Bible verses about "midnight" | JMNT

¹ "So you see, the reign of the heavens (the heavens' kingdom; or: the sovereign rule and activities pertaining to the atmospheres) exists being like a person (human) – a householder – who went out at the usual time, early in the morning (or: at daybreak), to hire for himself workers [to send] into his vineyard. ² "Now upon voicing together [and coming] out with an agreement with the workers – a denarius [for] the day [note: a normal day's wage] – he sent them off into his vineyard. ³ "Then, upon going out about [the] third hour [of the day; = about nine in the morning], he saw other folks having taken their place standing idle and unemployed, within the market place. ⁴ "And so he says to those folks, 'You people, also, lead the way under [my word and direction] into the vineyard, and whatever may be fair and equitable (just and in accord with the way pointed out; or: = the going rate) I will proceed in giving to you.' ⁵ "So they went off. Now again, upon going out about [the] sixth hour (= around noon), and later [at the] ninth hour (= about three in the afternoon), he did similarly (or: in just the same way). ⁶ "Now about the eleventh hour (= around five o'clock), after going out, he found other folks having taken their place standing, and he is proceeding to say to them, 'Why have you taken your place and are still standing here idle and unemployed the whole day?' ⁷ "They are, as a group, responding to him, 'Because nobody hired us.' He then replies to them, 'You people, also, lead the way under [my word and direction] into the vineyard.' ⁸ "Now when it was becoming evening, the owner of the vineyard proceeds saying to his foreman (or: manager; supervisor), 'Call the workers and pay the wages, starting from the last ones, [and proceeding] until the first ones.' ⁹ "So those coming about the eleventh hour received a denarius apiece. ¹⁰ "And then, when the first ones were coming, they concluded from inference to custom that they will receive more, and yet they, themselves, also received a denarius apiece. ¹¹ "Now, upon receiving [the pay], they began muttering complaints and in low voices uttering discontent against the householder, ¹² "one after another saying, 'These last folks do one hour, and you make them equal to us – the ones who were bearing the burden and intense heat of the day!' ¹³ "So, giving a decisive reply to one of them, he said, 'My friend, I am not doing wrong or acting unjustly to you. Did you not voice agreement with me for a denarius? ¹⁴ "'Take up what is yours and humbly go away. However, I, myself, continue wanting, and intending, to give to this last person just as [I] also [gave] to you. ¹⁵ "'Is it not allowed by law and custom for me to do that which I continue wanting and intending, in [regard] to my own things? Or does your eye continue being worthless (= is your way of viewing things knavish, base, unsound and in a poor condition, or even malicious and degenerate) because I, myself, continue being good (virtuous; = having generous and benevolent qualities)?' ¹⁶ "It is in this way that the last folks will be first and the first folks [will be] last." [comment: this parable shows the equity of kingdom life: all receive the same; first and last have no significance – it is an illustration of additional folks being added into the sovereign activities of the heavens, and being equal to regular workers; it further shows the care of the Householder for the needs of the "unemployed," i.e., those not at that time being a part of His sovereign reign, and how He repeatedly goes, even in the heat of the day, to search for those in need, pointing to outreach beyond the House]

⁵¹ See (Look and consider)! I am progressively telling you a secret ([the] mystery)! We, indeed, shall not all continue falling asleep, yet we all will continue being changed (or: On the one hand, not all of us will continue [dying], but on the other hand, we all will be progressively altered; or: We all shall not continue being put to repose, and so we all shall keep on being transformed; or: All of us shall not continue sleeping, but we all will continue being rearranged to be another or made to be otherwise),

