Bible verses about "faith" | JMNT

⁷ – for we are habitually walking about (= living our lives) through faith and trust, not through perception of the appearance of external form –

⁵ to the end that your trust would not be in human wisdom (your faith and reliance would not exist in cleverness of people), but rather in God's power, means, influence and ability.

⁸ For you see, by (or: to; in; for; with) the grace and joyous favor you are (you continuously exist being) folks having been delivered (rescued; kept safe; saved; made whole; restored to your original state and condition) so as to now be enjoying salvation through [some MSS add: the] faith (or: trust; confidence), and this not forth from out of you folks, [it is] the gift of and from God (or: the gift which is God; or: the gift whose source is God),

² For in the midst of and in union with this the ancient ones (or: the folks old time; the elders) were given testimony (or: had witness and evidence borne to them that gave them a reputation; had their record attested):

⁴ In faith, by trust, with loyal confidence and to express faithful allegiance, Abel offered to God much more of a sacrifice than (or: compared to) Cain, through which he was given witness (a testimony) to be one in accord with the Way pointed out, with fairness and equity in rightwised relationship (a just one), God's continuous witnessing [being] upon his gifts [with other MSS: a continual testimony upon his gifts, by and in God]; and through it [i.e., faith and God's testimony] he, being dead, is still continuously speaking. ⁵ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for loyal allegiance, Enoch was transported (transferred; translated; changed to be in another place), pertaining to the [situation] to not see death (to not behold, perceive or observe a death; or: = to not experience death), and he continued not being found, because God transported him. You see, before his transport (transfer; change of place), he had received testimony (or: is attested) to have pleased God well. ⁶ Now apart from faith, trust, confidence and loyal allegiance, [one is] powerless (or: unable) to please [God] well. It is necessary and binding for the person habitually approaching God to believe (to be convinced and trust) that He is (or: that He exists), and that He habitually comes to be (or: becomes) the One who pays back wages (or: gives away rewards) to, in and for those folks repeatedly (or: constantly) seeking Him out (or: seeking from out of Him).

⁸ In loyal faith, by trusting allegiance and with confident faithfulness, Abraham obeyed (humbly listened and submissively paid attention, under [God]), continuing to be called to go out into the place which he was, and continued being, about to take in hand (or: receive) – into an inheritance (an enjoyment of an allotment). And he went out not presently putting his thoughts on (or: not being versed in or acquainted with) where he was progressively going.

¹ Now faith continuously exists being (or: trust with loyal conviction is) a standing-under (a substructure; a basis; = the ground on which to build; that which underlies the apparent, and thus is the substance, essence or real nature) of things being habitually expected and anticipated [p13 reads: is a standing-away from things being presently hoped for]; an evidence from a test which proves concerning effects of practices (or: an evidence-based proof of the results of matters, actions or deeds) [that are] not presently seen or normally being observed. [note: Karen Armstrong, in The Case for God, has suggested that pistis not only involves trust and loyalty, but also engagement and commitment. Paul Tillich saw faith as "the state of being grasped by the Spiritual Presence and opened to the transcendent unity of unambiguous life." (Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, p. 131)]

³ In faith and by confident, loyal trust, with the mind we constantly perceive (or: with the intellect we now understand) the ages to have been completely equipped by (and, or: thoroughly adjusted to; knit together and put in order in) God's gush-effect (or: the result of that which flowed from God; or: a declaration or speech that had the source, character and qualities of God; or: a spoken word which was God), into the [resultant situation]: the thing continuously being seen (being looked at and observed) has not come into being from out of the midst of things which are normally appearing (or: continuously shining and exposing themselves to view; or: presently becoming visible or being given light and thus being made to appear).

⁷ In faith, by trust, with confidence and loyal allegiance, Noah, being instructed (or: being managed in public affairs) concerning those things as yet not seen, acting cautiously (or: receiving carefully; being shown [as] one who is taking hold well), prepared (made ready; furnished and equipped) an ark – [leading] into a deliverance (a rescue; a keeping safe) of his house – through which he made a corresponding evaluation and a commensurate decision about the aggregate of humanity (or: separated down the secular world; condemns the System; makes a judgment which falls in line with and follows the pattern of the ordered arrangement) and came to be an heir (an enjoyer of an allotment) of fair and equitable dealings (of justice and rightwised relationships in accord with the Way pointed out; also: = of covenant inclusion) down from faith, which is in line with trust and is in the sphere of convinced loyalty.

