God is good
Don’t be jealous of sinners,
but always honor the Lord. ~ Proverbs 23:17 (CEV)
Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people... ~ Matthew 5:45 (CEV)
Lord, I confess that sometimes I envy the success of the people who don't follow you. How come they're doing so well when they live so wrong? It's easy to think of ways I could spend the money that I put in the offering and the time that I give to caring for the poor. I could be rich, too! I could have a great boat and a big house. But I am trusting that you have the best of intentions for all people -- including me. Even if I don't have all the things other people have, I do have the promise of your blessing and the confidence that you are sending good my way. You are worthy of all honor, for you are the wise source of all good. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
