NIV, CoffeeHouse Bible

NIV

COFFEEHOUSE

BIBLE

The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by Permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

CoffeeHouse Bible Published by Zondervan Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA

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Table of Contents

Cover Page

Articles and Resources

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

Copyright Page

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT

Genesis by Chapters

Exodus by Chapters

Leviticus by Chapters

Numbers by Chapters

Deuteronomy by Chapters

Joshua by Chapters

Judges by Chapters

Ruth by Chapters

1 Samuel by Chapters

2 Samuel by Chapters

1 Kings by Chapters

2 Kings by Chapters

1 Chronicles by Chapters

2 Chronicles by Chapters

Ezra by Chapters

Nehemiah by Chapters

Esther by Chapters

Job by Chapters

Psalms by Chapters

Proverbs by Chapters

Ecclesiastes by Chapters

Song of Songs by Chapters

Isaiah by Chapters

Jeremiah by Chapters

Lamentations by Chapters

Ezekiel by Chapters

Daniel by Chapters

Hosea by Chapters

Joel by Chapters

Amos by Chapters

Obadiah

Jonah by Chapters

Micah by Chapters

Nahum by Chapters

Habakkuk by Chapters

Zephaniah by Chapters

Haggai by Chapters

Zechariah by Chapters

Malachi by Chapters

Matthew by Chapters

Mark by Chapters

Luke by Chapters

John by Chapters

Acts by Chapters

Romans by Chapters

1 Corinthians by Chapters

2 Corinthians by Chapters

Galatians by Chapters

Ephesians by Chapters

Philippians by Chapters

Colossians by Chapters

1 Thessalonians by Chapters

2 Thessalonians by Chapters

1 Timothy by Chapters

2 Timothy by Chapters

Titus by Chapters

Philemon

Hebrews by Chapters

James by Chapters

1 Peter by Chapters

2 Peter by Chapters

1 John by Chapters

2 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation by Chapters

Articles and Resources

How to Use the CoffeeHouse Bible

Preface

Devotional Index

Study Index

God Is …

Sin & Temptation

Family

Prayer

Relationships With Others

My Identity in Christ

Character

Overcoming Obstacles

Emotions

Spiritual Life

Healthy Living

Stewardship

God’s Love

Reflect & Pray

on Authentic Living

in the Psalms

on Love and Relationships

Reading Plans

5 Minutes Reading About Jesus

5 Minutes in an Overview of the Bible

Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible

Table of Weights and Measures

Maps

Index to Color Maps

How to Use Your CoffeeHouse Bible

Got a minute? Only a minute? Not a problem. This Bible is designed for you.

Throughout this Bible you will find 52 Thought Starters [in colored boxes] that can help you grow by dipping into God’s Word for a minute. These devotional thoughts cover 13 general topics and subtopics relevant to busy people.

There is one Thought Starter per box. You might try to read at least one Thought Starter per week. Note the Word to Take With You Today and think about its meaning as you go through your week. If you have time, you can go deeper with the Reflect & Pray you’ll find within the same box. If you have more time you can do the Study. It will send you to the Study Index where you will find more verses to look up and study.

More options are available for you to find quick ways to get into the word. See Reflect & Pray on Authentic Living, on the Psalms, or on Love and Relationships. Or see the reading plans 5 minutes reading about Jesus or 5 Minutes in an overview of the Bible. It’s up to you how much or how little you do.

Preface

The goal of the New International version (NIV) is to enable English-speaking people from around the world to read and hear God’s eternal Word in their own language. Our work as translators is motivated by our conviction that the Bible is God’s Word in written form. We believe that the Bible contains the divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, sheds unique light on our path in a dark world and sets forth the way to our eternal well-being. Out of these deep convictions, we have sought to recreate as far as possible the experience of the original audience—blending transparency to the original text with accessibility for the millions of English speakers around the world. We have prioritized accuracy, clarity and literary quality with the goal of creating a translation suitable for public and private reading, evangelism, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. We have also sought to preserve a measure of continuity with the long tradition of translating the Scriptures into English.