⁹ In faith, by trust, with confident loyal allegiance, he sojourned (resided as an alien in a foreign country; lived alongside as a temporary inhabitant) [settling] into the land of the Promise as not his own (as belonging to another), dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the joint-heirs of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he continued taking with the hand from out of (or: reaching in and receiving, then taking away from within) the city continuously having the foundations – whose Craftsman (or: Technician; Artisan) and skilled Worker for the people (or: Producer; Architect) [is] God. ¹¹ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for loyal allegiance, also, Sarah herself – being sterile – received (or: laid hold of) power and ability unto a conception (a depositing; founding; casting down) of seed (= offspring), even beyond [the] fertile season of maturity (full age and prime of life), since a Faithful, Loyal and Believable One – the One promising – took the lead (led the way; presided; or, an alternate meaning of hgeomai yields: since she regarded the Promiser trustworthy and believable), ¹² on which account, also, were born from one [couple] – and these of one having been deadened – [people] corresponding to the stars of the heaven (or: sky) for fullness of multitude, and as the sand beside the lip (shore) of the sea: the innumerable. [Gen. 15:5-6] ¹³ Down from faith (or: In line with confidence; Corresponding to trust; In the sphere of loyal allegiance and faithfulness) all these folks died off, not taking hold of (or: receiving; [other MSS: not being ones carrying off to themselves for kindly keeping]) the promises, but still, after seeing them forward at a distance, and drawing them to themselves and clinging to them, even speaking alike (saying the same thing; confessing in verbal agreement) that they are, and continue being, strangers and sojourners (or: foreigners and alien residents living in a foreign place) upon the land (or: earth). ¹⁴ For those (or: people) constantly saying such things are continuously shining within because (or: are causing to clearly appear that) they are habitually seeking upon (or: in earnest seeking for) a father-land (a land of the Father). ¹⁵ And if, indeed, they were still being mindful of and continued remembering that from which they came forth (or: went out) they would have continued having a fitting season (situation; occasion) to bend back up again (or: return), ¹⁶ yet now they are continuously stretching themselves out in order to touch a superior (stronger and better) one: this is one belonging to the superior-heaven (or: that is, pertaining to the One upon the atmosphere; or: this exists being one from the added, superimposed heaven). Wherefore God is habitually not ashamed of them, to be called upon [as] their God. You see, He prepared (made ready) a city for (or: by; with; among) them. ¹⁷ By faith, in trust and with confidence, Abraham, being progressively tried (or: being repeatedly tested for loyal allegiance) had presented and handed-over Isaac; even the one taking up and receiving the promises back again, began offering the only-begotten. ¹⁸ [He] toward whom it was spoken that, "In Isaac a seed shall continue being called (or: an offspring continue being summoned) for (to; in; by) you," [Gen. 21:12] ¹⁹ was logically reasoning and considering (reckoning; figuring; counting on) that God has power and is able to repeatedly arouse even out from among dead folks – whence also, in a parable, he took him back into keeping (or: he recovered him). ²⁰ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for faithfulness, also, Isaac spoke well of (or: blessed) Jacob and Esau concerning impending things. ²¹ In faith, by trust, with confident faithfulness and for loyal allegiance, Jacob, when dying away, spoke well of (or: blessed) each of the sons of Joseph, and kissed his hand toward [them] (or: worshiped; or: showed respect), [leaning] upon the top of his staff. ²² In faith, by trust, with confidence and with loyalty, Joseph, finishing (ending; completing his course; reaching the goal of his destiny), called to mind (was mindful) concerning a way out (an exodus) of the sons of Israel, and imparted instructions for the goal, concerning his bones. ²³ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for loyal allegiance, Moses, being born, was hidden three months by his parents (or: fathers), because they saw (perceived) the little boy [was] belonging to a city (well-bred; well-formed, genteel), and they were not frightened by the effect of the mandate of the king. ²⁴ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for loyal allegiance, Moses, coming to be great (= important), refused (denies; disclaims; rejects; disowned) to be declared (or: termed) a son of Pharaoh's