The Joy of Forgiveness (Romans 4:1–12)
1 UDB Those whom God has forgiven for rebelling against him and those whose sin God does not look at— these are the ones who are truly fortunate! BSB BSB: Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
2 UDB Those whose record of sins Yahweh has erased and those who no longer do deceitful things— these are the ones who are truly fortunate! BSB BSB: Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 UDB When I did not confess my sins, my body was very weak and sick, and I groaned all day long. BSB BSB: When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
4 UDB Day and night, Yahweh, you punished me severely. My strength disappeared like water that evaporates on a hot summer day. BSB BSB: For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah
5 UDB Then I confessed my sins to you; I stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will tell Yahweh the wrong things that I have done." When I confessed them, you forgave me, so now I am no longer guilty for my sins. BSB BSB: Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 UDB Therefore the people who honor you should pray to you when they are in great trouble. If they do that, difficulties will not come on them like a great flood. BSB BSB: Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.
7 UDB You are like a place where I can hide from my enemies; you protect me from troubles and enable me to shout, praising you for saving me from my enemies. BSB BSB: You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
8 UDB Yahweh says to me, "I will instruct you about how you should conduct your life. I will teach you and watch over you. BSB BSB: I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
9 UDB Do not be stupid like horses and mules that do not understand anything; they need bits so they will go in the direction you want them to go." BSB BSB: Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
10 UDB Wicked people will have many troubles that will make them sad, but those who trust in Yahweh will experience him faithfully loving them all the time. BSB BSB: Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
11 UDB So, all you righteous people, rejoice about what Yahweh has done for you; you whose hearts are pure, be glad and shout joyfully! BSB BSB: Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.