1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (*Christ), and the Word was with God, and *the Word was God Himself. [Gen 1:1; Is 9:6]

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (*Christ), and the Word was with God, and *the Word was God Himself. [Gen 1:1; Is 9:6]

14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). [Is 40:5]

14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception). [Is 40:5]

3 And God said, *"Let there be light"; and there was light.

3 The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our awesome] God [reflecting God’s *Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father’s] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. When He [Himself and no other] had [by offering Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin] accomplished purification from sins and established our freedom from guilt, He sat down [revealing His completed work] at the right hand of the Majesty on high [revealing His Divine authority],

3 By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,

And all their host by the breath of His mouth. [Gen 1:1-3; Job 38:4-11; Heb 11:3; 2 Pet 3:5]

12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged *sword, penetrating as far as the division of the *soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged *sword, penetrating as far as the division of the *soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

29 "Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?" says the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn] rock [in pieces]?

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. [Is 59:17]

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the *man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the *man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23]

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23]

130 The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;

Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

89 Forever, O Lord,

Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable]. [Ps 89:2; Matt 24:34, 35; 1 Pet 1:25]

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].

11 Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

160 The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts],

And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever.

Shin.

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word *without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets *what he looked like.

21 So get rid of all uncleanness and *all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.

24 "So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. [Luke 6:47-49]

4 But Jesus replied, "It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’ " [Deut 8:3]

4 But Jesus replied, "It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’ " [Deut 8:3]

28 But He said, "On the contrary, blessed (happy, favored by God) are those who hear the word of God and continually observe it."

4 Jesus replied to him, "It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone*.’ " [Deut 8:3]

36 They were all astonished and in awe, and began saying to one another, "What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out!"

35 Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

31 Heaven and earth [as now known] will *pass away, but My words will not pass away.

8 The grass withers, the flower fades,

But the word of our God stands forever. [James 1:10, 11; 1 Pet 1:24, 25]

4 For the word of the Lord is right;

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

4 For the word of the Lord is right;

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

5 Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver];

He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. [Ps 18:30; 84:11; 115:9-11]

6 For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

6 For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

31 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples.

31 So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples.32 And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin]."

51 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if anyone keeps My word [by living in accordance with My message] he will indeed never, ever see and experience *death."

24 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.

23 Jesus answered, "If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him.

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you].

17 Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.

22 So when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered what He had said. And they believed and trusted in and relied on the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. [Ps 16:10]

41 Many more believed in Him [with a deep, abiding trust] because of His word [His personal message to them];

38 He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’ " [Is 58:11; John 4:14]

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be *successful.

16 Your words were found and I ate them,

And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart;

For I have been called by Your name,

O Lord God of hosts.

9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

4 In God, whose word I praise;

In God I have put my trust;

I shall not fear.

What can mere man do to me?

30 As for God, His way is *blameless.

The word of the Lord is tested [it is perfect, it is faultless];

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,

And Your right hand upholds and sustains me;

Your gentleness [Your gracious response when I pray] makes me great.

36 You enlarge the path beneath me and make my steps secure,

So that my feet will not slip.

12 Who is the man who desires life

And loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

And your lips from speaking deceit.

3 He humbled you and allowed you to be hungry and fed you with manna, [a substance] which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, so that He might make you understand [by personal experience] that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same *love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], 6 who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; 7 but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. 8 After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus *every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [Is 45:23] 11 and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] *God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

14 Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], 15 so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness], 16 holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to rejoice greatly because I did not run [my race] in vain nor labor without result. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a *drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith [for preaching the message of salvation], still I rejoice and share my joy with you all. [Num 28:7; 2 Tim 4:6] 18 You too, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may also be encouraged by learning news about you. 20 For I have no one else [like him who is] so kindred a spirit who will be genuinely concerned for your [spiritual] welfare. 21 For the others [who deserted me after my arrest] all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know of Timothy’s tested worth and his proven character, that he has served with me to advance the gospel like a son serving with his father. 23 Therefore, I hope [that it is His will] to send him immediately, just as soon as I see how *my case turns out; 24 and I trust [confidently] in the Lord that soon I also will be coming to you. 25 However, I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, [who has been] my brother and companion and fellow soldier, who was also sent as your messenger to take care of my needs. 26 For he has been longing *for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 He certainly was sick and close to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 So I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.29 Welcome him home in the Lord with great joy, and appreciate and honor men like him; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me [which distance prevented you from rendering personally].

18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad. [Is 50:4; Prov 15:13]

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing,

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.

1 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,

But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. [Prov 25:15]

20 A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;

He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. [Matt 12:37]

18 But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man.19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming).

36 But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.37 For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified and acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned and sentenced."

34 You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

2 For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

3 Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well. 4 And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5 In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark! 6 And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by *hell (Gehenna). 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.

17 So faith comes from hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.

18 But I say, did they not hear? Indeed they have;

"Their voice [that of creation bearing God’s message] has gone out to all the earth,

And their words to the [farthest] ends of the world." [Ps 19:4, 7-11]