sits at the right hand of God and also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could domination, Torture, Harassment, Starvation, Nakedness, Danger, Or the sword? Even as it is written in the Psalms, For your sake we are killed all day long. We were counted as sheep for the slaughter. No, In all these things, We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death, Nor life, Nor angels, Nor principalities, Nor things present, Nor things to come, Nor powers, Nor height, Nor depth, Nor any created thing will be able to separate us from God's love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 12 Because of this, Brothers, I urge you by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to God, Which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to the ways of this world, But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, So that you may prove what is the good, Well-pleasing, And perfect will of God. For I say through the grace that was given to me, To every man among you, Not to think of yourselves more highly than you ought to, But think reasonably, As God has given to each person a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body and all members don't have the same function, So we, Who are many, Are one body in Christ, And individually, Members of one another, Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us. If someone's gift is prophecy, Let them prophesy according to the proportion of their faith. Or if it is service, Give yourself to service. If it is teaching, Let them teach. Or he who encourages, Give encouragement. He who gives, Let him do it with generosity. He who has the gift of leadership, Do so with thoroughness. He who shows mercy, Do it cheerfully. Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil. Cling to that which is good. In your love of other believers, Be humble and gracious to one another, Preferring to honor one another. Don't fall behind in diligence. Be eager in spirit, Serving the Lord, Rejoicing in hope, Enduring in troubles, Continuing steadily in prayer, Contributing to the needs of the saints, And being hospitable. Bless those who oppress you. Bless, And don't curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Don't be conceited about things, But associate with those considered lowly or common. Don't be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is morally right in the sight of others. If it is at all possible, As much as you are able to, Be at peace with all men. Don't seek revenge yourselves, Loved ones, But allow room for God's righteous anger. For it is written in Deuteronomy, Revenge belongs to me, I will repay, Says the Lord. So then, Follow this proverb. If your enemy is hungry, Feed him. If he is thirsty, Give him a drink. For in doing so, He sees why he should feel ashamed of himself. Don't become overcome by evil, But overcome evil with good. Romans 15 Now we who are strong in our faith should help those who aren't, And not live to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor in what is good, To help build them up. For even Christ didn't please himself, But as it is written in Psalms, The criticisms of those who criticized you fell on me. For whatever things were written before, Were written for us to learn from, That through perseverance and through encouragement of the scriptures, We might have hope. Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement will help you to be of the same mind with one another, According to Christ Jesus. So that with unity, You may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, Accept one another, Even as Christ accepted you to the glory of God. Now, I say that Christ has been made a servant of the Jewish people for God's truth, So that he would confirm the promises given to the forefathers, And that the Gentiles would glorify God for his mercy. As it is written in Samuel and Psalms, Therefore, I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name. Again, He says in Deuteronomy, Rejoice, You Gentiles, With his people. And in Psalms it states, Praise the Lord, All you Gentiles. Let all the peoples praise him. Isaiah records this, There will be the root of Jesse, He who arises to rule over the Gentiles. In him the Gentiles will hope. Now, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing him, That you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I myself am also convinced, Brothers, That you are full of goodness, Knowledge and able to caution others. But I write more boldly to you in part to remind you, Because of God's grace to me, That I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, Serving as a priest of the good news of God, That in presenting them, They would be made acceptable and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, My boasting in Christ Jesus is in my service to God. For I would not dare to speak of anything except that which Christ worked through me by word and action to bring the Gentiles to obedience by the power of signs and miracles and the power of God's Spirit, So that from Jerusalem and as far as to Illilicrum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ. I have made it my aim to preach the good news where Christ wasn't known, So that I would not build on someone else's work. As it is written in Isaiah, They will see to whom no news of him came. They who haven't heard will understand. Because of this, I was prevented many times in coming to you, But now, No longer having any place to work in these regions and having desired for many years to come to you, I will do so when I travel to Spain. For I hope to see you on my way and to be helped on my way by you, If I may first enjoy your company for a while. But now I say, I am going to Jerusalem, Serving the saints. For it has been the joy of those in Macedonia and Acacia to provide a gift for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. Yes, It has been their joy, And they are debtors to them. For if the Gentiles have been made participants of their spiritual things, They owe it to them to serve them in material things. So, When I have accomplished this and have given them this gift, I will go on by way of you to Spain. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the good news of Christ. Now, I beg you, Brothers, By our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, That you struggle along with me in prayers to God for me, That I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, And that my service, Which I have planned for Jerusalem, May be acceptable to the saints there, So that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, And together with you find rest. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the languages of men and of angels, But don't have love, I have become like noisy brass or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, And if I have all faith to move mountains, But don't have love, I am nothing. If I give away all that I own to feed the poor, And if I give my body to be burned, But don't have love, It achieves nothing. Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag. It is not proud. It doesn't behave rudely. It doesn't put itself first. It is not easily provoked. It takes no evil actions. It doesn't rejoice in sin, But rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, Believes all things, Hopes all things, And endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, They will end. Where there are various languages, They will conclude. Where there is knowledge, It will finish. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, But when that which is complete has come, Then that which is incomplete will be done away with. When I was a child, I spoke as a child. I felt as a child. I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, Dimly, But then it will be face to face. Now I know in part, But then I will know fully, Even as I am fully known. But now these three remain, Faith, Hope, And love. The greatest of these is love. 2 Corinthians 12 Without a doubt, I don't gain anything by boasting. For I will get to telling about visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether in the body or out of the body, I don't know. God knows. I know this man, Whether in the body or outside of the body, I don't know. God knows. Was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable things which it is not permitted for a man to mention. On behalf of such a person, I will boast. But on my own behalf, I will not boast except in my weaknesses. For if I wanted to boast, I will not be foolish, Because I will speak the truth. But I refrain, So that no man may think more highly of me than what he sees in me or hears from me. Because of the exceeding greatness of the revelations I have had, So that I wouldn't be lifted too high, I was given a thorn in the flesh, A messenger from Satan to torment me, So I wouldn't be too highly lifted up. Concerning this thorn, I begged the Lord three times to make it leave me. He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, Because my power is made perfect in weakness. So then, I would rather gladly boast about my weaknesses, So that the power of Christ may rest on me. Because of this, I rejoice in my weaknesses, In injuries, In needs, In difficulties, And in distresses, For Christ's sake. For when I am weak, Then am I strong. I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, For I should have been praised by you. For I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, Even though I am nothing. Truly, The signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, In signs and wonders and mighty works. For what is there in that that made you inferior to the rest of the churches? Unless it is that I myself wasn't a burden to you, Forgive me this wrong. Look, This is the third time I am ready to visit you, And I will not be a burden to you. For I don't want your things, I want you. For the children should not save up for their parents, But the parents should for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you even more, Am I loved the less? Even so, I didn't burden you. But being crafty, I caught you with deception. Did I take advantage of you through anyone that I sent you? I urged Titus, And I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you at all? Didn't we walk in the same spirit? Didn't we walk in the same steps? Again, Do you think that we are defending ourselves to you? In the sight of God, We speak in Christ. But all things, Loved ones, Are done to edify you. For I am afraid that in some way when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, And that you might find me like you don't want. I don't want there to be any trouble, Jealousy, Outbursts of anger, Divisions, Insult, Gossip, Stubbornness, Or fighting. I don't want that when I come, For God to have to humble me before you. And I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, And not repented of the filth, Sexual sins, And lustfulness they committed. Philippians 2 Therefore, If there is any encouragement in Christ, If any comfort by love, If any fellowship of the Spirit, If any affection and compassion, Make my joy complete by being like-minded. Have the same love, Being united in spirit of one mind. Do nothing out of competition or pride, But in humility, Each considering others better than himself. Each of you, Not just looking to his concerns, But each of you also to the concerns of others. Have this in your mind, Which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, Existing in the form of God, Didn't consider being equal with God something worth consideration. But he emptied himself, Taking the form of a servant, Being made in human likeness, And being found in human form, He humbled himself, Becoming obedient to the point of death. Yes, The death of the cross. Therefore, God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, So that at the name of Jesus, Every knee should bow, Those in heaven, Those on earth, And those under the earth, And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. So then, My loved ones, Just