¹ Later, upon going out from the Temple courts, Jesus was proceeding on His way, and then His disciples approached to additionally point out and show to Him the buildings of the Temple complex. ² Yet He, giving a decided response, says to them, "You are not looking at all these things, are you (or: Do you not observe all this)? Truly (or: Count on it; or: Assuredly), I am now saying to you folks, there can under no circumstances be a stone left or allowed to be upon [another] stone which will not be progressively loosed down to bring utter destruction." ³ Now later, during His continued sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples approached Him, privately (in accord with His being in His own space and place), saying in turn, "Tell us, when will these things proceed in being, and what [is] the sign pertaining to Your presence, as well as (or: even) the combination of parts to one end (or: the bringing to one end together; the combined consummation; the joint, final act) of the age?" ⁴ Then making a discerning reply, Jesus says to them, "You men be constantly looking, seeing, and staying alert, [so that] nothing and no one can mislead or should deceive you folks. ⁵ "You see, many people will be coming, upon [association with; the basis of, or, the supposed authority of; on the reference to] My name, one after another saying, 'I, myself, am the anointed one (or: the Christ;),' and they will be leading astray and deceiving many people. ⁶ "Now, you men [= the disciples who had come to Him privately] will be at the point to be repeatedly hearing [the noise of] battles and wars, as well as news of battles and reports or rumors of wars – each time see to it that you men are not disturbed, thrown into disorder, or terrified by the commotion, outcries or uproar. You see, it remains necessary for such to be birthed and to occur. However, it is not yet the destined end – the closing act of the goal (the consummation; the final fruition, completion and perfection [of the plan]). ⁷ "For you see, [one] ethnic group (or: a nation) will be caused to progressively rise up upon [another] ethnic group (or: a nation) – even [one] kingdom upon [another] kingdom (or: a reign upon a reign) – and there will continue being famines [later MSS add: plagues (or: troublesome times)] and earthquakes down in [various] places (or: districts). ⁸ "Yet all these things [are but] a beginning of birth pangs [note: = travail to birth something {new}; also: = a time of distress]. ⁹ "At that time people will be repeatedly handing you men over into pressure (squeezing; tribulation; affliction), and then, they will, one after another, kill you. Further, you will continue being men that are repeatedly treated with ill-will, and constantly hated by all the ethnic multitudes (or: the nations) – because of My Name. ¹⁰ "Also at that time, many people will be repeatedly trapped by taking the bait of the snare, or tripping over the trap-stick, and so, they will proceed in turning one another over [to the authorities or enemies] and betray each other, as well as hating one another or treating each other with ill-will. ¹¹ "Also, many false prophets will proceed in being raised up and they will be progressively leading many folks astray, deceiving them and causing them to wander. ¹² "Then further, because the lawlessness is to be multiplied and increased, the majority of the people's love (or: the love of many folks; = acceptance from the masses) will be progressively caused to blow cold (or: will continue cooling off from the Breath blowing on it). ¹³ "Now [as to] the person remaining under [all this] and enduring unto [the] purposed goal (or: into a final, destined act), this one will be repeatedly rescued and delivered (or: continuously kept safe). ¹⁴ "Furthermore, this good news which pertains to the reign (or: this message of goodness, ease and wellness which belongs to and comes sovereign action and influence of the kingdom) will be progressively publicly proclaimed within the whole inhabited area (or: the Hellenistic world, as opposed to barbarian lands; or: = the Roman Empire) – [leading] into a witness and evidence for all the ethnic multitudes (or: unto a testimony among all the nations), and at that point the purposed goal will proceed having arrived and continue here (or: and at that time the final act will have progressively come, and its product will continue being here; or: and so then the destined end will be progressively arriving).

¹⁶ "at that time, let the people within the midst of Judea progressively escape (flee; take flight) into the hills and mountains. ¹⁷ "Let the person upon the housetop (roof) not descend (= go downstairs) to pick up or carry away the things (= his possessions) from out of his house, ¹⁸ "and let not the one in the midst of the field turn back behind to pick up his cloak (= to get a coat or outer garment). ¹⁹ "Now it will progressively be a difficult or tragic time for the pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! ²⁰ "So you folks be progressively taking thought toward having ease, speaking for well-being and take action to have goodness (or: be praying) – to the end that your escape (flight) may not happen (occur) in a winter or rainy season, nor yet on a sabbath. ²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1] ²² "Furthermore, if those days were not curtailed (or: except those days be cut short), no flesh (= people) [at] all would likely be rescued (delivered; kept safe). Yet, because of the picked out and chosen folks, those days will proceed being curtailed (cut short). ²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]. ²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks.

¹⁵ "Therefore, whenever you men can see (or: may perceive) ‘the effect of the loathing and nauseating [event; condition; thing; situation] from the desolation (or: the result from the abhorring abomination associated with, or which causes, the devastation and abandonment; or: the resulting effect of the desecration, which is an act of ruining, forsaking and leaving uninhabited like a desert),’ that was being spoken through Daniel the prophet, standing ‘within the midst of a set-apart place (or: [the] holy place) ’ [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11] – let the person presently reading continue to use his mind and intellect for the comprehension [of this] (= figure out what this means!) –