daughter, ²⁵ choosing for himself (taking to himself) more (in preference; rather) to constantly encounter adversity and ill-treatment along with God's People, than to have a temporary (toward a limited period of time marked by a suitableness of circumstances) enjoyment and pleasure involved with falling short of the goal (which are a failure; that originates with error; characteristic of missing of the target; of sin), ²⁶ considering the reproach associated with being the anointed one (or: pertaining to the Christ; or: = of Israel [at that time]) [to be] greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he began, and continued, looking away and giving his attention unto the reward (or: the discharge of wages). ²⁷ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for faithfulness, he left Egypt behind, not fearing the rushing fury (violent breathing, rage and angry passion) of the king, for he was strong and stout as continually seeing the invisible (or: the Unseen One). ²⁸ In faith, by trust, with confident loyalty and for trustworthy allegiance, he had performed (or: has created so that it now stands as an institution) the Passover and the pouring of the blood, so that the One presently destroying (the Exterminator of) the first-born of people and animals would (or: could) not touch or come in contact with them. ²⁹ In faith, by trust, with confidence and in loyal allegiance, they walked through the Red Sea as through dry land – [whereas] the Egyptians, upon taking a trial of (or: making an attempt at) which, were gulped (or: swallowed) down. ³⁰ In faith, by confidence, and with trust mixed with loyal allegiance, the wall of Jericho suddenly fell, after being encircled upon and surrounded [for] seven days. ³¹ In faith, by confidence, with trust and for loyal allegiance, Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed or lost with those being unpersuaded (or: incompliant; [p46 reads: those not having faith, trust or loyalty]), having welcomingly received and embraced the scouts (or: spies) with peace. ³² And so, what am I yet presently saying? For the time shall fail me, while progressively leading throughout and relating concerning Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and the prophets, ³³ who through faith, trust and confident loyalty conquered (violently struggled and fought-down) kingdoms, worked a fair and equitable dealing (justice in covenant participation of the Way pointed out), hit right on target with regard to (thus: experienced and obtained) promises, fenced in (blocked; closed up) mouths of lions; ³⁴ extinguished [the] power (quenched [the] ability) of fire, escaped mouths (= edge) of [the] sword; were empowered (enabled), moving away from a [state of] of weakness (or infirmity); were made to be (were caused to become) strong ones in the midst of war (or: combat; battle); they caused battle lines of foreigners to bend (or: caused encampments of aliens to bow down; wheeled [the] ranks belonging to [the] armies of others); ³⁵ women took with the hand their dead folks from out of a resurrection (or: wives received their dead ones out of the midst of a rising-again). Yet others were beaten to death with rods (or: drummed upon), not receiving (or: accepting; taking) toward (or: with a view to) themselves (= refusing) the releasing away (liberation; setting free) procured by payment of a ransom, so that they may hit the target of (or: attain) a superior (stronger and better) resurrection. ³⁶ But different ones took a trial (or: received a test) of mockings (scoffings), and of scourgings, and further, of bonds and imprisonment (= put in chains and thrown in jail). ³⁷ They were stoned, they were cut in two with a saw, they were put to the proof (tried; tested), they passed away in a slaughter (or: by murder) with sword, they went around (wandered) in sheepskins, in goat skins, continuously being behind (being in want; being in the rear), being constantly pressed (squeezed; afflicted), habitually being held in the bad (being maltreated; having it bad) – ³⁸ of whom the System (the ordered arrangement; the world or culture, secular society, religions and government) was not worthy (was not of equal value) – being continually deceived (led astray; caused to wander) in deserts and mountains and caves and the holes of the earth (or: ground). ³⁹ And yet all these folks, being given testimony (being attested by witnesses) through their faith, trust, confidence and loyal allegiance, did not at any point bring to themselves (or: acquire) God's Promise (the promise of and from God; the Promise, which is God), ⁴⁰ He Himself foreseeing (looking ahead of time and planning) something superior (stronger and better) concerning us, so that they would not be made perfect (brought to the destined goal; made complete; finished; made mature) apart from us.

