Table of Contents

• Dedication
• Preface
• Introduction
• The 40-Day Reading Challenge
• The Old Testament
  • The Pentateuch
  • The Historical Books
  • The Poetic Books
  • The Prophetic Books
• The New Testament
  • The Gospels and Acts
  • The Epistles and Revelation
• Final Thoughts
• Appendix
  • Part 1: God is…
  • Part 2: Biblical Descriptions of Heaven
  • Part 3: Biblical Descriptions of Hell
  • Part 4: The Ten Commandments
  • Part 5: The Parables of Jesus
  • Part 6: The Fruit of the Spirit
  • Part 7: The Gifts of the Spirit
  • Part 8: The Beatitudes
  • Part 9: The Marks of the True Christian
  • Part 10: The Seven Abominations
  • Part 11: The Characteristics of a Pastor
  • Part 12: The Lord’s Prayer
  • Part 13: The Whole Armor of God
  • Part 14: Words from Husband to Wife
• Index
• Cut-out Book Mark

Dedication

To the readers, that they may find the scripture collected in this work to be a source of inspiration for increasing hope, love, and faith.

…

“[W]e rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5

“[Y]our faith and hope are in God.” – 1 Peter 1:21

Preface

What is the Purpose of this Reader?

This reader is meant to encourage the habit of daily engagement with Scripture. The hope is that readers may grow in their faith and understanding of the love of God, the grace of Jesus, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

What is Faith?

According to the Bible, “[F]aith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” and “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God…” – Hebrews 11:1,3.

This means that faith, as our trust in God’s faithfulness, matures over time through habitual practice and the development of intellectual understanding; faith is both the passionate impulse that moves us toward the transcendent and the virtuous discipline that sustains us in that movement.

Why Cultivate Faith?

Without faith providing shared values that transcend self-interest, people struggle to cooperate beyond simple transactions. Faith cultivates the trust, empathy, and restraint that make real cooperation possible. In our fragmented world, only bonds rooted in something greater than ourselves can unite us. That’s why faith matters now, more than ever.

“… The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches… For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 13:31-32;17:20

Introduction

The Bible is a Library

The Bible is a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom, literally a library of information to internalize and put into action. In fact, we get the word “Bible” from the Greek word biblos (βίβλος), essentially meaning “book”. The plural form of the word biblos is biblia (βιβλία), meaning “many books” – giving us the word “Bible” and highlighting the fact that the Bible is a collection of many books, but treated as one collective work.

The books of the Bible (66 books in total, with 39 books in the old testament and 27 books in the New Testament) were written over approximately 1,500 years. Adding to the Bible’s complexity is the vast historical span covered – from the creation of the universe to the end of the first century AD. It takes practice over time to train the brain to the words, writing styles, and context of the Bible, and there are a myriad of questions that keep people from taking the first step: Do you start at the beginning? Which is the best version of the Bible to read? What’s the difference between the Old and New Testaments? And so on…

As a result, most find reading the Bible intimidating.

This Reader Presents the Bible’s Framework

Think of this reader as a sort of “skeleton” – presenting the internal framework of the Bible, but without “organs, tissues, and minerals” that add historical or theological context. By doing so we hope to eliminate the barriers that keep you from developing the habit of spending time daily with the Scripture.

This reader organizes the books of the Bible into groups, such as “The Pentateuch” and “The Epistles”, for example. Then, you’ll find well-referenced, select, Biblical verses edited into (relatively) easy to read and understand passages. Bible verses selected are those that the authors and editors of this work believe to have the most meaning for today.

This Reader is Keyed to the ESV Bible

This reader utilizes the 2016 edition of the ESV Study Bible. “The ESV Study Bible was created to help people understand the Bible in a deeper way – that is, to encounter the timeless truth of God’s Word as a powerful, compelling, life-changing reality”, according to ESV editors. But why has the ESV version of the Bible been chosen for this reader, you ask?

• Comprehensive Resources: Extensive study Bibles, concordances, and digital tools are available, such as through ESV.org.
• “Essentially Literal” Accuracy: The ESV prioritizes a “word-for-word” translation philosophy, aiming to capture the precise wording of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts rather than just the general thought.
• Literary Excellence: The ESV translation maintains a reverent, traditional, and eloquent tone, making it well-suited for public reading and personal meditation.
• Modern Accessibility: The ESV is a contemporary translation (first published in 2001) that addresses language shifts, making it easier to understand for modern readers than older literal translations.
• Optimal Balance: The ESV bridges the gap between strictly literal translations (like the NASB) and more paraphrased versions (like the NIV), offering high accuracy with modern readability.
• Trusted Scholarship: Developed by a team of over 100 evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV is widely used by churches, theologians, and organizations.

…

Please enjoy this inspired work (and forgive any errors I may have made in editing and typing this material)! – Brian Colwell, Executive Editor

The 40-Day Reading Challenge

God says to Noah, “… I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” – Genesis 7:4

Forty days and nights is long enough for God to create great change in your life – and for you to accept this possibility. 

Challenge yourselffor the next forty days, if even for only a moment, to read the Scripture every day. This daily routine will make your Bible time habitual. You may struggle at first with finding the time, or understanding the content, and reading may quickly feel exhausting. That’s totally ok and expected – stick with it! Most important is the dedication to the effort, rather than the amount of time spent each day. 

Remember: worship of God is our good work, not His; you can’t live the Bible if you don’t read it. 

The Old Testament

The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible, containing sacred texts about the Creation, early human history, God’s covenant with Israel, laws, prophecy, and wisdom literature before the time of Jesus Christ – foretelling the coming of the Messiah and serving as foundational scripture for both Judaism and Christianity.

God’s covenant with Israel, known as “The Old Covenant”, was the conditional agreement God made with the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai, centered on the Ten Commandments and other Mosaic laws, sacrifices, and a priesthood to maintain their relationship with God. The Old Testament served as a temporary path to righteousness that highlighted humanity’s inability to perfectly keep the law – pointing toward the need for the New Covenant through Jesus. Thus, the Old Testament acquires its full meaning in the New Testament, and, in turn, both sheds light on and explains the New Covenant of the New Testament.

The Books of the Old Testament

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy
6. Joshua
7. Judges
8. Ruth
9. 1 Samuel
10. 2 Samuel
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Esther
18. Job
19. Psalms
20. Proverbs
21. Ecclesiastes
22. Song of Solomon
23. Isaiah
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel
28. Hosea
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
37. Haggai
38. Zechariah
39. Malachi

The Pentateuch

The “Pentateuch” (Greek for “five-volumed” or “five scrolls”), also known as the “Torah” (Hebrew for “instruction” or “law”), refers to the first five books of the Bible (see list below). Traditionally attributed to Moses, but now viewed by scholars as a compilation of several distinct ancient documents (Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly, Deuteronomist) combined over time, the Pentateuch covers the Creation, the patriarchs, the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt, Moses’ leadership, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the journey towards the Promised Land, outlining God’s covenant with His people and emphasizing His divine law.

The Pentateuch is represented by the first five books of the Old Testament:

1. Genesis

2. Exodus

3. Leviticus

4. Numbers

5. Deuteronomy

1. Genesis

The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, outlines the origins of the world, humanity, and the nation of Israel. It focuses on God’s creation, the fall of humanity, and the promise of redemption through Abraham’s family, detailing themes of divine sovereignty, human sin, and the covenant relationship. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Genesis+1/

“In the beginning, God…” – Genesis 1:1

“And God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” – Genesis 1:5

“So God created man in his own image…” – Genesis 1:27

“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food’. And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” – Genesis 1:29-31

“[T]he Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” – Genesis 2:7

“And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon… The name of the second river is the Gihon… And the name of the third river is the Tigris… And the fourth river is the Euphrates. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” – Genesis 2:8-11,13-15

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’… So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man’. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold hast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:18,21-24

“[T]he serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’” – Genesis 3:1

“Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark… Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth’.” – Genesis 7:1-3

“… I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground… And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.” – Genesis 7:4,7

“[T]he intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” – Genesis 8:21

“[B]e fruitful and multiply and fill the earth… I give you everything.” – Genesis 9:1,3

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” –Genesis 9:6

“I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” – Genesis 9:11

“And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘[Y]our very own son shall be your heir… Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them… So shall your offspring be’. And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:4-6

“I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” – Genesis 17:1-2

“Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to [God], tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” – Genesis 24:49

“Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up.” – Genesis 49:9

2. Exodus

The Book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible, detailing God’s rescue of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, their journey through the wilderness, and the covenant established at Mount Sinai. It centers on Moses leading the people to freedom through plagues and the Red Sea, culminating in receiving the Ten Commandments. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Exodus+1/

“Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live”. [A] Levite woman… conceived and bore a son, and… she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank… Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river… She saw the basket among the reeds… and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and… he became her son. She named him Moses, ‘Because’. She said, ‘I drew him out of the water’.” – Exodus 1:22;2:1-3,5-6,10

“Now therefore go, and I [the Lord] will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” – Exodus 4:12

“I am the Lord, and I will… deliver you from slavery… I will redeem you with an outstretched arm… I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God…” – Exodus 6:6-7

“[T]he earth is the Lord’s.” – Exodus 9:29

“By a strong hand the Lord brought us out… from the house of slavery.” – Exodus 13:14

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today… The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” – Exodus 14:13-14

“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not… bow down to… or serve [false idols]. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… For… the Lord… rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or… anything that is your neighbor’s.” – Exodus 20:1-17 (also referred to as The 10 Commandments)

“Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” – Exodus 20:20

“They shall make an ark… And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.” – Exodus 25:10,16

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it…’” – Exodus 32:8

“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin…” – Exodus 34:6-7

“Moses erected the tabernacle… And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord has commanded Moses. He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark. And be brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the Lord has commanded Moses.” – Exodus 40:18-21

3. Leviticus

Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and the Pentateuch, focusing on how a holy God can dwell among sinful people. It provides detailed laws, sacrificial systems, and purity regulations for the Israelites, emphasizing, “Be holy, for I am holy”. Key themes include atonement, priestly duties, and ritual purity. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Leviticus+1/

“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” – Leviticus 11:44

“I am the Lord your God… You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them.” – Leviticus 18:2,4

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” – Leviticus 19:11

“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him… You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind…” – Leviticus 19:13-14

“[Y]ou shall love your neighbor as yourself…” – Leviticus 19:18

“[I]f by… discipline you are not turned to me but walk contrary to me, then I also will walk contrary to you…” – Leviticus 26:23

4. Numbers

The Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Bible and the Pentateuch, chronicles the 40-year journey of the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land. It focuses on Israel’s rebellion, lack of trust in God, and the resulting wilderness wandering of a faithless generation. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Numbers+1/

“On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the Lord.” – Numbers 3:13

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26

“[T]he ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them… to seek out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp. And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you’. And when it rested, he said, ‘Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel’.” – Numbers 10:33-36

“I am not able to carry all this people alone… Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” – Numbers 11:14,29

“If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into… a land that flows with milk and honey.” – Numbers 14:8

“The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression…” – Numbers 14:18

“Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution…” – Numbers 15:20

“And the Lord said… ‘I am your portion and your inheritance’…” – Numbers 18:20

“[Y]ou shall present a contribution… to the Lord, a tithe…” – Numbers 18:26

“[A] man… shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” – Numbers 30:2

“You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people…” – Numbers 35:33-34

5. Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible, consists of Moses’ final speeches to a new generation of Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. It reiterates and explains the Mosaic law (covenant), calling for obedience, love for God, and faithfulness to avoid repeating past generation mistakes. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Deuteronomy+1/

“And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers. He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock…” – Deuteronomy 7:12-13

“You shall not covet… silver or… gold… lest you be ensnared by it…” – Deuteronomy 7:25

“[Y]ou shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” – Deuteronomy 8:2

“At that time the Lord said to me, ‘Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain and make an ark of wood. And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark’. So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two tablets of stone like the first, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. And he wrote on the tablets, in the same writing as before, the Ten Commandments that the Lord had spoken to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. And the Lord gave them to me. Then I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark that I had made. And there they are, and the Lord commanded me.” – Deuteronomy 10:1-5

“[T]oday you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” – Deuteronomy 20:3-4

“When Moses has finished writing the words of this law in a book to the very end, Moses commanded… who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, ‘Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you. For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death! Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you’.” – Deuteronomy 31:24-29

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” – Deuteronomy 32:4

“They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.” – Deuteronomy 32:5

The Historical Books

The “Historical Books” of the Bible refers to books six through seventeen of the Old Testament (see list below). These books detail leadership, monarchy, division, and restoration: the story of Israel’s entry into the Promised Land of Canaan under Joshua, Israel’s life in the Land under the judges and transition to rule by kingship, the division of the nation into two rival kingdoms (Israel and Judah) and life in both, the downfall and exile of each kingdom, life in exile, and Judah’s return from exile. 

Taken together, these books span almost 1000 years of history, told from a God’s-eye-view, with a focus on God’s sovereignty, presence, promises, kingdom, and covenant.

The collection of Historical Books in the Old Testament consists of the following:

6. Joshua

7. Judges

8. Ruth

9. 1 Samuel

10. 2 Samuel

11. 1 Kings

12. 2 Kings

13. 1 Chronicles

14. 2 Chronicles

15. Ezra

16. Nehemiah

17. Esther

6. Joshua

The Book of Joshua details the Israelite conquest of Canaan, following Moses’ death, under the leadership of Joshua. It focuses on God’s faithfulness in fulfilling promises, leading the people into the Promised Land, the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, military victories (e.g., Jericho), and dividing the land among the twelve tribes. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Joshua+1/

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you…” – Joshua 1:3

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“[T]he people… cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction.” – Joshua 7:12

“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made… had failed to come to pass.” – Joshua 21:45

“[D]o not rebel against the Lord or make us as rebels by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the Lord our God.” – Joshua 22:19

“Today we know that the Lord is in our midst…” – Joshua 22:31

“[I]t is the Lord your God who has fought for you.” – Joshua 23:3

“You eat the fruits of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.” – Joshua 24:13

“[S]erve him in sincerity and in faithfulness… and incline your heart to the Lord…” – Joshua 24:14,23

7. Judges

The Book of Judges chronicles Israel’s history from Joshua’s death to the rise of the monarchy, focusing on a repetitive cycle of disobedience, oppression by foreign nations, crying out, and deliverance by regional leaders (judges). It highlights a downward spiral of spiritual and moral decay, summarized by the phrase “everyone did what was right in their own eyes”. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Judges+1/

“I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you gave you their land. And I said to you, I am the Lord your God, you shall not fear…” – Judges 6:8-9

“[F]or as the man is, so is his strength.” – Judges 8:21

“The Lord, the Judge, decide[s] this day…” – Judges 11:27

“… I cannot take back my vow.” – Judges 11:35

“In those days [of apostasy] Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 17:6

“The land is spacious, for God has given it into your hands, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.” – Judges 18:10

“[L]et your heart be merry.” – Judges 19:6

8. Ruth

The Book of Ruth is a four-chapter Old Testament narrative about loyalty, redemption, and God’s providence, following a Moabite widow named Ruth who moves to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after their husbands die. Through her dedication, Ruth marries Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, becoming the great-grandmother of King David. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Ruth+1/

“May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest…” – Ruth 1:8-9

“The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord… under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” – Ruth 2:12

9. 1 Samuel

1 Samuel chronicles Israel’s crucial transition from a loose confederation of tribes ruled by judges to a unified monarchy under a king. It covers roughly 94 years, focusing on the prophet Samuel’s ministry, King Saul’s tragic downfall, and David’s rise, highlighting themes of obedience, divine sovereignty, and the dangers of pride. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Samuel+1/

“[T]here is no rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2

“Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” – 1 Samuel 2:3

“The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.” – 1 Samuel 2:4-5

“[T]he pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.” – 1 Samuel 2:8

10. 2 Samuel

2 Samuel in the Bible chronicles the 40-year reign of King David, detailing his rise as Israel’s ruler, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, and the promise of an eternal dynasty. It highlights his military triumphs alongside his severe moral failure with Bathsheba, leading to tragic family consequences and political turmoil, illustrating themes of leadership, repentance, and consequences. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Samuel+1/

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” –2 Samuel 22:3-4

“The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and from his statutes I did not turn aside. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. And the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.” – 2 Samuel 22:22-25

“This God – his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” – 2 Samuel 22:31

“When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.” – 2 Samuel 23:3-4

11. 1 Kings

1 Kings in the Bible details the transition from David to Solomon, the peak of Israel’s prosperity, the construction of the Temple, and the kingdom’s subsequent division into Israel (north) and Judah (south) due to idolatry. It covers the decline of Solomon’s reign and introduces the prophet Elijah. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Kings+1/

“Act, therefore, according to your wisdom.” – 1 Kings 2:6

“And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.” – 1 Kings 3:28

“[I]f you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I [the Lord] will establish my word with you.” – 1 Kings 6:12

“[T]here is no one who does not sin…” – 1 Kings 8:46

“[W]hen Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God… Then Solomon built a high place for… the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination… And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel.” – 1 Kings 11:4,7-9

12. 2 Kings

2 Kings continues the story of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, chronicling their downward spiral into idolatry and disobedience. It covers over 300 years, detailing the ministries of prophets like Elisha and Elijah, the decline of both kingdoms, and their final downfall: Israel conquered by Assyria and Judah exiled to Babylon. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Kings+1/

“[L]et… life be precious in your sight.” – 2 Kings 2:14

“[I]t is a great word… spoken to you; will you not do it?” – 2 Kings 5:13

“Hear the word of the Lord…” – 2 Kings 7:1

“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.” – 2 Kings 14:6

13. 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles recontextualizes Israel’s history to encourage returned exiles, focusing on the legitimacy of Davidic kingship and temple worship. It begins with extensive genealogies (chs. 1–9) tracing from Adam to establish continuity, followed by an idealized, positive account of King David’s reign (chs. 10–29), highlighting his preparations for the Temple. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Chronicles+1/

“[K]eep the command of the Lord, and also… seek guidance from the Lord.” – 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

“If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you…” – 1 Chronicles 12:17

“For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.” – 1 Chronicles 16:26-27

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” – 1 Chronicles 16:34

“Blessed are you, O Lord… forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hands are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” – 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you [O Lord], and of your own have we given you.” – 1 Chronicles 29:14

“O Lord our God, all this abundance… comes from your hand and is all your own.” – 1 Chronicles 29:16

“Grant to [me] a whole heart that [I] may keep your commandments, your testimonials, and your statutes, performing all…” – 1 Chronicles 29:19

14. 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles focuses on the spiritual history of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, from King Solomon’s temple construction to the Babylonian exile. It highlights the Davidic covenant, the importance of Temple worship, and how faithfulness to God brings blessing, while idolatry leads to calamity. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Chronicles+1/

“Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great? God answered… ‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people… wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor…’” – 2 Chronicles 1:10-12

“[W]hen you hear, forgive.” – 2 Chronicles 6:21

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

“The Lord is righteous.” – 2 Chronicles 12:6

“The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you.” – 2 Chronicles 15:2

“Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” – 2 Chronicles 15:7

“[T]he eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9

“Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” – 2 Chronicles 19:7

“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” – 2 Chronicles 20:21

“Why do you break the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper?” – 2 Chronicles 24:20

15. Ezra

The Book of Ezra details the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem, focusing on rebuilding the Temple and restoring covenant obedience. It highlights God’s faithfulness in fulfilling promises, the return under Zerubbabel and Ezra, and the spiritual reformation of the people. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Ezra+1/

“For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever…” – Ezra 3:11

“[T]hose who do not know [the laws of God], you shall teach.” – Ezra 7:25

“I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was one me…” – Ezra 7:28

“The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him…” – Ezra 8:22

16. Nehemiah

The Book of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the restoring the Jewish community’s spiritual and covenantal life after returning from Babylonian exile. It highlights Nehemiah’s leadership in overcoming opposition to rebuild the city in 52 days and his work with Ezra to reform the community. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Nehemiah+1/

“… O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you…” – Nehemiah 1:5

“[G]ive success to your servant today, and grant him mercy…” – Nehemiah 1:11

“Let us rise up and build.” – Nehemiah 2:18

“Let us abandon [the] extracting of interest.” – Nehemiah 5:10

“[M]ay God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep [his] promise.” – Nehemiah 5:13

“[D]o not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

“Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. You are the Lord, the God… you are righteous. [Y]ou are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…” – Nehemiah 9:5-8,17

“[Y]ou made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters. By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.” – Nehemiah 9:10-12

“[Y]ou are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love…” – Nehemiah 9:17

“We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by tree, to the house of the Lord… We will not neglect the house of our God.” – Nehemiah 10:35,39

17. Esther

The Book of Esther tells the story of a young Jewish woman who becomes Queen of Persia and risks her life to thwart a genocide plot against her people, establishing the festival of Purim. Set in Susa, it highlights themes of providence and courage, showing how Esther and her cousin Mordecai outwit the wicked official Haman. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Esther+1/

“[H]e was great… and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” – Esther 10:3

The Poetic Books

The “Poetic Books” of the Bible, also known as the “Wisdom Literature”, includes books eighteen through twenty-two of the Old Testament (see list below). While the Historical Books take a “God’s-eye’view” and focus on national history, the Poetic Books more explore the human heart and human experience, reflecting on the deep truths of life, faith, and relationships and offering guidance on how to live a Godly life.

Taken together, unifying themes of the Poetic Books include: fear of the Lord, the limits of human wisdom, and the righteous and wicked in relation to God. Contrary to common modern thoughts and beliefs, fear of the Lord and recognition of the limits of human wisdom in the Poetic Books are not denigrations of human dignity, but rather the very nature of true piety and the path by which human freedom can be most fully realized.