The complete NIV Bible was first published in 1978. It was a completely new translation made by over a hundred scholars working directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The translators came from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, giving the translation an international scope. They were from many denominations and churches—including Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and others. This breadth of denominational and theological perspective helped to safeguard the translation from sectarian bias. For these reasons, and by the grace of God, the NIV has gained a wide readership in all parts of the English-speaking world.

The work of translating the Bible is never finished. As good as they are, English translations must be regularly updated so that they will continue to communicate accurately the meaning of God’s Word. Updates are needed in order to reflect the latest developments in our understanding of the biblical world and its languages and to keep pace with changes in English usage. Recognizing, then, that the NIV would retain its ability to communicate God’s Word accurately only if it were regularly updated, the original translators established The Committee on Bible Translation (CBT). The committee is a self-perpetuating group of biblical scholars charged with keeping abreast of advances in biblical scholarship and changes in English and issuing periodic updates to the NIV. CBT is an independent, self-governing body and has sole responsibility for the NIV text. The committee mirrors the original group of translators in its diverse international and denominational makeup and in its unifying commitment to the Bible as God’s inspired Word.

In obedience to its mandate, the committee has issued periodic updates to the NIV. An initial revision was released in 1984. A more thorough revision process was completed in 2005, resulting in the separately published Today’s New International version (TNIV). The updated NIV you now have in your hands builds on both the original NIV and the TNIV and represents the latest effort of the committee to articulate God’s unchanging Word in the way the original authors might have said it had they been speaking in English to the global English-speaking audience today.

The first concern of the translators has continued to be the accuracy of the translation and its faithfulness to the intended meaning of the biblical writers. This has moved the translators to go beyond a formal word-for-word rendering of the original texts. Because thought patterns and syntax differ from language to language, accurate communication of the meaning of the biblical authors demands constant regard for varied contextual uses of words and idioms and for frequent modifications in sentence structures.

As an aid to the reader, sectional headings have been inserted. They are not to be regarded as part of the biblical text and are not intended for oral reading. It is the committee’s hope that these headings may prove more helpful to the reader than the traditional chapter divisions, which were introduced long after the Bible was written.

For the Old Testament the standard Hebrew text, the Masoretic Text as published in the latest edition of Biblia Hebraica, has been used throughout. The Masoretic Text tradition contains marginal notations that offer variant readings. These have sometimes been followed instead of the text itself. Because such instances involve variants within the Masoretic tradition, they have not been indicated in the textual notes. In a few cases, words in the basic consonantal text have been divided differently than in the Masoretic Text. Such cases are usually indicated in the textual footnotes. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain biblical texts that represent an earlier stage of the transmission of the Hebrew text. They have been consulted, as have been the Samaritan Pentateuch and the ancient scribal traditions concerning deliberate textual changes. The translators also consulted the more important early versions—the Greek Septuagint, Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, the Latin vulgate, the Syriac Peshitta, the Aramaic Targums and, for the Psalms, the Juxta Hebraica of Jerome. Readings from these versions, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the scribal traditions were occasionally followed where the Masoretic Text seemed doubtful and where accepted principles of textual criticism showed that one or more of these textual witnesses appeared to provide the correct reading. In rare cases, the committee has emended the Hebrew text where it appears to have become corrupted at an even earlier stage of its transmission. These departures from the Masoretic Text are also indicated in the textual footnotes. Sometimes the vowel indicators (which are later additions to the basic consonantal text) found in the Masoretic Text did not, in the judgment of the committee, represent the correct vowels for the original text. Accordingly, some words have been read with a different set of vowels. These instances are usually not indicated in the footnotes.

The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic one, based on the latest editions of the Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament. The committee has made its choices among the variant readings in accordance with widely accepted principles of New Testament textual criticism. Footnotes call attention to places where uncertainty remains.

The New Testament authors, writing in Greek, often quote the Old Testament from its ancient Greek version, the Septuagint. This is one reason why some of the Old Testament quotations in the NIV New Testament are not identical to the corresponding passages in the NIV Old Testament. Such quotations in the New Testament are indicated with the footnote (see Septuagint).

