Forty life-changing biblical verses

On Friday night fellowship meeting, Preacher I.L. Lan gave each participant a small booklet, "Forty life-changing biblical verses(改變人生的四十句聖經節)." This booklet was first translated into Japanese in 1993 by 龜山和子 from a English book, "Thought Conditioners," authored by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. This Japanese version was further translated into Chinese by Pastor Ying-Shih Wang (王英世牧師) in 2000. So, readers with any of those three spoken languages, have your own choice and experience its life changing power.

In the preface of this booklet, Dr. Peale gave an analogy about our thoughts. Like air conditioner, which can adjust indoor air temperature and quality, we gain fresh strength and vitality through thought conditioners. And these forty verses give you opportunity to recondition your thoughts in a way of changing your life. I browsed the whole booklet this morning. I thought it would be nice to share with my blog readers if these forty biblical verses can be presented here in both English and Chinese.

Well, how to make the most out of this booklet? According to Dr. Peale, he instructed his readers to use this booklet in three steps. First, browse all these forty verses in a time of one breath (一口氣讀完). Second, memorize and act on one verse every day (一天一節). Third, write down whatever verses you are so touched and put them on your desk or pocket, where you can see and meditate on them easily (抄下來).

So, here are the forty verses:

Day 1: John 14: 27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (NIV).

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 (NLT).

我 留 下 平 安 給 你 們 ； 我 將 我 的 平 安 賜 給 你 們 。 我 所 賜 的 ， 不 像 世 人 所 賜 的 。 你 們 心 裡 不 要 憂 愁 ， 也 不 要 膽 怯 。

Day 2: Luke 18: 27

27Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."(NIV).

He replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God."(NLT).

耶 穌 說 ： 在 人 所 不 能 的 事 ， 在 神 卻 能 。

Day 3: Psalm 51: 10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (NIV).

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me (NLT).

神 啊 ， 求 你 為 我 造 清 潔 的 心 ， 使 我 裡 面 重 新 有 正 直 （ 或 譯 ： 堅 定 ） 的 靈 。

Day 4: Matthew 11: 28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (NIV).

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (NLT).

凡 勞 苦 擔 重 擔 的 人 可 以 到 我 這 裡 來 ， 我 就 使 你 們 得 安 息 。

Day 5: Mark11: 24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (NIV).

I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours (NLT).

所 以 我 告 訴 你 們 ， 凡 你 們 禱 告 祈 求 的 ， 無 論 是 甚 麼 ， 只 要 信 是 得 著 的 ， 就 必 得 著 。

Day 6: Proverbs 3: 5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (NIV).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding (NLT).

你 要 專 心 仰 賴 耶 和 華 ， 不 可 倚 靠 自 己 的 聰 明 ，

Day 7: John 10: 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (NIV).

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (NLT).

盜 賊 來 ， 無 非 要 偷 竊 ， 殺 害 ， 毀 壞 ； 我 來 了 ， 是 要 叫 羊 （ 或 作 ： 人 ） 得 生 命 ， 並 且 得 的 更 豐 盛 。

Day 8: James 5: 16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (NIV).

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (NLT).

所 以 你 們 要 彼 此 認 罪 ， 互 相 代 求 ， 使 你 們 可 以 得 醫 治 。 義 人 祈 禱 所 發 的 力 量 是 大 有 功 效 的 。

Day 9: Romans 8: 31

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us (NIV)?

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us (NLT)?

既 是 這 樣 ， 還 有 甚 麼 說 的 呢 ？ 神 若 幫 助 我 們 ， 誰 能 敵 擋 我 們 呢 ？

Day 10: Luke 17: 21

nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you (NIV).

You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you (NLT).

人 也 不 得 說 ： 看 哪 ， 在 這 裡 ！ 看 哪 ， 在 那 裡 ！ 因 為 神 的 國 就 在 你 們 心 裡 （ 心 裡 ： 或 作 中 間 ） 。

Day 11: 2 Timothy 1: 6

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands (NIV).

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you (NLT).

為 此 我 提 醒 你 ， 使 你 將 神 藉 我 按 手 所 給 你 的 恩 賜 再 如 火 挑 旺 起 來 。

Day 12: Psalm 73: 24

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (NIV).

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny(NLT).

