Jesus Promise The Holy Spirit (John 14:15-31) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

15  “If you love me, obey my commandments. 

16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 

17  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 

18  No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 

19  Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 

20  When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 

21  Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

22  Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

23  Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 

24  Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 

25  I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 

26  But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

27  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

28  Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 

29  I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

30  “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 

31  but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

15  “If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 
16  I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever.
17  He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.
18  “When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. 
19  In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; and because I live, you also will live.
20  When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me, just as I am in you.
21  “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”
22  Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “Lord, how can it be that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”
23  Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them. 
24  Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.
25  “I have told you this while I am still with you. 
26  The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.
27  “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. 
28  You heard me say to you, ‘I am leaving, but I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father; for he is greater than I. 
29  I have told you this now before it all happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. 
30  I cannot talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me,
31  but the world must know that I love the Father; that is why I do everything as he commands me.

Jesus, The True Vine (John 15:1-17) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1   “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 

2   He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 

3   You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 

4   Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5   “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

6   Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 

7   But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 

8   When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

9   “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 

10  When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 

11  I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 

12  This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 

13  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

14  You are my friends if you do what I command. 

15  I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 

16  You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 

17  This is my command: Love each other.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1    “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 

2    He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. 

3    You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. 

4    Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5    “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. 

6    Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. 

7    If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 

8    My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples. 

9    I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love. 

10  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11  “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

12  My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. 

13  The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them. 

14  And you are my friends if you do what I command you. 

15  I do not call you servants any longer, because servants do not know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because I have told you everything I heard from my Father. 

16  You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. 

17  This, then, is what I command you: love one another.

Jesus The Way To The Father (John 14:1-14) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1   “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 

2   There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

3   When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 

4    And you know the way to where I am going.”

5   “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6   Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 

7   If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

8   Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

9   Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 

10  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 

11  Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

12  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 

13  You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 

14  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1   “Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe^] in God and believe also in me. 

2   There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. 

3   And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am. 

4   You know the way that leads to the place where I am going.”

5   Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?”

6   Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.

7   Now that you have known me,” he said to them, “you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him.”

8   Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need.”

9   Jesus answered, “For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Why, then, do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 

10  Do you not believe, Philip, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I have spoken to you,” Jesus said to his disciples, “do not come from me. The Father, who remains in me, does his own work. 

11  Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do. 

12  I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do—yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father. 

13  And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son.

14  If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus Is Rejected At Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
16  When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.
17  The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,
19  and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
20  He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently.
21  Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
22  Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
23  Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 
24  But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.
25  “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 
26  Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 
27  And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”
28  When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious.
29  Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff,
30  but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.  

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
16  Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures 
17  and was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written,
18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed
19  and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.”
20  Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All the people in the synagogue had their eyes fixed on him, 
21  as he said to them, “This passage of scripture has come true today, as you heard it being read.”
22  They were all well impressed with him and marveled at the eloquent words that he spoke. They said, “Isn't he the son of Joseph?”
23  He said to them, “I am sure that you will quote this proverb to me, ‘Doctor, heal yourself.’ You will also tell me to do here in my hometown the same things you heard were done in Capernaum. 
24  I tell you this,” Jesus added, “prophets are never welcomed in their hometown. 
25  Listen to me: it is true that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when there was no rain for three and a half years and a severe famine spread throughout the whole land. 
26  Yet Elijah was not sent to anyone in Israel, but only to a widow living in Zarephath in the territory of Sidon. 
27  And there were many people suffering from a dreaded skin disease who lived in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha; yet not one of them was healed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
28  When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with anger. 
29  They rose up, dragged Jesus out of town, and took him to the top of the hill on which their town was built. They meant to throw him over the cliff, 
30  but he walked through the middle of the crowd and went his way.