The collection of Poetic (or “Wisdom”) Books in the Old Testament consists of the following:

18. Job

19. Psalms

20. Proverbs

21. Ecclesiastes

22. Song of Solomon

18. Job

The Book of Job explores God’s justice and why innocent people suffer. It tells the story of a righteous man named Job who, with God’s permission, loses his wealth, children, and health in a test by Satan (the “accuser”) to see if he will remain faithful without blessings. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Job+1/

“Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty you will be built up; if you remove injustice far from your tents, if you lay gold in the dust… then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God. You will make your prayers to him, and he will hear you…” – Job 22:21-27

“This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage that oppressors receive from the Almighty: … Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay, he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver… He goes to bed rich, but will do so no more; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is gone.” – Job 27:13,16-17,19

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me’, and the sea says, ‘It is not with me’. It cannot be bought for gold and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in… precious onyx or sapphire… and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels… [T]he price of wisdom is above pearls [and] topaz… cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?… And [God] said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding’.” – Job 28:12-20,28

“[H]onor is pursued as by the wind, and… prosperity… passe[s] away like a cloud.” – Job 30:15

“[M]en ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then… burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.” – Job 32:1-2

“It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.” – Job 32:9

“If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” – Job 33:32-33

“[A] godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.” – Job 34:30

“The godless in heart cherish anger…” – Job 36:13

“The Almighty… is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” – Job 37:23-24

19. Psalms

The Book of Psalms is a collection of poems, hymns, and prayers, serving as a comprehensive songbook for worship, emotional expression, and divine praise. It explores the full spectrum of human experience—from joy and gratitude, to deep sorrow and lament—focusing on themes of God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and faithful relationship with humanity. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Psalm+1/

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed… Now therefore, O Kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord…” – Psalm 2:1-2,10-11

“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.” – Psalm 7:10

“[T]he wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies [and is] snared in the work of [his] own hands.” – Psalm 7:14,16

“But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalm 9:7-10

“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.” – Psalm 11:4

“The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” – Psalm 11:5

“For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” – Psalm 11:7

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, ‘I will now arise’, says the Lord; ‘I will place him in the safety for which he longs’.” – Psalm 12:5

“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” – Psalm 12:6

“He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor,… who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” – Psalm 15:2-5

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup…” – Psalm 16:5

“[O Lord] Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.” –Psalm 17:8-9

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; … the rules of the Lord are… sweeter… than… drippings of the honeycomb [and] in keeping them is great reward.” – Psalm 19:7-11

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” –Psalm 20:7-8

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” – Psalm 23:4

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.” – Psalm 25:8-11

“My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.” – Psalm 25:15-18

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me… it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” – Psalm 27:1-3

“Sing praises to the Lord… and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” – Psalm 30:4-7

“Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.” – Psalm 31:11-12

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 31:24

“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5

“Praise befits the upright.” – Psalm 33:1

“My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.” – Psalm 34:2

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

“Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” – Psalm 34:5

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7

“The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalm 34:10

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles… Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” –Psalm 34:17,19

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” –Psalm 34:18

“Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.” –Psalm 34:21

“Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me.” –Psalm 36:11

“[D]o good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness…”  – Psalm 37:3

“[T]rust in him, and he will act.” – Psalm 37:5

“[T]he meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” –Psalm 37:11

“[T]he Lord loves justice…” – Psalm 37:28

“[M]y iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness… [F]or you, O Lord, do I wait…” – Psalm 38:4-5,15

“My soul thirsts for God…” – Psalm 42:2

“[I will] ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness…” – Psalm 45:4

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart. O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17

“For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride.” – Psalm 59:12

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and… my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory…” – Psalm 62:5-7

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” – Psalm 62:8

“Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balance they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.” – Psalm 62:9

“O God, you are my Lord; earnestly I seek you; my soul shirts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” – Psalm 63:1-4

“Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless…” –Psalm 64:2-4

“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” –Psalm 66:8-10

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust… Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you [and] you are my strong refuge.” –Psalm 71:1-7

“… I will hope continually…” – Psalm 71:14

“I will… praise you… for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you… My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.” – Psalm 71:22-24

“[M]y feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.” – Psalm 73:2-6

“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” –Psalm 84:10-12

“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” – Psalm 85:10-13

“Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place – the Most High, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” – Psalm 91:9-11

“The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, livings things both small and great… and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. They all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.” – Psalm 104:21-28

“[The Lord] satisfies the longing soul.” – Psalm 107:9

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Our God is in the heavens, he does all that he pleases.” – Psalm 115:1-3

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless.” – Psalm 119:1

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statues. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” – Psalm 119:71-72

“Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!” – Psalm 124:6-7

“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” – Psalm 129:2-3

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” –Psalm 133:1

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps.” –Psalm 140:1-3

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” –Psalm 141:3

“But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.” – Psalm 141:8-10

“For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me… I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” – Psalm 143:3-6

“The Lord… heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds… Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” –Psalm 147:2-3,5

“Let the high praise of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones.” –Psalm 149:6-9

20. Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs in the Bible is a collection of short, poetic sayings and instructions designed to impart wisdom, discipline, and understanding for practical, godly living. Its core theme is that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” guiding readers to apply divine principles to daily life. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Proverbs+1/

“[F]ools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7

“[I]f sinners entice you, do not consent [and] do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.” – Proverbs 1:10,15-19

“[T]he complacency of fools destroys them…” – Proverbs 1:32

“Mak[e] your ear attentive to wisdom and inclin[e] your heart to understanding.” – Proverbs 2:2

“[D]iscretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil… men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” – Proverbs 2:11-15

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“Be not wise in your own eyes.” – Proverbs 3:7

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” – Proverbs 3:13-18

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open and the clouds drop down the dew.” – Proverbs 3:19-20

“[K]eep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul, and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” – Proverbs 3:21-23

“Get wisdom; get insight… Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize insight highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” – Proverbs 4:5-9

“Keep your heart will all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.” – Proverbs 5:1-4

“Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” – Proverbs 5:18-19

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” – Proverbs 6:16-19 (also referred to asThe Seven Abominations)

“[T]he commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from… evil…” – Proverbs 6:23-34

“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” – Proverbs 6:32-33

“Say to wisdom you are my sister, and call insight your intimate friend…” – Proverbs 7:4

“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? … O’ simple ones, learn prudence; O’ fools, learn sense.” – Proverbs 8:1,5

“… I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who found knowledge.” –Proverbs 8:6-9

“Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” –Proverbs 8:10-11

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.” – Proverbs 8:12

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely…” – Proverbs 10:9

“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.” –Proverbs 10:20

“The lips of the righteous feed many…” – Proverbs 10:21

“[W]isdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.” – Proverbs 10:23

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2

“[T]he treacherous are taken captive by their lust.” – Proverbs 11:6

“Where there is no guidance, a people fails, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” – Proverbs 11:14

“Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.” – Proverbs 11:15

“A gracious woman gets honor…” – Proverbs 11:16

“A man who is kind benefits himself.” – Proverbs 11:17

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.” – Proverbs 12:4

“Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.” – Proverbs 12:9

“[T]he root of the righteous bears fruit.” – Proverbs 12:12

“A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.” – Proverbs 12:23

“[T]he slothful will be put to forced labor.” – Proverbs 12:24

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” – Proverbs 12:25

“Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.” – Proverbs 12:27

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” – Proverbs 13:4

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” – Proverbs 13:11

“Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” – Proverbs 13:16

“The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.” – Proverbs 13:25

“The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” – Proverbs 14:10

“The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.” – Proverbs 14:20

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23

“[T]he folly of fools brings folly.” – Proverbs 14:24

“In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.” – Proverbs 14:28

“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” – Proverbs 14:29

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” – Proverbs 14:30

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” – Proverbs 14:31

“Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.” – Proverbs 14:33

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4

“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.” – Proverbs 15:13

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” – Proverbs 16:21

“Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it…” – Proverbs 16:22

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” – Proverbs 16:24

“Gray hair is a crown of glory… gained in a righteous life.” –Proverbs 16:31

“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” – Proverbs 16:32

“Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” – Proverbs 17:1

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” – Proverbs 17:3

“Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?” – Proverbs 17:16

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:2“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. [His] lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.” –Proverbs 18:2,6

“[H]umility comes before honor.” – Proverbs 18:12

“From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:20-21

“Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.” – Proverbs 19:4

“Good sense makes one slow to anger.” –Proverbs 19:11

“The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.” – Proverbs 20:4

“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” – Proverbs 20:5

“Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.” –Proverbs 20:13

“There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” –Proverbs 20:15

“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.” – Proverbs 20:17

“The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” –Proverbs 20:29

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes… Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.” – Proverbs 21:2,4

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5

“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor…” – Proverbs 21:6

“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” – Proverbs 21:23

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9

“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.” – Proverbs 22:16

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. “ Proverbs 22:24-25

“When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive good.” – Proverbs 23:1-3

“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.” – Proverbs 23:4

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 23:12

“Surely there is a future, and your heart will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18

“Be not among drunkards, nor among [the] gluttonous… for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” – Proverbs 23:20-21

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled…” – Proverbs 24:3-4

“[T]he drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 24:13-14

“[R]ebuke the wicked…” – Proverbs 24:25

“Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” – Proverbs 25:4-5

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11

“Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” – Proverbs 25:12

“[A] soft tongue will break a bone.” – Proverbs 25:15

“It is not good… nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.” – Proverbs 25:27

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” – Proverbs 25:28

“Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.” – Proverbs 26:1

“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” – Proverbs 26:4-5

“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” – Proverbs 26:11

“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” – Proverbs 26:12

“As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.” – Proverbs 26:14

“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.’ – Proverbs 26:21-21

“Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed…” – Proverbs 26:23-26 (see Proverbs 6:16-19 for the seven abominations)

“Whoever dips a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.” – Proverbs 26:27

“[A] flattering mouth works ruin.” – Proverbs 26:28

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” – Proverbs 27:1

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” – Proverbs 27:2

“A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.” – Proverbs 27:3

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:6

“[T]o one that is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” – Proverbs 27:7

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” – Proverbs 27:12

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” – Proverbs 27:19

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.” – Proverbs 27:21

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1

“When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.” – Proverbs 28:2

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper; but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool.” – Proverbs 28:26

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” – Proverbs 29:20

“One’s pride will bring him low…” – Proverbs 29:33

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” – Proverbs 29:25

“There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needs from among mankind.” – Proverbs 30:14

“The leech has two daughters: Give and Give [and they] are never satisfied.” – Proverbs 30:15

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9

“An excellent wife… is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life… Strength and dignity are her clothing… She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness… with the fruit of her hands. [H]er husband… praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all’.” – Proverbs 31:10-12,16 (fruit of her hands),25-27,28-29

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain.” – Proverbs 31:30

21. Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes explores the meaning of life, arguing that human pursuits such as wealth, pleasure, and work, are “vanity” (meaningless or like vapor) when pursued “under the sun” without God. The book advises fearing God, obeying his commands, and finding enjoyment in simple daily blessings. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Ecclesiastes+1/

“[I]n much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” – Ecclesiastes 1:18

“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 2:11

“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.” – Ecclesiastes 2:24

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

“[There is] a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…” – Ecclesiastes 3:7

“All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” – Ecclesiastes 3:20

“Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil.” – Ecclesiastes 4:6

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

“[L]et your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.” – Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10

“All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.” – Ecclesiastes 6:7

“[A] bribe corrupts the heart.” – Ecclesiastes 7:7

“[T]he protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.” – Ecclesiastes 7:12

“[T]here is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” – Ecclesiastes 7:20

“I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters.” – Ecclesiastes 7:25-26

“… God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” – Ecclesiastes 7:29

“A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.” – Ecclesiastes 8:1

“[M]an has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” –Ecclesiastes 9:10

“If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.” – Ecclesiastes 10:4

“He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.” – Ecclesiastes 10:8-9

“The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.” – Ecclesiastes 10:12

“A fool multiplies words…” – Ecclesiastes 10:14

“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. [Y]ou do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening, withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” – Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

“All that comes is vanity.” –Ecclesiastes 11:8

22. Song of Solomon

The Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) is a collection of poetic love songs in the Bible celebrating intense romantic desire, courtship, and sexual intimacy within marriage. It focuses on the beauty of love between a woman and a man, highlighting passion and commitment. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Song+of+Solomon+1/

She: “[Y]our love is better than wine…” –Song of Solomon 1:2

She: “As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” –Song of Solomon 2:3

She: “My beloved is mine, and I am his…” –Song of Solomon 2:16

He: “Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil.” –Song of Solomon 4:1

He: “Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue… Your shoots are an orchard [and] a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams…” –Song of Solomon 4:11,13,15

He: “How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights! Your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters. I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its fruit. Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine…” –Song of Solomon 7:6-8

She: “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” –Song of Solomon 7:10

She: “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it…” –Song of Solomon 8:6-7

“What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is spoken for? If she is a wall, we will build on her a battlement of silver, but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.” –Song of Solomon 8:9

The Prophetic Books

The “Prophetic Books” of the Bible, which refers to books twenty-three through thirty-nine of the Old Testament (see list below), are often further divided into two groups: the “Major Prophets” and the “Minor Prophets”. Note that this categorization identifies the length of the book, not the actual significance of the prophet or the influence of the prophet’s message. The books of the Major Prophets include: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The books of the Minor Prophets, also sometimes called “The Twelve”, include: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Taken together, the Prophetic Books contain messages of judgment, repentance, and future restoration, with a focus on themes such as social justice, covenant faithfulness, and the coming “Day of the Lord”.

The collection of Prophetic Books in the Old Testament consists of the following:

23. Isaiah

24. Jeremiah

25. Lamentations

26. Ezekiel

27. Daniel

28. Hosea

29. Joel

30. Amos

31. Obadiah

32. Jonah

33. Micah

34. Nahum

35. Habakkuk

36. Zephaniah

37. Haggai

38. Zechariah

39. Malachi

23. Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah is a major prophetic book in the Old Testament focusing on God’s judgment against sinful nations and the promise of future salvation, comfort, and restoration for Israel. It highlights the coming Messianic King, or “Suffering Servant,” who will establish a righteous kingdom, making it one of the most significant messianic texts in the Bible. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+1/

“[M]ake yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless…” – Isaiah 1:16-17

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” –Isaiah 6:3

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and you sin atoned for’.” – Isaiah 6:6-7

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat; and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them… They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:6,9

“Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon…” – Isaiah 16:3

“[G]ive rest to the weary…” – Isaiah 28:12

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

“Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will betray you.” – Isaiah 33:1

“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly… despises the gain of oppressions…” – Isaiah 33:15

“I know your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against me. Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.” – Isaiah 37:28-29

“All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades… but the word of our God will stand forever.” –Isaiah 40:6-8

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” – Isaiah 40:28-29

“Feed not on ashes, nor let your deluded heart lead you astray.” –Isaiah 44:20

“[I]dols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.” – Isaiah 46:1-2

“[S]it on the ground without a throne.” –Isaiah 47:1

“God has refined you, but not as silver; he has tried you in the furnace of affliction.” – Isaiah 48:10

“The Lord… made my mouth like a sharp sword; … he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, ‘You are my servant… in whom I will be glorified… I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth’.” –Isaiah 49:1-3,6

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” –Isaiah 50:4-7

“[F]ear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”-Isaiah 51:7-8

“[H]e was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away… And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.” –Isaiah 53:5-9

“[G]o out in joy and be led forth in peace… and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” –Isaiah 55:12-13

“Keep justice, and do righteousness… Blessed is the man who does this…” –Isaiah 56:1-2

“[T]he righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace…” –Isaiah 57:1-2

“[L]oose the bonds of wickedness,… undo the straps of the yoke,… let the oppressed go free,… share your bread with the hungry and… when you see the naked,… cover him[;] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say. ‘Here I am’. If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing finger, and the speaking of wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” – Isaiah 58:6-12

“[T]he Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;… to comfort all who mourn…” –Isaiah 61:1-2

“[R]ighteousness goes forth as brightness…” –Isaiah 62:1

“We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” – Isaiah 64:6

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word’.” – Isaiah 66:1-2

24. Jeremiah

The Book of Jeremiah is a prophetic Old Testament book detailing God’s judgment on Judah for breaking their covenant through idolatry, resulting in the Babylonian exile(c. 586 BCE). Jeremiah warns of destruction, encourages repentance, and offers hope for future restoration, including a “new covenant” written on hearts rather than stone. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Jeremiah+1/

“[L]ong ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds… I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed.” – Jeremiah 2:20-21

“[Y]ou can do good who are accustomed to do evil.” –Jeremiah 13:23

“If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth.” – Jeremiah 15:19

“… I will make you… a fortified wall of bronze; … they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 15:20

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” – Jeremiah 17:10

“Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool.” – Jeremiah 17:11

“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.” –Jeremiah 29:5-6

“[A]ll who devour you shall be devoured, and all your foes, every one of them, shall go into captivity; those who plunder you shall be plundered, and all who prey on you I will make a prey. For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord…” –Jeremiah 30:16-17

“Your trusted friends have deceived you and prevailed against you; now that your feet are sunk in the mud, they turn away from you.” –Jeremiah 38:22

“Leave the cities, and dwell in the rock… Be like the dove that nests in the sides of the mouth of a gorge.” – Jeremiah 48:28

“[B]ecause of the sword of the oppressor, every one shall turn to his own people.” – Jeremiah 50:16

25. Lamentations

The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poetic dirges, traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, mourning the 586 B.C. Babylonian siege, destruction of Jerusalem, and the burning of the Temple. It processes the profound trauma of exile, emphasizing God’s justice, the consequences of sin, and the desperate hope for mercy. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Lamentations+1/

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave. She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.” – Lamentations 1:1-2

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’.” – Lamentations 3:21-24

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” – Lamentations 3:25

“[T]o deny a man justice… the Lord does not approve.” – Lamentations 3:35-36

“Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven…” – Lamentations 3:41

“[H]e will uncover your sins.” – Lamentations 4:22

26. Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel is a major prophetic book in the Old Testament focused on God’s judgment of Israel for idolatry and injustice—culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple—followed by a message of hope, future restoration of the nation, and the promise of a new covenant with transformed hearts. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Ezekiel+1/

“Forge a chain! For the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence.” – Ezekiel 7:23

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions… I am against you… My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people… nor shall they enter the land. And you shall know that I am the Lord God. Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace”, when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash… I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare’.” – Ezekiel 13:8-10,14

“[I]f a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statues and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him, for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.” – Ezekiel 18:21

“I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules… I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.” – Ezekiel 36:25-26

“I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” – Ezekiel 37:26-27

27. Daniel

The Book of Daniel tells the story of Daniel and his friends maintaining faith while in Babylonian exile (taken from Jerusalem as a youth, Daniel served in the royal courts of Babylon and Persia, famously surviving the lions’ den). The Book of Daniel highlights God’s sovereignty over earthly kingdoms, showcasing dramatic narratives of faithfulness (again, the lions’ den) and symbolic visions of future kingdoms, culminating in God’s eternal rule. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Daniel+1/

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light swells with him. To you, O’ God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might…” – Daniel 2:20-23

“[M]ystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that… you may know the thoughts of your mind.” – Daniel 2:30

“… I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;… none can stay his hand…” – Daniel 4:34-35

“[M]y reason returned to me… Now I… praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:36-37

“[Y]ou are greatly loved.” – Daniel 9:23

“[F]rom the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard…” – Daniel 10:12

“[T]hose who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” – Daniel 12:3

28. Hosea

The Book of Hosea is a prophetic Old Testament book focused on God’s relentless, unconditional love for a faithless Israel. Hosea is commanded to marry a promiscuous woman, Gomer, using their dysfunctional marriage as a vivid metaphor for God’s covenant relationship with Israel, who worshipped other gods. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Hosea+1/

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” – Hosea 10:12

“You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors, therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed…” – Hosea 10:13-14

“It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” – Hosea 14:8-9

29. Joel

The Book of Joel is an Old Testament prophetic book focusing on the “Day of the Lord,” a time of divine judgment and impending catastrophe meant to prompt national repentance. It calls for genuine lament and inward change, promising that God will restore the land, judge wicked nations, and eventually pour out His Spirit. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Joel+1/

“What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten. Awake, you drunkards, and weep… [for] gladness dries up from the children of man.” –Joel 1:4-5,12

“The Lord utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful…” –Joel 2:11

“[R]end your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” –Joel 2:13

“[G]ather the people.” –Joel 2:16

“I will restore to you the years that the… locust has eaten… You shall… be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.” –Joel 2:25-26

“You shall know that I am… the Lord your God and there is none else.” –Joel 2:27

“[E]veryone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” –Joel 2:32

“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, ‘I am a warrior’.” – Joel 3:10

30. Amos

The Book of Amos is a prophetic Bible book focusing on God’s judgment against social injustice, religious hypocrisy, and idolatry in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Written by a shepherd-prophet, it warns that true worship requires justice, righteousness, and care for the poor, announcing impending exile while offering final hope for restoration. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Amos+1/

“[T]he Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret…” – Amos 3:7

“‘They do not know how to do right’, declares the Lord, ‘those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds’.” – Amos 3:10

“For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!” – Amos 4:13

“Hate evil and love good, and establish justice…” – Amos 5:15

“[L]et justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:24

“‘Behold, the days are coming’, declares the Lord, ‘when the plowman shall overtake the reaper’…” – Amos 9:13

31. Obadiah

The Book of Obadiah, the shortest in the Old Testament (21 verses), is a prophecy declaring God’s judgment on the nation of Edom for its arrogance and betrayal of Judah. It centers on Edom’s (the descendants of Esau) hostile actions against their “brother” nation, Israel/Judah, when Babylon attacked. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Obadiah/

“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live… in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.” – Obadiah 3-4

“[D]o not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people… in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.” – Obadiah 12

“As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.” – Obadiah 15

32. Jonah

The Book of Jonah is a four-chapter Old Testament narrative about a reluctant prophet who flees from God’s command (to preach repentance to Nineveh, Israel’s enemy). After being swallowed by a “great fish” (Hebrew: dag gadol) for his disobedience, he obeys, but resents God’s mercy toward the Ninevites. The Book of Jonah highlights themes of forgiveness, compassion, and divine grace. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Jonah+1/

“When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord…” – Jonah 2:7

“Salvation belongs to the Lord!” – Jonah 2:9

“Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.” – Jonah 3:8

33. Micah

The Book of Micah is a prophetic Old Testament book focused on God’s judgment against Israel and Judah for social injustice, idolatry, and corrupt leadership. Micah warns of impending destruction, including the fall of Samaria and Jerusalem, while offering hope for a future restored remnant and the promise of a Messianic ruler from Bethlehem. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Micah+1/

“Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it… the Lord is coming out of his place…” – Micah 1:2-3

“Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil…” – Micah 2:1

“[Y]ou shall not walk haughtily…” – Micah 2:3

“Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?” – Micah 2:7

“But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might…” – Micah 3:8

“[W]e will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” – Micah 4:5

“[T]he Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.” – Micah 4:10

“[W]hat does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8

“Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth…” – Micah 7:5

“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” – Micah 7:8

“Shepherd your people with your staff [and] I will show them marvelous things.” – Micah 7:14-15

“The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might;… they shall come trembling out of their strongholds; they shall turn… to the Lord our God…” – Micah 7:16-17

“[God] will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot [and] cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” – Micah 7:19

34. Nahum

The Book of Nahum is a three-chapter prophetic book that announces the downfall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Written between 664 and 612 B.C., it portrays God as a just judge who avenges the oppressed, highlighting that violent, arrogant empires will not last forever. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Nahum+1/

“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power…” – Nahum 1:3

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” – Nahum 1:7

“Thus says the Lord, ‘… I will break his yoke off you and will burst your bonds apart’.” – Nahum 1:12-13

“[N]ever again shall the worthless pass through you…” – Nahum 1:15

“Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder – no end to the prey!… For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?” – Nahum 3:1,19

“All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs – if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold… [t]he gates of your land are wide open to your enemies…” – Nahum 3:12-13

“[Where are your leaders and your wise ones?] Your princes are like grasshoppers, your scribes like clouds of locusts settling on the fences in a day of cold – when the sun rises, they fly away; no one knows where they are. Your shepherds are asleep,… your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them.” – Nahum 3:17

35. Habakkuk

The Book of Habakkuk is a three-chapter Old Testament prophetic book featuring a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God, dealing with themes of injustice, suffering, and divine justice. Habakkuk asks why God allows evil and why God uses the Babylonians to punish Judah. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Habakkuk+1/

“The law is paralyzed… For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.” – Habakkuk 1:4

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” – Habakkuk 1:5

“[T]he righteous shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4

“[W]ine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest.” – Habakkuk 2:5

“‘Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own – for how long? – and loads himself with pledges!’ Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them.” – Habakkuk 2:7

“Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you…” – Habakkuk 2:8

“Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his next on high, to be safe from the reach of harm!” – Habakkuk 2:9

“Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!” – Habakkuk 2:12

“[T]he earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Habakkuk 2:14

“Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink… in order to gaze at their nakedness!” – Habakkuk 2:15

“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!” – Habakkuk 2:18

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18

36. Zephaniah

The Book of Zephaniah is a prophetic book written during King Josiah’s reign (king of Judah from approximately 640 to 609 B.C.) to warn of God’s coming – and judgment on Judah and surrounding nations for their idolatry and wickedness. Known for its themes of the “Day of the Lord,” it balances severe warnings of destruction with promises of purification and restoration for a faithful remnant. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Zephaniah+1/

“… I will punish the men who are complacent.” – Zephaniah 1:12

“The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast…” – Zephaniah 1:14

“[B]ecause they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord.” – Zephaniah 1:17-18

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility…” – Zephaniah 2:3

“[T]o him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations.” – Zephaniah 2:11

“The Lord… is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.” – Zephaniah 3:5

“[D]o no injustice and speak no lies…” – Zephaniah 3:13

“[T]he Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil… [H]e will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” – Zephaniah 3:15,17

“… I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.” – Zephaniah 3:19

37. Haggai

The Book of Haggai is an Old Testament prophetic book (c. 520 BC) that urges the returned Jewish people to prioritize rebuilding the Lord’s Temple – over their own homes. It emphasizes putting God first, highlights the relationship between obedience and blessing, and promises that God’s presence and future glory will fill the new Temple. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Haggai+1/

“Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.” – Haggai 1:5-6

“You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” – Haggai 1:9

“Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you…” – Haggai 2:4

“[F]rom this day on I will bless you.” – Haggai 2:19

“I will… make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.” – Haggai 2:23

38. Zechariah

The Book of Zechariah is a post-exilic prophetic book focused on encouraging the returned Jewish remnant to rebuild the Temple, repent, and trust in God’s future restoration. Through a series of symbolic night visions and dramatic prophecies, it highlights God’s sovereignty, the promise of the Messiah’s kingdom, and the purification of His people. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Zechariah+1/

“Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you… “ – Zechariah 1:3

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan!’” – Zechariah 3:2

“[D]iligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.” – Zechariah 6:15

“… Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” – Zechariah 7:9

“Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” – Zechariah 8:13

“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.” – Zechariah 8:16

“[T]he people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd… So I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders. And I took two staffs, one I named Favor, the other I named Union. And I tended the sheep.” – Zechariah 10:2;11:7

39. Malachi

The Book of Malachi, the final book of the Old Testament, serves as a wake-up call to post-exilic Israel, focusing on God’s enduring love despite the people’s spiritual apathy, corrupt worship, and social injustice. It uses a dialogue format of six disputes to rebuke, call for repentance, and promise the coming of the Messiah and his forerunner, Elijah. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Malachi+1/

“[L]et none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” – Malachi 2:15

“[G]uard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” – Malachi 2:16

“For I the Lord do not change…” – Malachi 3:6

“Bring [your] full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soul, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear… Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight…” – Malachi 3:10-12

“[T]he day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” – Malachi 4:1

The New Testament

The New Testament is the second major part of the Bible, centered on Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, the early church, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the establishment of a New Covenant through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, replacing the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) of the Old Testament with the promise of forgiveness of one’s sins, a transformed heart written by God’s Spirit, and a personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

The Old Testament is the foundation and the promise, and the the New Testament is the fulfillment and application of that promise through Jesus: the Old Testament predicts the coming of the Messiah, while the New Testament reveals that the Messiah has come; the Old Testament shows humanity’s need for a Savior, while the New Testament shows how that Savior (Jesus) provides that much needed redemption and restoration. One cannot separate the Old Testament from the New, which builds upon the foundation laid by the Old and reveals God’s consistent plan for, and steadfast dedication to, His good work – humanity.

The Books of the New Testament

1. Matthew
2. Mark
3. Luke
4. John
5. Acts
6. Romans
7. 1 Corinthians
8. 2 Corinthians
9. Galatians
10. Ephesians
11. Philippians
12. Colossians
13. 1 Thessalonians
14. 2 Thessalonians
15. 1 Timothy
16. 2 Timothy
17. Titus
18. Philemon
19. Hebrews
20. James
21. 1 Peter
22. 2 Peter
23. 1 John
24. 2 John
25. 3 John
26. Jude
27. Revelation

The Gospels and Acts

The “Gospels and Acts” of the Bible refers to books one through five of the New Testament (see list below). While each of these books was designed to be considered as a full account on its own merit, the Gospels and Acts find themselves subject to further groupings by theologians. For example, the Gospels (books one through four of the New Testament, or Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are considered to be biographies, while Acts (book five of the New Testament) is considered to be a legitimization document, documenting the history of the Christian church’s birth and spread from Jerusalem to the Roman Empire and explaining how the new Christian community was rooted in the promises and faith of the Old Testament. 

The Gospels (literally the “Good News”) are further divided by scholars, with the first three books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) also referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels” (from Greek syn “together” + opsis “seeing”, meaning “seeing together” or “from the same general viewpoint”) because they offer a shared, “same view”, of Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection, including that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the child of God, the one uniquely able to bring forth God’s promise of salvation.

The collection of the Gospels (and Acts) consists of the first five books of the New Testament:

1. Matthew

2. Mark

3. Luke

4. John

5. Acts

1. Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is a New Testament book presenting Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, king, and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It portrays Jesus as a new, greater Moses who teaches with authority and brings God’s kingdom to earth, culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Matthew+1/

“[Y]ou shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21

“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him, and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’.” – Matthew 3:16-17

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4

“You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” – Matthew 4:10

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men’.” – Matthew 4:18-19

“And [Jesus] opened his mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…” – Matthew 5:2-12 (also referred to as The Beatitudes)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” – Matthew 5:13 (also referred to as The Parable of the Salt of the Earth)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (also referred to as The Parable of the Lamp under the Basket)

“[W]hoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:19

“[B]e reconciled to your brother… Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” – Matthew 5:24-26

“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” – Matthew 5:42

“… Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you…” – Matthew 6:1-2

“Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:9-13 (also referred to asThe Lord’s Prayer)

“[I]f you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…” – Matthew 6:14

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” – Matthew 6:22-23

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” – Matthew 6:24

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” – Matthew 6:25-30

“[D]o not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:1-5 (also referred to as The Parable of the Speck in the Eye)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

“[W]hatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law…” – Matthew 7:12

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:13-14

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” – Matthew 7:15-20 (also referred to as The Parable of the Tree and its Fruit; see also Matthew 12:33-37)

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the flood came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” – Matthew 7:24-27 (also referred to as The Parable of the House Built on Rock)

“… ‘Why do we… fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wind is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved’.” – Matthew 9:14-17 (also referred to as The Parable of the New Cloth and Old Garment, New Wine and Old WIneskins)

“…Take heart… your faith has made you well.” – Matthew 9:22

“[G]ive without pay.” – Matthew 10:8

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you…” – Matthew 10:16-17

“What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops, and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” – Matthew 10:27-28

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” – Matthew 10:34

“[W]hoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to their playmates, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn’. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” – Matthew 11:16-19 (also referred to as The Parable of the Children in the Marketplace)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” – Matthew 12:25

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” – Matthew 12:30

“[W]hoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” – Matthew 12:32

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit… How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of all his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgement, people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:33-37 (also referred to as The Parable of the Tree and its Fruit; see also Matthew 7:15-20)

“… An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it…” – Matthew 12:39

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” – Matthew 12:50

“… A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear… Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” – Matthew 13:3-9,18-23 (also referred to as The Parable of the Sower and his Seed)

“[T]he disciples came and said to [Jesus], ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ And he answered… ‘I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand’.” – Matthew 13:10-11,13

“[T]his people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” – Matthew 13:15-16

“… The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So then servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn’… The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” – Matthew 13:24-30,37-43 (also referred to as The Parable of the Weeds in the Field)

“… The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches… For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 13:31-32;17:20 (also referred to as The Parable of the Mustard Seed)

“He told them another parable. ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened’.” – Matthew 13:33 (also referred to as The Parable of the Leaven)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44 (also referred to as The Parable of the Hidden Treasure)

“[T]he kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” –Matthew 13:45-46 (also referred to as The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value)

“[T]he kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the fiery furnace.” – Matthew 13:47-50 (also referred to as The Parable of the Net of Good and Bad Fish)

“‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to him, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old’.” – Matthew 13:51-52 (also referred to as The Parable of the New and Old Treasures)

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” – Matthew 15:8-9

“Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person… Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” – Matthew 15:10-11,17-20

“[I]f the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” – Matthew 15:14

“… Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” – Matthew 16:23

“[W]hat will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” – Matthew 16:26

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” – Matthew 18:10-14 (also referred to as The Parable of the Lost Sheep)

“[W]here two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:20

“… ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said… ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servants fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” – Matthew 18:21-35 (also referred to as The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)

“[L]ove your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 19:19

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first and the first last.” – Matthew 20:1-16 (also referred to as The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard)

“[T]he Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28

“‘What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And he answered, “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, “I go, sir”, but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first’, Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him’.” – Matthew 21:28-32 (also referred to as The Parable of the Two Sons)

“… ‘There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.” And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him’.” – Matthew 21:33-44 (also referred to as The Parable of the Tenants)

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, staying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast”.’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm , another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:2-14 (also referred to as The Parable of the Wedding Feast)

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12

“Woe to you… hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” – Matthew 23:23

“… ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’.” – Matthew 23:39

“[Y]ou will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains… And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow old. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:6-8,11-13

“Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” – Matthew 24:28

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Matthew 24:32-35 (also referred to as The Parable of the Fig Tree)

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed’, and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 24:45-51 (also referred to as The Parable of the Faithful and Wise Servant; extracted from “No One Knows That Day/Hour”)

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” – Matthew 25:1-13 (also referred to as The Parable of the Ten Virgins)

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was after, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’.” – Matthew 25:14-30 (also referred to as The Parable of the Talents)

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me’. Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life’.” – Matthew 25:41-46

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

“[A]ll who take the sword will perish by the sword.” – Matthew 26:52

“And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.” – Matthew 27:59-61

“And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it… [T]he angel said… ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you’. So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’” – Matthew 28:2,5-9

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.” – Matthew 28:18-19

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20

2. Mark

The Gospel of Mark is an action-oriented account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, designed to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah. It highlights Jesus as a suffering servant who came to give his life as ransom for our sins. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Mark+1/

“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins – and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” – Mark 2:21-22 (also referred to as The Parable of the New Cloth and Old Garment, New Wine and Old WIneskins)

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.” – Mark 3:24-27 (also referred to as The Parable of the Divided Kingdom; alternatively asThe Parable of the Divided House)

“[W]hoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” – Mark 3:35

“‘Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear… The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold’.” – Mark 4:3-9,13-20 (also referred to as The Parable of the Sower and his Seed)

“[T]hose around [Jesus] with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven’.” – Mark 4:10–12

“And he said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’.” – Mark 4:21-23 (also referred to as The Parable of the Lamp under the Basket; alternatively known as The Parable of the Lamp under the Bed)

“And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come’.” – Mark 4:26-29 (also referred to as The Parable of the Seed Growing)

“And Jesus said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade’.” – Mark 4:30-32 (also referred to as The Parable of the Mustard Seed)

“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:35

“[W]hoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” – Mark 9:37

“[T]he one who is not against us is for us.” – Mark 9:40

“Whoever causes one… who believe[s] in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” –Mark 9:42-50

“[A] man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” – Mark 10:7-9

“No one is good except God alone.” – Mark 10:18

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10:25

“… And Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mind to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared’.” – Mark 10:39-40

“[W]hatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24

“… ‘A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed, Again, he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes”’?” – Mark 12:1-11 (also referred to as The Parable of the Tenants)

“And one of the scribes… asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is,… The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these’.” – Mark 12:28-31

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Mark 13:28-31 (also referred to as The Parable of the Fig Tree)

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning – lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: ‘Stay awake’.” – Mark 13:32-37 (also referred to as The Parable of the Watchful Servant; extracted from “No One Knows That Day/Hour”)

3. Luke

The Gospel of Luke is a detailed, historical account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, written to provide certainty about his teachings. It highlights Jesus as the compassionate Savior of all humanity—specifically focusing on outcasts, women, the poor, and Gentiles. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Luke+1/

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his Servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant… in remembrance of his mercy…” – Luke 1:47-54

“[Y]ou will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:76-79

”Collect no more than you are authorized to do… Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” – Luke 3:13-14

“I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” – Luke 3:16-17

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God… for I was sent for this purpose.” – Luke 4:43

“[W]ithdraw to desolate places and pray.” – Luke 5:16

“… ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good’.” – Luke 5:36-39 (also referred to as The Parable of the New Cloth and Old Garment, New Wine and Old WIneskins)

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:32-36

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:37-38

“… ‘Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?’” – Luke 6:39 (also referred to as The Parable of the Blind Leading the Blind)

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” – Luke 6:41-42 (also referred to as The Parable of the Speck in the Eye)

“[N]o good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produced good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:43-45 (also referred to as The Parable of the Tree and its Fruit)

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” – Luke 6:46-49 (also referred to as The Parable of the House Built on Rock)

“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.” – Luke 7:31-35 (also referred to as The Parable of the Children in the Marketplace)

“‘A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’” – Luke 7:41-43 (also referred to as The Parable of the Moneylender)

“And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.’ As he said these things, he called out, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear… The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the care and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.’” – Luke 8:4-8,11-15 (also referred to as The Parable of the Sower and his Seed)

“[Jesus] said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” – Luke 8:10

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away… No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand; so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” – Luke 8:16-17,11:33-36 (also referred to as The Parable of the Lamp Under the Jar; alternatively known as The Parable of the Lamp Under the Bed; or from Luke 11:33-36 – The Parable of the Lamp Under the Basket)

“[D]eclare how much God has done for you.” – Luke 8:39

“[W]herever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” – Luke 9:5

“And [Jesus] said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’.” – Luke 9:23

“… No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62

“Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” – Luke 10:3

“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How do you read it?’ And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have answered correctly, do this, and you will live.’ But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii, and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” – Luke 10:25-37 (also referred to as The Parable of the Good Samaritan)

“… When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” – Luke 11:2-4 (also referred to as The Lord’s Prayer)

“And he said to them, ‘Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything?’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” – Luke 11:5-13 (also referred to as The Parable of the Friend in Need)

“… Blessed… are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” – Luke 11:28

“And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself: “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?” And he said, “I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry’.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.’” – Luke 12:16-21 (also referred to as The Parable of the Rich Fool)

“[D]o not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.” – Luke 12:22-23

“Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Luke 12:33-34

“‘Stay dressed for action and keep your lamp burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come an a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.’” – Luke 12:35-48 (also referred to as The Parable of the Faithful Servant; extracted from “You Must Be Ready”)

“And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found one. And he said to the vinedresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?” And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down”.’” – Luke 13:6-9,21:29-33 (also referred to as The Parable of the Fig Tree)

“… ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’” – Luke 13:18-19 (also referred to as The Parable of the Mustard Seed)

“… To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.’” – Luke 13:20-21 (also referred to as The Parable of the Leaven)

“Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, “Give your place to this person”, and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher.” Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” – Luke 14:7-11 (also referred to as The Parable of the Wedding Feast)

“He said also to the man who had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the cripped, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’ When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, ‘Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.” And another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.” And another said, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” And the servant said, “Sir what you commanded had been done, and still there is room.” And the master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled, For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet”.’” – Luke 14:12-24 (also referred to as The Parable of the Great Banquet)

“Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.’” – Luke 14:25-33 (also referred to as The Parable of the Cost of Discipleship)

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man received sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Luke 15:1-7 (also referred to as The Parable of the Lost Sheep)

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost!” Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’” – Luke 15:8-10 (also referred to as The Parable of the Lost Coin)

“And he said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his field to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants’.” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what things meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found”.'” – Luke 15:11-32 (also referred to as The Parable of the Prodigal Son)

“… There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.” And the manager said to himself, “What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.” So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, “How much do you owe my master?” He said, “A hundred measures of oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.” Then he said to another, “And how much do you owe?” He said, “A hundred measures of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill, and write eighty.” The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so than when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.’” – Luke 16:1-9 (also referred to as The Parable of the Dishonest Manager)

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” – Luke 16:10-12

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me… for I am in anguish in this flame’. But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us’. And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house – for I have five brothers – so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to them, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead’.” – Luke 16:19-31 (also referred to as The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus)

“… ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!’” – Luke 17:1

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent’, you must forgive him.” – Luke 17:3-4

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table?’ Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’.” – Luke 17:7-10 (also referred to as The Parable of the Unworthy Servants)

“[F]or behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” – Luke 17:21

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my adversary.” For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”’” – Luke 18:1-8 (also referred to as The Parable of the Persistent Widow)

“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’” – Luke 18:9-14 (also referred to as The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)

“[W]hoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” – Luke 18:17

“… No one is good except God alone.” – Luke 18:19

“[T]he Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10

“As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, ‘A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, “Engage in business until I come.” But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us.” When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The fist came before him, saying, “Lord your mina has made ten minas more.” And he said to him, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” And the second came, saying, “Lord, your mina has made fine minas.” And he said to him, “And you are to be over five cities.” Then another came, saying, “Lord here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” He said to him, “I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?” And he said to those who stood by, “Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.” And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten minas!” I tell you that to everyone who has more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” – Luke 19:11-27 (also referred to as The Parable of the Ten Minas; alternatively known as The Parable of the Talents)

“[T]he things that make for peace… are hidden from your eyes.” – Luke 19:42

“And he began to tell people this parable, ‘A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, “This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.” And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ When they heard this, they said, ‘Surely not!’ But he looked directly at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.’” – Luke 20:9-18 (also referred to as The Parable of the Wicked Tenants)

“[R]ender to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things are God’s.” – Luke 20:25

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” – Luke 20:46-47

“… I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” – Luke 21:15

“You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” – Luke 21:17-19

“[S]traighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near… But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” – Luke 21:28,34

“[S]tay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:36

“Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” – Luke 22:46

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified [Jesus]… And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’.” – Luke 23:33-34

“And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb… Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them… told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.” – Luke 24:8-12

“… ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations… You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you’.” – Luke 24:46-49

4. John

The Book of John is the fourth Gospel in the New Testament, written to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing in him brings eternal life. Unlike the other Gospels, it is highly theological, focusing on Jesus as the divine “Word” who became human to reveal God’s love and offer salvation. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/John+1/

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:1-5

“The true light, which gives light to everyone… was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” – John 1:9-11

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [F]rom his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:14,16-17

“… Jesus… the Lamb of God… takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29

“… Jesus… knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” – John 2:24-25

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit… God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 3:6-8;4:24

“Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” – John 3:11-13

“[A]s Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” – John 3:14-18

“[E]veryone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – John 3:20-21

“… ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven’.” – John 3:27

“Jesus said… ‘[W]hoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life’.” – John 4:13-14

“[T]he son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.” – John 5:19-20

“Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” – John 5:23-24

“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” – John 5:28-29

“If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.” – John 5:31

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” – John 5:39-40

“I do not receive glory from people.” – John 5:41

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you… I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst… I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh’.” – John 6:27,35,51

“It is the Spirit who gives life…” – John 6:63

“The world… hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.” – John 7:7

“… Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”’.” – John 7:37-38

“… Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’.” – John 8:12

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32

“[E]veryone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” – John 8:34

“If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing.” – John 8:54

“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” – John 9:25

“Jesus said, ‘For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see’…” – John 9:39

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:10-11

“I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father… So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” – John 10:15-16

“I and the Father are one… the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” – John 10:30,38

“Jesus said… ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” – John 11:25-26

“Whoever loves his life loses it…” – John 12:25

“If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” – John 12:26

“Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.” – John 12:35

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment – what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life.” – John 12:46-50

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a palace for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” –John 14:2-4

“Jesus said… ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’.” – John 14:6

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do…” – John 14:12

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” – John 14:13-14

“[T]he Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – John 14:26

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” – John 15:1-6

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:9-11

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst’. A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished’, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:28-30

5. Acts

The Book of Acts, authored by Luke, tells the history of the early church immediately following Jesus’s ascension. It details how the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to spread the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and throughout the Roman Empire, highlighting the major roles of Peter and Paul. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Acts+1/

“[Y]ou will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…” – Acts 1:5

“He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witness… to the end of the earth’. And when he said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘[W]hy do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven’.” – Acts 1:7-11

“[I]n the last days… I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh… And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Acts 2:17,21

“[M]y flesh… will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul…” – Acts 2:26-27

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his hold prophets long ago.” – Acts 3:19-21

“… Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:11-12

“[S]peak the word of God with boldness…Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent…” – Acts 4:31;18:9

“We must obey God rather than men… the Holy Spirit [is] given to those who obey him.” – Acts 5:29,32

“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [Y]our heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” – Acts 8:20-22

“What prevents me from being baptized?” – Acts 8:37

“[T]he church… had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” – Acts 9:31

“[W]e are all here in the presence of God…” – Acts 10:33

“… God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power… to be judge of the living and the dead. [E]veryone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 10:38,42-43

“I have made you a light… that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 13:47

“[W]e bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” – Acts 14:15

“[W]e believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus…” – Acts 15:11

“[W]e ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.” – Acts 17:29

“[G]ods made with hands are not gods.” – Acts 19:26

“Serv[e] the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials…” – Acts 20:19

“… I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” – Acts 20:28

“… I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” – Acts 20:32

“[H]elp the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.” – Acts 20:35

“… I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and… that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.” – Acts 24:14-15

The Epistles and Revelation

The “Epistles” of the Bible refers to books six through twenty-six of the New Testament (see list below). Rather than narrative compositions, as are the Gospels, the Epistles are actually twenty-one letters written by early Christian leaders, primarily the Apostle Paul, with the goal to guide and encourage the growth of the Christian faith. Taken together, the Epistles, foundational to Christian theology, explore the implications of the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus Christ – offering direct instruction on the meaning of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, including how believers should live in response.