Other footnotes in this version are of several kinds, most of which need no explanation. Those giving alternative translations begin with Or and generally introduce the alternative with the last word preceding it in the text, except when it is a single-word alternative. When poetry is quoted in a footnote, a slash mark indicates a line division.

It should be noted that references to diseases, minerals, flora and fauna, architectural details, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and other articles cannot always be identified with precision. Also, linear measurements and measures of capacity can only be approximated (see the Table of Weights and Measures). Although Selah, used mainly in the Psalms, is probably a musical term, its meaning is uncertain. Since it may interrupt reading and distract the reader, this word has not been kept in the English text, but every occurrence has been signaled by a footnote.

One of the main reasons the task of Bible translation is never finished is the change in our own language, English. Although a basic core of the language remains relatively stable, many diverse and complex linguistic factors continue to bring about subtle shifts in the meanings and/or connotations of even old, well-established words and phrases. One of the shifts that creates particular challenges to writers and translators alike is the manner in which gender is presented. The original NIV (1978) was published in a time when a man would naturally be understood, in many contexts, to be referring to a person, whether male of female. But most English speakers today tend to hear a distinctly male connotation in this word. In recognition of this change in English, this edition of the NIV, along with almost all other recent English translations, substitutes other expressions when the original text intends to refer generically to men and women equally. Thus, for instance, the NIV (1984) rendering of 1 Corinthians 8:3, But the man who loves God is known by God becomes in this edition But whoever loves God is known by God. On the other hand, man and mankind, as ways of denoting the human race, are still widely used. This edition of the NIV therefore continues to use these words, along with other expressions, in this way.

A related shift in English creates a greater challenge for modern translations: the move away from using the third-person masculine singular pronouns—he/him/his—to refer to men and women equally. This usage does persist at a low level in some forms of English, and this revision therefore occasionally uses these pronouns in a generic sense. But the tendency, recognized in day-to-day usage and confirmed by extensive research, is away from the generic use of he, him and his. In recognition of this shift in language and in an effort to translate into the common English that people are actually using, this revision of the NIV generally uses other constructions when the biblical text is plainly addressed to men and women equally. The reader will frequently encounter a they, them or their to express a generic singular idea. Thus, for instance, Mark 8:36 reads: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? This generic use of the indefinite or singular they/them/their has a venerable place in English idiom and has quickly become established as standard English, spoken and written, all over the world. Where an individual emphasis is deemed to be present, anyone or everyone or some other equivalent is generally used as the antecedent of such pronouns.

Sometimes the chapter and/or verse numbering in English translations of the Old Testament differs from that found in published Hebrew texts. This is particularly the case in the Psalms, where the traditional titles are often included in the Hebrew verse numbering. Such differences are indicated in the footnotes at the bottom of the page. In the New Testament, verse numbers that marked off portions of the traditional English text not supported by the best Greek manuscripts now appear in brackets, with a footnote indicating the text that has been omitted (see, for example, Matthew 17:[21]).

Mark 16:9–20 and John 7:53–8:11, although long accorded virtually equal status with the rest of the Gospels in which they stand, have a very questionable—and confused—standing in the textual history of the New Testament, as noted in the bracketed annotations with which they are set off. A different typeface has been chosen for these passages to indicate even more clearly their uncertain status.

Basic formatting of the text, such as lining the poetry, paragraphing (both prose and poetry), setting up of (administrative-like) lists, indenting letters and lengthy prayers within narratives and the insertion of sectional headings, has been the work of the committee. However, the choice between single-column and double-column formats has been left to the publishers. Also the issuing of red-letter editions is a publisher’s choice—one the committee does not endorse.

The committee has again been reminded that every human effort is flawed—including this revision of the NIV. We trust, however, that many will find in it an improved representation of the Word of God, through which they hear his call to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and to service in his kingdom. We offer this version of the Bible to him in whose name and for whose glory it has been made.