Jesus, The Lamb Of God (John 1:29-34) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 

30  He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 

31  I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32  Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 

33  I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 

34  I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

29  The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 
30  This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.’ 
31  I did not know who he would be, but I came baptizing with water in order to make him known to the people of Israel.”
32  And John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and stay on him. 
33  I still did not know that he was the one, but God, who sent me to baptize with water, had said to me, ‘You will see the Spirit come down and stay on a man; he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 
34  I have seen it,” said John, “and I tell you that he is the Son of God.”

Christ, The Eternal Word (John 1:1-18) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

1   In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2   He existed in the beginning with God.

3   God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

4   The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

5   The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

6   God sent a man, John the Baptist,

7   to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 

8   John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 

9   The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10  He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 

11  He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 

12  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 

13  They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14  So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

15  John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

16  From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

17  For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 

18  No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

1   In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2   From the very beginning the Word was with God. 

3   Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. 

4   The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. 

5   The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.

6   God sent his messenger, a man named John, 

7   who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. 

8   He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. 

9   This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.

10 The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 

11  He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. 

12  Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. 

13  They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their Father.

14  The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son.

15  John spoke about him. He cried out, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘He comes after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.’”

16  Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another. 

17  God gave the Law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

18  No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Jesus Begins His Work In Galilee (Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 2:35-39 & Luke 4:14-15) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

Matthew 4:12-17

12  When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 

13  He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 

14  This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

15  “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,

16  the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.  And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”

17  From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Mark 2:35-39

35  Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 

36  Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 

37  When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38  But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 

39  So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Luke 4:14-15

14  Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 

15  He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

Matthew 4:12-17

12  When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went away to Galilee. 
13  He did not stay in Nazareth, but went to live in Capernaum, a town by Lake Galilee, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. 
14  This was done to make come true what the prophet Isaiah had said,
15  “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, on the road to the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee, land of the Gentiles!
16  The people who live in darkness will see a great light.  On those who live in the dark land of death

    the light will shine.”

17  From that time Jesus began to preach his message: “Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”

Mark 2:35-39

35  Very early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out of town to a lonely place, where he prayed. 
36  But Simon and his companions went out searching for him, 
37  and when they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38  But Jesus answered, “We must go on to the other villages around here. I have to preach in them also, because that is why I came.”
39  So he traveled all over Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and driving out demons.
Luke 4:14-15
14  Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him. The news about him spread throughout all that territory. 
15  He taught in the synagogues and was praised by everyone.

The Temptation Of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
Matthew 4:1-11

1   Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 

2   For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

3   During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4   But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5   Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 

6    and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you.  And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

7   Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

8   Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 

9   “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

10  “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God

    and serve only him.’”

11  Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Luke 4:1-13

1   Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 

2   where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

3   Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

4   But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”

5   Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 

6   “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 

7   I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”

8   Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

9   Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 

10  For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.

11  And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

12  Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

13  When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

Matthew 4:1-11

1   Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. 

2   After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. 

3   Then the Devil came to him and said, “If you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread.”

4   But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.’”

5   Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the Holy City, set him on the highest point of the Temple, 

6   and said to him, “If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says, ‘God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’”

7   Jesus answered, “But the scripture also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8   Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 

9   “All this I will give you,” the Devil said, “if you kneel down and worship me.”

10  Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’”

11  Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.

Luke 4:1-13

1   Jesus returned from the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the desert, 

2   where he was tempted by the Devil for forty days. In all that time he ate nothing, so that he was hungry when it was over.

3   The Devil said to him, “If you are God's Son, order this stone to turn into bread.”

4   But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone.’”

5   Then the Devil took him up and showed him in a second all the kingdoms of the world. 

6   “I will give you all this power and all this wealth,” the Devil told him. “It has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose. 

7   All this will be yours, then, if you worship me.”

8   Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!’”

9   Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem and set him on the highest point of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are God's Son, throw yourself down from here. 

10  For the scripture says, ‘God will order his angels to take good care of you.’ 

11  It also says, ‘They will hold you up with their hands so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.’”

12  But Jesus answered, “The scripture says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13  When the Devil finished tempting Jesus in every way, he left him for a while.

