One Year Pray for the Persecuted Bible - Flipbook - Page 36
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January 5
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for they will be called the children of
God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for
doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you
and persecute you and lie about you and say all
sorts of evil things against you because you are
my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad!
For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And
remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what
good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you
make it salty again? It will be thrown out and
trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city
on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one
lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it
gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the
same way, let your good deeds shine out for
all to see, so that everyone will praise your
heavenly Father.
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I
did not come to abolish the law of Moses or
the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth,
until heaven and earth disappear, not even
the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear
until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore
the least commandment and teach others to
do the same, you will be called the least in the
Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys
God’s laws and teaches them will be called
great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the
teachers of religious law and the Pharisees,
you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were
told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit
murder, you are subject to judgment.’* 22 But I
say, if you are even angry with someone,* you
are subject to judgment! If you call someone
an idiot,* you are in danger of being brought
before the court. And if you curse someone,*
you are in danger of the fires of hell.*
23 “So if you are p
resenting a sacrifice* at the
altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and
be reconciled to that person. Then come and
offer your sacrifice to God.
25 “When you are on the way to court with
your adversary, settle your differences quickly.
Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to
the judge, who will hand you over to an officer,
and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if
that happens, you surely won’t be free again
until you have paid the last penny.*”
5:3 Greek poor in spirit.
5:6 Or for righteousness.
5:21 Exod
20:13; Deut 5:17. 5:22a Some manuscripts add without cause.
5:22b Greek uses an Aramaic term of contempt: If you say to your
brother, ‘Raca.’
5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’
5:22d Greek
Gehenna; also in 5:29, 30. 5:23 Greek gift; also in 5:24.
5:26 Greek the last kodrantes [i.e., quadrans].
PSALM 5:1‑12
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be
accompanied by the flute.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and
my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to
you and wait expectantly.
O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the
wicked.
Therefore, the proud may not stand in
your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and
deceivers.
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter
your house;
I will worship at your Temple with
deepest awe.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.
My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an
open grave.
Their tongues are filled with flattery.*
O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many
sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be
filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield
of love.
5:9 Greek version reads with lies. Compare Rom 3:13.