Theologians typically categorize these letters into two major groups: the Pauline Epistles and the General (or Catholic) Epistles, with the Pauline Epistles (a total of thirteen letters – Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon) divided into either letters to specific churches (such as 1 & 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians) or individuals (such as 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus). The General Epistles (a total of eight letters –  Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude), on the other hand, are written for broad audiences – as opposed to specific churches or people.

The Epistles are represented by the following books in the New Testament:

6. Romans

7. 1 Corinthians

8. 2 Corinthians

9. Galatians

10. Ephesians

11. Philippians

12. Colossians

13. 1 Thessalonians

14. 2 Thessalonians

15. 1 Timothy

16. 2 Timothy

17. Titus

18. Philemon

19. Hebrews

20. James

21. 1 Peter

22. 2 Peter

23. 1 John

24. 2 John

25. 3 John

26. Jude

27. Revelation

6. Romans

The Book of Romans is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul to Christians in Rome, focusing on the core message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than adherence to the Law of Moses. It explains how all humanity is sinful, but can be righteous by God through faith, offering a new life transformed by the Holy Spirit and bringing together Jewish and Gentile believers. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Romans+1/

“[T]he righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’.” – Romans 1:17

“[U]nrighteousness suppress[es] the truth.” – Romans 1:18

“[God] will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil… , but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good… For God shows no partiality.” – Romans 2:6-11

“[I]t is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For… [t]hey show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness…” – Romans 2:13,15

“[R]ely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law…” – Romans 2:17

“Let God be true… That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” – Romans 3:4

“All turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” – Romans 3:12-18

“[T]hrough the law comes knowledge of sin.” – Romans 3:20

“[T]he righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law… – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith.” – Romans 3:21-25

“[W]e hold that one is justified by faith, apart from works of the law.” – Romans 3:28

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:1-5

“[S]in came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned – for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given… Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:12-13,18-21

“… How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:2-4

“[C]onsider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” – Romans 6:11-12

“[W]hen you were slaves of sin,… what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin… the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:20-23

“… I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” – Romans 7:21

“… I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members… Who will deliver me from this…? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Romans 7:22-25

“[T]hose who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” – Romans 8:5-8

“[F]or those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

“[N]either death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

“I am speaking the truth in Christ – I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit – that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” – Romans 9:1

“… For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” – Romans 9:17

“… Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4

“[I]f you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” – Romans 10:9-10

“If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump…” – Romans 11:16

“[R]emember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” – Romans 11:18

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2

“[T]hink with sober judgment…” – Romans 12:3

“[W]e, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” – Romans 12:5

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:9-21 (also referred to as The Marks of the True Christian)

“[T]here is no authority except from God…” – Romans 13:1

“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything…” – Romans 13:7-8

“… ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet’, and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’. Love does no wrong to a neighbor [and] is the fulfilling of the law… Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” – Romans 13:9-10;14:13

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [P]ut on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” – Romans 13:12,14

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” – Romans 14:1

“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” – Romans 14:8

“[W]hatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” – Romans 14:23

“[T]hus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation…” – Romans 15:20

“[W]atch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles…; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites…” – Romans 16:17-18

“[B]e wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” – Romans 16:19

“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” – Romans 16:25-27

7. 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul to address serious problems in the church at Corinth, focusing on restoring unity, moral purity, and proper worship. Paul emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection should shape all aspects of life, tackling issues like sectarian divisions, sexual immorality, lawsuits among believers, marriage, spiritual gifts, and the necessity of the final resurrection. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Corinthians+1/

“God is faithful…” – 1 Corinthians 1:9

“[P]reach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” – 1 Corinthians 1:17

“[W]e have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” – 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

“… God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” – 1 Corinthians 3:17

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” – 1 Corinthians 3:18

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” – 1 Corinthians 7:17

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

“[J]ust as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many… Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“[E]arnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church… Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.” – 1 Corinthians 14:1-4,22

“… God is not a God of confusion…” – 1 Corinthians 14:33

“… Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of [Christianity].” – 1 Corinthians 15:20

“Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

“… The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” – 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

“[F]lesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” – 1 Corinthians 15:50

“Death is swallowed up in victory… The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

8. 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians is a deeply personal letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, focusing on 
defending his apostolic authority, reconciling broken relationships, and explaining that true Christian ministry is empowered by God through weakness, suffering, and humility. It highlights the “paradox of the cross,” where strength is found in vulnerability. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Corinthians+1/

“[C]omfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” – 2 Corinthians 1:4-5

“[W]e were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself… But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

“[O]ur boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom, but by the grace of God…” – 2 Corinthians 1:12

“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

“Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive… so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

“[T]hanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

“[A]s men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 2:17

“[W]e have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:2

“… God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6

“[H]e who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us… into his presence.” – 2 Corinthians 4:14

“Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“[W]e know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1

“[W]hat is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” – 2 Corinthians 5:4-5

“We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:6

“[I]f anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

“[W]e are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

“We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are… sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;… as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” – 2 Corinthians 6:3-8,10

“[O]ur heart is wide open.” – 2 Corinthians 6:11

“[Y]ou are restricted in your own affections.” – 2 Corinthians 6:12

“[A]nd touch no unclean thing…” – 2 Corinthians 6:17

“… I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” – 2 Corinthians 7:4

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14

9. Galatians

Galatians is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul to churches in Asia Minor to defend the gospel of grace against legalism. Its core message is that people are justified—saved and made righteous—solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by observing the laws of the Torah. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Galatians+1/

“… Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” – Galatians 3:24

“[W]e were children,… enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son… to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” – Galatians 4:3-7

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

“[T]hrough love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” – Galatians 5:13-14

“[T]he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” – Galatians 5:22-23

“[T]hose who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:24

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Galatians 5:28

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” – Galatians 6:1

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

“[W]hatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:7-8

“[L]et us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:9-10

“From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the mark of Jesus.” – Galatians 6:17

10. Ephesians

Ephesians is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul focusing on the believer’s identity “in Christ” and the church’s role as a unified, holy community. It emphasizes salvation by grace, breaking down divisions between people, and practical instructions for living a new life in unity, love, and spiritual warfare. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Ephesians+1/

“… God… has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ… [H]e set forth in Christ… a plan… to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined.” – Ephesians 1:3-5,9-11

“[W]hen you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, [you] were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it…” – Ephesians 1:13-14

“[H]e worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” – Ephesians 1:20-23

“… God, being rich in mercy,… made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up with him… so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us…” – Ephesians 2:4-7 

“[B]y grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

“[I]n Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us… one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing the law of commandments… that he might… reconcile us… to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility… For through him we… have access in one Spirit to the Father. – Ephesians 2:13-16,18

“[Y]ou are… members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:19-22

“… I bow my knees before the Father… that… he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend… and to know the love of Christ… that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:14,16-19

“[W]alk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3

“[Y]ou were called to the one hope… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:4-6

“[D]o not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26-27

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” – Ephesians 5:8-11

“He who loves his wife loves himself.” – Ephesians 5:28

“[B]e strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit…” – Ephesians 6:10-18

11. Philippians

Philippians is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul from prison to the church in Philippi, focusing on finding profound joy, peace, and contentment in Jesus Christ, regardless of circumstances. It emphasizes unity, humility modeled by Christ, and maintaining a positive, gospel-centered mindset in the face of suffering or hardship. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Philippians+1/

“[I]t has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake…” – Philippians 1:29

“[C]omplete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:2-4

“[B]eing found in human form, [Christ] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” – Philippians 2:8

“… God has highly exalted [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” – Philippians 2:14-15

“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” – Philippians 2:17-18

“… I trust in the Lord…” – Philippians 2:24

“[W]hatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

12. Colossians

The Book of Colossians is a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, emphasizing the supreme lordship, sufficiency, and preeminence of Jesus Christ. It warns against false, syncretistic teachings, arguing that believers are complete in Christ—who is the head of the church and Creator—and should live out their new lives in him. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Colossians+1/

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:13-14

“… I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me…” – Colossians 1:24-25

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit…” – Colossians 2:8

“If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:1-2

“[Y]ou must put… away… anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” – Colossians 3:8

“… Christ is all, and in all.” – Colossians 3:11

“[P]ut on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” – Colossians 3:14-15

“[W]hatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6

“Remember my chains.” – Colossians 4:18

13. 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians is a New Testament letter from Paul the Apostle to a young church in Thessalonica, written around AD 50-51 to encourage believers to remain faithful during persecution, live holy lives, and maintain hope in the second coming of Jesus. It emphasizes living a life pleasing to God, honoring one’s work, and understanding that deceased Christians will rise first upon Christ’s return. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Thessalonians+1/

“… God is witness.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:5

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust…” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

“… God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:9

“[A]dmonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

“Do not quench the Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19

“[H]old fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

14. 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians is a New Testament letter from Paul to the Thessalonian church, written around AD 51-52. While 1 Thessalonians focuses on encouraging a young church, 2 Thessalonians corrects misunderstandings that the Day of the Lord had already passed, emphasizing that specific events, such as the rise of the “lawless one,” must happen first. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Thessalonians+1/

“This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering – since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified…” – 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

“[N]ot all have faith. But the Lord is faithful.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3

“[A]nyone… not willing to work… we command and encourage… to earn their own living.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10,12

“[D]o not grow weary in doing good.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:13

15. 1 Timothy

1 Timothy is a New Testament “Pastoral Epistle” from Paul to Timothy, acting as a leadership manual for the church in Ephesus. It instructs a young leader on how to combat false doctrine, establish qualified leadership (elders/deacons), ensure orderly worship, and promote healthy, godly living, asserting that the church is the “pillar and foundation of the truth”. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Timothy+1/

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5

“[T]he law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” – 1 Timothy 1:8

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:16-17

“[W]age the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:18-19

“… Christ Jesus… gave himself as a ransom for all…” – 1 Timothy 2:5-6

“[B]e above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money… Moreover… be well thought of by outsiders…” – 1 Timothy 3:2-3,7

“[T]he household of God… is the church…, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 3:15

“[T]he Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving…” – 1 Timothy 4:1-3

“[E]verything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5

“[T]rain yourself for godliness, for… godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8

“I charge you to keep… doing nothing from partiality.” – 1 Timothy 5:21

“[T]hose who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” – 1 Timothy 6:9-10

“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…” – 1 Timothy 6:11-12

“Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’, for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” – 1 Timothy 6:20-21

16. 2 Timothy

2 Timothy is the final, personal letter from the Apostle Paul, written from a Roman prison around AD 67 while awaiting imminent execution. Paul encourages his protégé, Timothy, to endure suffering, stand firm against false teachers, and faithfully continue his ministry, passing on the gospel message. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Timothy+1/

“By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the [Gospel and Christian Faith] entrusted to you.” – 2 Timothy 1:14

“… I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” – 2 Timothy 2:9

“[A]void irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.” – 2 Timothy 2:16-17

“[F]lee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” – 2 Timothy 2:23-25

“[E]scape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:26

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those… burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. [T]hese men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-8

“[A]ll who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Timothy 3:12-13

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“[T]he time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“[A]lways be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:5

17. Titus

The Book of Titus, a Pastoral Epistle from Paul, outlines how to structure a healthy church through proper leadership and sound doctrine. It centers on appointing godly elders to counter false teachers, emphasizing that true faith in Christ compels a transformed, holy life, marked by good works and self-control, set against the immoral Cretan culture. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Titus+1/

“[You] must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined… [;] firm to the trustworthy word as taught,… able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. [You] are to be sober-minded, dignified,… sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” – Titus 1:7-9;2:2

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” – Titus 2:11-12

“Jesus Christ… gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” – Titus 2:13-15

“Remind them… to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” – Titus 3:1-3

“[A]void foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” – Titus 3:9

“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” – Titus 3:10-11

“[L]et our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” – Titus 3:14

“Greet those who love us…” – Titus 3:15

18. Philemon

The Book of Philemon is a short New Testament letter from the Apostle Paul to a Christian named Philemon, urging him to forgive and accept back his runaway slave, Onesimus – not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ. Written from prison, it focuses on reconciliation, equality within the church, and the transformative power of Christian love. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Philemon/

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus… , because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” – Philemon 1:4-5,7

19. Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews in the Bible is a New Testament letter focused on the absolute superiority and sufficiency of Jesus Christ, highlighting Him as superior to the angels, Moses, and the Old Testament sacrificial system. It was written to Jewish Christians experiencing persecution, encouraging them to persevere in faith, to avoid falling back into old ways, and to embrace the new covenant, which is secured by Jesus. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Hebrews+1/

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” – Hebrews 2:14-15

“[B]ecause he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” – Hebrews 2:18

“[T]he word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12-13

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

“[Jesus] learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” – Hebrews 5:8-9

“… God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name…” – Hebrews 6:10

“[L]et us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

“[I]f we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” – Hebrews 10:26

“[D]o not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For… we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” – Hebrews 10:35-37,39

“[F]aith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by… faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God… [W]ithout faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” – Hebrews 11:1-3,6

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives… For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:6,11

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled…” – Hebrews 12:15

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” – Hebrews 13:1-3

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” – Hebrews 13:4

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have…” – Hebrews 13:5

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

“[H]ere we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” – Hebrews 13:14

“Do not neglect to do good, and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – Hebrews 13:16

20. James

The Book of James is a practical New Testament epistle—often called the “Proverbs of the New Testament”—that emphasizes that genuine faith must be demonstrated through action. Written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, it instructs believers to live out their faith through trials, to control the tongue, to care for the vulnerable, and to avoid worldliness. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/James+1/

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:5-6

“[T]he sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls; and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” – James 1:11

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” – James 1:13-14

“[D]esire when it has conceived gives birth to sin…” – James 1:15

“[L]et every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20

“[R]eceive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” – James 1:21

“[B]e doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22

“[J]udgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.” – James 2:13

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled’, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – James 2:15-17

“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” – James 2:18,26

“[T]he tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” – James 3:5

“[T]he tongue… is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” – James 3:8-12

“[I]f you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” – James 3:14-16

“[T]he wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17

“[A] harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” – James 3:18

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?… Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” – James 4:1,4

“You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” – James 4:2-3

“… God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:6-8

“[T]he prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will surely be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:15-16

“[W]hoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death…” – James 5:20

21. 1 Peter

1 Peter is a New Testament letter written to encourage Christians facing persecution, urging them to maintain hope, holiness, and endurance in suffering by focusing on their identity in Christ. Written by Peter, it highlights that true faith is refined through trials and instructs believers to live as “strangers” in a hostile world. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+Peter+1/

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…” – 1 Peter 1:13-15

“[Y]ou were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times…” – 1 Peter 1:18-20

“[Y]our faith and hope are in God.” – 1 Peter 1:21

“… The grass withers, and the flowers falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” – 1 Peter 1:24-25

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation – indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:1-3

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” – 1 Peter 2:15

“Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4

“[A]ll of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:8-9

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.” – 1 Peter 3:18-20

“Baptism… now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” – 1 Peter 3:21-22

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.” – 1 Peter 4:8-10

“… Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” – 1 Peter 5:5-6

“Be sober-minded; watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9

“[A]fter you have suffered…, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” – 1 Peter 5:10

22. 2 Peter

2 Peter is a brief, intense New Testament letter written by the apostle Peter (c. AD 64–66) to warn Christians against false teachers, promote spiritual maturity, and affirm the certainty of Jesus’s second coming. It emphasizes godly living in the face of internal church corruption and reminds readers of the truth of the Gospel against emerging heresies. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+Peter+1/

“[M]ake every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing… you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:5-8,10-11

“And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.” – 2 Peter 2:2-3

“… God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment…” – 2 Peter 2:4

“But these [who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority], like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin.” – 2 Peter 2:12-14

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…” – 2 Peter 3:9-11

“[A]ccording to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” – 2 Peter 3:13

“[C]ount the patience of our Lord as salvation…” – 2 Peter 3:15

“[T]ake care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 3:17-18

23. 1 John

1 John is a New Testament letter focused on assuring believers of their eternal life, fostering fellowship with God, and strengthening them against false teachers who denied Jesus’s incarnation. It highlights “walking in the light” through obedience to God’s commands, loving others, and maintaining right theology, emphasizing that true faith in Christ leads to righteous living. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/1+John+1/

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us – that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:1-3

“… God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5

“[W]hoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” – 1 John 2:5-6

“[T]he darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” – 1 John 2:8

“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.” – 1 John 2:9

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.” – 1 John 3:4-6

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God…” – 1 John 3:8-10

“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” – 1 John 3:13

“… Whoever does not love abides in death.” – 1 John 3:14

“[D]o not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” – 1 John 4:1-3

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8

“God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment because as he is so also are we in this world.” – 1 John 4:16-17

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” – 1 John 4:18

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. [E]veryone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” – 1 John 5:1,4

“[W]e love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:2-3

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” – 1 John 5:12

“All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.” – 1 John 5:17

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” – 1 John 5:18

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” – 1 John 5:19

24. 2 John

2 John is a brief New Testament letter from “the elder” (traditionally the Apostle John) to a local church (“the chosen lady”), urging believers to walk in truth and love. It warns against false teachers denying Jesus’ physical incarnation, commanding the community not to harbor them. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/2+John/

“[T]alk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” – 2 John 12

25. 3 John

John 3 focuses on the necessity of being “born again” to enter the Kingdom of God, featuring Jesus’ nighttime conversation with Nicodemus and the foundational message of God’s love in John 3:16. It explains salvation through faith in Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and John the Baptist’s testimony that he must decrease while Jesus increases. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/3+John/

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 4

“Greet the friends, each by name.” – 3 John 15

26. Jude

The Book of Jude is a brief, New Testament letter urging Christians to “contend for the faith” against false teachers who have infiltrated the church. Written by Jude, a brother of Jesus, it warns against immoral, rebellious teachers who use grace as a license to sin and distort the truth. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Jude/

“[G]rumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires… are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” – Jude 16

“… In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” – Jude 18-21

“[H]ave mercy on those who doubt, save others by snatching them out of the fire…” – Jude 22-23

27. Revelation

Canonically the last book of the New Testament and recorded by the Apostle John while in exile on the Aegean Greek island Patmos, the divine author and inspiration of the Book of Revelation (also known as the “Book of the Apocalypse”, with the word “apocalypse” being derived from the Greek noun apokalypsis, or “revelation, disclosure, unveiling” of unseen heavenly or future realities) is identified in the opening verse as Jesus the Messiah, who has authority from God to describe coming events to his servant, John. Prophesizing the return of Jesus, the fall of human empires (symbolized by Babylon/Rome), the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom with the final judgment of Satan, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth, the Book of Revelation is ultimately about the vindication of God’s people and the restoration of creation, seeing believers of Jesus as conquerors through their endurance of suffering and fidelity to the Word. See select scripture below. You can find this scripture in its entirety here: https://www.esv.org/Revelation+1/

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” – Revelation 1:3

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance…” – Revelation 2:2

“Remember… from where you have fallen…” – Revelation 2:5

“Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life… Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” – Revelation 2:10;3:11

“[T]hose who commit adultery… I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works…” – Revelation 2:22

“Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world…” – Revelation 3:10

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or not. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” – Revelation 3:15-16

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:19-20

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” – Revelation 5:12

“These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” –Revelation 7:14-17

“… We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” – Revelation 11:17

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death’.” – Revelation 12:10-11

“[W]oe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” – Revelation 12:12

“… ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever received the mark of its name’.” – Revelation 14:9-11

“[W]ith the wine of… sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” – Revelation 17:2

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready…” – Revelation 19:6-7

“[T]he testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” – Revelation 19:10

“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:14-15

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’.” – Revelation 21:3-4

“… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” – Revelation 21:6

“[F]or the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8

“And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” –Revelation 22:5

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” – Revelation 22:21

Final Thoughts

“[W]e, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” – Romans 12:5

Go into the world with intention, deliver kindness, wish well for your neighbor, and find wealth in service to others. Shock someone with the magic of an inspired act of kind service. Part the seas of another’s despair so that they may reach higher grounds and safer places, and let your small mercies ripple through the souls of those in need, growing the faith of others – that your faith may grow, as well.

