Rejoice always!
So starts one of the shortest verses in The Bible.
I will ask “What is the shortest verse in the New Testament?” Did you respond “Jesus wept”?
(Buzzer sound) No, that is the third shortest verse in the New Testament.
Granted, “Jesus wept” John 11:35 is the shortest verse in English. In English it is 9 letters long. But in Greek it is 16 letters long (Ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς).
In reading The Word, I have discovered that there is a shorter verse in Greek. That is 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “rejoice always,” our verse for this share, which is only 14 letters in Greek (Πάντοτε χαίρετε).
The following verse follows;
Pray continually.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
pray continually, we receive and do these for a number ofcreasons for many reasons: thanksgiving, requests, praise…I could go on. Pray without ceasing.
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
May God Himself, The God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