The Committee on Bible Translation

September 2010

Devotional Index

God Is …

Thoughtful Creator

Trustworthy Defender

Father

The Only Choice

Sin & Temptation

A Deadly Compromise

Overcoming Guilt

Feeling Consequences

A Way Out

Family

A Secure Place

Growing Apart

Invest in Family

Becoming Functional

Prayer

God At The Center

Dependent

Be Real

Continually

Relationships with Others

Influence Your Sphere

Restore the Relationship

Show Them Kindness

Accessible

My Identity in Christ

Living It Out

Lost And Found

Stay On Mission

A Special Name

Character

Purity

Self-Check

Summary

Guarding Speech

Overcoming Obstacles

Healing Abuse

Shaking Discouragement

Weathering Storms

Pure Joy

Emotions

No Fear

Battling Anxiety

Honest to God

Anger

Spiritual Life

Climbing to the Refuge

Hot or Cold

Future Hope

Whiter than Snow

Healthy Living

Making the Physical a Priority

Freedom from Addiction

Letting Go

Caring For Yourself

Stewardship

Treasure

Managers

Priorities

Using Your Gifts

God’s Love

Personal

Forever Faithful

Even in Adversity

Hidden in His Presence

STUDY INDEX

God Is …

COMING AGAIN

Look, I am coming soon! — Revelation 22:7

If you have time read:

John 14:1–4: Jesus’ promise to come back

1 Corinthians 15:12–28, 51–52: The resurrection of the dead

1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11: The Lord’s coming

COMPASSIONATE

Praise the LORD, my soul … [who] crowns you with love and compassion. — Psalm 103:1, 4

If you have time read:

Isaiah 54:7–10: God has great compassion for us

Lamentations 3:22: God’s compassions never fail

James 5:11: God is full of compassion and mercy

CREATOR

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for at his command they were created. — Psalm 148:5

If you have time read:

Genesis 1–2: Two accounts of the creation of the universe

Psalm 8: The glory of creation

Colossians 1:15–17: Christ created all things

ENCOURAGER

You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. — Psalm 10:17

If you have time read:

Isaiah 41:13: Do not fear; God holds your hand

Jeremiah 32:17: Nothing is too hard for God

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17: God gives eternal encouragement and hope

FAITHFUL

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. — Deuteronomy 7:9

If you have time read:

2 Samuel 22:21–27: God is faithful to those who are faithful to him

Psalm 57:3, 9–10: God’s faithfulness reaches to the skies

Lamentations 3:19–24: Great is [God’s] faithfulness

FORGIVING

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14

If you have time read:

Psalm 130:3–4: God doesn’t keep a record of our sins

Mark 11:25: God forgives us if we forgive others

Ephesians 4:32: Forgive others as Christ forgave you

GOOD

I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD. — Exodus 33:19

If you have time read:

Genesis 1:31: God made everything good

Psalm 27:13: The goodness of the Lord

Psalm 109:21: The Lord’s love is good

A GUIDE

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. — Exodus 15:13

If you have time read:

Psalm 73:23–24: God holds our hands and guides with his counsel

Psalm 139:9–10: God’s hand guides and holds us

Isaiah 2:3: God will teach us his ways

HEALER

Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. — Matthew 12:15

If you have time read:

Psalm 103:1–13: The Lord heals

Matthew 4:23–24: Jesus healed every disease and sickness

3 John 2: Pray a blessing of good health

HOLY

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. — Revelation 4:8

If you have time read:

Leviticus 11:44: God says he is holy

Psalm 99: Worship God for he is holy

Psalm 111:9: His name is holy

HOLY SPIRIT

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. — John 14:26

If you have time read:

Genesis 1:2: Involved in creation

John 14:16–26: Coming promised by Jesus

Acts 2:1–13: Came at Pentecost

OUR HOPE

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth. — Psalm 65:5

If you have time read:

Lamentations 3:24–25: God is good to those who hope in him

Romans 15:13: Overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit

Hebrews 6:19: Our hope in Jesus is an anchor for the soul

JEALOUS

I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. — Exodus 20:5

If you have time read:

Exodus 34:14: God’s name is Jealous

Joel 2:18: God is jealous for his people

Nahum 1:2: God is jealous and avenging on behalf of his people

JESUS

I am the way and the truth and the life. — John 14:6

If you have time read:

Matthew 28:18–20: Sent out his disciples

John 5:18: Equal with God

John 10:30: One with the Father

Acts 1:11: Will return

Philippians 2:10: Every knee will bow before him

LOVE

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. — 1 John 4:16

If you have time read:

Psalm 136:1: God’s love endures forever

2 Thessalonians 3:5: The Lord directs us into his love.

1 John 2:5: God’s love is made complete in those who obey him

MERCIFUL

I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. — Exodus 33:19

If you have time read:

Psalm 51:1: Cry for God’s mercy

Micah 7:18: God delights to show mercy

Luke 1:49–50: God’s mercy extends through generations

PRESENT

I am with you always. — Matthew 28:20

If you have time read:

Psalm 22:10–11: God has been with us since birth

Psalm 139:7–10: God is everywhere

A PROMISE MAKER

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ. — 2 Corinthians 1:20

If you have time read:

Joshua 23:14: Never fail

Hebrews 10:23: God is faithful to his promises

2 Peter 3:9: God is not slow in keeping his promises

PROVIDER

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. — Matthew 6:8

If you have time read:

Psalm 68:10: God provides for the poor

Acts 14:17: God provides food

James 1:17: Every gift is from above

RESURRECTION

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. — John 11:25–26

If you have time read:

Job 19:23–27: I know that my Redeemer lives

Matthew 27:57–28:20: Christ’s resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:14: If Christ has not been raised, our faith is useless

SHEPHERD

The LORD is my shepherd. — Psalm 23:1

If you have time read:

Isaiah 40:11: God tends us like a shepherd tends his flock

John 10:1–18: Jesus is the Good Shepherd

Rev 7:17: Jesus is our eternal shepherd

SUSTAINER

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. — Psalm 55:22

If you have time read:

Psalm 119:175: God’s laws sustain us

Isaiah 46:4: God promises to sustain us our whole life

1 Peter 5:7: God will take on our anxiety

TRUTH

I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. — Psalm 26:3

If you have time read:

Isaiah 45:19: God speaks the truth

John 14:6: Jesus is the truth

John 16:13: The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, guides us into all truth

WATER

Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. — John 4:13–14

If you have time read:

Jeremiah 2:13: God is the spring of living water

John 4:10: Jesus is the source of living water

Revelation 7:17: The Lamb will lead us to springs of living water

See also Spiritual Life and God’s Love.

Sin & Temptation

ANGER

Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. — James 1:20

If you have time read:

Ephesians 4:26–31: Do not let your anger linger

Colossians 3:8: Learn to resist the sins that come from anger

Matthew 5:22: Anger is not a small sin

CONFESS

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. — Psalm 66:18

If you have time read:

Psalm 24:3–5: Confess sin before approaching God

John 9:31: God does not hear the prayer of sinners

1 John 1:9: Forgiveness is promised to those who ask for it

FORGIVENESS

Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake. — Psalm 79:9

If you have time read:

Luke 5:20: Jesus forgives sins

Romans 4:7: God covers our sins

Hebrews 10:18: Forgiveness is permanent

INTEGRITY

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. — Proverbs 11:3

If you have time read:

Proverbs 22:1: A good name has great value

2 Samuel 22:26: God honors our integrity

1 Chronicles 29:17: God tests us to reveal our integrity

MONEY

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. — Hebrews 13:5

If you have time read:

1 Timothy 6:10: The love of money is the root of many evils

1 Timothy 6:17: Do not trust in money

Luke 12:15: Watch out for greed

OVERCOMING

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13

If you have time read:

Titus 2:11–12: God’s grace can help you overcome temptation

James 1:2–3: Temptation can be an occasion for growth

James 1:12–13: There are rewards for overcoming temptation

PRIDE

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. — Proverbs 16:18

If you have time read:

Proverbs 8:13: God hates pride

Proverbs 13:10: Pride can cause you to stumble

Ephesians 4:2: Learn to be humble

SEX

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality. — 1 Thessalonians 4:3

If you have time read:

Matthew 5:28: Sexual sin begins in your mind

Romans 13:14: God can help you avoid sexual sin

2 Timothy 2:22: Flee from sexual sins

SIN

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23

If you have time read:

Romans 3:23: Sin drives us from God’s presence

1 John 1:8: Sin is universal

1 John 2:1: We can have help overcoming our sin

See also My Identity in Christ and Character.