May God guide you to His grace when you fail, and to His glory when you succeed.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

…

“[D]eclare how much God has done for you.” – Luke 8:39

Appendix

The contents of this appendix are as follows:

Part 1: God is…

Part 2: Biblical Descriptions of Heaven

Part 3: Biblical Descriptions of Hell

Part 4: The Ten Commandments

Part 5: The Parables of Jesus

Part 6: The Fruit of the Spirit

Part 7: The Gifts of the Spirit

Part 8: The Beatitudes

Part 9: The Marks of the True Christian

Part 10: The Seven Abominations

Part 11: The Characteristics of a Pastor

Part 12: The Lord’s Prayer

Part 13: The Whole Armor of God

Part 14: Words from Husband to Wife

Part 1: God is…

1. A God of faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

2. A God of knowledge. (1 Samuel 2:3)

3. A healer of the brokenhearted. (Psalm 147:2-3,5)

4. A living God. (Acts 14:15)

5. A sun. (Psalm 84:10-12)

6. Able to cleanse us and deliver us from uncleannesses by giving us a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 36:25-26)

7. Awesome. (Nehemiah 1:5)

8. Blessed. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)

9. Comforting. (2 Corinthians 1:4-5)

10. Faithful. (Exodus 34:6-7 … Psalm 71:22-24 … Lamentations 3:21-24 … 1 Corinthians 1:9 … 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3)

11. Forgiving. (Exodus 34:6-7 … Numbers 14:18 … Nehemiah 9:17 … Luke 1:76-79)

12. Glorious. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)

13. Good. (Ezra 3:11 … 1 Chronicles 16:34 … Lamentations 3:25 … Nahum 1:7 … Mark 10:18 … Luke 18:19)

14. Gracious. (Exodus 34:6-7 … Nehemiah 9:17 … Joel 2:13)

15. He in whom we trust at all times. (Psalm 62:8)

16. He who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 4:14)

17. He who refines us in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10)

18. Holy. (Isaiah 6:3 … 1 Peter 1:13-15)

19. Immortal (Everlasting/Enduring Forever). (Isaiah 40:28-29 … 1 Timothy 1:16-17)

20. In the heavens. (Psalm 115:1-3)

21. Just. (Deuteronomy 32:4 … Zephaniah 3:5 … Hebrews 6:10)

22. Kind. (Luke 6:32-36 … Ephesians 2:4-7)

23. Light. (Ephesians 5:8-11 … 1 John 1:5)

24. Love. (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16-17)

25. Merciful. (Exodus 34:6-7 … Nehemiah 9:17 … Lamentations 3:21-24 … Joel 2:13 … Luke 1:76-79 … Romans 12:1-2 … Ephesians 2:4-7)

26. Mighty. (Daniel 2:20-23 … Ephesians 6:10-18)

27. Not a God of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

28. Omnipotent (Great/Great in power). (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 … Nehemiah 1:5 … Psalm 147:2-3,5 … Nahum 1:3 … Luke 1:37)

29. Omniscient. (Psalm 147:2-3,5 … Isaiah 40:28-29)

30. Our cup. (Psalm 16:5)

31. Our deliverer. (2 Samuel 22:3-4)

32. Our fortress. (2 Samuel 22:3-4 … Psalm 62:5-7; Psalm 71:1-7)

33. Our glory. (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 … Psalm 62:5-7)

34. Our hope. (Psalm 62:5-7; Psalm 71:1-7 … Lamentations 3:21-24)

35. Our inheritance. (Numbers 18:20)

36. Our light. (Psalm 27:1-3)

37. Our portion. (Numbers 18:20 … Psalm 16:5 … Lamentations 3:21-24)

38. Our praise. (Psalm 71:1-7)

39. Our refuge. (2 Samuel 22:3-4 … Psalm 62:8; Psalm 71:1-7 … Nahum 1:7)

40. Our salvation. (Exodus 14:13-14 … 2 Samuel 22:3-4 … Psalm 27:1-3; Psalm 62:5-7 … Jonah 2:9 … Habakkuk 3:17-18)

41. Our savior. (2 Samuel 22:3-4)

42. Our shield. (2 Samuel 22:3-4 … Psalm 84:10-12)

43. Our stronghold. (2 Samuel 22:3-4 … Psalm 27:1-3 … Nahum 1:7)

44. Our trust. (Psalm 71:1-7)

45. Perfect in His law. (Psalm 19:7-11)

46. Pure in His commandments. (Psalm 19:7-11)

47. Right in His precepts. (Psalm 19:7-11)

48. Righteous. (2 Chronicles 12:6 … Nehemiah 9:5-8,17 … Psalm 11:7; Psalm 71:1-7 … Zephaniah 3:5 … Romans 1:17)

49. Slow to anger. (Exodus 34:6-7 … Numbers 14:18 … Nehemiah 9:17 … Joel 2:13 … Nahum 1:3)

50. Spirit. (John 3:6-8;4:24 … 1 Timothy 1:16-17)

51. Steadfast in His love. (Exodus 34:6-7 … Numbers 14:18 … 1 Chronicles 16:34 … Ezra 3:11 … Nehemiah 9:17 … Psalm 63:1-4 … Lamentations 3:21-24 … Joel 2:13)

52. Sure in His testimony. (Psalm 19:7-11)

53. The Almighty. (Revelation 11:17)

54. The beginning. (Genesis 1:1 … Revelation 21:6)

55. The Creator. (Isaiah 40:28-29)

56. The end. (Revelation 21:6)

57. The God of all grace. (1 Peter 5:10)

58. The judge. (Judges 11:27)

59. The King of the ages. (1 Timothy 1:16-17)

60. The Lord. (Exodus 20:1-17 … Leviticus 18:2,4 … Joel 2:27)

61. The/Our Father. (Matthew 6:9-13 … Luke 6:32-36; Luke 11:2-4 … Philippians 2:9-11 … Colossians 3:17 … 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 5:1,4)

62. The Most High. (Luke 6:32-36)

63. The only God. (1 Timothy 1:16-17)

64. The/Our Rock. (Deuteronomy 32:4 … 2 Samuel 22:3-4 … Psalm 62:5-7; Psalm 71:1-7)

65. True (to His word/in His rules). (2 Samuel 22:31 … Romans 3:4)

66. Unchanging. (Malachi 3:6 … Hebrews 13:8)

67. Upright. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

68. Wise. (Daniel 2:20-23)

69. With us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9)

70. Without iniquity. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

71. Witness. (1 Thessalonians 2:5)

72. Worthy to be praised. (2 Samuel 22:3-4)

Part 2: Biblical Descriptions of Heaven

1. The throne of God. (Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 66:1-2)

2. The place where God rewards his people. (Matthew 5:2-12)

3. A place safe from theft and destruction. (Matthew 6:19-21)

4. The place of the chosen. (Matthew 22:2-14)

5. The place from where Jesus came. (John 6:27,35,51)

6. A house with many rooms. (John 14:2-4)

7. The place where Jesus is now, and from where he will physically return to earth again. (Acts 1:7-11)

8. The place where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)

9. A place where people do not experience hunger, thirst, burning sun, or scorching heat. (Revelation 7:14-17)

10. The place where God dwells with us; a place where people do not experience sadness, death, mourning, crying, or pain. (Revelation 21:3-4)

11. The place where God reigns forever and where night is no more. (Revelation 22:5)

Part 3: Biblical Descriptions of Hell

1. A fiery furnace, a place of weeping and gnashing teeth. (Matthew 13:24-30,37-43)

2. A place of separation. (Matthew 13:47-50)

3. The outer darkness. (Matthew 22:2-14)

4. A place of eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:41-46)

5. A place of unquenchable fire. (Mark 9:42-50)

6. A place of torment, anguish, and flame. (Luke 16:19-31)

7. A place of eternal destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

8. A place where fallen angels dwell. (2 Peter 2:4)

9. A place of torment, without rest or day and night. (Revelation 14:9-11)

10. The lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)

11. The place for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, the murders, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic, the idolaters, and all liars. (Revelation 21:8)

Part 4: The Ten Commandments

Excerpted from Exodus 20:1-17

And God spoke all these words, saying:

1. I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me. 

2. You shall not… bow down to… or serve [false idols]. 

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… For… the Lord… rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 

5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 

6. You shall not murder. 

7. You shall not commit adultery. 

8. You shall not steal. 

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or… anything that is your neighbor’s.

Part 5: The Parables of Jesus

The Purpose of the Parables

1. “[T]he disciples came and said to [Jesus], ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ And he answered… ‘I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand’.” – Matthew 13:10-11,13

2. “[T]hose around [Jesus] with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven’.” – Mark 4:10–12

3. “[Jesus] said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” – Luke 8:10

The Parables of Jesus in Matthew

1. Salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

2. Lamp under basket/bed/jar. (Matthew 5:14-16)

3. Speck in the eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)

4. Tree and its fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 12:33-37)

5. House built on rock. (Matthew 7:24-27)

6. New cloth and old garment, new wine and old wIneskins. (Matthew 9:14-17)

7. Children in the marketplace. (Matthew 11:16-19)

8. Sower and his seed. (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23)

9. Weeds in the field. (Matthew 13:24-30,37-43)

10. Mustard seed. (Matthew 13:31-32)

11. Leaven. (Matthew 13:33)

12. Hidden treasure. (Matthew 13:44)

13. Pearl of great value. (Matthew 13:45-46)

14. Net of good and bad fish. (Matthew 13:47-50)

15. New and old treasures. (Matthew 13:51-52)

16. Lost sheep. (Matthew 18:10-14)

17. Unforgiving servant. (Matthew 18:21-35)

18. Laborers in the vineyard. (Matthew 20:1-16)

19. Two sons. (Matthew 21:28-32)

20. Tenants. (Matthew 21:33-44)

21. Wedding feast. (Matthew 22:1-14)

22. Fig tree. (Matthew 24:32-35)

23. Wise/watchful/faithful servant. (Matthew 24:45-51)

24. Ten virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13)

25. Talents/Ten Minas. (Matthew 25:14-30)

The Parables of Jesus in Mark

1. New cloth and old garment, new wine and old wIneskins. (Mark 2:21-22)

2. Divided house/kingdom. (Mark 3:24-27)

3. Sower and his seed. (Mark 4:3-9,13-20)

4. Lamp under basket/bed/jar. (Mark 4:21-23)

5. Seed growing. (Mark 4:26-29)

6. Mustard seed. (Mark 4:30-32)

7. Tenants. (Mark 12:1-11)

8. Fig tree. (Mark 13:28-31)

9. Wise/watchful/faithful servant. (Mark 13:32-37)

The Parables of Jesus in Luke

1. New cloth and old garment, new wine and old wIneskins. (Luke 5:36-39)

2. Blind leading the blind. (Luke 6:39)

3. Speck in the eye. (Luke 6:41-42)

4. Tree and its fruit. (Luke 6:43-45)

5. House built on rock. (Luke 6:46-49)

6. Children in the marketplace. (Luke 7:31-35)

7. Moneylender. (Luke 7:41-43)

8. Sower and his seed. (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)

9. Lamp under basket/bed/jar. (Luke 8:16-17;11:33-36)

10. Good samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37)

11. Friend in need. (Luke 11:5-13)

12. Rich fool. (Luke 12:16-21)

13. Wise/watchful/faithful servant. (Luke 12:35-48)

14. Fig tree. (Luke 13:6-9;21:29-33)

15. Mustard seed. (Luke 13:18-19)

16. Leaven. (Luke 13:20-21)

17. Wedding feast. (Luke 14:7-11)

18. Great banquet. (Luke 14:12-24)

19. Cost of discipleship. (Luke 14:25-33)

20. Lost sheep. (Luke 15:1-7)

21. Lost coin. (Luke 15:8-10)

22. Prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32)

23. Dishonest manager. (Luke 16:1-9)

24. Rich man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)

25. Unworthy servants. (Luke 17:7-10)

26. Persistent widow. (Luke 18:1-8)

27. Pharisee and the tax collector. (Luke 18:9-14) 

28. Talents/Ten Minas. (Luke 19:11-27)

29. Tenants. (Luke 20:9-18)

Aggregated List of Jesus’ Parables

Note that the following is in alphabetical order and collects all parables of Jesus from Matthew, Mark, and Luke:

1. Blind leading the blind. (Luke 6:39)

2. Children in the marketplace. (Matthew 11:16-19 … Luke 7:31-35)

3. Cost of discipleship. (Luke 14:25-33)

4. Dishonest manager. (Luke 16:1-9)

5. Divided house/kingdom. (Mark 3:24-27)

6. Fig tree. (Matthew 24:32-35 … Mark 13:28-31 … Luke 13:6-9;21:29-33)

7. Friend in need. (Luke 11:5-13)

8. Good samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37)

9. Great banquet. (Luke 14:12-24)

10. Hidden treasure. (Matthew 13:44)

11. House built on rock. (Matthew 7:24-27 … Luke 6:46-49)

12. Laborers in the vineyard. (Matthew 20:1-16)

13. Lamp under basket/bed/jar. (Matthew 5:14-16 … Mark 4:21-23 … Luke 8:16-17;11:33-36)

14. Leaven. (Matthew 13:33 … Luke 13:20-21)

15. Lost coin. (Luke 15:8-10)

16. Lost sheep. (Matthew 18:10-14 … Luke 15:1-7)

17. Moneylender. (Luke 7:41-43)

18. Mustard seed. (Matthew 13:31-32 … Mark 4:30-32 … Luke 13:18-19)

19. Net of good and bad fish. (Matthew 13:47-50)

20. New and old treasures. (Matthew 13:51-52)

21. New cloth and old garment, new wine and old wIneskins. (Matthew 9:14-17 … Mark 2:21-22 … Luke 5:36-39)

22. Pearl of great value. (Matthew 13:45-46)

23. Persistent widow. (Luke 18:1-8)

24. Pharisee and the tax collector. (Luke 18:9-14) 

25. Prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32)

26. Rich fool. (Luke 12:16-21)

27. Rich man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)

28. Salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

29. Seed growing. (Mark 4:26-29)

30. Sower and his seed. (Matthew 13:3-9,18-23 … Mark 4:3-9,13-20 … Luke 8:4-8,11-15)

31. Speck in the eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 … Luke 6:41-42)

32. Talents/Ten Minas. (Matthew 25:14-30 … Luke 19:11-27)

33. Tenants. (Matthew 21:33-44 … Mark 12:1-11 … Luke 20:9-18)

34. Ten virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13)

35. Tree and its fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 12:33-37 … Luke 6:43-45)

36. Two sons. (Matthew 21:28-32)

37. Unforgiving servant. (Matthew 18:21-35)

38. Unworthy servants. (Luke 17:7-10)

39. Wedding feast. (Matthew 22:1-14 … Luke 14:7-11)

40. Weeds in the field. (Matthew 13:24-30,37-43)

41. Wise/watchful/faithful servant. (Matthew 24:45-51 … Mark 13:32-37 … Luke 12:35-48)

Part 6: The Fruit of the Spirit

Excerpted from Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is:

1. Love.

2. Joy.

3. Peace.

4. Patience.

5. Kindness.

6. Goodness.

7. Faithfulness.

8. Gentleness.

9. Self-control.

Part 7: The Gifts of the Spirit

Excerpted from 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills:

1. Wisdom.

2. Knowledge.

3. Faith.

4. Healing.

5. Miracles.

6. Prophecy.

7. Distinguishing between spirits.

8. Tongues.

9. Interpretation of tongues.

Part 8: The Beatitudes

Excerpted from Matthew 5:2-12

And Jesus opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

9. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Part 9: The Marks of the True Christian

Excerpted from Romans 12:9-21

1. Let love be genuine. 

2. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 

3. Love one another with brotherly affection. 

4. Outdo one another in showing honor. 

5. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 

6. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

7. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 

8. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 

9. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

10. Live in harmony with one another. 

11. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 

12. Never be wise in your own sight. 

13. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 

14. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

15. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’. 

16. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. 

17. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Part 10: The Seven Abominations

Excerpted from Proverbs 6:16-19

There are seven things that are an abomination to the Lord: 

1. Haughty eyes.

2. A lying tongue.

3. Hands that shed innocent blood.

4. A Heart that devises wicked plans.

5. Feet that make haste to run to evil.

6. A false witness who breathes out lies.

7. One who sows discord among brothers.

Part 11: The Characteristics of a Pastor

The Biblical characteristics of a pastor (also referred to an “elder” or “overseer”) are found primarily in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:7–9:

Pastor Characteristics from 1 Timothy

Excerpted from 1 Timothy 3:1–7

1. Above reproach.

2. The husband of one wife.

3. Sober-minded.

4. Self-controlled.

5. Respectable.

6. Hospitable.

7. Able to teach (in sound doctrine).

8. Not a drunkard.

9. Not violent but gentle.

10. Not quarrelsome.

11. Not a lover of money.

12. Well thought of by outsiders.

Pastor Characteristics from Titus

Excerpted from Titus 1:7–9

1. Above reproach.

2. Not arrogant.

3. Not quick-tempered.

4. Not a drunkard.

5. Not violent.

6. Not greedy for gain.

7. Hospitable.

8. A lover of good.

9. Self-controlled.

10. Upright.

11. Holy.

12. Disciplined.

13. Firm to the trustworthy word as taught.

14. Able to rebuke those who contradict the word.

Aggregated List: A Pastor Must Be…

The Biblical characteristics of a pastor (also referred to an “elder” or “overseer”) from 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:7–9::

1. Above reproach.

2. The husband of one wife.

3. Sober-minded.

4. Self-controlled.

5. Respectable.

6. Hospitable.

7. Able to teach (in sound doctrine).

8. Not a drunkard.

9. Not violent but gentle.

10. Not quarrelsome.

11. Not a lover of money.

12. Well thought of by outsiders.

13. Not arrogant.

14. Not quick-tempered.

15. Not greedy for gain.

16. A lover of good.

17. Upright.

18. Holy.

19. Disciplined.

20. Firm to the trustworthy word as taught.

21. Able to rebuke those who contradict the word.

Part 12: The Lord’s Prayer

There are two versions of the Lord’s Prayer found in the Bible, one in Matthew 6:9-13 (as part of the Sermon on the Mount) and the other in Luke 11:2-4:

The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew

Excerpted from Matthew 6:9-13

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

The Lord’s Prayer from Luke

Excerpted from Luke 11:2-4

When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Part 13: The Whole Armor of God

Excerpted from Ephesians 6:10-18

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God:

1. The Belt of Truth.

2. The Breastplate of Righteousness.

3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace.

4. The Shield of Faith.

5. The Helmet of Salvation.

6. The Sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God.

Part 14: Words from Husband to Wife

See below scriptural verses, from husband to wife, modified for conversation:

1. “You are a lovely deer, a graceful doe.” (see Proverbs 5:18-19)

2. “Your breasts fill me with at all times with delight.” (see Proverbs 5:18-19)

3. “I am intoxicated always in your love.” (see Proverbs 5:18-19)

4. “You’re an excellent wife, and an excellent wife is the crown of her husband.” (see Proverbs 12:4)

5. “You are more precious than jewels.” (see Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

6. “My heart trusts in you, my love.” (see Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

7. “My wife, you do me good – and not just today, but every day.” (see Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

8. “I appreciate that you’re a strong woman, and that you clothe yourself in dignity rather than seeking the approval of others.” (see Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

9. “I love that you always seek wisdom and speak kindness.” (see Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

10. “You keep a great house, my wife, and look well to the ways of our household.” (see Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

11. “Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil.” (see Song of Solomon 4:1)

12. “How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights! Your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters. I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its fruit. Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine…” (see Song of Solomon 7:6-8)

13. “You are mine, and my desire is for you.” (see Song of Solomon 7:10)

14. “My love, I have set you as a seal upon my heart, as a seal upon my arm, for love is strong as death.” (see Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

15. “He who loves his wife loves himself.” (see Ephesians 5:28)

Index

– A –

Adultery

1. You shall not commit adultery… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. He who commits adultery lacks sense; he… destroys himself… (Proverbs 6:32-33)
3. [T]hose who commit adultery… I will throw into great tribulation… (Revelation 2:22)

Affliction

1. God has refined you… in the furnace of affliction… (Isaiah 48:10)
2. … momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal… glory… (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
3. … In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy… (2 Corinthians 7:4)

Almighty

* see also Father; God; Lord

1. I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless… (Genesis 17:1-2)
2. The Almighty… justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate… (Job 37:23-24)
3. … God Almighty, who is and who was… begun to reign… (Revelation 11:17)

Alone

1. I am not able to carry all this people alone… (Numbers 11:14,29)
2. … who is alone when he falls… has not another to lift him up!… (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
3. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true… (John 5:31)

Ambition

1. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility… (Philippians 2:2-4)
2. [T]hus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel… (Romans 15:20)
3. … where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder… (James 3:14-16)

Angels

1. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him… (Psalm 34:7)
2. … the Lord your dwelling place… his angels… guard you… (Psalm 91:9-11)
3. Do not neglect… strangers… some… entertained angels unawares… (Hebrews 13:1-3)

Anger

1. … on your anger… give no opportunity to the devil… (Ephesians 4:26-27)
2. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger… be put away from you… (Ephesians 4:31)
3. [L]et every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger… (James 1:19-20)

Anointed

1. … rulers… counsel together, against the Lord and… his Anointed… (Psalm 2:1-2,10-11)
2. God anointed Jesus… with the Holy Spirit and with power… (Acts 10:38,42-43)
3. … God… anointed us… put his seal on us… in our hearts… (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Anxiety (Anxiety, Anxious)

1. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down… (Proverbs 12:25)
2. [D]o not be anxious about tomorrow… (Matthew 6:34)
3. [D]o not be anxious about your life, what you will eat… (Luke 12:22-23)

Appetite

1. The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite… (Proverbs 13:25)
2. … put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite… (Proverbs 23:1-3)
3. All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied… (Ecclesiastes 6:7)

Apple (Apple, Apples)

1. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me… from the wicked… (Psalm 17:8-9)
2. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver… (Proverbs 25:11)
3. … an apple tree among… trees of the forest… is my beloved… (Song of Solomon 2:3)

Ark of the Covenant

1. … make an ark… put into the ark the testimony that I… give you… (Exodus 25:10,16)
2. … I will write on the tablets… and you shall put them in the ark… (Deuteronomy 10:1-5)
3. … Take this Book of the Law and put it by… the ark… (Deuteronomy 31:24-29)

Ark of the Flood

1. Go into the ark… Take… seven pairs of the birds of the heavens… (Genesis 7:1-3)
2. And Noah… went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood… (Genesis 7:4,7)
3. … God’s patience waited… while the ark was… prepared… (1 Peter 3:18-20)