你 要 以 你 的 訓 言 引 導 我 ， 以 後 必 接 我 到 榮 耀 裡 。

Day 13: Ephesians 6: 13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (NIV).

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm (NLT).

所 以 ， 要 拿 起 神 所 賜 的 全 副 軍 裝 ， 好 在 磨 難 的 日 子 抵 擋 仇 敵 ， 並 且 成 就 了 一 切 ， 還 能 站 立 得 住 。

Day 14: Psalm 46: 1

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (NIV).

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble(NLT).

神 是 我 們 的 避 難 所 ， 是 我 們 的 力 量 ， 是 我 們 在 患 難 中 隨 時 的 幫 助 。

Day 15: Proverbs 16: 20

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD(NIV).

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful(NLT).

謹 守 訓 言 的 ， 必 得 好 處 ； 倚 靠 耶 和 華 的 ， 便 為 有 福 。

Day 16: Isaiah 55: 3

Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David(NIV).

Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David(NLT).

你 們 當 就 近 我 來 ； 側 耳 而 聽 ， 就 必 得 活 。 我 必 與 你 們 立 永 約 ， 就 是 應 許 大 衛 那 可 靠 的 恩 典 。

Day 17: Ephesians 3: 20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (NIV).

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (NLT).

神 能 照 著 運 行 在 我 們 心 裡 的 大 力 充 充 足 足 的 成 就 一 切 ， 超 過 我 們 所 求 所 想 的 。

Day 18: Matthew 7: 7

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (NIV).

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (NLT).

你 們 祈 求 ， 就 給 你 們 ； 尋 找 ， 就 尋 見 ； 叩 門 ， 就 給 你 們 開 門 。

Day 19: Philippians 4: 11

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (NIV).

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have (NLT).

我 並 不 是 因 缺 乏 說 這 話 ； 我 無 論 在 甚 麼 景 況 都 可 以 知 足 ， 這 是 我 已 經 學 會 了 。

Day 20: Psalm 62: 5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him (NIV).

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him(NLT).

我 的 心 哪 ， 你 當 默 默 無 聲 ， 專 等 候 　 神 ， 因 為 我 的 盼 望 是 從 他 而 來 。

Day 21: Joshua 1: 9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (NIV).

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (NLT).

我 豈 沒 有 吩 咐 你 麼 ？ 你 當 剛 強 壯 膽 ！ 不 要 懼 怕 ， 也 不 要 驚 惶 ； 因 為 你 無 論 往 那 裡 去 ， 耶 和 華 ─ 你 的 　 神 必 與 你 同 在 。

Day 22: Romans 12: 2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (NIV).

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (NLT).

不 要 效 法 這 個 世 界 ， 只 要 心 意 更 新 而 變 化 ， 叫 你 們 察 驗 何 為 神 的 善 良 、 純 全 、 可 喜 悅 的 旨 意 。

Day 23: John 1: 12

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (NIV).

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

凡 接 待 他 的 ， 就 是 信 他 名 的 人 ， 他 就 賜 他 們 權 柄 ， 作 神 的 兒 女 。

Day 24: Jobs 3: 25

What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me (NIV).

What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true (NLT).

因 我 所 恐 懼 的 臨 到 我 身 ， 我 所 懼 怕 的 迎 我 而 來 。

Day 25: Philippians 3: 13-14

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (NIV).

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (NLT).

弟 兄 們 ， 我 不 是 以 為 自 己 已 經 得 著 了 ； 我 只 有 一 件 事 ， 就 是 忘 記 背 後 ， 努 力 面 前 的 ， 向 著 標 竿 直 跑 ， 要 得 神 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 從 上 面 召 我 來 得 的 獎 賞 。

Day 26: Romans 8: 37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (NIV).

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (NLT).

然 而 ， 靠 著 愛 我 們 的 主 ， 在 這 一 切 的 事 上 已 經 得 勝 有 餘 了 。因 為 我 深 信 無 論 是 死 ， 是 生 ， 是 天 使 ， 是 掌 權 的 ， 是 有 能 的 ， 是 現 在 的 事 ， 是 將 來 的 事 ， 是 高 處 的 ， 是 低 處 的 ， 是 別 的 受 造 之 物 ， 都 不 能 叫 我 們 與 神 的 愛 隔 絕 ； 這 愛 是 在 我 們 的 主 基 督 耶 穌 裡 的 。

Day 27: John 7: 37

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (NIV).

