For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
NIV
For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.
AMP
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
KJV
"But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies."
NIV
Yet they were disobedient and rebelled against You and cast Your law behind their back and killed Your prophets who accused and warned them to turn to You again; and they committed great and contemptible blasphemies.
AMP
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
KJV
Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity.
NIV
[And Nehemiah prayed] Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their taunts upon their own heads, and give them for a prey in a land of their captivity.
AMP
Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
KJV
"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn."
NIV
Therefore watch (give strict attention, be cautious and alert), for you do not know when the Master of the house is coming--in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning--
AMP
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
KJV
"I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God."
NIV
And I will bring them [home] and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and faithfulness and in righteousness.
AMP
And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
KJV
Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.
NIV
Why then is this people of Jerusalem turned away with a perpetual turning away [from Me]? They hold fast to deceit (idolatry); they refuse to repent and return [to God].
AMP
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
KJV