Arrogant (Arrogant, Arrogance)

1. Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me… (Psalm 36:11)
2. [W]ine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest… (Habakkuk 2:5)
3. … love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude… (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Authority

1. … I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father… sent me… (John 12:46-50)
2. [T]here is no authority except from God… (Romans 13:1)
3. … exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you… (Titus 2:13-15)

– B –

Baptism

1. … with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized… (Mark 10:39-40)
2. … all of us… have been… buried… by baptism into death… as Christ… (Romans 6:2-4)
3. [Y]ou were called to the… hope… one Lord, one faith, one baptism… (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Baptize (Baptize, Baptized)

1. And when Jesus was baptized… the heavens were opened to him… (Matthew 3:16-17)
2. … baptize… with… Holy Spirit and fire… winnowing fork… in… hand… (Luke 3:16-17)
3. … in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… (1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27)

Beauty

1. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain… (Proverbs 31:30)
2. … beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away… (James 1:11)
3. … beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit… in God’s sight is very precious… (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Beginning

1. In the beginning, God… (Genesis 1:1)
2. In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God… (John 1:1-5)
3. … I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end… (Revelation 21:6)

Bless (Bless, Blessed) 

1. … Blessed… are those who hear the word of God and keep it… (Luke 11:28)
2. It is more blessed to give than to receive… (Acts 20:35)
3. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… (Romans 12:9-21)

Believe (Believe, Believes)

1. [E]veryone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins… (Acts 10:38,42-43)
2. [W]e believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus… (Acts 15:11)
3. … whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists… (Hebrews 11:1-3,6)

Bird (Bird, Birds)

1. … for food… every beast of… earth and every bird of the heavens… (Genesis 1:29-31)
2. … net spread in the sight of any bird… who is greedy… unjust… (Proverbs 1:10,15-19)
3. … the birds of the air… neither sow nor reap nor gather… (Matthew 6:25-30)

Blood

1. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed… (Genesis 9:6)
2. [F]lesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God… (1 Corinthians 15:50)
3. … we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against… evil… (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Bone (Bone, Bones)

1. … envy makes the bones rot… (Proverbs 14:30)
2. … a crushed spirit dries up the bones… (Proverbs 17:22)
3. [A] soft tongue will break a bone… (Proverbs 25:15)

Bread

1. Better to be lowly… than to play the great man and lack bread… (Proverbs 12:9)
2. Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread… (Proverbs 22:9)
3. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word… of God… (Matthew 4:4)

Break

1. [A] man… shall not break his word… (Numbers 30:2)
2. … you break the commandments of the Lord… (2 Chronicles 24:20)
3. … break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord… (Hosea 10:12)

Broken

1. … forgotten like one… dead; I have become… a broken vessel… (Psalm 31:11-12)
2. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart… (Psalm 51:17)
3. … two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken… (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Brokenhearted

1. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit… (Psalm 34:18)
2. The Lord… heals the brokenhearted… understanding… beyond… (Psalm 147:2-3,5)
3. … bring good news to the poor… bind up the brokenhearted… (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Brother

1. [B]e reconciled to your brother… Come to terms quickly… (Matthew 5:24-26)
2. [W]hoever does the will of God, he is my brother… (Mark 3:35)
3. … never to put a stumbling block… in the way of a brother… (Romans 13:9-10;14:13)

Build (Build, Builds)

1. Let us rise up and build… (Nehemiah 2:18)
2. Woe to him who builds a town with blood… (Habakkuk 2:12)
3. … the word of his grace… is able to build you up… (Acts 20:32)

Built

1. … you will be built up; if you remove injustice far from your tents… (Job 22:21-27)
2. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established… (Proverbs 24:3-4)
3. … you… are being built together into a dwelling place for God… (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Burdens (Burdens, Burdened)

1. … burdened beyond our strength… we despaired of life itself… (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)
2. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ… (Galatians 6:2)
3. For among them are those… burdened with sins… (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

– C –

Called

1. [M]any are called, but few are chosen… (Matthew 22:2-14)
2. … work together for good… who are called according to his purpose… (Romans 8:28)
3. … you were called, that you may obtain a blessing… (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Chain (Chain, Chains)

1. Forge a chain! For the land is full of bloody crimes and… violence… (Ezekiel 7:23)
2. Remember my chains… (Colossians 4:18)
3. … I am… bound with chains… But the word of God is not bound!… (2 Timothy 2:9)

Children

1. [W]isdom is justified by all her children… (Luke 7:31-35)
2. Do all… without grumbling… that you may be… children of God… (Philippians 2:14-15)
3. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions… (1 Peter 1:13-15)

Christ

* see also Jesus; Only Son; Son of Man

1. … the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus… (Romans 6:20-23)
2. … God… through Christ… gave us… reconciliation… (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
3. … Christ Jesus… gave himself as a ransom for all… (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Church

1. [T]he church… was being built up… and in… the Holy Spirit, it multiplied… (Acts 9:31)
2. … care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood… (Acts 20:28)
3. [T]he household of God… is the church… a… buttress of the truth… (1 Timothy 3:15)

City

1. … the city that was full of people… weeps bitterly in the night… (Lamentations 1:1-2)
2. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… (Matthew 5:14-16)
3. [H]ere we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come… (Hebrews 13:14)

Comfort (Comfort, Comforted)

1. … comfort all who mourn… (Isaiah 61:1-2)
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted… (Matthew 5:2-12)
3. [C]omfort those who are in any affliction… (2 Corinthians 1:4-5)

Commandment (Commandment, Commandments)

1. … keep all my commandments and walk in them… (1 Kings 6:12)
2. … the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes… (Psalm 19:7-11)
3. [T]he commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light… (Proverbs 6:23-34)

Complacent (Complacent, Complacency)

1. [T]he complacency of fools destroys them… (Proverbs 1:32)
2. … your complacency has come to my ears… I will turn you back… (Isaiah 37:28-29)
3. … I will punish the men who are complacent… (Zephaniah 1:12)

Condemn (Condemn, Condemned, Condemnation)

1. [B]y your words you will be justified, and… condemned… (Matthew 12:33-37)
2. … condemn not, and you will not be condemned… (Luke 6:37-38)
3. … one trespass led to condemnation for all men… (Romans 5:12-13,18-21)

Confess (Confess, Confesses)

1. I… confess my transgressions… the Lord… forgave… iniquity of my sin… (Psalm 32:5)
2. … with the mouth one confesses and is saved.. (Romans 10:9-10)
3. … confess your sins to one another and pray… that you… be healed… (James 5:15-16)

Conscience

1. … my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit… (Romans 9:1)
2. [W]age the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience… (1 Timothy 1:18-19)
3. Baptism… saves you… as an appeal to God for a good conscience… (1 Peter 3:21-22)

Corrupts (Corrupts, Corrupting, Corruption)

1. [A] bribe corrupts the heart… (Ecclesiastes 7:7)
2. … one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption… (Galatians 6:7-8)
3. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths… (Ephesians 4:29)

Courage (Courage, Courageous)

1. Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened… (Joshua 1:9)
2. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was one me… (Ezra 7:28)
3. … let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!… (Psalm 31:24)

Crown

1. Prize insight highly, and… she will bestow on you a beautiful crown… (Proverbs 4:5-9)
2. Gray hair is a crown of glory… gained in a righteous life… (Proverbs 16:31)
3. Hold fast… so that no one may seize your crown.… (Revelation 2:10;3:11)

– D –

Darkness

1. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life… (John 8:12)
2. … cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light… (Romans 13:12,14)
3. [T]he darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining… (1 John 2:8)

Day (Day, Days)

1. And God said, ‘Let there be light’, and… God called the light Day… (Genesis 1:5)
2. Do not boast… tomorrow… you do not know what a day may bring… (Proverbs 27:1)
3. [I]n the last days… I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh… (Acts 2:17,21)

Death

1. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… (Psalm 23:4)
2. Death is swallowed up in victory… (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
3. Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life… (Revelation 2:10;3:11)

Deceit (Deceit, Deceitful, Deceitfulness)

1. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward… gravel… (Proverbs 20:17)
2. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick… (Jeremiah 17:9)
3. … deceitfulness of riches and… desires… choke the word… (Mark 4:3-9,13-20)

Deception (Deception, Deceptions)

1. … though… covered with deception… wickedness… exposed… (Proverbs 26:23-26)
2. … the lawless one is by… Satan with… wicked deception… (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
3. … reveling in their deceptions… they feast with you… insatiable… (2 Peter 2:12-14)

Defile (Defile, Defiled)

1. You shall not defile the land in which you live… (Numbers 35:33-34)
2. … out of the heart come… what defile a person… (Matthew 15:10-11,17-20)
3. … root of bitterness springs up… and by it many become defiled… (Hebrews 12:15)

Desire (Desire, Desires)

1. … who belong to… Jesus have crucified… passions and desires… (Galatians 5:24)
2. [D]esire when it has conceived gives birth to sin… (James 1:15)
3. … desires of the flesh and… and pride of life – is not from the Father… (1 John 2:15-17)

Destroy (Destroy, Destroys, Destroyed)

1. When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed… (Isaiah 33:1)
2. … treasures in heaven… neither moth nor rust destroys… (Matthew 6:19-21)
3. … our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God… (2 Corinthians 5:1)

Devil

* See also Evil One; Satan

1. … the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)
2. Put on the… armor of God… against the schemes of the devil… (Ephesians 6:10-18)
3. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you… (James 4:6-8)

Devour

1. … those whose teeth are swords… devour the poor from… earth… (Proverbs 30:14)
2. … who devour you shall be devoured, all your foes… (Jeremiah 30:16-17)
3. … the devil prowls… like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour… (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Discern (Discern, Discerning)

1. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist… (Proverbs 23:4)
2. It is I who… look after you… whoever is discerning, let him know… (Hosea 14:8-9)
3. … discern… the will of God, what is good… acceptable and perfect… (Romans 12:1-2)

Disciples

1. … make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… (Matthew 28:18-19)
2. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples… (John 8:31-32)
3. … people… know… you are… disciples, if you… love… one another… (John 13:34-35)

Disgrace (Disgrace, Disgraceful)

1. When pride comes, then comes disgrace… (Proverbs 11:2)
2. I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting… (Isaiah 50:4-7)
3. [W]e have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways… (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Divided

1. … you divided the sea… you cast their pursuers into the depths… (Nehemiah 9:10-12)
2. Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste… (Matthew 12:25)
3. … a house is divided against itself… will not be able to stand… (Mark 3:24-27)

Door

1. … guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips… (Psalm 141:3)
2. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved… (John 10:9)
3. … I stand at the door and knock. If anyone… opens the door… (Revelation 3:19-20)

Drunkard (Drunkard, Drunkenness)

1. … the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty… (Proverbs 23:20-21)
2. … watch… lest your hearts be weighed down with… drunkenness… (Luke 21:28,34)
3. [B]e… not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome… (1 Timothy 3:2-3,7)

Dust

1. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return… (Ecclesiastes 3:20)
2. [W]herever they do not receive you… shake off the dust from your feet… (Luke 9:5)
3. The first man was… earth… dust; the second… heaven… (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

– E –

Ear (Ear, Ears)

1. … keep his commandments,… your ear… attentive and… eyes open… (Nehemiah 1:5)
2. Like a gold ring… is a wise reprover to a listening ear… (Proverbs 25:12)
3. … blessed are… your ears, for they hear… (Matthew 13:15-16)

Earth

1. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth… (Proverbs 3:19-20)
2. I… made you a light… that you may bring salvation to… the earth… (Acts 13:47)
3. Set your minds on things… above, not on things that are on earth… (Colossians 3:1-2)

Encourage (Encourage, Encouraging)

1. [A]dmonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted… (1 Thessalonians 5:14-18)
2. [A]nyone… not willing to work… we… encourage… (2 Thessalonians 3:10,12)
3. … encouraging one another… as you see the Day drawing near… (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Endurance

1. By your endurance you will gain your lives… (Luke 21:17-19)
2. … suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character… (Romans 5:1-5)
3. … we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance… (2 Corinthians 6:3-8,10)

Endure (Endure, Endures)

1. … the one who endures to the end will be saved… (Matthew 24:6-8,11-13)
2. … work… for the food that endures to eternal life… (John 6:27,35,51)
3. … temptation he will… provide the way… you may… endure… (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Enemy (Enemy, Enemies)

1. … profuse are the kisses of an enemy… (Proverbs 27:6)
2. … Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… (Matthew 5:44)
3. … if your enemy is hungry, feed him… (Romans 12:9-21)

Escape

1. Noah… went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood… (Genesis 7:4,7)
2. God… will… provide… way of escape, that you may… endure… (1 Corinthians 10:13)
3. … escape all these things that… take place, and… stand before the Son… (Luke 21:36)

Eternal Life

1. … that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life… (John 3:14-18)
2. … whoever hears… and believes him who sent me has eternal life… (John 5:23-24)
3. …  who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life… (Galatians 6:7-8)

Evil

1. [T]he intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth… (Genesis 8:21)
2. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good… (Romans 12:9-21)
3. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil… (1 Thessalonians 5:14-18)

Evil One

* See also Devil; Satan

1. … faith… can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one… (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. … born of God does not keep… sinning… the evil one does not touch… (1 John 5:18)
3. … the whole world lies in the power of the evil one… (1 John 5:19)

Evildoers

1. When evildoers assail me… it is they who stumble and fall… (Psalm 27:1-3)
2. … evildoers… whet their tongues like swords… (Psalm 64:2-4)
3. [T]he day is coming… when… all evildoers will be stubble… (Malachi 4:1)

Exalt (Exalt, Exalted)

1. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,… you are exalted… above all… (1 Chronicles 29:10-13)
2. … insight… will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her… (Proverbs 4:5-9)
3. Humble yourselves… that at the proper time he may exalt you… (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Eyes

1. Haughty eyes [are an abomination to the Lord]… (Proverbs 6:16-19)
2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes… (Proverbs 21:2,4)
3. … desires of the eyes… is not from the Father but is from the world… (1 John 2:15-17)

– F –

Face

1. A glad heart makes a cheerful face… (Proverbs 15:13)
2. A man’s wisdom makes his face shine… (Ecclesiastes 8:1)
3. [T]alk face to face, so that our joy may be complete… (2 John 12)

Fail (Fail, Failed)

1. Not one word of all… promises… the Lord… made… failed… to pass… (Joshua 21:45)
2. I will rebuke the devourer… and your vine… shall not fail to bear… (Malachi 3:10-12)
3. … a treasure in the heavens… does not fail… (Luke 12:33-34)

Faith

1. … we walk by faith, not by sight… (2 Corinthians 5:6)
2. [F]aith is the assurance of things hoped for… (Hebrews 11:1-3,6)
3. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith… (1 John 5:1,4)

Father

* see also Almighty; God; Lord

1. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name… (Matthew 6:9-13)
2. [I]f you forgive others…, your heavenly Father will also forgive you… (Matthew 6:14)
3. … behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you… (Luke 24:46-49)

Favor

1. … the Lord bestows favor and honor… (Psalm 84:10-12)
2. The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor… (Ecclesiastes 10:12)
3. … I took two staffs, one I named Favor, the other… Union… (Zechariah 10:2;11:7)

Fear (Fear, Fears)

1. I am the Lord your God, you shall not fear… (Judges 6:8-9)
2. … the Lord… delivered me from all my fears… (Psalm 34:4)
3. [T]he Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil… (Zephaniah 3:15,17)

Fight

1. … God… goes with you to fight… against your enemies… (Deuteronomy 20:3-4)
2. A fool… lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating… (Proverbs 18:2,6)
3. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life… (1 Timothy 6:11-12)

Fool

1. [T]he folly of fools brings folly… (Proverbs 14:24)
2. Why should a fool… buy wisdom when he has no sense?… (Proverbs 17:16)
3. A stone is heavy… but a fool’s provocation is heavier… (Proverbs 27:3)

Foot (Foot, Feet)

1. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you… (Joshua 1:3)
2. [K]eep… wisdom and discretion… and your foot will not stumble… (Proverbs 3:21-23)
3. … now that your feet are sunk in the mud, they turn away from you… (Jeremiah 38:22)

Forgive

1. [F]orgive your brother… (Matthew 18:21-35)
2. … forgive, and you will be forgiven… (Luke 6:37-38)
3. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do… (Luke 23:33-34)

Fire

1. As… wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife… (Proverbs 26:21-21)
2. … the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire… (Luke 3:16-17)
3. … save others by snatching them out of the fire… (Jude 22-23)

Firstfruits

* See also Tithe

1. We… bring the firstfruits… to the house of the Lord… (Nehemiah 10:35,39)
2. If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump… (Romans 11:16)
3. … Christ has been raised…, the firstfruits of [Christianity]… (1 Corinthians 15:20)

Flesh

1. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak… (Matthew 26:41)
2. … two shall become one flesh… joined together, let not man separate… (Mark 10:7-9)
3. That… born of the flesh is flesh… You must be born again… (John 3:6-8;4:24)

Friend (Friend, Friendship)

1. Make no friendship with a man given to anger… (Proverbs 22:24-25)
2. Faithful are the wounds of a friend… (Proverbs 27:6)
3. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?… (James 4:1,4)

Fruit

1. [N]o good tree bears bad fruit… (Luke 6:43-45)
2. … bear fruit with patience… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)
3. … every branch… he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… (John 15:1-6)

Furnace

1. … like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times… (Psalm 12:6)
2. The crucible is for silver… furnace is for gold… the Lord tests hearts… (Proverbs 17:3)
3. God has refined you, but not as silver; he has tried you in the furnace… (Isaiah 48:10)

– G –

Gain (Gain, Gains, Gained)

1. … unjust gain… takes away the life of its possessors… (Proverbs 1:10,15-19)
2. … I considered… my… toil… and there was nothing to be gained… (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
3. … a man… gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?… (Matthew 16:26)

Garden

1. … God took… man and put him in the garden of Eden to work… (Genesis 2:8-11,13-15)
2. … you shall be like a watered garden… whose waters do not fail… (Isaiah 58:6-12)
3. Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce… (Jeremiah 29:5-6)

Give (Give, Giver)

1. Give to the one who begs from you… (Matthew 5:42)
2. when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you… (Matthew 6:1-2)
3. … God loves a cheerful giver… (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Glad (Glad, Gladness)

1. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad… (Psalm 34:2)
2. Awake, you drunkards… [for] gladness dries up from the children… (Joel 1:4-5,12)
3. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven… (Matthew 5:2-12)

Glory (Glory, Glorify)

1. It is not good… nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory… (Proverbs 25:27)
2. … give glory to your Father who is in heaven… (Matthew 5:14-16)
3. If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing… (John 8:54)

God

* see also Almighty; Father; Lord

1. So God created man in his own image… (Genesis 1:27)
2. No one is good except God alone… (Mark 10:18)
3. … God is light and in him is no darkness at all… (1 John 1:5)

Godliness

* see also Godly

1. [T]rain… for godliness, for… godliness is of value in every way… (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
2. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness… (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
3. … supplement… steadfastness with godliness, and godliness… (2 Peter 1:5-8,10-11)

Godly

* see also Godliness

1. … we behaved… with… godly sincerity, not… earthly wisdom… (2 Corinthians 1:12)
2. … who desire to live a godly life in… Jesus will be persecuted… (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
3. … live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age… (Titus 2:11-12)

Gold

1. You shall not covet… gold… lest you be ensnared by it… (Deuteronomy 7:25)
2. Take my instruction… and knowledge rather than… gold… (Proverbs 8:10-11)
3. Neither… silver nor… gold shall be able to deliver them… (Zephaniah 1:17-18)

Good

1. [D]o good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness… (Psalm 37:3)
2. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good… (Matthew 12:33-37)
3. … by doing good you… put to silence the ignorance of foolish people… (1 Peter 2:15)

Gospel

1. … the ministry… from… Jesus, to testify to the gospel… of God… (Acts 20:24)
2. [P]reach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom… (1 Corinthians 1:17)
3. … as shoes… put on the readiness [of] the gospel of peace… (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Grace

1. … but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more… (Romans 5:12-13,18-21)
2. [B]y grace you have been saved through faith… (Ephesians 2:8-10)
3. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God… (Hebrews 12:15)

Grass

1. … he dawns on them like… rain that makes grass to sprout… (2 Samuel 23:3-4)
2. All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field… (Isaiah 40:6-8)
3. … grass withers… but the word of the Lord remains forever… (1 Peter 1:24-25)

Grave

1. … love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave… (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)
2. … his grave with the wicked… although he had done no violence… (Isaiah 53:5-9)
3. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive… (Romans 3:12-18)

Greed (Greed, Greedy)

1. … they… ambush for their own lives… greedy for unjust gain… (Proverbs 1:10,15-19)
2. [You] must not be arrogant or quick-tempered… or greedy for gain… (Titus 1:7-9;2:2)
3. … in their greed they will exploit you with false words… (2 Peter 2:2-3)

Guilt (Guilt, Guiltless)

1. … the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great… (Psalm 25:8-11)
3. … your guilt is taken away, and you sin atoned for… (Isaiah 6:6-7)

– H –

Hand (Hand, Hands)

1. … according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me… (2 Samuel 22:22-25)
2. O Lord our God, all this abundance… comes from your hand… (1 Chronicles 29:16)
3. … when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand… (Romans 7:21)

Hasty

1. … he who has a hasty temper exalts folly… (Proverbs 14:29)
2. … everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty… (Proverbs 21:5)
3. Do you see a man… hasty in his words?… more hope for a fool… (Proverbs 29:20)

Harvest (Harvest, Harvested)

1. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is… (Proverbs 26:1)
2. Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little… (Haggai 1:5-6)
3. [A] harvest of righteousness is sown… by those who make peace… (James 3:18)

Hate (Hate, Hates)

1. … those who hate the righteous will be condemned… (Psalm 34:21)
2. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit… (Proverbs 26:23-26)
3. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness… (1 John 2:9)

Heal (Heal, Heals, Healing)

1. The Lord… heals and binds up… wounds… (Psalm 147:2-3,5)
2. Then shall your… healing spring up speedily… (Isaiah 58:6-12)
3. [T]his people’s heart has grown dull… lest… I would heal them… (Matthew 13:15-16)