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds,“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! (NLT).

節 期 的 末 日 ， 就 是 最 大 之 日 ， 耶 穌 站 著 高 聲 說 ： 人 若 渴 了 ， 可 以 到 我 這 裡 來 喝 。

Day 28: Matthew 5: 44

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (NIV).

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!(NLT).

只 是 我 告 訴 你 們 ， 要 愛 你 們 的 仇 敵 ， 為 那 逼 迫 你 們 的 禱 告 。

Day 29: Philippians 4: 13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength (NIV).

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (NLT).

我 靠 著 那 加 給 我 力 量 的 ， 凡 事 都 能 做 。

Day 30: Acts 17: 28

'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' (NIV).

For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said,‘We are his offspring.’(NLT).

我 們 生 活 、 動 作 、 存 留 ， 都 在 乎 他 。 就 如 你 們 作 詩 的 ， 有 人 說 ： 我 們 也 是 他 所 生 的 。

Day 31: 2 Corinthians 5: 17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!(NIV).

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT).

若 有 人 在 基 督 裡 ， 他 就 是 新 造 的 人 ， 舊 事 已 過 ， 都 變 成 新 的 了 。

Day 32: Mark 11: 23

I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him (NIV).

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart (NLT).

我 實 在 告 訴 你 們 ， 無 論 何 人 對 這 座 山 說 ： 你 挪 開 此 地 ， 投 在 海 裡 ！ 他 若 心 裡 不 疑 惑 ， 只 信 他 所 說 的 必 成 ， 就 必 給 他 成 了 。

Day 33: Isaiah 40: 31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint(NIV).

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (NLT).

但 那 等 候 耶 和 華 的 必 從 新 得 力 。 他 們 必 如 鷹 展 翅 上 騰 ； 他 們 奔 跑 卻 不 困 倦 ， 行 走 卻 不 疲 乏 。

Day 34: 1 Corinthians 2: 9

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (NIV).

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”(NLT).

如 經 上 所 記 ： 神 為 愛 他 的 人 所 預 備 的 是 眼 睛 未 曾 看 見 ， 耳 朵 未 曾 聽 見 ， 人 心 也 未 曾 想 到 的 。

Day 35: Psalm 55: 22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous fall (NIV).

Give your burdens to the Lord,and he will take care of you.He will not permit the godly to slip and fall (NLT).

你 要 把 你 的 重 擔 卸 給 耶 和 華 ， 他 必 撫 養 你 ； 他 永 不 叫 義 人 動 搖 。

Day 36: Isaiah 26: 3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you (NIV).

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (NLT).

堅 心 倚 賴 你 的 ， 你 必 保 守 他 十 分 平 安 ， 因 為 他 倚 靠 你 。

Day 37: Isaiah 28: 12

to whom he said, "This is the resting place, let the weary rest"; and, "This is the place of repose"—but they would not listen (NIV).

God has told his people,“Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen (NLT).

他 曾 對 他 們 說 ： 你 們 要 使 疲 乏 人 得 安 息 ， 這 樣 才 得 安 息 ， 才 得 舒 暢 ， 他 們 卻 不 肯 聽 。

Day 38: Psalm 34: 4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears (NIV).

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears (NLT).

我 曾 尋 求 耶 和 華 ， 他 就 應 允 我 ， 救 我 脫 離 了 一 切 的 恐 懼 。

Day 39: Mark 11: 25

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins (NIV).

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too (NLT).

你 們 站 著 禱 告 的 時 候 ， 若 想 起 有 人 得 罪 你 們 ， 就 當 饒 恕 他 ， 好 叫 你 們 在 天 上 的 父 也 饒 恕 你 們 的 過 犯 。

Day 40: Revelation 7: 16-17

Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (NIV).

They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes (NLT).

他 們 不 再 飢 ， 不 再 渴 ； 日 頭 和 炎 熱 也 必 不 傷 害 他 們 。 因 為 寶 座 中 的 羔 羊 必 牧 養 他 們 ， 領 他 們 到 生 命 水 的 泉 源 ； 神 也 必 擦 去 他 們 一 切 的 眼 淚 。