Short passages from the public-domain World English Bible, with a plain-language reflection. Discover today’s featured quote, what it means, and other thoughtfully selected words.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
— Matthew 5:9
Jesus places peacemaking among the attitudes that mark his followers in the Sermon on the Mount.
Scripture reference: Matthew 5:9. The quotation is from the public-domain World English Bible Classic (2020 stable text) translation. Read the surrounding passage for context.
Browse other selections from our editorial library, with a little context for each.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.”
After observing loneliness and exhausting work, Ecclesiastes describes the practical value of companionship. It celebrates mutual support rather than assuming that everyone must have the same relationships.
“My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.”
This pilgrim song links help with the Creator and continues with images of watchfulness. Its focus is trust in God's care, not an exemption from every hardship.
“Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.”
The opening metaphor introduces a psalm of guidance, nourishment and companionship even through danger. It is a confession of trust, not a promise of luxury.
“Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.”
Written to a community facing difficulty, this encouragement invites perseverance in trust rather than a promise of instant success. The surrounding verses remember endurance under pressure.
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”
Paul places kindness and forgiveness beside warnings against speech that harms a community. The verse does not ask readers to deny harm or abandon wise boundaries.
“As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.”
In Jesus' teaching about kindness toward opponents and generosity, this sentence asks listeners to consider others' good through their own experience of dignity.
A short Bible quotation can be memorable, but it belongs to a larger book, passage, and tradition of interpretation. A verse about refuge, courage, or wisdom may sound simple on a card while carrying a specific meaning in its literary and historical setting.
Read the Bible verse as part of a larger passage. A brief excerpt can invite reflection, but its meaning depends on the speaker, audience, literary setting, and translation.
Start with the scripture reference and the named translation. Read several verses on either side, identify who is speaking and to whom, and distinguish what the passage says from the application you draw for today.
These entries use identified text from the World English Bible where stated. Different English translations can make different wording choices; don't silently combine them or assign an invented saying to a biblical figure.
Read the chapter before choosing one sentence to carry into the day.
Include the exact citation and translation, and avoid presenting a personal interpretation as the Bible's only meaning.
The quotations on this site use the public-domain World English Bible where marked. Follow the cited reference to examine the surrounding chapter before applying it to a personal situation.
What does the surrounding passage say before and after this verse?
Yes. A single verse offers a starting point, but reading its surrounding passage helps avoid taking a line out of context. The reflection here is explanatory rather than a substitute for Scripture.
It is a beginning, not the whole study. Use the reference to read the wider passage and compare reputable notes when meaning is uncertain.