Hear

1. … the ones who hear the word and accept it… bear fruit… (Mark 4:3-9,13-20)
2. Let… your mouths… give grace to those who hear… (Ephesians 4:29)
3. … blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it… (Revelation 1:3)

Heart

1. Keep your heart will all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life… (Proverbs 4:23)
2. Feed not on ashes, nor let your deluded heart lead you astray… (Isaiah 44:20)
3. … with the heart one believes and is justified… (Romans 10:9-10)

Heaven (Heaven, Heavens)

1. … the Lord made the heavens… strength and joy are… his… (1 Chronicles 16:26-27)
2. … I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin… (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)
3. … A person cannot receive… one thing unless it is given… from heaven… (John 3:27)

Heavenly

1. … in Christ… in… heavenly places… we should be holy…  (Ephesians 1:3-5,9-11)
2. [H]e worked in Christ… at his right hand in… heavenly places… (Ephesians 1:20-23)
3. … wrestle against… the… forces of evil in the heavenly places… (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit, the Spirit)

1. [T]he Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring… remembrance… (John 14:26)
2. … God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit… (Romans 5:1-5)
3. … God… has given us the Spirit as a guarantee… (2 Corinthians 5:4-5)

Honey (Honey, Honeycomb)

1. … the rules of the Lord are… drippings of the honeycomb… (Psalm 19:7-11)
2. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul… (Proverbs 16:24)
3. Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk… (Song of Solomon 4:11,13,15)

Honor

1. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … honor is not fitting for a fool… (Proverbs 26:1)
3. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father… (John 5:23-24)

Hope

1. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust… (Psalm 71:1-7)
2. [M]y flesh… will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul… (Acts 2:26-27)
3. … character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame… (Romans 5:1-5)

Hospitality

1. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality… (Romans 12:9-21)
2. Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality… (Hebrews 13:1-3)
3. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling… (1 Peter 4:8-10)

House

1. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … be like a wise man who built his house on the rock… (Matthew 7:24-27)
3. … no city or house divided against itself will stand… (Matthew 12:25)

Humbled (Humbled, Humility)

1. [H]umility comes before honor… (Proverbs 18:12)
2. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled… (Matthew 23:12)
3. … Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another… (1 Peter 5:5-6)

Hunger (Hunger, Hungry)

1. … those who were hungry have ceased to hunger… (1 Samuel 2:4-5)
2. [T]o one that is hungry everything bitter is sweet… (Proverbs 27:7)
3. … whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and… never thirst… (John 6:27,35,51)

Husband

1. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband… (Proverbs 12:4)
2. The heart of her husband trusts in her… (Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)
3. [B]e above reproach, the husband of one wife… (1 Timothy 3:2-3,7)

– I –

Idols

1. You shall not… bow down to… or serve [false idols]… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … the gods of the peoples are worthless idols… (1 Chronicles 16:26-27)
3. [I]dols… are borne as burdens on weary beasts… (Isaiah 46:1-2)

Iniquity (Iniquity, Iniquities)

1. … the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all… (Isaiah 53:5-9)
2. [God] will… tread… iniquities underfoot [and] cast… sins into… the sea… (Micah 7:19)
3. Woe to him who… founds a city on iniquity!… (Habakkuk 2:12)

Innocent

1. Hands that shed innocent blood [are an abomination to the Lord] … (Proverbs 6:16-19)
2. … be wise as serpents and innocent as doves… (Matthew 10:16-17)
3. [B]e wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil… (Romans 16:19)

– J –

Jesus

* see also Christ; Only Son; Son of Man

1. … Jesus… the Lamb of God… takes away the sin of the world!… (John 1:29)
2. … Jesus… rejected by… the builders… has become the cornerstone… (Acts 4:11-12)
3. … God anointed Jesus… to be judge of the living and the dead… (Acts 10:38,42-43)

Jewels

1. … nor can it be exchanged for jewels… [T]he price of wisdom… (Job 28:12-20,28)
2. … wisdom is better than jewels… desire cannot compare with her… (Proverbs 8:10-11)
3. An excellent wife… more precious than jewels… (Proverbs 31:10-12,16,25-27,28-29)

Joy (Joy, Joyful)

1. [M]an has nothing better… but to eat and drink and be joyful… (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
2. [G]o out in joy and be led forth in peace… (Isaiah 55:12-13)
3. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds… (James 1:2-4)

Judge (Judge, Judged)

1. … judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy… (Proverbs 31:8-9)
2. … with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged… (Matthew 7:1-5)
3. Judge not, and you will not be judged… (Luke 6:37-38)

Justice

1. Keep justice, and do righteousness… (Isaiah 56:1-2)
2. [L]et justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a… stream… (Amos 5:24)
3. [W]hat does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness… (Micah 6:8)

– K –

Kind (Kind, Kindness)

1. A man who is kind benefits himself… (Proverbs 11:17)
2. … Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another… (Zechariah 7:9)
3. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another… (Ephesians 4:32)

King (King, Kings)

1. The kings of the earth set themselves… against the Lord… (Psalm 2:1-2,10-11)
2. In… people is… glory of a king… without people a prince is ruined… (Proverbs 14:28)
3. … extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right… (Daniel 4:36-37)

Kingdom

1. … The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed… (Matthew 13:31-32;17:20)
2. … behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you… (Luke 17:21)
3. … receive the kingdom of God like a child… (Luke 18:17)

Knowledge

1. Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge… (Proverbs 23:12)
2. [T]hrough the law comes knowledge of sin… (Romans 3:20)
3. … supplement… virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with… (2 Peter 1:5-8,10-11)

– L –

Labor

1. When the sun rises… Man goes… to his labor until the evening… (Psalm 104:21-28)
2. [T]he slothful will be put to forced labor… (Proverbs 12:24)
3. … all who labor and are heavy laden… I will give you rest… (Matthew 11:28-30)

Lamb (Lamb, Lambs)

1. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb… They shall not hurt or destroy… (Isaiah 11:6,9)
2. … like a lamb that is led to the slaughter… he opened not his mouth… (Isaiah 53:5-9)
3. … behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves… (Luke 10:3)

Land

1. … blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made… (Numbers 35:33-34)
2. [D]o good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness… (Psalm 37:3)
3. [T]he meek shall inherit the land and delight … in abundant peace… (Psalm 37:11)

Law

1. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul… (Psalm 19:7-11)
2. [I]t is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous… but the doers… (Romans 2:13,15)
3. … law is fulfilled in… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’… (Galatians 5:13-14)

Lawlessness

1. … lawlessness will be increased… love… will grow old… (Matthew 24:6-8,11-13)
2. Jesus Christ… gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness… (Titus 2:13-15)
3. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness… (1 John 3:4-6)

Life

1. … the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life… (Matthew 7:13-14)
2. … life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing… (Luke 12:22-23)
3. Whoever loves his life loses it… (John 12:25)

Light

1. … let your light shine before others, so that they… see your good… (Matthew 5:14-16)
2. … give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death… (Luke 1:76-79)
3. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you… (John 12:35)

Lion (Lion, Lions)

1. … young lions suffer want… but… who seek the Lord lack no… thing… (Psalm 34:10)
2. … young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God… (Psalm 104:21-28)
3. … wicked flee when no one pursues… righteous are bold as a lion… (Proverbs 28:1)

Lips

1. … wickedness is an abomination to my lips… (Proverbs 8:6-9)
2. The lips of the righteous feed many… (Proverbs 10:21)
3. … the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel… (Proverbs 20:15)

Living

1. … wisdom… is not found in the land of the living… (Job 28:12-20,28)
2. … I am the living bread that came down from heaven… (John 6:27,35,51)
3. [T]he word of God is living… sharper than any two-edged sword… (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Lord

* see also Almighty; Father; God

1. I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality… (2 Chronicles 19:7)
3. I the Lord search the heart and test the mind… (Jeremiah 17:10)

Love

1. [P]ut on love, which binds everything together in… harmony… (Colossians 3:14-15)
2. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart… (1 Timothy 1:5)
3. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love… (1 John 4:8)

Lust (Lust, Lustful)

1. [T]he treacherous are taken captive by their lust… (Proverbs 11:6)
2. … who looks at a woman with lustful intent has… committed adultery… (Galatians 5:28)
3. … control… in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust… (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)

– M –

Man

1. A man without self-control is like a city broken into… without walls… (Proverbs 25:28)
2. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another… (Proverbs 27:17)
3. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man… (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Marriage

1. … liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage… (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
2. Let marriage be held in honor among all… the marriage… undefiled… (Hebrews 13:4)
3. … give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come… (Revelation 19:6-7)

Meek (Meek, Meekness)

1. … ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness… (Psalm 45:4)
2. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth… (Matthew 5:2-12)
3. [R]eceive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save… (James 1:21)

Mercy

1. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy… (Matthew 5:2-12)
2. … draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy… (Hebrews 4:16)
3. [J]udgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy… (James 2:13)

Milk

1. … Lord… bring us into… a land that flows with milk and honey… (Numbers 14:8)
2. … my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue… (Song of Solomon 4:11,13,15)
3. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk… (1 Peter 2:1-3)

Mind (Mind, Minds)

1. … who live according to the flesh set… minds on the things of the flesh… (Romans 8:5)
2. … be transformed by the renewal of your mind… (Romans 12:1-2)
3. … have unity of mind… and a humble mind… (1 Peter 3:8-9)

Ministry

1. … Christ reconciled us… gave… the ministry of reconciliation… (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
2. …so that no fault may be found with our ministry… (2 Corinthians 6:3-8,10)
3. … endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry… (2 Timothy 4:5)

Money

1. You cannot serve God and money… (Matthew 6:24)
2. … the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils… (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
3. … in the last days… people will be lovers of self, lovers of money… (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

Morning

1. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear… (Isaiah 50:4-7)
2. … his mercies never… end; they are new every morning… (Lamentations 3:21-24)
3. … every morning he shows… his justice; each dawn he does not fail… (Zephaniah 3:5)

Moses

1. She named him Moses, ‘… I drew him out of the water’… (Exodus 1:22;2:1-3,5-6,10)
2. Moses… took the testimony and put it into the ark… (Exodus 40:18-21)
3. … the law was… through Moses; grace and truth… through Jesus… (John 1:14,16-17)

Mother

1. Honor your father and your mother… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … you are he who took me from my mother’s womb… (Psalm 71:1-7)
3. [A] man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife… (Mark 10:7-9)

Mouth

1. [A] man… shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth… (Numbers 30:2)
2. … let not arrogance come from your mouth… (1 Samuel 2:3)
3. [O]ut of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks… (Matthew 12:33-37)

– N –

Nation (Nation, Nations)

1. … the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain… (Psalm 2:1-2,10-11)
2. I will make you as a light for the nations… salvation… to the… earth… (Isaiah 49:1-3,6)
3. … nation will rise against nation… kingdom against kingdom… (Matthew 24:6-8,11-13)

Neighbor

1. … you shall not covet… anything that is your neighbor’s… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him… (Leviticus 19:13-14)
3. You shall love your neighbor as yourself… (Leviticus 19:18)

Net (Net, Nets)

1. … more bitter than death… whose heart is snares and nets… (Ecclesiastes 7:25-26)
2. … [Jesus] saw two brothers… casting a net into the sea… (Matthew 4:18-19)
3. [T]he kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea… (Matthew 13:47-50)

Night

1. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning… (Psalm 30:4-7)
2. … grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon… (Isaiah 16:3)
3. … night is far gone… [P]ut on… no provision for… flesh… desires… (Romans 13:12,14)

– O –

Obedience

1. … by… one man’s obedience… many… be made righteous… (Romans 5:12-13,18-21)
2. … the command of… God, to bring about the obedience of faith… (Romans 16:25-27)
3. [Jesus] learned obedience through what he suffered… (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Obey

1. … obey my rules… I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses… (Ezekiel 36:25-26)
2. … obey God rather than men… the Holy Spirit [is] given to… who obey… (Acts 5:29,32)
3. … perfect, [Jesus] became the… eternal salvation to all who obey… (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Old

1. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right… (Job 32:9)
2. … the splendor of old men is their gray hair… (Proverbs 20:29)
3. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old… (Luke 12:33-34)

Only Son

* see also Christ; Jesus; Son of Man

1. … the Word became flesh… the only Son from the Father… (John 1:14,16-17)
2. … For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son… (John 3:14-18)
3. God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him… (1 John 4:9)

Oppress (Oppress, Oppresses, Oppressed)

1. Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker… (Proverbs 14:31)
2. … let the oppressed go free,… share your bread with the hungry… (Isaiah 58:6-12)
3. … do not oppress… and let none… devise evil against another… (Zechariah 7:9)

– P –

Passions

1. Let not sin… reign in your… body, to make you obey its passions… (Romans 6:11-12)
2. [F]lee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love… (2 Timothy 2:22)
3. … in the last days… people will be… led astray by various passions… (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

Patience

1. … who by patience in well-doing seek… he will give eternal life… (Romans 2:6-11)
2. [W]alk… with… humility… gentleness… patience… in… peace… (Ephesians 4:1-3)
3. C]ount the patience of our Lord as salvation… (2 Peter 3:15)

Patient

1. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer… (Romans 12:9-21)
2. … be patient with them all… (1 Thessalonians 5:14-18)
3. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance… (Revelation 2:2)

Peace

1. I will make a covenant of peace with them…and I will be their God… (Ezekiel 37:26-27)
2. There will be… glory and honor and peace for… who does good… (Romans 2:6-11)
3. … let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… (Colossians 3:14-15)

People

1. … I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God… (Exodus 6:6-7)
2. … if my people… humble themselves… I will hear… (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)
3. Avoid… people… always learning… never able to arrive at… truth… (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

Perfect

1. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul… (Psalm 19:7-11)
2. … let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect… (James 1:2-4)
3. … perfect love casts out fear… (1 John 4:18)

Pleasure

1. [W]isdom is pleasure to a man of understanding… (Proverbs 10:23)
2. … choked by the… pleasures of life… their fruit does not mature… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)
3. … people will be… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

Plowed (Plowed, Plowman, Plowers)

1. … plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows… (Psalm 129:2-3)
2. You… plowed iniquity… reaped injustice…eaten the fruit of lies… (Hosea 10:13-14)
3. … days are coming… when the plowman shall overtake the reaper… (Amos 9:13)

Plunder (Plunder, Plundered)

1. Because the poor are plundered… ‘I will now arise’, says the Lord… (Psalm 12:5)
2. Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder… (Nahum 3:1,19)
3. … you… plundered many nations… the peoples shall plunder you… (Habakkuk 2:8)

Poor

1. … a bountiful eye… shares… bread with the poor… (Proverbs 22:9)
2. … do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor… (Zechariah 7:9)
3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… (Matthew 5:2-12)

Poverty

1. Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes… (Proverbs 20:13)
2. Whoever oppresses the poor… will only come to poverty… (Proverbs 22:16)
3. … drunkards… will come to poverty, and slumber… with rags.… (Proverbs 23:20-21)

Praise

1. Praise befits the upright… (Psalm 33:1)
2. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth… (Proverbs 27:2)
3. … a man is tested by his praise… (Proverbs 27:21)

Pray

1. Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation… (Matthew 26:41)
2. … pray to the Lord that… the intent of your heart may be forgiven you… (Acts 8:20-22)
3. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all… (1 Thessalonians 5:14-18)

Prayer

1. … hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you… (Nehemiah 1:5)
2. [W]hatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it… (Mark 11:24)
3. [E]verything created by God is… made holy by… prayer… (1 Timothy 4:4-5)

Prey

1. … lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up… (Genesis 49:9)
2. … who plunder… be plundered… who prey… I… make a prey… (Jeremiah 30:16-17)
3. Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder – no end to the prey!… (Nahum 3:1,19)

Pride (Pride, Proud)

1. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin… (Proverbs 21:2,4)
2. One’s pride will bring him low… (Proverbs 29:33)
3. … God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble… (James 4:6-8)

Promise (Promise, Promises)

1. Not one word of all the good promises… the Lord… made… failed… (Joshua 21:45)
2. … godliness… holds promise for the present life and… life to come… (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
3. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise… but is patient toward you… (2 Peter 3:9-11)

Prophecy

1. … prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers… (1 Corinthians 14:1-4,22)
2. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy… (Revelation 1:3)
3. [T]he testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy… (Revelation 19:10)

Prophets

1. Beware of false prophets… You will recognize them by their fruits… (Matthew 7:15-20)
2. … false prophets will arise and lead many astray… (Matthew 24:6-8,11-13)
3. … many false prophets have gone out into the world… (1 John 4:1-3)

Prudent (Prudent, Prudence)

1. … O’ simple ones, learn prudence; O’ fools, learn sense… (Proverbs 8:1,5)
2. A prudent man conceals knowledge… (Proverbs 12:23)
3. The prudent sees danger and hides… but the simple… suffer… (Proverbs 27:12)

– Q –

Quarrel (Quarrel, Quarreling)

1. … where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases… (Proverbs 26:21-21)
2. … who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions… (Romans 14:1)
3. … speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling… (Titus 3:1-3)

Quiet (Quiet, Quietness)

1. Better is… quiet than a house full of feasting with strife… (Proverbs 17:1)
2. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil… (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
3. [T]he Lord… will quiet you by his love… (Zephaniah 3:15,17)

– R –

Reap

1. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love… (Hosea 10:12)
2. [W]hatever one sows, that will he also reap… (Galatians 6:7-8)
3. … in due season we will reap, if we do not give up… (Galatians 6:9-10)

Rebuke

1. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan!… (Zechariah 3:2)
2. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him… (Luke 17:3-4)
3. … give instruction in sound doctrine… rebuke those who contradict it… (Titus 1:7-9;2:2)

Reconcile (Reconcile, Reconciled, Reconciliation)

1. [B]e reconciled to your brother… Come to terms quickly… (Matthew 5:24-26)
2. Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us… reconciliation… (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
3. … reconcile us… to God in one body through the cross… (Ephesians 2:13-16,18)

Redeem

1. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm… and I will be your God… (Exodus 6:6-7)
2. [T]he Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies… (Micah 4:10)
3. … God sent forth his Son… to redeem those… under the law… (Galatians 4:3-7)

Redemption

1. … raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near… (Luke 21:28,34)
2. … redemption… is in Christ Jesus… received by faith… (Romans 3:21-25)
3. … in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins… (Colossians 1:13-14)

Refuse

1. … do not refuse the one who would borrow from you… (Matthew 5:42)
2. … you refuse to come to me that you may have life… (John 5:39-40)
3. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word… (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Repent

1. Repent… that your sins may be blotted out… refreshing may come… (Acts 3:19-21)
2. [Y]our heart is not right before God. Repent… of this wickedness… (Acts 8:20-22)
3. … whom I love, I reprove and discipline… be zealous… repent… (Revelation 3:19-20)

Repentance

1. … over one sinner who repents than over… who need no repentance… (Luke 15:1-7)
2. … repentance for the forgiveness of sins… proclaimed in his name… (Luke 24:46-49)
3. The Lord… is patient… wishing that… all should reach repentance… (2 Peter 3:9-11)

Resurrection

1. … hear his voice and come out… to the resurrection of life… (John 5:28-29)
2. I am the resurrection and the life… (John 11:25-26)
3. … there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust… (Acts 24:14-15)

Rest

1. [G]ive rest to the weary… (Isaiah 28:12)
2. In returning and rest you shall be saved… (Isaiah 30:15)
3. Come to me… and you will find rest for your soul… (Matthew 11:28-30)

Reward (Reward, Rewarded)

1. … for what you have done… a full reward be given you by the Lord… (Ruth 2:12)
2. … the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness… (2 Samuel 22:22-25)
3. … your confidence… has a great reward… (Hebrews 10:35-37,39)

Rich (Rich, Riches)

1. … they are choked by the care and riches and pleasures of life… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)
2. … who desire to be rich fall into temptation… and harmful desires… (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
3. … also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits… (James 1:11)

Righteous

1. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers… (Psalm 34:17,19)
2. … not a righteous man on earth… does good and never sins… (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
3. [T]he righteous shall live by his faith… (Habakkuk 2:4)

Root (Root, Rooted)

1. … these have no root… and in time of testing fall away… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)
2. … it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you… (Romans 11:18)
3. … you… rooted and grounded in love, may have strength… (Ephesians 3:14,16-19)

– S –

Salt

1. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste… (Matthew 5:13)
2. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt… (Colossians 4:6)
3. Does a spring pour forth… both fresh and salt water?… (James 3:8-12)

Salvation

1. On God rests my salvation and my glory… (Psalm 62:5-7)
2. … you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation… (Ephesians 1:13-14)
3. … God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation… (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

Satan

* See also Devil; Evil One

1. … Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me… (Matthew 16:23)
2. Satan has risen up… but is coming to an end… (Mark 3:24-27)
3. … we would not be outwitted by Satan… ignorant… (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)

Saved

1. I call upon the Lord… and I am saved from my enemies… (2 Samuel 22:3-4)
2. … everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved… (Acts 2:17,21)
3. … there is no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved… (Acts 4:11-12)

Scripture

1. You search the Scriptures because you think… in them you have… life… (John 5:39-40)
2. … Scripture… said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”… (John 7:37-38)
3. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching… (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Sea

1. Here is the sea… which teems with… things… and Leviathan… (Psalm 104:21-28)
2. … who doubts is… a wave of the sea… driven and tossed by the wind… (James 1:5-6)
3. … O earth and sea… the devil has come… to you in great wrath… (Revelation 12:12)

Season

1. They all look to you, to give them their food in due season… (Psalm 104:21-28)
2. … there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
3. [L]et us not… weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap… (Galatians 6:9-10)

Seed

1. … I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed… (Jeremiah 2:20-21)
2. … if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed… (Matthew 13:31-32;17:20)
3. The seed is the word of God… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)

Seek

1. The Lord is with you… If you seek him, he will be found by you… (2 Chronicles 15:2)
2. … seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you… (Hosea 10:12)
3. … seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you… (Matthew 7:7-8)

Self-Control (Self-Control, Self-Controlled)

