MAṮṮA 17 - NBA93 & KIB1967

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Love and relationships are important aspects of life, especially for younger generations navigating friendships, family dynamics, dating, and social connections. In a world where love is often portrayed in a confusing, fleeting, or superficial way, the Bible offers clear and timeless wisdom on what love truly means and how to build healthy relationships.

Here are seven Bible verses that will help guide you through the complexities of love and relationships.

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 — “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

In a world that sometimes focuses on instant gratification and fleeting emotions, the Bible reminds us that love is more about giving than receiving. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice to act with kindness and humility, even when it’s hard.

2. Matthew 22:37-39 — “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Jesus simplifies love and relationships into two commandments: loving God first and then loving others. When your relationships are rooted in love for God, they will naturally reflect a love that values and respects others.

3. Proverbs 17:17 — “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Friendships and community are crucial, especially for the younger generation navigating through life’s challenges. Genuine friends love in every season, not just when it’s easy or convenient. They are there to support you during difficult times, and they offer strength and encouragement when you need it most.

4. 1 John 4:18 — “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Many young people experience anxiety, fear, or insecurity in relationships, whether it’s fear of rejection, fear of not being enough, or fear of vulnerability. But this verse reminds us that real love, the kind of love God gives, casts out fear. In healthy relationships, love should create a sense of safety, not fear or insecurity. When you’re in a relationship that reflects God’s love, you will feel valued and cherished, not afraid or anxious.

5. Ephesians 4:2-3 — “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

In a world where arguments and conflict are common, these verses from Ephesians encourage us to practice humility, patience, and unity in our relationships. It’s not always easy, but maintaining peace and working toward understanding are key aspects of healthy connections. Love isn’t about always being right; sometimes it’s about listening, understanding, and choosing peace over conflict.

6. Song of Solomon 8:4 — “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”

For young people, particularly in the context of dating and romantic relationships, this verse offers wisdom about timing and patience. Culture often pressures young people to rush into relationships or equates physical attraction with love. However, the Bible encourages us to wait for the right timing, to allow love to grow naturally and genuinely, without rushing into anything prematurely. This ensures that relationships are based on genuine connection and mutual respect.

7. Romans 12:10 — “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Instead of asking, “What can I get out of this relationship?” we are encouraged to honor and respect others, putting their needs ahead of our own. True love is about devotion and commitment, not just convenience or personal gain. When you prioritize honoring others, you build relationships that are strong, meaningful, and lasting.

Conclusion

Navigating love and relationships as a young person can be challenging, especially in a world filled with mixed messages about what love is and how relationships should work. However, these Bible verses provide a clear and countercultural view of love: one that is selfless, patient, kind, and enduring. Love isn’t just about feelings, it’s about action, commitment, and putting others before yourself. When your relationships are rooted in these principles, they will flourish in ways that bring fulfillment, joy, and peace. So, take these truths with you as you navigate love and relationships, always remembering that God’s love is the foundation of all healthy connections.

Yǝcu mɔŋgwɔ reethe reṯ kaayin-la.

(Mɔrgus 9:2-13Luuga 9:28-36)

