Tag: TheMessageBible
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ROMANS 2
God Is Kind, but Not Soft 1-2 Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is…
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ROMANS 1
1I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God’s words and acts. I write this letter to all the believers in Rome, God’s friends. 2-7The sacred writings contain preliminary reports by the prophets on God’s Son. His descent from David roots him in history; his unique…
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ACTS 28
1-2Once everyone was accounted for and we realized we had all made it, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The natives went out of their way to be friendly to us. The day was rainy and cold and we were already soaked to the bone, but they built a huge bonfire…
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ACTS 27
A Storm at Sea 1-2As soon as arrangements were complete for our sailing to Italy, Paul and a few other prisoners were placed under the supervision of a centurion named Julius, a member of an elite guard. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was bound for Ephesus and ports west. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from…
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ACTS 26
“I Couldn’t Just Walk Away” 1-3Agrippa spoke directly to Paul: “Go ahead—tell us about yourself.”Paul took the stand and told his story. “I can’t think of anyone, King Agrippa, before whom I’d rather be answering all these Jewish accusations than you, knowing how well you are acquainted with Jewish ways and all our family quarrels.…
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ACTS 25
An Appeal to Caesar 1-3Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take up his duties as governor, he went up to Jerusalem. The high priests and top leaders renewed their vendetta against Paul. They asked Festus if he wouldn’t please do them a favor by sending Paul to Jerusalem to respond to their charges.…
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ACTS 24
Paul States His Defense 1-4Within five days, the Chief Priest Ananias arrived with a contingent of leaders, along with Tertullus, a trial lawyer. They presented the governor with their case against Paul. When Paul was called before the court, Tertullus spoke for the prosecution: “Most Honorable Felix, we are most grateful in all times and…
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ACTS 23
Before the High Council 1-3Paul surveyed the members of the council with a steady gaze, and then said his piece: “Friends, I’ve lived with a clear conscience before God all my life, up to this very moment.” That set the Chief Priest Ananias off. He ordered his aides to slap Paul in the face. Paul…
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MATTHEW 18
Whoever Becomes Simple Again 1At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?” 2-5For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square…
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MALACHI 4
The Sun of Righteousness Will Dawn 1-3“Count on it: The day is coming, raging like a forest fire. All the arrogant people who do evil things will be burned up like stove wood, burned to a crisp, nothing left but scorched earth and ash—a black day. But for you, sunrise! The sun of righteousness will…
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MALACHI 3
The Master You’ve Been Looking for 1“Look! I’m sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you’ve been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you’ve been waiting for. Look! He’s on his way!” A Message from the mouth…
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MALACHI 1
No More of This So-Called Worship! 1A Message. God’s Word to Israel through Malachi: 2-3God said, “I love you.” You replied, “Really? How have you loved us?” “Look at history” (this is God’s answer).“Look at how differently I’ve treated you, Jacob, from Esau: I loved Jacob and hated Esau. I reduced pretentious Esau to a…
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ZECHARIAH 14
The Day Is Coming 1-2Note well: God’s Judgment Day is on the way: “Plunder will be piled high and handed out. I’m bringing all the godless nations to war against Jerusalem—Houses plundered, women raped, Half the city taken into exile, the other half left behind.” 3-5But then God will march out against the godless nations…
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ZECHARIAH 13
Washing Away Sins 1“On the Big Day, a fountain will be opened for the family of David and all the leaders of Jerusalem for washing away their sins, for scrubbing their stained and soiled lives clean. 2-3“On the Big Day”—this is God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaking—”I’ll wipe out the store-bought gods, earse their names from memory. People will…
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ZECHARIAH 12
Home Agian in Jerusalem 1-2War Bulletin: God’s Message concerning Israel, God’s Decree—the very God who threw the skies into space, set earth on a firm foundation, and breathed his own life into men and women: “Watch for this: I’m about to turn Jerusalem into a cup of strong drink that will have the people who…
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ZECHARIAH 11
Open your borders to the immigrants, proud Lebanon! Your semtinel trees will burn. Weep, great pine trees! Mourn, you sister cedars! Your towering trees are cordwood. Weep Bashan oak trees! Your thick forest is now a field of stumps.Do you hear the wailing of shepherds? They’ve lost everything they once owned. Do you hear the…
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ZECHARIAH 10
God’s Work of Rebuilding 1Pray to God for rain—it’s time for the spring rain—to God, the rainmaker,Spring thunderstorm maker, maker of grain and barley. 2-3“Store-bought gods babble gibberish. Religious experts spout rubbish. They pontificate hot air. Their prescriptions are nothing but smoke. And so the people wander like lost sheep, poor lost sheep without a…
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ZECHARIAH 9
The Whole World Has Its Eyes on God 1-6War Bulletin: God’s Message challenges the country of Hadrach. It will settle on Damascus. The whole world has its eyes on God. Israel isn’t the only one. That includes Hamath at the border, and Tyre and Sidon, clever as they think they are. Tyre has put together…
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ZECHARIAH 8
Rebuilding the Temple 1-2And them these Messages from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “I am zealous for Zion—I care! I’m angry about Zion—I’m involved!” God’s Message: 3“I’ve come back to Zion, I’ve moved back to Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s new names will be Truth City, and Mountain of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, and Mount Holiness.” 4-5A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “Old…
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ZECHARIAH 7
“You’re Interested in Religion, I’m Interested in People” 1On the fourth day of the ninth month, in the fourth year of the reign of King Darius, God’s Message again came to Zechariah. 2-3The town of Bathel had sent a delegation headed by Sarezer and Regem-Melech to pray for God’s blessing and to confer with the…