1. … in the last days… people will be… without self-control, brutal… (2 Timothy 3:1-8)
2. [You] must… be… a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy… (Titus 1:7-9;2:2)
3. … supplement… self-control with steadfastness… (2 Peter 1:5-8,10-11)

Serpent

1. [T]he serpent… said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say… (Genesis 3:1)
2. … a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall… (Ecclesiastes 10:8-9)
3. … in the midst of wolves… be wise as serpents… Beware of men… (Matthew 10:16-17)

Serve (Serve, Served)

1. No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money… (Matthew 6:24)
2. [T]he Son of Man came not to be served but to serve… (Matthew 20:28)
3. [T]hrough love serve one another… (Galatians 5:13-14)

Sexually Immoral (Sexually Immoral, Sexual Immorality)

1. … out of the heart come evil… adultery, sexual immorality… (Matthew 15:10-11,17-20)
2. … God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous… (Hebrews 13:4)
3. [W]ith… sexual immorality the dwellers… have become drunk… (Revelation 17:2)

Shame (Shame, Ashamed)

1. Those who look to him… their faces shall never be ashamed… (Psalm 34:5)
2. … I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.… (Zephaniah 3:19)
3. … from… things of which you are… ashamed… the end… is death… (Romans 6:20-23)

Sharp (Sharp, Sharpens, Sharper)

1. … tongue sharp as a serpent’s… under their lips is… venom of asps… (Psalm 140:1-3)
2. Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another… (Proverbs 27:17)
3. [T]he word of God is… sharper than any two-edged sword… (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Sheep

1. … people wander like sheep… afflicted for lack of a shepherd… (Zechariah 10:2;11:7)
2. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves… (Matthew 10:16-17)
3. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… (John 10:10-11)

Shine (Shine, Shines)

1. [T]hose who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above… (Daniel 12:3)
2. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… (John 1:1-5)
3. … in the midst of a… twisted generation… you shine as lights… (Philippians 2:14-15)

Silence

1. … O my soul, wait in silence… On God rests my salvation… my glory… (Psalm 62:5-7)
2. [There is] a time to keep silence, and a time to speak… (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
3. For this is the will of God… doing good you… silence… foolish people… (1 Peter 2:15)

Silent

1. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent… (Exodus 14:13-14)
2. … listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom… (Job 33:32-33)
3. [S]peak the word of God with boldness…and do not be silent… (Acts 4:31;18:9)

Silver

1. … lay gold in the dust… the Almighty will be your gold and… silver… (Job 22:21-27)
2. … Though he heap up silver like dust… the innocent will divide… (Job 27:13,16-17,19)
3. Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material… (Proverbs 25:4-5)

Sin (Sin, Sins)

1. [T]here is no one who does not sin… (1 Kings 8:46)
2. … you have been set free from sin… (Romans 6:20-23)
3. … love covers a multitude of sins… (1 Peter 4:8-10)

Sister

1. Say to wisdom you are my sister, and call insight your intimate friend… (Proverbs 7:4)
2. … our sister… is a wall… build on her a battlement of silver… (Song of Solomon 8:9)
3. If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food… (James 2:15-17)

Slander

1. He who walks blamelessly… does not slander with his tongue… (Psalm 15:2-5)
2. … theft, false witness, slander… are what defile a person… (Matthew 15:10-11,17-20)
3. … put… away… anger… slander, and obscene talk from your mouth… (Colossians 3:8)

Slave (Slave, Slaves)

1. [E]veryone who practices sin is a slave to sin… (John 8:34)
2. [W]hen you were slaves of sin,… what fruit were you getting…? (Romans 6:20-23)
3. … you are no longer a slave, but a son, and… an heir through God… (Galatians 4:3-7)

Slavery

1. I am the Lord, and I will… deliver you from slavery… (Exodus 6:6-7)
2. By a strong hand the Lord brought us out… from the house of slavery… (Exodus 13:14)
3. … Christ has set us free… do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… (Galatians 5:1)

Slothful

1. [T]he slothful will be put to forced labor… (Proverbs 12:24)
2. Whoever is slothful will not roast his game… (Proverbs 12:27)
3. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit… (Romans 12:9-21)

Sluggard

1. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing… (Proverbs 13:4)
2. The sluggard does not plow in… autumn; he will… have nothing… (Proverbs 20:4)
3. As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed… (Proverbs 26:14)

Snare (Snare, Snared)

1. [T]he wicked… lies [and is] snared in the work of [his] own hands… (Psalm 7:14,16)
2. We… escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers… (Psalm 124:6-7)
3. [E]scape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him… (2 Timothy 2:26)

Sober-Minded

1. [B]e… the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled… (Timothy 3:2-3,7)
2. … sober-minded… do not be conformed to… passions… ignorance.. (1 Peter 1:13-15)
3. Be sober-minded; watchful… the devil prowls… Resist him, firm… (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Son of Man

* see also Christ; Jesus; Only Son

1. [T]he Son of Man came not to be served but to serve… (Matthew 20:28)
2. … the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect… (Luke 12:35-48)
3. No one has ascended into heaven except… the Son of Man… (John 3:11-13)

Sorrow (Sorrow, Sorrowful)

1. … by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed… (Proverbs 15:13)
2. … he who increases knowledge increases sorrow… (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
3. We are… sorrowful, yet always rejoicing… (2 Corinthians 6:3-8,10)

Sow (Sow, Sows)

1. One who sows discord… [is an abomination to the Lord]… (Proverbs 6:16-19)
2. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening, withhold not… (Ecclesiastes 11:4-6)
3. The sower sows the word… (Mark 4:3-9,13-20)

Soul (Soul, Souls)

1. [The Lord] satisfies the longing soul… (Psalm 107:9)
2. … do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul… (Matthew 10:27-28)
3. … we are… those who have faith and preserve their souls… (Hebrews 10:35-37,39)

Spirit

1. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you… (Ezekiel 36:25-26)
2. God is spirit, and… who worship… must worship in spirit and truth… (John 3:6-8;4:24)
3. [D]o not believe every spirit, but test… to see… they are from God… (1 John 4:1-3)

Spoken

1. [I]t is a great word… spoken to you; will you not do it?… (2 Kings 5:13)
2. … the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day… (John 12:46-50)
3. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you… (John 15:1-6)

Steadfast (Steadfast, Steadfastness)

1. … be steadfast, immovable… in the work of the Lord… (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
2. … be sober-minded, dignified… sound in faith… and… steadfastness… (Titus 1:7-9;2:2)
3. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial… (James 1:12)

Stone

1. … a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling… (Proverbs 26:27)
2. … I… remove the heart of stone… and give you a heart of flesh… (Ezekiel 36:25-26)
3. … Jesus is the stone that was rejected… (Acts 4:11-12)

Strength

1. [F]or as the man is, so is his strength… (Judges 8:21)
2. [D]o not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength… (Nehemiah 8:10)
3. … in quietness and in trust shall be your strength… (Isaiah 30:15)

Strong

1. … eyes of the Lord… give strong support to those… blameless… (2 Chronicles 16:9)
2. … satisfy… desire in scorched places and make your bones strong… (Isaiah 58:6-12)
3. Be strong, all you people… Work, for I am with you… (Haggai 2:4)

Stronghold

1. The Lord is my rock… fortress… shield… stronghold… refuge… (2 Samuel 22:3-4)
2. The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?… (Psalm 27:1-3)
3. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble… (Nahum 1:7)

Suffering (Suffering, Sufferings, Suffered)

1. … we rejoice in our sufferings… (Romans 5:1-5)
2. [A]lways be sober-minded, endure suffering… (2 Timothy 4:5)
3. [A]fter you have suffered… God… will… restore… and establish you… (1 Peter 5:10)

Sun

1. When one rules justly… he dawns… like the sun shining forth… (2 Samuel 23:3-4)
2. God is a sun and shield… No good thing does he withhold… (Psalm 84:10-12)
3. [D]o not let the sun go down on your anger… (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Sword (Sword, Swords)

1. The Lord… made my mouth like a sharp sword… (Isaiah 49:1-3,6)
2. Beat your plowshares into swords, and… let the weak say, ‘I am a warrior’… (Joel 3:10)
3. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword… (Matthew 10:34)

Sword, Two-Edged

1. … God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands… (Psalm 149:6-9)
2. … a forbidden woman… is bitter… wormwood… a two-edged sword… (Proverbs 5:1-4)
3. … sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing… of soul… spirit… (Hebrews 4:12-13)

– T –

Talk

1. Talk no more so very proudly… for the Lord is a God of knowledge… (1 Samuel 2:3)
2. In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty… (Proverbs 14:23)
3. … babble… will lead people into… ungodliness… talk will spread… (2 Timothy 2:16-17)

Teach (Teach, Teaches)

1. I [the Lord] will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak… (Exodus 4:12)
2. [T]hose who do not know [the laws of God], you shall teach… (Ezra 7:25)
3. … whoever… teaches… will be called great in the kingdom of heaven… (Matthew 5:19)

Temptation (Temptation, Temptations)

1. … lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil… (Matthew 6:9-13)
2. Temptations to sin are sure to come… (Luke 17:1)
3. … temptation… is… common… God… will… provide… escape… (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Tempted (Tempted, Tempts)

1. God… will not let you be tempted beyond your ability… (1 Corinthians 10:13)
2. … he… suffered when tempted… is able to help those… tempted… (Hebrews 2:18)
3. … God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one… (James 1:13-14)

Test

1. Do not fear, for God has come to test you… that you may not sin… (Exodus 20:20)
2. I… test the mind, to give every man according to his ways… (Jeremiah 17:10)
3. … put me to the test, says the Lord… I will… pour down… blessing… (Malachi 3:10-12)

Testify

1. The world… hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil… (John 7:7)
2. … testify to the gospel of the grace of God… (Acts 20:24)
3. … the word of life… was made manifest, and we… testify to it… (1 John 1:1-3)

Testimony

1. … the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple… (Psalm 19:7-11)
2. … bear witness to what we have seen… receive our testimony… (John 3:11-13)
3. [O]ur boast is this, the testimony of our conscience… (2 Corinthians 1:12)

Testing

1. … God… might humble you, testing you to know… your heart… (Deuteronomy 8:2) 
2. … they hear the word… believe… and in… testing fall away… (Luke 8:4-8,11-15)
3. … the testing of your faith produces steadfastness… (James 1:2-4)

Thanks (Thanks, Thanksgiving)

1. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good… (1 Chronicles 16:34)
2. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving… (Colossians 4:2)
3. [E]verything… by God is good… if… received with thanksgiving… (1 Timothy 4:4-5)

The Word (The Word, The Word of God)

1. … the sword of the Spirit… is the word of God… (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. [B]e doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… (James 1:22)
3. … the universe was created by the word of God… (Hebrews 11:1-3,6)

Throat

1. … God be in their throats… to execute on them the judgment written… (Psalm 149:6-9)
2. … put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite… (Proverbs 23:1-3)
3. Their throat is an open grave… full of curses and bitterness… (Romans 3:12-18)

Tithe

* See also Firstfruits

1. [Y]ou shall present a contribution… to the Lord, a tithe… (Numbers 18:26)
2. … tithe… And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts… (Malachi 3:10-12)
3. … you… tithe… and have neglected… mercy and faithfulness… (Matthew 23:23)

Toil

1. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist… (Proverbs 23:4)
2. … my… toil… was vanity and… wind… nothing… gained… (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
3. Two are better than one… for… toil… (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Tomb (Tomb, Tombs)

1. … Joseph… rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb… (Matthew 27:59-61)
2. … they departed quickly from the tomb… And… Jesus met them… (Matthew 28:2,5-9)
3. … an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will… come out… (John 5:28-29)

Tongue

1. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver… (Proverbs 10:20)
2. Death and life are in the power of the tongue… (Proverbs 18:20-21)
3. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps… out of trouble… (Proverbs 21:23)

Trap (Trap, Trapped)

1. … the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips… trapped in… pride… (Psalm 59:12)
2. Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me… (Psalm 141:8-10)
3. … watch yourselves lest… that day come upon you… like a trap… (Luke 21:28,34)

Treasure (Treasure, Treasures)

1. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor… (Proverbs 21:6)
2. … where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… (Matthew 6:19-21)
3. … the evil person out of all his evil treasure brings forth evil… (Matthew 12:33-37)

Tree

1. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness… breaks the spirit… (Proverbs 15:4)
2. … like a palm tree… your breasts are… clusters… (Song of Solomon 7:6-8)
3. … each tree is known by its own fruit… (Luke 6:43-45)

Tree of Life

1. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden… (Genesis 2:8-11,13-15)
2. Wisdom… is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her… (Proverbs 3:13-18)
3. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness… breaks the spirit… (Proverbs 15:4)

True

1. … render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace… (Zechariah 8:16)
2. The true light… gives light to everyone… (John 1:9-11)
3. … whoever does what is true comes to the light… (John 3:20-21)

Truth

1. … from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth… (Proverbs 8:6-9)
2. … abide… and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… (John 8:31-32)
3. [I]f we go on sinning deliberately after… knowledge of the truth… (Hebrews 10:26)

Trust (Trust, Trusts)

1. Some trust in chariots and… horses, but we trust in… God… (Psalm 20:7-8)
2. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool… (Proverbs 28:26)
3. Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend… (Micah 7:5)

– U –

Understanding

1. … to turn away from evil is understanding… (Job 28:12-20,28)
2. Mak[e] your ear attentive to wisdom and… your heart to understanding… (Proverbs 2:2)
3. [D]iscretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you… (Proverbs 2:11-15)

Upright (Upright, Uprightly)

1. My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart… (Psalm 7:10)
2. … who walks… and speaks uprightly… despises… oppressions… (Isaiah 33:15)
3. … the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them… (Hosea 14:8-9)

– V –

Vain

1. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain… (Exodus 20:1-17)
2. … turn from… vain things to a living God… (Acts 14:15)
3. … in the Lord your labor is not in vain… (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)

Vanity

1. … and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind… (Ecclesiastes 2:11)
2. … who… will not be satisfied… with his income… is vanity… (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
3. All that comes is vanity… (Ecclesiastes 11:8)

Vine (Vine, Vineyards, Vinedresser)

1. You eat the fruits of vineyards and… orchards that you did not plant… (Joshua 24:13)
2. … may your breasts be like clusters of the vine… (Song of Solomon 7:6-8)
3. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… (John 15:1-6)

Violence

1. … pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment… (Psalm 73:2-6)
2. By oppression… he was taken… although he had done no violence… (Isaiah 53:5-9)
3. … the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence… (Ezekiel 7:23)

– W –

Walk (Walk, Walks, Walked)

1. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely… (Proverbs 10:9)
2. [Y]ou shall not walk haughtily… (Micah 2:3)
3. … whoever… abides in him ought to walk in the same way… he walked… (1 John 2:5-6)

Wall

1. … I will make you… a fortified wall of bronze… for I am with you… (Jeremiah 15:20)
2. I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash… (Ezekiel 13:8-10,14)
3. …Christ… has broken… in… flesh the dividing wall of hostility… (Ephesians 2:13-16,18)

War (War, Wars)

1. … though war arise against me, yet I will be confident… (Psalm 27:1-3)
2. [Y]ou will hear of wars… but the end is not yet… (Matthew 24:6-8,11-13) 
3. … your passions are at war within you… (James 4:1,4)

Water (Water, Waters)

1. The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water… (Proverbs 20:5)
2. As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man… (Proverbs 27:19)
3. … waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it… (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

Wealth

1. [T]he diligent man will get precious wealth… (Proverbs 12:27)
2. Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little… (Proverbs 13:11)
3. Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted… (Proverbs 19:4)

Weary

1. … these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts… (Isaiah 46:1-2)
2. [D]o not grow weary in doing good… (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
3. … do not… be weary when reproved by…the Lord… (Hebrews 12:6,11)

Wicked

1. [T]he wicked man… is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies… (Psalm 7:14,16)
2. … the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted… (Habakkuk 1:4)
3. [E]veryone who does wicked things hates the light… (John 3:20-21)

Wife

1. … rejoice in the wife of your youth… (Proverbs 5:18-19)
2. [L]et none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth… (Malachi 2:15)
3. He who loves his wife loves himself… (Ephesians 5:28)

Will

1. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven… (Matthew 6:9-13)
2. For this is the will of God, your sanctification… abstain… (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
3. For this is the will of God… doing good you… silence… ignorance… (1 Peter 2:15)

Wind

1. [H]onor is pursued as by the wind… prosperity… passe[s]… like a cloud… (Job 30:15)
2. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away… (Isaiah 64:6)
3. The wind blows where it wishes… but you do not know where… (John 3:6-8;4:24)

Wisdom

1. … sound wisdom and discretion… will be life for your soul,.. (Proverbs 3:21-23)
2. I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion… (Proverbs 8:12)
3. [T]he protection of wisdom is like the protection of money… (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

Wise

1. Be not wise in your own eyes… (Proverbs 3:7)
2. The wise of heart is called discerning… (Proverbs 16:21)
3. … let him become a fool that he may become wise… (1 Corinthians 3:18)

Witness

1. … the Lord hates… a false witness who breathes out lies… (Proverbs 6:16-19)
2. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true… (John 5:31)
3. … God is witness… (1 Thessalonians 2:5)

Woe

1. Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil… (Micah 2:1)
2. Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own… and loads himself… (Habakkuk 2:7)
3. … woe to the one through whom [temptation] come… (Luke 17:1)

Wolf (Wolf, Wolves)

1. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard… with the… goat… (Isaiah 11:6,9)
2. … false prophets… come… in sheep’s clothing but… are… wolves… (Matthew 7:15-20)
3. Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves… (Matthew 10:16-17)

Woman

1. … she shall be… Woman, because she was taken out of Man… (Genesis 2:18,21-24)
2. … the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey… smoother than oil… (Proverbs 5:1-4)
3. A gracious woman gets honor… (Proverbs 11:16)

Word (Word, Words)

1. … evildoers… aim bitter words like arrows… at the blameless… (Psalm 64:2-4)
2. … a good word makes [a man] glad… (Proverbs 12:25)
3. [L]et your words be few… (Ecclesiastes 5:2-3)

Work (Work, Works)

1. Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded… (2 Chronicles 15:7)
2. … we are… created in Christ Jesus for good works… (Ephesians 2:8-10)
3. … faith apart from works is dead… (James 2:18,26)

World

1. … I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world… (John 12:46-50)
2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed… (Romans 12:1-2)
3. Do not love the world or the things in the world… (1 John 2:15-17)

Worship (Worship, Worshiped)

1. They… made… a golden calf, and… worshiped it and sacrificed to it… (Exodus 32:8)
2. … God is spirit… who worship him must worship in spirit and truth… (John 3:6-8;4:24)
3. … present your bodies as a living sacrifice… your spiritual worship… (Romans 12:1-2)

Worthy

1. [W]hoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me… (Matthew 10:38)
2. [W]alk… worthy of the calling to which you have been called… (Ephesians 4:1-3)
3. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power… and glory… (Revelation 5:12)

Wrath

1. … for those who… obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath… fury… (Romans 2:6-11)
2. … God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation… (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
3. … the devil has… great wrath, because he knows… time is short… (Revelation 12:12)

Wrong (Wrong, Wrongdoing)

1. Love does no wrong to a neighbor… the fulfilling of the law… (Romans 13:9-10;14:13)
2. … they are ignorant… suffering wrong as… wage for… wrongdoing… (2 Peter 2:12-14)
3. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death… (1 John 5:17)

– X –

– Y –

Yield (Yield, Yields)

1. … the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase… (Psalm 85:10-13)
2. … discipline seems painful… but… yields… fruit of righteousness… (Hebrews 12:6,11)
3. … mouth… blessing and cursing… can a salt pond yield fresh water… (James 3:8-12)

Yoke

1. take away the yoke… the pointing finger… speaking… wickedness… (Isaiah 58:6-12)
2. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light… (Matthew 11:28-30)
3. … do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… (Galatians 5:1)

Young

1. He will… increase… your herds and the young of your flock… (Deuteronomy 7:12-13)
2. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God… (Psalm 104:21-28)
3. The glory of young men is their strength… (Proverbs 20:29)

Youth

1. [T]he intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth… (Genesis 8:21)
2. … they afflicted me from my youth, yet… have not prevailed… (Psalm 129:2-3)
3. … the wife of your youth… her breasts fill you… with delight… (Proverbs 5:18-19)

– Z –

Zeal (Zeal, Zealous)

1. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit… (Romans 12:9-21)
2. Jesus Christ… gave himself for us…who are zealous for good works… (Titus 2:13-15)
3. … be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock… (Revelation 3:19-20)

Cut-out Book Mark

Instructions: Cut out the Old Testament for the front of the book mark, and the New Testament for the back, tape to a piece of card stock and – boom – you’re done!

• The Old Testament
  • The Pentateuch
    • Genesis
    • Exodus
    • Leviticus
    • Numbers
    • Deuteronomy
  • The Historical Books
    • Joshua
    • Judges
    • Ruth
    • 1 Samuel
    • 2 Samuel
    • 1 Kings
    • 2 Kings
    • 1 Chronicles
    • 2 Chronicles
    • Ezra
    • Nehemiah
    • Esther
  • The Poetic Books
    • Job
    • Psalms
    • Proverbs
    • Ecclesiastes
    • Song of Solomon
  • The Prophetic Books
    • Isaiah
    • Jeremiah
    • Lamentations
    • Ezekiel
    • Daniel
    • Hosea
    • Joel
    • Amos
    • Obadiah
    • Jonah
    • Micah
    • Nahum
    • Habakkuk
    • Zephaniah
    • Haggai
    • Zechariah
    • Malachi
• The New Testament
  • The Gospels and Acts
    • Matthew
    • Mark
    • Luke
    • John
    • Acts
  • The Epistles and Revelation
    • Romans
    • 1 Corinthians
    • 2 Corinthians
    • Galatians
    • Ephesians
    • Philippians
    • Colossians
    • 1 Thessalonians
    • 2 Thessalonians
    • 1 Timothy
    • 2 Timothy
    • Titus
    • Philemon
    • Hebrews
    • James
    • 1 Peter
    • 2 Peter
    • 1 John
    • 2 John
    • 3 John
    • Jude
    • Revelation