1 Mǝ ŋwaamin nyirlil ernene tǝ, nǝ Yǝcu mɔlo Bɔtrɔs-ŋwɔsi Ya@guub-ŋǝli nǝ Yuhanna tok lir ŋiyaŋga, nɔŋw-li allɔ kaayin-la wɔɔlala tottoc, nǝr-gwɔ naani cuk-cuk. 2 Mǝreese Yǝcu-ŋw nǝr inḏa kwɔmǝ reethe reṯ. Nǝ kiyǝnǝ kwmuŋwun aari kap-kap kaka aaŋwɔn. Nǝ yireth yuuŋwun orlle nǝr fiithi per-per. 3 Nǝ ṯalaamiiz kitha ṯir ṯoɽol ese Muusǝ-ŋwɔsi Iliiyyǝ-gi landisa Yǝcu-ŋǝli. 4 Nǝ Bɔṯrɔs ǝccǝ Yǝcu-ŋwɔ, “Kweeleny ŋɔmaami beṯṯen a-naanir kɔnɔŋw! Mǝmmini tǝ, nyii kette yǝvǝŋi ṯoɽol kɔnɔŋw, kette kɔɔŋa kette kǝthi Muusǝ, nǝ kette kǝthi Iliiyyǝ.” 5 Kinaŋw nandisaŋw tǝ kinnǝni, nǝ lebleth iila laari kap-kap nɔŋwsi kwuɽubǝthǝlɔ, nǝ ṯogɽo andisa ki-lebleth-na, nɔŋwaarɔŋw, “Tɔr ṯiinyi tir ṯǝ kira ṯiinyi wɔɽe-wɔɽeny tɔtɔpɔt, taminy-ri-na beṯ-beṯṯen, ǝṯi niŋnaci!” 6 Mǝ ṯalaamiiz neŋne ṯogɽo, nǝr ṯeenye beṯṯen nǝr iidi yǝy-yǝlɔ kwurǝyu-lu. 7 Laakin nǝ Yǝcu iila nɔŋwsi mɔmmi mindaŋ nɔŋwsǝccǝŋw, “Diiɽir ǝṯi ṯiinya mac.” 8 Mindaŋ mǝr alla ŋwɔɽa-lɔ mǝreese ǝzir nǝreere ese kwizi kweere mac illi Yǝcu ṯɔɽɔk.

9 Mǝr dappa kaayin-la, nǝsi Yǝcu icci ŋejmethi nɔŋwsǝccǝŋw, “Ǝṯi andica kwizi kweere mac kwomne ŋgwa kwiisa-ŋa, mindaŋ mǝ Tɔr ṯǝthi Kwizigwunǝŋ diiɽǝ ki-ŋiɽany-na.” 10 E-ta nǝ ṯalaamiiz uṯici Yǝcu-ŋwlɔ nǝrǝccǝŋw, “Mɔ@allimiin kwǝthi Sherii@a kwotho kwaarɔŋw, Iliiyyǝ kwǝŋgi iila kerreny?” 11 Nɔŋwsi ǝŋnici nɔŋwsǝccǝŋw, “Iliiyyǝ kwǝŋgi iila rac kerreny, mindaŋ ǝŋgwɔŋw kette kwomne-lɔ tatap cɔgwo-cɔgwop. 12 Laakin nyii kwɔŋǝsi andaci. Iliiyyǝ kwɔmǝ-pǝ iila mindaŋ nǝ lizi ere elŋe mac, laakin nǝrsi ǝrrici ŋirga ŋamɽasi ŋunduŋwsi. Nǝ ǝrisi-ṯǝ ǝrrici Tɔɔrɔ ṯǝthi Kwizigwunǝŋ ŋigii ṯǝŋw tok.” 13 E-ta nǝ ṯalaamiiz elŋe ethaarɔŋw kwandisa ŋiɽaŋali ŋǝni Yuhanna kwǝni Ma@maḏaan.

Yǝcu mɔŋgwɔ sǝwi tɔɔrɔ tǝthi ṯigɽimǝ-nǝ ṯigii.

(Mɔrgus 9:14-29Luuga 9:37-43a)

