The Lord says, “Come, let’s discuss these things. Your sins are red like scarlet, {\cf2\super [11]} but they can be \{washed away and you will be\} white like snow. Your sins are bright red, but you can become white like wool.
Matthew 12:31 - Easy To Read Version So I tell you, people can be forgiven of every sin they do. And people can be forgiven for every bad thing they say. But if a person speaks against (refuses to accept) the Holy Spirit, {\cf2\super [174]} then that person will not be forgiven. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy (every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things) can be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit shall not and cannot be forgiven. American Standard Version (1901) Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Common English Bible “Therefore, I tell you that people will be forgiven for every sin and insult to God. But insulting the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. Catholic Public Domain Version For this reason, I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Therefore I say to you: Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy of the Spirit shall not be forgiven. |
The Lord says, “Come, let’s discuss these things. Your sins are red like scarlet, {\cf2\super [11]} but they can be \{washed away and you will be\} white like snow. Your sins are bright red, but you can become white like wool.
Evil people should stop living evil lives.\par They should stop thinking bad thoughts.\par They should come to the Lord again.\par Then the Lord will comfort them.\par Those people should come to the Lord\par because our God forgives.\par
“You must say to them, ‘The Lord my Master says: On my life, I promise, I don’t enjoy seeing people die—not even evil people! I don’t want them to die. I want those evil people to come back to me. I want them to change their lives so they can really live! So come back to me! Stop doing bad things! Why must you die, family of Israel?’
Any person who speaks against the name of the Lord must be put to death. All the people must stone him. Foreigners must be punished just like the person who was born in Israel. If a person curses the {Lord’s} name, then he must be put to death.
“If a person says something against the Son of Man, {\cf2\super [225]} he can be forgiven. But a person that says bad things against (refuses to accept) the Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [226]} will not be forgiven.
\{Then Stephen said,\} “You stubborn Jewish leaders! You have not given your hearts to God! You won’t listen to him! You are always against what the Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [147]} is trying to tell you. Your ancestors did this, and you are just like them!
If we decide to continue sinning after we have learned the truth, then there is no other sacrifice {\cf2\super [136]} that will take away sins.
So what do you think should be done to a person who shows his hate for the Son of God? Surely that person should have a much worse punishment. Yes, that person should have a worse punishment for not showing respect for the blood (Jesus’ death) that began the new agreement. {\cf2\super [137]} That blood once made that person holy. And that person should have a worse punishment for showing his hate against the Spirit {\cf2\super [138]} of God’s grace (kindness).
But if we confess (admit) our sins, then God will forgive our sins. We can trust God to do this. God does what is right. God will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.
These people always complain and find wrong \{in other people\}. They always do the \{evil\} things they want to do. They boast about themselves. The only reason they say good things about other people is to get what they want.