Bible Passages Bridge: New Testament in a Year

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Colossians 1- Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)

October 15
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King James and other versions... [http://bibleabc.net/bible/kjv/col1-1.htm]
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1 Greetings from Paul, an apostle* of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because that
is what God wanted. Greetings also from Timothy, our brother [in Christ]. 2To the
holy* and faithful brothers [and sisters] in Christ that live in Colossae. Grace
(kindness) and peace from God our Father.

3In our prayers we always thank God for you. God is the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. 4We thank God because we have heard about the faith you have in Christ
Jesus and the love you have for all of God's people. 5You have faith in Christ and
love God's people because of the hope you have. You know that the things you hope
for are saved for you in heaven. You learned about this hope when you heard the
true teaching, the Good News* 6that was told to you. Everywhere in the world that
Good News is bringing blessings and growing. This same thing has happened with you
since the time you heard that Good News and understood the truth about the grace
(kindness) of God. 7You learned about the grace of God from Epaphras. Epaphras
works together with us, and we love him. He is a faithful servant of Christ for
us. 8Epaphras also told us about the love you have from the [Holy] Spirit.*

9Since the day we heard these things about you, we have continued praying for you.
We pray these things for you: that you will know fully the things that God wants;
that with your knowledge you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual
things; 10that you will use these things to live in a way that brings honor to the
Lord and pleases him in every way; that you will do all kinds of good things and
grow in the knowledge of God; 11that God will strengthen you with his own great
power; that God will strengthen you, so that you will be patient and not quit when
troubles come. Then you will be happy 12and give thanks to the Father. He has made
you able to have the things he prepared for you. He has prepared these things for
all his people who live in the light (good). 13God made us free from the power of
darkness (evil). And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Jesus). 14The
Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.

When We Look at Christ, We See God
15No person can see God. But Jesus is exactly like God. Jesus is ruler over all
the things that have been made. 16Through his power all things were made--things
in heaven and on earth, things seen and not seen, all [spiritual] powers, authorities,
lords, and rulers. All things were made through Christ and for Christ. 17Christ
was there before anything was made. And all things continue because of him. 18Christ
is the head of the body. (The body is the church.) Everything comes from him. And
he is the Lord* who was raised from death. So in all things Jesus is most important.
19God was pleased for all of himself to live in Christ. 20And through Christ, God
was happy to bring all things back to himself again--things on earth and things
in heaven. God made peace by using Christ's blood (death) on the cross.

21At one time you were separated from God. You were God's enemies in your minds,
because the evil things you did were against God. 22But now Christ has made you
God's friends again. Christ did this by his death while he was in his body. Christ
did this so that he could bring you before God. He brings you before God as people
who are holy,* with no wrong in you, and with nothing that God can judge you guilty
of. 23Christ will do this if you continue to believe in the Good News* you heard.
You must continue strong and sure in your faith. You must not be moved away from
the hope that Good News gave you. That same Good News has been told to all people
in the world. I, Paul, help in telling that Good News.
Paul's Work for the Church
24I am happy in my sufferings for you. There are many things that Christ must still
suffer through his body, the church. I am accepting my part of these things that
must be suffered. I accept these sufferings in my body. I suffer for his body,
the church. 25I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work
to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell fully the teaching of God. 26This
teaching is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. This
truth was hidden from all people. But now that secret truth is made known to God's
holy people.* 27God decided to let his people know that rich and glorious truth.
That great truth is for all people. That truth is Christ himself, who is in you.
He is our only hope for glory. 28So we continue to tell people about Christ. We
use all wisdom to strengthen every person and teach every person. We are trying
to bring all people before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature
(perfect) in Christ. 29To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength
that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life.
Footnotes: apostle A person Jesus chose to represent him in a special way. holy
God's people are called holy because they are made pure through Christ and belong
only to God. Good News, message The news that God has made a way for people to have
their sins forgiven and live with Him forever. Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the
Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ,
He does God's work among people in the world. Lord Literally, "firstborn." holy
people God's people are called holy because they are made pure through Christ and
belong only to God.
"Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION © 2001 by World Bible Translation
Center, Inc. and used by permission."
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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

New Testament in a Year - October 15

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