14 Mǝr aaɽitha naanɔ-gwɔ dɔŋw, nǝ kwɔr kwette iila naanɔ-gwɔ Yǝcu, nɔŋw kwocce ŋwɔrgwɔ-lɔ nɔŋwɔccǝŋw, 15 “Yaa Sǝyyid ethiŋǝ-ṯǝ ṯɔgwor yatha ki-tɔr ṯiinyi! Kaka nǝṯi-gwɔ lɔɔrɔm mithǝ ǝṯɔŋw rǝri beṯṯen. Nǝ ŋwaamin ŋwuuru ǝṯɔŋw kagiṯṯɔ kiigǝ-nǝ ya ŋaaw-na tok. 16 Ninyǝvicǝ ṯalaamiiza ṯɔɔŋwa, laakin nǝreere ǝthici ŋɔma mac ethi sǝwi.” 17 Nǝ Yǝcu aŋni nɔŋwɔccǝŋw, “A lirmba lir lizi lǝthi kirem-ŋwɔ liira ṯǝmminǝ, ligii tok! Nyii kwǝthi naani ŋaaŋa-li ṯacca-ṯaccaŋ? Nyii kwɔŋǝsi-thi indinyanni naana tacca-ṯaccaŋ? Ǝvicǝ-nyii-ṯi tɔɔrɔ kɔnɔŋw!” 18 E-ta nǝ Yǝcu ǝllici ṯigɽimǝ ṯigii waamira ethi ruu kithaay ki-tɔr-na, nǝ kinaṯa kinaŋw-lɔ ṯogdo-ṯogdo nɔŋw saawanni tɔc. 19 E-ta nǝ ṯalaamiiz iila cuk-cuk naanɔ-ŋgwɔ nǝrǝccǝŋw, “Arpa ŋɔma ŋotho ŋiiraca-nyji ethi rutti kithaay?” 20 Nɔŋwsǝccǝŋw, “A lende-pǝ lǝthi ṯǝmminǝ ṯuuru, nyii kwɔŋǝsi andaci rerrem, ǝŋgǝthi ṯǝmminǝ ṯokwɔṯoc ṯir kaka lɔɔla lǝthi kwaṯṯa, ǝŋgi ǝccǝ ayinɔ wɔŋw, ‘Dɔŋgwathi kɔnɔŋw ele kinanaŋw’, ǝŋgwɔŋw-tǝ ele. A lǝthi ŋɔma ethisǝrri ŋette nyithak. [ 21 Laakin ṯaara-thi kiyiiriny nǝ ṯimthǝ ethi mithǝ armindaani ṯɔɽɔk ŋwɔthi ŋɔma ethi rutti kwomne kithaay kwir kaka ṯǝ ŋgwɔ.’]

Yǝcu mɔŋgwɔ andasi kwokwony ŋiɽaŋali ŋǝthi ŋiɽany ŋuuŋun.

(Mɔrgus 9:30-32Luuga 9:43b-45)

22 Mǝ ṯalaamiiz aaɽathi dɔŋw tatap Jǝliil tǝ, nǝsi Yǝcu ǝccǝŋw, “Tɔr ṯǝthi Kwizigwunǝŋ tǝr mithǝ mindaŋ ǝri inḏǝthǝ lizi lǝthi sɔlṯa ki-rii-na reeŋen 23 ǝri ɽeenye; laakin ŋwaamin ṯoɽol ŋwɔ diiɽǝ timiithɔ.” Ŋwɔṯaŋw nǝ ṯalaamiiz ronyine beṯṯen.

Yǝcu mɔŋgwɔ kette ṯɔlba ṯǝthi Heikal.

24 Mǝ Yǝcu-ŋǝ ṯalaamiiz-thi ṯuuŋwun iila Kafranaahuum, nǝr iila lǝṯi allilla ṯɔlba ṯǝthi Heikal naanɔ-gwɔ Bɔṯrɔs nǝrǝccǝŋw, “Mɔ@allim kwaalɔ kwǝṯi kette ṯɔlba ṯǝthi Heikala?” 25 Nǝsi Bɔṯrɔs ǝŋnici nɔŋwsǝccǝŋw, “E-pa.” Mindaŋ mǝ Bɔṯrɔs ǝnḏi kiininy, nǝ Yǝcu rarmatha nɔŋwɔccǝŋw, “Sim@aan, fikir kwɔɔŋa kwaari tha? Ǝyǝŋǝ lir lǝṯi inḏǝthǝ muluuk-gǝ kwǝthi ṯurmun ṯɔlba? Lizi lir lǝthi dɔɔnɔŋw kwǝthi bǝlǝḏ ŋgway alla lǝthi fartɔŋwɔ?” 26 Nɔŋw ǝŋnici nɔŋwɔccǝŋw, “Lǝthi fartɔŋwɔ.” Nǝ Yǝcu ǝccǝŋw, “Nǝ nyɔr nyǝthi dɔɔnɔŋw kwǝthi bǝlǝḏ ŋgwa nyǝtoro-pa hɔrr. 27 Ŋwɔṯaŋw kaka ati ninaŋnarsi etheere urǝzi rɔgwori mac tǝ, ndi kǝniny ki-bahar-na a katta sinnaara, mindaŋ aava kwɔmi ŋgwa kwiŋna, mindaŋ mǝ liŋar kworo-na kwuuŋwun tǝ, a kattisa gwuruushǝ, mindaŋ ǝsi inḏǝthǝ kwǝni kwiinyi nǝ kwɔɔŋa tok.”