¹ Consequently and for this very reason, then, we also, continuously having such a big cloud of witnesses (spectators; folks bearing testimony; people with evidence) environing us (lying around for us and [they] themselves surrounding and encompassing us), after at once putting off from ourselves all bulk and encumbrance (every weight; all that is prominent; or: getting rid of every arrow point within us) and the easily-environing (skillfully-surrounding; well-placed encircling) failure (sin; error; mistake; shooting off-target; missing of the point), we can and should through persistent remaining-under (or: relentless patient endurance and giving of support) keep on running the racecourse continuously lying before us (or: lying in the forefront within us; or: lying ahead, among us), ² turning [our] eyes away from other things and fixing them (or: looking away) into Jesus, the Inaugurator (First Leader; Prime Author) and Perfecter (Finisher; the Bringer-to-maturity and fruition; He who purposes and accomplishes the destiny) of the faith, trust, confidence and loyal allegiance, Who, instead of and in place of the joy (or: in the position on the opposite side from the happiness) continuously lying before Him (or: lying in the forefront within Him; lying ahead for Him), remained under a cross – despising shame (or: thinking nothing of [the] disgrace) – and has sat down and now continues seated, remaining in the right [hand] of (or: = in union with the place of receiving at; = at the place of power and honor, which is) God's throne. ³ For consider attentively again (or: logically reckon back for yourselves; gather it up in yourselves concerning) the One having remained under while undergoing (or: having patiently endured while giving support in) such contradiction (the anti-word; the message which is contrary to reason; speaking in opposition, against, or instead of) – [which was directed] into Himself [other MSS: {permeating} into the midst of themselves] by those missing the mark (the sinners; those making a mistake, committing error, missing the point) – to the end that you may not tire with exertion (or: labor to weariness), being continuously dissolved (be enfeebled and exhausted; caused to fall apart) in your inner selves (or: by your souls; = in your lives). ⁴ You folks do not yet resist (or: did not take a stand down against; or: put in place opposition) as far as blood (= to the point of bloodshed; or, as a figure: = to the depth of your soul-life), toward constantly struggling against (or: repeatedly contending and fighting in opposition to) the failure (the sin; the error; the miss of the target; missing the point). ⁵ And further, you have entirely forgotten (or: been oblivious of) the calling-near (the relief, aid, comfort and encouragement) which keeps on speaking-through (discoursing; reasoning through and conversing; laying out the issue in every direction) to you as to sons: "My son, do not be neglecting (giving little care to) the Lord's discipline (education; child-training), neither be exhausted (dissolved; = fall apart) while being continually scrutinized or convicted (exposed and put to the test; or: reproved) by (or: under) Him, ⁶ for whom the Lord [= Yahweh] is loving, He is continuously and progressively educating (or: disciplining; child-training), and He is periodically scourging every son whom He is taking alongside with His hands (accepting; receiving)." [Prov. 3:11-12] ⁷ [So] be constantly enduring (or: You folks are continuing to remain supportively under) with a view to education, discipline and child-training: as to sons is God Himself continuously bringing [it] to you. For who is a son (or: what son is there) whom a father is not disciplining, educating and training? ⁸ But if you are without education, discipline and training, of which all have become partakers (common participants; partners), accordingly you are really illegitimates (= rabbinic term mamzer: child of a prohibited marriage [Lev. 18], or of uncertain fatherhood) and not sons. ⁹ Then again, we indeed used to have instructors (educators; teachers of boys; discipliners) – the fathers of our flesh (= human parents) – and we continued being repeatedly turned among [them] (or: turned within and caused to reflect; = we listened to them and obeyed). To a much greater extent, shall we not be continually placed under and humbly arranged and aligned by the Father of the spirits (or: the Progenitor of breath-effects and Mentor of attitudes)? And then we shall proceed living (or: progressively live)! ¹⁰ You see, on the one hand, they were instructing (educating; disciplining; child-training) and continued thus toward a few days (= for a little while), according to and in line with that [which] normally was seeming [right] to them (or: was being in line with the opinion [held] by them). Yet on the other hand, upon this [instruction, arrangement and alignment] He is continuously bringing [things; situations] together (progressively collecting unto profitability) – unto this: to mutually partake of His set-apartness (or: to take by the hands together, share and mutually receive from the holiness and sacredness which is Him). ¹¹ Now on the one hand, all discipline (instruction; child-training; education) with a view to (or: face to face with) what is presently at hand, does not at the time seem to be joyous or fun, but to the contrary [is] painful and full of sorrow and grief; however afterwards (or: subsequently), to, for, in and by those having been gymnastically trained (exercised without clothing; = working-out while stripped of self-works) through it, it is constantly and progressively yielding fruit which has the character and qualities of peace and harmony – which equates to fair and equitable dealings in rightwised relationships which are in line with the Way pointed out, and justice (also: = from covenant inclusion and participation). ¹² Because of which [education], "straighten up (or: build anew and restore) those hands hanging down helplessly, and those knees having been paralyzed or loosened at the sides," [Isa. 35:3] ¹³ and then, "make straight and upraised wheel-tracks for your feet," [Prov. 4:26] so that what is crippled in the feet (lame; limping; deprived of foot) may not be turned or twisted out (or: lest it be wrenched out of place or be dislocated), but rather can and would be healed. ¹⁴ You folks be continuously