The Baptism Of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-13 & Luke 3:21-22) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
Matthew 3:13-17

13  Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 

14  But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

15  But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

16  After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 

17  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Mark 1:9-13

9   One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 

10  As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 

11  And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

12  The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 

13  where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

Luke 3:21-22
21  One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 
22  and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
Matthew 3:13-17
13  At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 
14  But John tried to make him change his mind. “I ought to be baptized by you,” John said, “and yet you have come to me!”
15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires.” So John agreed.
16  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him. 
17  Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.”
Mark 1:9-13
9   Not long afterward Jesus came from Nazareth in the province of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 
10  As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. 
11  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”
12  At once the Spirit made him go into the desert, 
13  where he stayed forty days, being tempted by Satan. Wild animals were there also, but angels came and helped him.
Luke 3:21-22
21  After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened,
22  and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”

The Escape And Return to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

13  After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14  That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 

15  and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

16  Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 

17  Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18  “A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning.  Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”

19  When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 

20  “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

21  So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 

22  But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 

23  So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” 

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
13  After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, “Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave.”
14  Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt, 
15  where he stayed until Herod died. This was done to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
16  When Herod realized that the visitors from the East had tricked him, he was furious. He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its neighborhood who were two years old and younger—this was done in accordance with what he had learned from the visitors about the time when the star had appeared.
17  In this way what the prophet Jeremiah had said came true:
18  “A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of bitter weeping.  Rachel is crying for her children; she refuses to be comforted, for they are dead.”

19  After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 

20 and said , “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go back to the land of Israel, because those who tried to kill the child are dead.”

21  So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went back to Israel.

22  But when Joseph heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea, he was afraid to go there. He was given more instructions in a dream, so he went to the province of Galilee 

23  and made his home in a town named Nazareth. And so what the prophets had said came true: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Jesus Is Named and Presented In The Temple (Luke 2:21-38) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

21  Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

22  Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 

23  The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”

24  So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25  At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 

26  and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 

27  That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 

28  Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29  “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.  

30  I have seen your salvation,

31  which you have prepared for all people.

32  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33  Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 

34  Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 

35  As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

36  Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 

37  Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 

38  She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

21  A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

22  The time came for Joseph and Mary to perform the ceremony of purification, as the Law of Moses commanded. So they took the child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 

23  as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every first-born male is to be dedicated to the Lord.” 

24  They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord.

25  At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with him 

26  and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah. 

27  Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, 

28  Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:

29  “Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.

30  With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,

31  which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:

32  A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.”

33  The child's father and mother were amazed at the things Simeon said about him. 

34  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against 

35  and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart.”

36-37  There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old.  She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying. 

38  That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

The Shepherds And Angels AND Visitors From The East (Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12) Good News Translation

THE SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS
Luke 2:8-20
8   There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. 
9   An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, 
10  but the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. 
11  This very day in David's town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord! 
12  And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13  Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
14  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”
15  When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.”
16  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. 
17  When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. 
18  All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. 
19  Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. 
20  The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them.

VISITORS FROM THE EAST
Matthew 2:1-12

1   Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the time when Herod was king. Soon afterward, some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem 

2   and asked, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.”

3  When King Herod heard about this, he was very upset, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. 

4  He called together all the chief priests and the teachers of the Law and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”

5  “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,” they answered. “For this is what the prophet wrote:

6  ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the leading cities of Judah; for from you will come a leader who will guide my people Israel.’”

7   So Herod called the visitors from the East to a secret meeting and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 

8  Then he sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions: “Go and make a careful search for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9-10  And so they left, and on their way they saw the same star they had seen in the East. When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 

11  They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.

12  Then they returned to their country by another road, since God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod.

