[We are] destroyingspeculationsand everylofty thingraisedup againstthe knowledgeof God,and [we are] takingeverythoughtcaptiveto the obedienceof Christ,
For the wordof Godis livingand activeand sharperthananytwo-edgedsword,and piercingas faras the divisionof souland spirit,of bothjointsand marrow,and able to judgethe thoughtsand intentionsof the heart.
Let the wickedforsakehis wayAnd the unrighteousmanhis thoughts;And let him returnto the LORD,And He will havecompassionon him, And to our God,For He will abundantlypardon.
but I seea differentlawin the membersof my body, waging war againstthe lawof my mindand making me a prisonerof the lawof sinwhich is in my members.
"For out of the heartcomeevilthoughts,murders,adulteries,fornications,thefts,false witness,slanders.
For even though they knewGod,they did not honorHim as Godorgive thanks,but they became futilein their speculations,and their foolishheartwas darkened.
For the wisdomof thisworldis foolishnessbeforeGod.For it is written,"[He is] THE ONE WHO CATCHESTHE WISEIN THEIR CRAFTINESS";
Washyour heartfrom evil,O Jerusalem,That you may be saved.Howlongwill your wickedthoughtsLodgewithinyou?
You knowwhen I sitdownand when I riseup; You understandmy thoughtfrom afar.
For it is written,"I WILL DESTROYTHE WISDOMOF THE WISE,AND THE CLEVERNESSOF THE CLEVERI WILL SET ASIDE."
Evilplansare an abominationto the LORD,But pleasantwordsare pure.
The wicked,in the haughtinessof his countenance,does not seek[Him]. Allhis thoughtsare, "Thereis noGod."
And having been made perfect,He becameto allthosewho obeyHim the sourceof eternalsalvation,
Since you have in obedienceto the truthpurifiedyour soulsfor a sincerelove of the brethren,ferventlyloveone anotherfrom the heart,
"Allthe treesof the fieldwill knowthat I am the LORD;I bringdownthe hightree,exaltthe lowtree,dryup the greentreeand make the drytreeflourish.I am the LORD;I have spoken,and I will perform[it]."
Thenthat lawless onewill be revealedwhomthe Lordwill slaywith the breathof His mouthand bring to an endby the appearanceof His coming;
The devisingof follyis sin,And the scofferis an abominationto men.
"He has donemighty deedswith His arm;He has scattered[those who were] proudin the thoughtsof their heart.
who opposesand exaltshimself aboveeveryso-calledgodorobject of worship,sothat he takes his seatin the templeof God,displayinghimselfas beingGod.
"NowI, Nebuchadnezzar,praise,exaltand honorthe Kingof heaven,for allHis worksare true and His waysjust,and He is ableto humblethose whowalkin pride."
Their feetrunto evil,And they hastento shedinnocentblood;Their thoughtsare thoughtsof iniquity,Devastationand destructionare in their highways.
The prideof manwill be humbledAnd the loftinessof menwill be abased;And the LORDalonewill be exaltedin that day,
"Bewarethat there is nobasethoughtin your heart,saying,The seventhyear,the yearof remission,is near,'and your eyeis hostiletoward your poorbrother,and you givehim nothing;then he may cryto the LORDagainstyou, and it will be a sinin you.
Becauseof the proofgiven by thisministry,they will glorifyGodfor [your] obedienceto your confessionof the gospelof Christand for the liberalityof your contributionto them and to all,
but nowis manifested,and by the Scripturesof the prophets,accordingto the commandmentof the eternalGod,has been made knownto allthe nations,[leading] to obedienceof faith;
Whomhave you reproachedand blasphemed?And againstwhomhave you raised[your] voice,And haughtilyliftedup your eyes?Againstthe HolyOneof Israel!
throughwhomwe have receivedgraceand apostleshipto bring about[the] obedienceof faithamongallthe Gentilesfor His name'ssake,
"The sonsof those who afflictedyou will comebowingto you, And allthose who despisedyou will bowthemselves at the solesof your feet;And they will callyou the cityof the LORD,The Zionof the HolyOneof Israel.
Becauseof your ragingagainstMe, And because your arrogancehas comeup to My ears,Therefore I will putMy hookin your nose,And My bridlein your lips,And I will turnyou backby the waywhichyou came.
accordingto the foreknowledgeof Godthe Father,by the sanctifying workof the Spirit,to obeyJesusChristand be sprinkledwith His blood:May graceand peacebe yoursin the fullest measure.
For You savean afflictedpeople,But haughtyeyesYou abase.
ThereforeI retract,And I repentin dustand ashes."
As soon as they hear,they obeyme; Foreignerssubmitto me.
But Pharaohsaid,"Whois the LORDthat I should obeyHis voiceto letIsraelgo?I do not knowthe LORD,and besides,I will not letIsraelgo."
The LORDsmelledthe soothingaroma;and the LORDsaidto Himself,"I will neveragaincursethe groundon accountof man,for the intentof man'sheartis evilfrom his youth;and I will neveragaindestroyeverylivingthing,as I have done.
"Is not My wordlike fire?"declaresthe LORD,"and like a hammerwhich shattersa rock?
For you tolerateit ifanyoneenslavesyou, anyonedevoursyou, anyonetakesadvantage of you, anyoneexaltshimself, anyonehitsyou in the face.
And the peaceof God,which surpassesallcomprehension,will guardyour heartsand your mindsin ChristJesus.