pursuing peace and harmony [= shalom] with all mankind (or: with everyone) – as well as the process and resultant state of being different and set-apart (or: sacredness; the sanctification; or: = the situation of being set aside for God's use), apart from which not even one person will proceed in seeing (or: continue perceiving) the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] – ¹⁵ while overseeing (looking diligently and carefully watching upon and seeing to it) [that] no one be lacking (be falling short; be living behind or in the rear; = misses out), [by wandering] away from God's grace and joyous favor; [that] not any "root of bitterness" [Deut. 29:18], progressively sprouting upward, would be crowding in to cause disturbance like the spirit of a mob, and then, through means of it, many folks may be stained (polluted; defiled; = the whole community could be contaminated). ¹⁶ [See to it that] no one [is] a fornicator (one given to sexual immorality or who in some way prostitutes himself for gain; or: = an idol worshiper) or a profane person (one void of religious feeling; one accessible to all and who habitually treads across thresholds; unconsecrated; = the opposite of a set-apart person), as Esau, who in place of (or: in exchange for) one feeding (a meal) gave away his own birthright (the rights of the firstborn). ¹⁷ For you know that even afterwards, continuously purposing (intending; wanting; willing) to inherit the blessing (to enjoy the allotment of the words of goodness and well-being), he was disapproved and rejected, for he did not find a place of a change of mind [in the situation] – even though thoroughly seeking it out with tears. [comment: it was Isaac's mind that Esau was seeking to change – Gen. 27:33-41] ¹⁸ Now you see, you folks have not approached to (or: come toward so as to be now arrived at) something tangible (or: [D and later MSS read: a mountain] being habitually handled or normally touched), and something burning (or: having been burned by fire), and to a thick, dark storm-cloud, and to murky, gloomy darkness (or: the realm of nether gloom; the dark, shadowy quarter of dimness and obscurity), and to a whirlwind (tempest; hurricane), ¹⁹ and to a blare of a trumpet, and to a sound of gush-effects (or: a sound of the results of a flow; or: a voice of spoken words; a sound of declarations) – of which those hearing [it] asked to the side that there be no word added for them (or: of which, the folks listening refused and begged for release, to [the result that] no message be put toward them). ²⁰ For they were not bearing (or: = carrying [through with]) that [which was] being presently distinguished (set and arranged throughout as strict orders): "And if a little animal may touch (come in contact with) the mountain it shall be repeatedly pelted with stones (or: stoned)." [Ex. 19:12-13] ²¹ And so fearful was the thing being seen, Moses said, "I am terrified (out of myself with fear) and trembling within." [Deut. 9:19] ²² But to the contrary, you folks have approached so that you are now at Mount Zion – even in a city of a continuously living God; in "Jerusalem upon heaven" (or: in a Jerusalem pertaining to and having the character and qualities of a superior, or added, heaven and atmosphere; or: in Jerusalem [situated] upon, and comparable to, the atmosphere) – also among ten-thousands (or: myriads) of agents and messengers (people with a/the message): ²³ [that is] in (or: to) an assembly of an entire people (or: an assembly of all; a universal convocation) and in (or: to) a summoning forth (or: a called-out and gathered community) of firstborn folks having been copied (from-written, as from a pattern; or: enrolled; registered) within [the; or: various] atmospheres (or: heavens), and in (or: to; with) God, a Judge (an Evaluator and Decider) of all mankind, even among (or: to; with) spirits of just folks (or: breath-effects from those who are fair and equitable and in right relationship within the Way pointed out) having been brought to the destined goal (perfected; finished; matured; made complete), ²⁴ and in (or: to) Jesus, a Medium (or: an agency; an intervening substance; a middle state; one in a middle position; a go-between; an Umpire; a Mediator) of a new and fresh (young; recently-born) arrangement (covenant; settlement; a deposit which moves throughout in every direction; a placing through the midst; a will and testament), and to and in blood of sprinkling, and to One continuously speaking something superior to (or: stronger and better than) Abel. ²⁵ Continue looking, and see! You folks should not at any point ask to the side for yourselves (or: beg for release; decline; refuse; or: = turn your back on) the One continuously speaking (or: the Speaker)! For since (or: if) those asking aside for themselves (begging off; refusing; or: = turning their backs) did not by flight escape (or: flee out from) the one constantly managing (conducting business and instructing) upon earth (or: [the] land), much more we [will not escape], that is those habitually turning ourselves away from the One from [the] atmospheres and heavens, ²⁶ Whose voice shook the land (or: earth) at that time. Yet now it has been promised (or: He has promised for Himself), saying, "Still once [more; or: for all] I am shaking not only the land (or: earth), but also the heaven (or: atmosphere; sky)." [Hag. 2:6] ²⁷ Now the "Still once [more; or: for all]" constantly points to and makes clearly visible the transposition (transference; changeover; change of setting or place) of the things being repeatedly shaken, to the end that the things not being repeatedly (or: continuously) shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore (or: Because of which), continuously taking to our sides (or: progressively receiving alongside) an unshaken Reign (or: Kingdom; Sovereign influence), we are constantly holding (or: progressively having; [other MSS: can be now having]) grace and joyous favor, through which we are [other MSS: can be] continually serving, well-pleasingly, in God (or: for God; by God; to God), with modesty (an unseen behavior and manner) in taking hold easily of goodness and well-being, as well as discretion and awe as to what is proper, ²⁹ for you see, "even our God [is] a continuously all-consuming Fire (or: our God [is] also a progressively fully-devouring fire)." [Deut. 4:24; 9:3; Isa. 33:14]