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 2:1-7) Good News and New Living Translations

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
MATTHEW 1:18-25
18  This was how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. 
19  Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately. 
20  While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife. For it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived. 
21  She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins.”
22  Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, 
23  “A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel” (which means, “God is with us”).
24  So when Joseph woke up, he married Mary, as the angel of the Lord had told him to. ²⁵ But he had no sexual relations with her before she gave birth to her son. And Joseph named him Jesus.

LUKE 2:1-7

1   At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 

2   When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 

3   Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.

4   Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. 

5   He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, 

6   and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. 

7   She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger—there was no room for them to stay in the inn.

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

MATTHEW 1:18-25

18  This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

19  Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20  As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

21  And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22  All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23  “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!  She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,

    which means ‘God is with us.’”

24  When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 

25  But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

LUKE 2:1-7

1   At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 

2   (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

3   All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 

4   And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 

5   He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

6   And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 

7   She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Mary’s Song Of Praise (Luke 1:46-55) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

46  Mary responded,  “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

47  How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

48  For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49  For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 

50  He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.

51  His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

52  He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 

53  He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.

54  He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.

55  For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

46  Mary said, “My heart praises the Lord;
47  my soul is glad because of God my Savior,
48  for he has remembered me, his lowly servant!  From now on all people will call me happy,
49  because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.  His name is holy;
50  from one generation to another he shows mercy to those who honor him.
51  He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans.
52  He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.
53  He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54  He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of his servant Israel.
55  He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants forever!”

The Birth Of Jesus Foretold (Luke 1:26-38) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

26  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 

27  to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 

28  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 

30  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 

31  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 

32  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 

33  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34  Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 

36  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 

37  For nothing is impossible with God.”

38  Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION
26  In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. 
27  He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. 
28  The angel came to her and said, “Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!”
29  Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. 
30  The angel said to her, “Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. 
31  You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 
32  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, 
33  and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!”
34  Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”
35  The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. 
36  Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. 
37  For there is nothing that God cannot do.”
38  “I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

Rely On Your God (Isaiah 50:7-11) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

7   Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will.  And I know that I will not be put to shame.

8   He who gives me justice is near.  Who will dare to bring charges against me now?  Where are my accusers?  Let them appear!

9   See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!  Who will declare me guilty?  All my enemies will be destroyed
    like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

10  Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant?  If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.

11  But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires.  This is the reward you will receive from me:  You will soon fall down in great torment.

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

7   But their insults cannot hurt me because the Sovereign Lord gives  me help.  I brace myself to endure them.  I know that I will not be disgraced,

8    for God is near, and he will prove me innocent.  Does anyone dare bring charges against me?  Let us go to court together!  Let him bring his accusation!

9   The Sovereign Lord himself defends me—who, then, can prove me guilty?  All my accusers will disappear; they will vanish like moth-eaten cloth.

10  All of you that honor the Lord and obey the words of his servant, the path you walk may be dark indeed, but trust in the Lord, rely on your God.

11  All of you that plot to destroy others will be destroyed by your own plots.  The Lord himself will make this happen; you will suffer a miserable fate.

I Am The Lord Your God (Isaiah 51:12-16) New Living and Good News Translations

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
12  “I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.  So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?
13  Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth.  Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors?  Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies?  Where is their fury and anger now?  It is gone!
14  Soon all you captives will be released!  Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!
15  For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar.  My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
16  And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand.  I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth.  I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’”

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION

12  The Lord says, “I am the one who strengthens you.  Why should you fear mortals, who are no more enduring than grass?

13  Have you forgotten the Lord who made you, who stretched out the heavens and laid the earth's foundations?  Why should you live in constant fear of the fury of those who oppress you, of those who are ready to destroy you?  Their fury can no longer touch you.

14  Those who are prisoners will soon be set free; they will live a long life and have all the food they need.

15  “I am the Lord your God; I stir up the sea and make its waves roar.  My name is the Lord Almighty!

16  I stretched out the heavens and laid the earth's foundations; I say to Jerusalem, ‘You are my people!

    I have given you my teaching, and I protect you with my hand.’”