²⁵ "Look and remember – I have already said [this] before to you folks (or: Look, and consider – I have told you beforehand and have forewarned you people). ²⁶ "Therefore, if they should say to you folks, 'Look! He is within the desert (wilderness; desolate place),' you should not go out, [or], 'Look! [He is] within the inner chambers (interior rooms; storehouses; barns; closets),' you should not put your trust in [it] or believe [them]. ²⁷ "You see, just as the brightness (the brilliant beam; the bright shining) is habitually and progressively coming forth from [the] rising in the eastern parts [= a figure of the sunrise] and then is progressively and habitually shining and giving light as far as [the] western parts (or: until the [recurring] settings), in this way will proceed being the presence of the Son of the Man (the Son from humanity; = Adam's son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; the Human Being). ²⁸ "Wherever the carcass (corpse) may be, the vultures (or: eagles) will be progressively led together and gathered. ²⁹ "Now immediately after the pressure (constriction; tribulation) of those [particular] days, ‘the sun will be progressively made dark and the moon will not continue giving its (or: her) diffused radiance,’ [Isa. 13:10; Ezk. 32:7; Joel 2:10] and then the stars will, one after another, be falling from the sky (or: heaven) – ‘and so, the powers and abilities of the heavens will be progressively shaken (agitated; stirred up; made to rock so as to be ready to fall).’ [Isa. 34:4; Hag. 2:6, 21] ³⁰ "And at that time, the 'sign' which is the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the son who has the [true] character and qualities of humanity; or: = the expected Messianic figure; the Human Being) will be made progressively visible (be brought to light and made to shine), in union with heaven (or: within the midst of [the] atmosphere), and at that point ‘all the tribes of the land (or: earth) will continue beating themselves (= a figure of striking one's breast in grief and remorse; or: as when grain is being threshed; or: give themselves to wearisome toil; or: cut themselves off, as when harvesting grain),’ [Zech. 12:10, 14] and they will proceed in seeing for themselves ‘the Son of the Man progressively coming upon the clouds of the atmosphere (or: sky),’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and ability, as well as much glory (= many manifestations which call forth praise; an extensive good reputation). ³¹ "And then He will continue sending His agents (messengers; folks with the message) off on a mission ‘with a great trumpet (perhaps: = a large shofar; or: = a loud trumpet blast; [note: a figure of a publicly proclaimed message or instruction]),’ [Isa. 27:13] and they will progressively be fully (or: additionally) gathering together His picked out and chosen folks from out of the four winds – from [the] heavens' (or: atmospheres') extremities: until their farthest points (= from the four quarters of the land, from one end of the sky to the other)! ³² "Now learn the [point of the] illustration (parable) from the fig tree: Whenever its branch may already come to be tender (= in bud), and the leaves can progressively produce and sprout out, you normally know by experience that the summer [is] near. ³³ "You folks, yourselves, in this way – whenever you men may see and can perceive all these [aforementioned] things – be also then knowing that it is near (at hand, close enough to touch), [come] upon the gates (or: doors)! ³⁴ "It is true (Amen; Truly; Count on it), I now say to you folks, that this generation can by no means pass by until all these things can happen (should occur; may be come to be). ³⁵ "The heaven and the earth (or: The atmosphere and sky, as well as the land,) will pass on by, yet My thoughts and words (or: ideas and messages) can by no means pass on by. ³⁶ "Now concerning that day and hour, no one has seen or known – neither the folks with the message from the heavens (or: agents of the atmospheres; messengers who pertain to, or which are, the heavens), nor even the Son – only the Father [being] the exception. ³⁷ "For you see, even as [it was in] the days of Noah, thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the son who is human; = the eschatological Messianic figure). ³⁸ "For as people kept on being (or: habitually were) within those days – the ones before the down-wash (the deluge; the flood; the cataclysm) – habitually eating and drinking; by custom marrying and by habit giving (or: taking) in marriage, up to the day in which Noah entered into the ark; ³⁹ "and they did not know (were not aware; took no note of the situation) until the down-wash (deluge; flood; cataclysm) came and washed [the] whole population away (or: picked up all [the] people to sweep [them] away) – thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man! ⁴⁰ "At that time two folks will continue being within the midst of the field: one man is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one man is repeatedly left alone to flow on his way (or: continues on pardoned [with his debts] forgiven; or: is being sent away, allowed to continue relaxing while permitted to depart). ⁴¹ "Two women are continuing to grind grain into meal and flour, within the mill (or: in the midst [of working] the millstone): one woman is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one woman is repeatedly left alone to continue [in her work] (or: pardoned; sent away; forgiven; etc., as in vs. 40). ⁴² "Therefore, you folks stay constantly awake, be ever alert, and continue watchful, because you have not seen, nor do you thus know, in what sort of day your Owner (Lord) is in the habit of coming (or: for what kind of day your Master repeatedly comes). ⁴³ "Yet you are progressively coming to know that by experience (or, as an imperative: Now be personally knowing that, through normal experience), because if the householder had seen and known in what sort of watch (= which of the watches) [of the night] the thief is normally coming, he would have kept awake, remained alert and kept watchful, and then he would not let (permit) his house to be dug (or: tunneled) through. ⁴⁴ "Because of this, you yourselves progressively come to be ready and prepared as well, because at an hour for (= about) which you are not normally thinking (imagining; supposing; = expecting), the Son of the Man (= the eschatological Messiah figure; humanity's son) is normally (or: repeatedly) coming. ⁴⁵ "Who, consequently (or: really), is the faithful (trustworthy; loyal) and thoughtful (prudent; sensible; discreet; considerate) slave whom the owner (lord; master) set down upon (or: = places in full control over) his household servants (domestics) [with the directive] to give to them nourishment within a fitting situation (or: sustenance at the appointed time; food in season)? ⁴⁶ "That slave is happy and blessed whom his owner (lord; master), upon at some point coming, will proceed in finding [him or her] habitually doing thus. ⁴⁷ "Truly (Amen; It is so), I am now saying to you folks, that he will proceed in setting him down upon (or: = place him in full control over) all his possessions and things by which he normally subsists. ⁴⁸ "But if that worthless (ugly; bad quality) slave should say within his heart, 'My owner (master; lord) continually delays and fails [to come] for a long time,' ⁴⁹ "and then should start to repeatedly beat his fellow slaves, and may be eating and drinking with the people regularly getting drunk, ⁵⁰ "the owner (lord; master) of that slave will be arriving on a day in which he is not normally anticipating, and within an hour which he is not usually knowing, ⁵¹ "and so he will proceed to be cutting him in two [hyperbole for: severely punish; or, metaphor: cut him off from employment] and then he will proceed putting (placing; setting) his part with the perverse, opinionated scholars who have all the answers and are hyper-critical and overly judgmental [hupokrites; see 6:2, above]. The weeping, moaning and the grinding of the teeth will continue being in that place and situation.