¹ Let brotherly affection (= fondness for the Family; = friendly devotion to fellow believers) continuously remain! ² Be continuously unforgetful (or: = un-neglecting) of fondness and affection to strangers and foreigners (or: Don't forget hospitality and friendliness to unexpected guests)! For you see, through this, some folks were unaware (oblivious; unconscious) of at some point receiving agents (or: messengers) as guests. ³ Be habitually reminding yourselves of those in bondage (or: bound ones; prisoners), as having been and now remaining bound together with [them]. [Take thought] of those maltreated (or: those continually being held by the bad or in the worthless), as being yourselves also within a body (or: as it were even being the same – in union with [that] body). ⁴ Marriage [is] precious (of great value and honor) in the midst of all folks (or: among all peoples), and the conjugal bed [is] unstained and undefiled; yet God is continuously judging (or: repeatedly separating and making a decision about) fornicators (or: male prostitutes; or: men who have sexual intercourse with a prostitute) and adulterers. ⁵ [Have] behavior (the turn, mode or manner of living) [that is] without love of silver (= money), constantly contenting ourselves (sufficing; warding-off for ourselves) in and by the things being continuously present (being at the side), for He Himself has said, "I can (or: could; would) by no means let you go (or: let up on you; send you back; release my grip on you), neither by any means may (or: could; would) I leave you down within (= forsake or fail you)," [Deut. 31:6; Josh. 1:5] ⁶ so that we, being constantly cheerfully courageous, [are able] to be habitually saying, "The Lord [= Yahweh] [is] a Helper (One who runs to the aid of those who cry for help) for, to and with me, and I shall not continue fearing (or: proceed to be afraid). What shall a human proceed to do to me (make for me; accomplish in me; perform for me)?" [Ps. 118:6] ⁷ You folks be habitually mindful of those belonging to, and from, you folks – of those habitually leading the way: whoever has spoken or now speaks God's word (or: the message which is God and has God's character) to and among you – continually gazing upward upon (or: reviewing and making close observation of) the walking-out of [their] behavior (or: conduct), whose faith, trust and loyalty be constantly imitating. ⁸ Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and today and on into the ages, (or: Jesus [is and continues being] Christ [= the Messiah] – the Man Himself {or: the Very One}: yesterday as well as today, and even into the midst of the ages,) ⁹ [so] do not be carried aside (or: swept away) by various and strange (or: with many-colored [as in tapestries], intricate and foreign) teachings. You see, [it is] beautiful (fine; ideal; admirably proportionate) for the heart (= core of our being) to be continuously made firm with a fixed footing by Grace, whose source is joy and which comes with favor – not by (or: in; with) foods (= rules and regulations pertaining to eating or what is edible), in which those [thus] walking about (= occupying themselves) were not increased (or: = which have not helped or benefited those who follow this way of life). ¹⁰ We continue having an altar from out of which those who continue habitually serving in the Tabernacle (= those involved with the whole ceremonial economy) do not have authority (or: right; privilege) to eat. ¹¹ For you see, the bodies of those animals, whose blood is still repeatedly being brought [some MSS add: concerning sin] into the set-apart (or: holy) places by means of the chief priest, are habitually being burned down outside of the Camp. ¹² Wherefore Jesus also suffered (and/or: had experiences of His bodily senses and emotions) outside of the gate [p46 and others: the Camp], so that He may set-apart (or: would make holy and sacred) the People through His own blood. [comment: this was a fulfillment of the Day of Atonement] ¹³ Now then, we can keep on coming out (or: should be progressively going out) toward Him – outside of the Camp – habitually bearing His reproach (= the censure and disgrace which He bore; or: the insult which pertains to Him). [comment: this was a call to participate in His sacrifice, and also to leave Judaism (or: religion), and thus to bear the same reproach and insults that He bore; it is also a call to bear away from them the mistakes and failures of others – John 20:23] ¹⁴ For you see, we are not continuously holding (having; possessing) a remaining (abiding; permanent) city here, but rather we are progressively seeking for (or: continuously searching upon) the impending one (the one that is presently about to be [here]). ¹⁵ Through Him, then, we may and should repeatedly (or: continuously) offer up a sacrifice of praise in God (by God; to God; for God; with God) through all things (or: through the midst of all [situations]) – that is, a fruit of lips continuously saying the same things (or: speaking alike) in His Name (by His Name; confessing to His Name; for the Name which is Him; or: = a product of speech which acknowledges His character, authority and identity). [comment: here we see a life "in spirit and truth" referred to by Jesus in John 4:23-24] ¹⁶ Now be not forgetful of well-doing (performing well; producing or constructing goodness; doing good deeds of ease; creating well-being) and of partnership (common-being/existence; community; participation; having things in common; fellowship; sharing and contributing), for by (or: in) such sacrifices God is continuously well pleased. ¹⁷ Be constantly persuading yourselves by (or: Be progressively having confidence in and continue being convinced by) those folks normally taking the lead among you folks, and continue humbly yielding under (or: giving way to or making way for) [situations or people] while coming under [His] likeness, for you see, these same folks are habitually awake and vigilant (abstaining from sleep to watch) over (or: on behalf of) your souls (your inner lives; or: the people among you folks), as those who will constantly be rendering a word (an account or an accounting), so that they can (or: would) be habitually doing (or: performing; producing) this with gracious joy – and not be constantly groaning (= complaining), for that [would be] detrimental and unprofitable (literally: not paying taxes or expenses) for you! ¹⁸ Be continuously thinking, speaking and acting toward having things go well (or: projecting goodness and ease; praying) concerning us, for we have been persuaded that we have a beautiful consciousness (a fine and ideal share in knowledge; or: a sound and noble conscience), setting our will to behave ourselves beautifully (in a good way; ideally; soundly; honorably) in all things and among all people. ¹⁹ Yet I am more exceedingly calling you alongside, urging and encouraging you to do (or: perform) this, to the end that I can (or: would) more quickly be restored (or: returned) to you. ²⁰ Now may the God who is Peace (or: who is the origin of and has the character and qualities of harmony [= shalom]), the One at one point leading our Lord (Master; Owner) – Jesus, the Shepherd of the sheep, the Great One – back up again out from the midst of dead folks, ²¹ at once render you folks thoroughly equipped (fitted; adapted) in the midst of all good and in every virtue, immersed in, and in union with, the blood of a thorough arrangement (or: a covenant; a deposit which moves throughout in every direction; a placing through the midst; or: a will and testament) pertaining to and having the qualities of the Age (or: an eonian – through the ages – settlement), in order to at once do (produce; perform) His will (the effect of His intent and purpose; the result of His design and pleasure) – progressively creating (doing; forming; producing) within you folks and in union with you people [other MSS: in us] the well-pleasing and satisfying [result] in His presence and sight, through Jesus Christ, in Whom (and: for Whom, by Whom, and to Whom) [is] the glory (the reputation and the manifestation which calls forth praise) on into the ages of the ages. It is so (Count on it; Amen)! ²² Yet I am calling you alongside to aid and encourage (or: Now I am performing as a paraclete for) you, brothers (= fellow believers; = my family). Progressively uphold the word of the encouraging calling-alongside for aid and exhortation (or: the message which pertains to and has its origin in the Paraclete), for I also send it to you through a brief letter. ²³ Know (or: Take note and be personally aware) [that] our brother Timothy, has been released, with whom, if he may more quickly be going (or: coming), I will see you. ²⁴ Greet and embrace all the folks taking the lead among you, and all the set-apart folks (the holy ones; the saints). Those from Italy (or: The Italians [here]) are constantly embracing and greeting you folks (or: Those [here] are now sending you greetings from Italy). ²⁵ Grace and joyous favor [are] with all of you! [written circa A.D. 67 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]