as you always obeyed, Not only in my presence, But now even more in my absence, Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you, Both to will and to work, For his good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and arguing, So that you may become blameless and harmless, Children of God, Without defect, In the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, Among whom you are seen as lights in the world. Holding up the word of life, That I may have something to boast about on the day of Christ, That I didn't run or labor in vain. Yes, And if I am poured out like a sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice with all of you. In the same way, You should rejoice and be glad with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, So that I may also be cheered up when I know how you are doing, For I have no one else who is like-minded, Who truly cares about you. For they all seek their own concerns, Not the things of Jesus Christ. But you know his qualifications, How as a child serves the Father, So has he served with me in advancing the good news. So, I hope to send him as soon as possible, Once I see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself will also come shortly. However, I believe it is necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, My brother, Fellow worker, Fellow soldier, Your apostle and servant of my need, Because he misses all of you and was very troubled because you heard that he was sick. And he was sick and near death, But God had mercy on him, And not only him, But me also, So that I would not have sorrow on sorrow. So, I have sent him back eagerly, So that when you see him again, You may rejoice and that I may be less sorrowful. Receive him in the Lord with joy and hold such people in honor, Because for the work of Christ, He nearly died, Risking his life to provide which was lacking in your service to me. Philippians 4 Because of this, Believers, Loved and missed, My joy and crown, Stand firm in the Lord, In this way, My loved ones. I urge Euodia and Syntyche to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I beg you also, True partner, Help these women, For they worked with me in advancing the good news with Clement also and the rest of my fellow believers, Whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious about nothing. Instead, In everything, By prayer, With thanksgiving, Let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, Which exceeds all understanding, Will guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, Brothers, Whatever things are true, Honorable, Just, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, If there is any virtue and if there is any praise, Think about these types of things. The things which you learned, Received, Heard and saw in me, Do them and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me. You did have concern before, But you lacked opportunity to help. I don't say this because I am in need, For I have learned in whatever condition I am to be content in it. I know how to live in humble circumstances and also in prosperity. In all things, I learn the secret, Whether I am filled or hungry, Rich or in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. However, You did well and that you shared in my difficulty. You Philippians yourselves know that when I first brought you the good news and then I departed from Macedonia, No other church shared with me in the matter of financial giving and receiving, But you only. For even when I was in Thessalonica, You sent aid more than once for my need. Not that I am seeking for a gift, But I seek that you will have fruit that will increase to your account. But I have everything I need and more. I am well supplied after receiving from Epaphroditus the things that came from you. They are a sweet-smelling fragrance, An acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father, Be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, Especially those who are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Colossians 3 Since you were raised with Christ, Pursue the things that are above, Where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, Not on the things that are on the earth. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, Is revealed, Then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. So put to death the sinful desires in you, Which are of the earth, Sexual immorality, Impurity, Immoral passion, Evil desire, And greed, Which is idolatry. Because of these things, The anger of God comes on the children of disobedience. You used to walk in these ways when you lived in them, But now be done with them all. Anger, Rage, Hatred, Slander, And disgraceful speaking, Don't lie to one another. Since you have put off your old sinful man with his doings and have put on the new man, Who is being renewed in the knowledge like the image of his creator. In this, There can't be Greek or Jew, Circumcision and uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian slave or free person, But only Christ, Who is all and is in all. So, As God's chosen ones, Holy and loved, Apply a heart of compassion, Kindness, Modesty, Humility, And perseverance, Bearing with one another and forgiving each other, And if anyone has a complaint against another person, Forgive each other, Just as Christ forgave you. Above all these things, Walk in love, Which is the bond of perfection, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts as you were called in one body, And be thankful. Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. In all wisdom, Teach and caution one another with psalms, Hymns, And spiritual songs, Singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, In word or in action, Do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, Giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Wives, Be subject to your husbands, As is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, Love your wives and don't be bitter against them. Children, Obey your parents in all things, For this pleases the Lord. Fathers, Don't irritate your children so that they won't be discouraged. Servants, Obey your masters in all things, Not just when they are looking to please them, But wholeheartedly, Fearing God. And whatever you do, Work wholeheartedly, As for the Lord and not for men, Knowing that from the Lord, You will receive the reward of the inheritance, For you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will likewise receive for the wrong that he has done, And there is no favoritism. Hebrews 4 So then be careful, So that none of you would come short of the promise of entering into his rest. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, Just as they also did. But the word they heard didn't benefit them, Because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. For we who have believed enter into that rest, Even as he has said in Psalms, As I swore in my anger, They will not enter into my rest, Although the works were finished from the beginning of the world. For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, God rested on the seventh day from all his works, It is written in Genesis, And again in Psalms, They will not enter into my rest. Seeing that some should enter into it, And those who had the good news preached to them before failed to enter in because of their disobedience, He again defines a certain day and calls it today, Saying through David a long time later, Just as has been said in Psalms, Today, If you will hear his voice, Don't harden your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken later of another day. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, As God did from his. Let's therefore be absolutely certain to enter into that rest, So that none of you repeat the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, Piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow, And is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, But all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of God, Who we must give an account to. Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, The Son of God, Let's hold tightly to our confession. For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our sicknesses, But one who has been tempted in all ways, Like we are yet, Was without sin. So then, Let's go to the throne of grace with boldness, That we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in our time of need. Hebrews 12 Therefore let us also, Seeing that we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, Lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, Looking to Jesus, The author and perfecter of faith, Who for the joy that was set before him, Endured the cross, Despising its shame, And sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who has endured such hostility of sinners against him that you don't grow weary or faint in your souls. You have not yet resisted to the point of blood in the striving against sin. You have forgotten the urging which reasons with you as children as recorded in Proverbs. My son, Don't take lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are scolded by him. For those the Lord loves, He disciplines and punishes every child whom he receives. It is because of discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children. For what child is there that their father doesn't discipline? But if you are without discipline, Of which all have been made participants, Then you are illegitimate and not children. Furthermore, We had earthly fathers disciplined us, And we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be subject to the father of spirits and live? For they, For a while, Punished us as seemed good to them. But God does so for our benefit, So that we may be participants of his holiness. All discipline seems at the time not joyful but painful. Yet afterward, It yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, Lift up your hands that hang down in feeble knees and make straight paths for your feet, So that the lame may not be disabled, But rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men and be holy. Without holiness, No person will see the Lord. Be careful so that there won't be any person who falls short of the grace of God, So that no root of bitterness will spring up to trouble you and you will be defiled by it. Don't be a sexually immoral or profane person like Esau, Who sold his birthright for one meal. For you know that even when he later desired to inherit the blessing, He was rejected. For he found no place for a change of mind, Even though he sought it desperately with tears. For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched, And that burned with fire, Into blackness, Darkness, Storm, The sound of a trumpet, And the voice of words, Which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them. For they could not stand that which was commanded in Exodus, Even if an animal touches the mountain, It shall be stoned. So fearful was the appearance that Moses said, As recorded in Deuteronomy, I am terrified and trembling. But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, The heavenly Jerusalem, And to an uncountable number of angels, To the festive gathering and assembly of the firstborn, Who are registered in heaven, To God, The judge of all, To the spirits of righteous men, Made perfect, To Jesus, The mediator of a new covenant, And to the blood of sprinkling, That speaks better than the blood of Abel. See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, How much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, Whose voice shook the earth then, But now has promised, Saying in Haggai, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. This phrase, Yet once more, Signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, As of things that have been made, That those things which are not shaken may remain. Therefore, Receiving a kingdom that can't be shaken, Let's have grace, Through which we serve God acceptably, With reverence and awe, For our God is a consuming fire.