Psalm 37:27-33

New International Version

²⁷Turn from evil and do good;^(A)
then you will dwell in the land forever.^(B)
²⁸For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.^(C)

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed^[a];
the offspring of the wicked will perish.^(D)
²⁹The righteous will inherit the land^(E)
and dwell in it forever.^(F)

³⁰The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,^(G)
and their tongues speak what is just.
³¹The law of their God is in their hearts;^(H)
their feet do not slip.^(I)

³²The wicked lie in wait^(J) for the righteous,^(K)
intent on putting them to death;
³³but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned^(L) when brought to trial.^(M)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Psalm 37:28 See Septuagint; Hebrew They will be protected forever

Proverbs 8:33-36

New International Version

³³Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
³⁴Blessed are those who listen^(A) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
³⁵For those who find me^(B) find life^(C)
    and receive favor from the Lord.^(D)
³⁶But those who fail to find me harm themselves;^(E)
    all who hate me love death.”^(F)

Read full chapter

Matthew 25:1-13

New International Version

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like^(A) ten virgins who took their lamps^(B) and went out to meet the bridegroom.^(C) ²Five of them were foolish and five were wise.^(D) ³The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.^(E)

⁶“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’^(F)

⁹“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.^(G) And the door was shut.

¹¹“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹²“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’^(H)

¹³“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.^(I)

Read full chapter

Romans 3:1-8

New International Version

God’s Faithfulness

3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? ²Much in every way!^(A) First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.^(B)

³What if some were unfaithful?^(C) Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?^(D) ⁴Not at all! Let God be true,^(E) and every human being a liar.^(F) As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.”^[a]^(G)

⁵But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly,^(H) what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)^(I) ⁶Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?^(J) ⁷Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory,^(K) why am I still condemned as a sinner?”^(L) ⁸Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”?^(M) Their condemnation is just!