³⁷ "because at God's side (or: from beside God) every declaration (gush-effect; result of the flow; saying) will not proceed being impossible!" (or: because in God's presence – corem Deo – nothing [of] every effect of rhema speaking will continue being void of power or ability!";or: for with God, no declaration [at] all will progress being a powerless impossibility!")

⁸ For you see, by (or: to; in; for; with) the grace and joyous favor you are (you continuously exist being) folks having been delivered (rescued; kept safe; saved; made whole; restored to your original state and condition) so as to now be enjoying salvation through [some MSS add: the] faith (or: trust; confidence), and this not forth from out of you folks, [it is] the gift of and from God (or: the gift which is God; or: the gift whose source is God), ⁹ not out of works (or: not forth from the midst of actions or deeds done; = not self-produced), to the end that no one could boast,

¹⁹ You continuously believe (or: trust; are convinced) that God is One (or: that God exists being One; that One exists being God; or: that there is one God). [Deut. 6:4] You are performing (doing) beautifully (excellently; ideally) – even the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) continuously believe (or: presently trust; are constantly loyal; are normally convinced [about this]), and constantly shudder (bristle; shiver; are ruffled). [comment: in this last phrase Jacob is either making an ontological statement about “demons, ” or he is using sarcasm, referring in a derogatory manner to the Jews who also believe this; Jesus used the term diablos (devil; one who thrusts-through folks) to refer to Judas in John 6:70; He used the term satan when speaking to Peter in Mark 8:33; this phrase could also refer to the superstitious mindsets of folks who have believed Jewish or pagan myths, or have accepted animistic influences into their thinking]