Family

ACCEPTANCE

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you. — Romans 15:7

If you have time read:

Galatians 3:28: We are one in Christ

Ephesians 5:21: Submit to one Another

1 Peter 4:8: Love One Another

COMMUNICATION

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. — Proverbs 16:24

If you have time read:

Ecclesiastes 10:12: Words of a wise woman are gracious

Ephesians 4:15: Speak the truth in love

1 Thessalonians 4:18: Encourage one another

CONFLICT

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. — Proverbs 15:1

If you have time read:

Proverbs 13:10: Pride breeds quarrels

Proverbs 17:1: Being poor with peace is better than riches with conflict

Proverbs 17:14: Drop an issue before it blows up

FAMILY

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. — Joshua 24:15

If you have time read:

Psalm 128: A blessing on family

Psalm 133:1: Live in unity

Ephesians 5:31: Establishment of family

FORGIVENESS

[Love] keeps no record of wrongs. — 1 Corinthians 13:5

If you have time read:

Proverbs 19:11: Overlook an offense

Proverbs 24:17: Don’t gloat over others’ failures

Ephesians 4:32: Forgive others as Christ forgave you

HUMILITY

Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. — 1 Peter 5:5

If you have time read:

Proverbs 22:4: Humility before the Lord brings wealth and honor

Zephaniah 2:3: Seek humility

Philippians 2:3: In humility consider others better than yourselves.

JEALOUSY

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? — Proverbs 27:4

If you have time read:

Genesis 30:1: Rachel was jealous of her sister

Genesis 37:11: Joseph’s brothers were jealous

Romans 13:13: Get rid of it

Galatians 5:20: An act of the sinful nature

KINDNESS

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith … mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. — 2 Peter 1:5–7

If you have time read:

Proverbs 11:16–17: Being kind is beneficial

Galatians 6:10: Do good to all people

Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate

LOVE

Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. — 1 John 3:18

If you have time read:

1 Corinthians 13:4–8: Love is…

1 Peter 1:22: Love from the heart

1 Peter 3:8–9: Love as brothers

1 John 4:16: God is love and the one who loves lives in God

PATIENCE

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. — Proverbs 19:11

If you have time read:

Proverbs 14:29: To be patient is wise

Ecclesiastes 7:8: Patience is better than pride

James 1:2–4: Leads to maturity

PEER PRESSURE

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. — Proverbs 4:14

If you have time read:

Proverbs 22:24–25: Choose friends carefully

1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow the example of godly people

1 Timothy 4:12: Even the young can be an example to others

RECONCILIATION

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:13

If you have time read:

Matthew 18:15–16: Reconcile with those who offend you

Ephesians 4:32: Love and forgive one another

1 Peter 5:5–6: Be submissive and humble

SELF-CONTROL

Say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. — Titus 2:12

If you have time read:

Proverbs 25:28: Without it a person is like a building without walls

Galatians 5:23: Is a fruit of the Spirit

2 Peter 1:6: We are to make every effort to develop it

See also Relationships With Others and Character.

Prayer

ACCESSIBLE

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. — James 4:8

If you have time read:

Psalm 65:4: God is approachable

Ephesians 2:13: Jesus brings you near

Revelation 22:17: God invites you to approach him

ADORATION

Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great! — Revelation 19:5

If you have time read:

Psalm 68:32: We should sing our prayers and praise to God

Isaiah 61:11: Every nation will praise God

1 Peter 2:9: We have been saved so we can praise God

ANSWERS

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. — Luke 11:10

If you have time read:

John 14:13–14: God answers prayers offered in Jesus’ name

John 15:16: Make requests to God in Jesus’ name

James 4:2–3: God answers prayers offered with right motives

BLESSES

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! — Matthew 7:11

If you have time read:

Psalm 16:11: God promises to reveal his plans

John 16:24: Ask and you will receive

Romans 10:12: God blesses those who pray

CONFESSION

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. — Matthew 6:12

If you have time read:

2 Chronicles 6:21, 25: God will hear our prayers of confession

Psalm 32:5: We should acknowledge our sin to God

1 John 1:9: God promises to forgive our confessed sins

GOD CARES

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. — Psalm 145:18

If you have time read:

Psalm 34:15: God hears our cries

Isaiah 30:19: God cares for us

Ephesians 3:17–19: God’s concern is greater than we can imagine

GOD’S PRESENCE

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. — Psalm 84:10

If you have time read:

Deuteronomy 32:10: God stays close to us

Psalm 41:12: God knows us intimately

Isaiah 55:6: God is near

HEALING

LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. — Psalm 30:2

If you have time read:

Psalm 6:2: Tell God about your physical problems

Psalm 103:2–5: God can heal our diseases

3 John 2: Pray for good health

PROTECTION

LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me. — Psalm 7:1

If you have time read:

Deuteronomy 33:7: God defends his people

2 Chronicles 14:11: God is mighty enough to save

Psalm 59:1–2: God can deliver

TEMPTATION

Pray that you will not fall into temptation. — Luke 22:40

If you have time read:

Psalm 51:10: Ask for renewed strength

Isaiah 33:2: God can provide strength during stressful times

Matthew 26:41: Ask for God’s help in avoiding temptation

THANKSGIVING

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. — 1 Chronicles 29:13

If you have time read:

1 Chronicles 16:34: Thank God for his love and kindness

Psalm 118:24: Rejoice in God’s blessings

Colossians 4:2: Pray with a thankful heart

WISDOM

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. — James 1:5

If you have time read:

Psalm 25:5: God grants direction when we need it

Psalm 51:6: God gives wisdom

Jeremiah 33:3: God promises wisdom to those who ask

See also Spiritual Life.

Relationships With Others

ADVICE

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. — Proverbs 13:10

If you have time read:

Proverbs 20:18: Seek advice before making plans

Ecclesiastes 9:17: Quiet words of the wise are to be heeded

Ezekiel 11:2: Not all advice is good

HELPING

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:2

If you have time read:

Exodus 18:17–18: Moses advised to get help from others

Ezra 5:2: The prophets helped rebuild the temple

1 Thessalonians 5:14: Help the weak

COMMUNICATION

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. — Proverbs 25:11

If you have time read:

Proverbs 17:27: Guard your words; choose them carefully

Ephesians 4:15: Speak the truth in love

Colossians 4:6: Fill conversations with grace

COMPASSION

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion. — Colossians 3:12

If you have time read:

Matthew 25:31–40: What we do for others, we do for Jesus

Ephesians 4:32: Imitate God; be kind and compassionate to others

1 Peter 3:8–9: Be compassionate and humble

FORGIVENESS

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. — Matthew 18:21–22

If you have time read:

Proverbs 19:11: Overlook an offense

Proverbs 24:17: Don’t gloat over others’ failures

Ephesians 4:32: Forgive others as Christ forgave you

FRIENDSHIP

A friend loves at all times. — Proverbs 17:17

If you have time read:

1 Samuel 18:1–4: David and Jonathan’s friendship

Proverbs 27:9: Friends offer sincere advice

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12: Two are better than one

GOSSIP

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. — Proverbs 16:28

If you have time read:

Exodus 23:1: Don’t spread a false report

Ephesians 4:29–32: Speak constructively

James 3:1–12: Control your tongue

HONESTY

Truthful lips endure forever. — Proverbs 12:19

If you have time read:

Leviticus 19:36: Use honest scales

Psalm 34:13: Keep your lips from lies

Ephesians 4:15: Speak the truth in love

HOSPITALITY

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12:13

If you have time read:

Hebrews 13:2: Entertain strangers

1 Timothy 5:10: Is a sign of maturity

1 Peter 4:9: Offer hospitality without grumbling

JEALOUSY

Let us behave decently … not in dissension and jealousy. — Romans 13:13

If you have time read:

1 Corinthians 3:3–4: Leads to quarreling

Galatians 5:20: An act of the sinful nature

KINDNESS

Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. — 1 Thessalonians 5:15

If you have time read:

Matthew 10:42: Cup of cold water rewarded

Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate

2 Timothy 2:24: Be kind and without resentment

LOVE