Old/New Testament

97 Jehovah is King! Let all the earth rejoice! Tell the farthest islands to be glad.

² Clouds and darkness surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. ³ Fire goes forth before him and burns up all his foes. ⁴ His lightning flashes out across the world. The earth sees and trembles. ⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. ⁶ The heavens declare his perfect righteousness; every nation sees his glory.

⁷ Let those who worship idols be disgraced—all who brag about their worthless gods—for every god must bow to him! ^8-9 Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah have heard of your justice, Lord, and are glad that you reign in majesty over the entire earth and are far greater than these other gods.

¹⁰ The Lord loves those who hate evil; he protects the lives of his people and rescues them from the wicked. ¹¹ Light is sown for the godly and joy for the good. ¹² May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and crown him,^[a] our holy God.

98 Sing a new song to the Lord telling about his mighty deeds! For he has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness. ^2-3 He has announced this victory and revealed it to every nation by fulfilling his promise to be kind to Israel. The whole earth has seen God’s salvation of his people. ⁴ That is why the earth breaks out in praise to God and sings for utter joy!

⁵ Sing your praise accompanied by music from the harp. ⁶ Let the cornets and trumpets shout! Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! ⁷ Let the sea in all its vastness roar with praise! Let the earth and all those living on it shout, “Glory to the Lord.”

^8-9 Let the waves clap their hands in glee and the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the world with perfect justice.

99 Jehovah is King! Let the nations tremble! He is enthroned between the Guardian Angels. Let the whole earth shake.

² Jehovah sits in majesty in Zion, supreme above all rulers of the earth. ³ Let them reverence your great and holy name.

⁴ This mighty King is determined to give justice. Fairness is the touchstone of everything he does. He gives justice throughout Israel. ⁵ Exalt the Lord our holy God! Bow low before his feet.

⁶ When Moses and Aaron and Samuel, his prophet, cried to him for help, he answered them. ⁷ He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud, and they followed his instructions. ⁸ O Jehovah our God! You answered them and forgave their sins, yet punished them when they went wrong.

⁹ Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for he is holy.

16 ^1-2 Phoebe, a dear Christian woman from the town of Cenchreae, will be coming to see you soon. She has worked hard in the church there. Receive her as your sister in the Lord, giving her a warm Christian welcome. Help her in every way you can, for she has helped many in their needs, including me. ³ Tell Priscilla and Aquila hello. They have been my fellow workers in the affairs of Christ Jesus. ⁴ In fact, they risked their lives for me, and I am not the only one who is thankful to them; so are all the Gentile churches.

⁵ Please give my greetings to all those who meet to worship in their home. Greet my good friend Epaenetus. He was the very first person to become a Christian in Asia. ⁶ Remember me to Mary, too, who has worked so hard to help us. ⁷ Then there are Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who were in prison with me. They are respected by the apostles and became Christians before I did. Please give them my greetings. ⁸ Say hello to Ampliatus, whom I love as one of God’s own children, ⁹ and Urbanus, our fellow worker, and beloved Stachys.

¹⁰ Then there is Apelles, a good man whom the Lord approves; greet him for me. And give my best regards to those working at the house of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Remember me to Herodion my relative. Remember me to the Christian slaves over at Narcissus House. ¹² Say hello to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus for me, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother who has been such a mother to me. ¹⁴ And please give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the other brothers who are with them. ¹⁵ Give my love to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas, and all the Christians who are with them. ¹⁶ Shake hands warmly with each other. All the churches here send you their greetings.

¹⁷ And now there is one more thing to say before I end this letter. Stay away from those who cause divisions and are upsetting people’s faith, teaching things about Christ that are contrary to what you have been taught. ¹⁸ Such teachers are not working for our Lord Jesus but only want gain for themselves. They are good speakers, and simple-minded people are often fooled by them. ¹⁹ But everyone knows that you stand loyal and true. This makes me very happy. I want you always to remain very clear about what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong. ²⁰ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The blessings from our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you.

²¹ Timothy my fellow worker, and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives, send you their good wishes. ²² I, Tertius, the one who is writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings too, as a Christian brother. ²³ Gaius says to say hello to you for him. I am his guest, and the church meets here in his home. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings and so does Quartus, a Christian brother. ²⁴ Good-bye. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

^25-27 I commit you to God, who is able to make you strong and steady in the Lord, just as the Gospel says, and just as I have told you. This is God’s plan of salvation for you Gentiles, kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as God commands, this message is being preached everywhere, so that people all around the world will have faith in Christ and obey him. To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sincerely, Paul