²² Then from considering, Jesus proceeds saying to them, "Be constantly holding God's faith (or: Be habitually having trust which has its source in God; or, reading the genitive as in apposition, with the verb as an indicative: You men continue possessing confidence which is God)! ²³ "Indeed, I am now saying (or: I am truly saying now) that whoever may say to this mountain (or: in this mountain), 'Be picked up, and be cast (thrown) into the midst of the sea,' and may not be undecided or be divided in his discernment or judgment within his heart, but to the contrary, can (or: may; would) continuously trust and believe with confidence that what he is speaking is progressively occurring (or: birthing itself; coming into existence), it will proceed being [thus] for him (or: by him; to him; in him; with him). ²⁴ "Because of this (or: Through this) I now say to you folks, All things (Everything) – as much or many as you are habitually praying and repeatedly requesting – be constantly trusting and believing that you received or obtained [them], and it will continue existing for you folks (proceed being in you people, with you folks as well as to or by you).

¹ Now faith continuously exists being (or: trust with loyal conviction is) a standing-under (a substructure; a basis; = the ground on which to build; that which underlies the apparent, and thus is the substance, essence or real nature) of things being habitually expected and anticipated [p13 reads: is a standing-away from things being presently hoped for]; an evidence from a test which proves concerning effects of practices (or: an evidence-based proof of the results of matters, actions or deeds) [that are] not presently seen or normally being observed. [note: Karen Armstrong, in The Case for God, has suggested that pistis not only involves trust and loyalty, but also engagement and commitment. Paul Tillich saw faith as "the state of being grasped by the Spiritual Presence and opened to the transcendent unity of unambiguous life." (Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, p. 131)]

⁶ Now apart from faith, trust, confidence and loyal allegiance, [one is] powerless (or: unable) to please [God] well. It is necessary and binding for the person habitually approaching God to believe (to be convinced and trust) that He is (or: that He exists), and that He habitually comes to be (or: becomes) the One who pays back wages (or: gives away rewards) to, in and for those folks repeatedly (or: constantly) seeking Him out (or: seeking from out of Him).

²² "And so, you will progressively take to yourselves and receive everything (or: all things) – as much or as many as you folks ever could (or: may) request in thoughts or words toward things going well (or: in union with prayer), while continuously trusting and 'faithing' (= expressing, living in, and being joined to faith and belief)!"

¹⁷ Consequently, the faith (or: the trust; confidence; loyalty) [comes or arises] from out of the midst of, or from within, hearing, yet the hearing [comes] through a gush-effect of Christ, even through the result of a flow which is Christ (or: through Christ's utterance; through something spoken concerning Christ; or: by means of a declaration which is anointed, or from Christ; through a word uttered which is Christ; [other MSS: God's speech]).