²⁶ And after singing a hymn (perhaps = singing the Hallel; or: chanting a psalm), they went out into the Mountain (or: Mount) of Olives.

²³ "Nevertheless an hour is progressively coming – and now exists (or: is; is being) – when the true (real; genuine) worshipers will proceed to worship (or: will habitually give worship to) the Father within spirit and Truth (or: in breath and reality; within the midst of [the] Spirit and a Fact; in union with attitude and genuineness, or actuality), for the Father is also constantly seeking after such folks (habitually searching out such ones as this; continuously looking for and trying to find lost ones to be this kind) – ones presently by habit worshiping Him!

¹³ "Therefore, stay awake and be constantly alert and watchful, because you people have not seen or known [either] the day, nor yet the hour!

³ Remember, then, how you have received (or: taken with the hand) and heard! Continuously keep watch (or: Guard [it]) and change your way of thinking, [and turn to God]. If ever, then, you should not be watching, I will proceed arriving (or: may arrive) upon you as a thief, and under no circumstances would you know what hour I will (or: may) be arriving upon you.

⁷ Now on that one particular sabbath (literally: in the one of the sabbaths), at our having been gathered together to break bread (= share a meal), Paul began dialoging with (or: discussing and reasoning through a discourse to) them. [He was] being about to depart on the next day, so he continued prolonging the message (stretching out beside [them] the thoughts and reasons of the Logos) until midnight.

¹ "At that time, the reign of the heavens (or: the heavens' kingdom; the sovereign rule and influence from the atmospheres) will continue being considered like (or: caused to resemble; or: compared to) ten virgins (unmarried girls) who, upon taking (getting) their lamps (or: torches), went out into the bridegroom's [D and other MSS add: and the bride's] meeting. ² "Now five of them were foolish (stupid; mentally dull), and five [were] thoughtful and prudent. ³ "You see, the foolish and stupid maidens, in taking their lamps (or: torches), did not take oil with them, ⁴ "whereas the thoughtful and prudent ladies (or: girls) did take oil within the flasks (or: crocks; receptacles) with their personal lamps (or: torches). ⁵ "Now with the continued passing of time during [the; a] delaying of the bridegroom, they all became drowsy, nodded off, and then continued fast asleep. ⁶ "So, in the middle of [the] night, a shout had occurred, 'Look! The bridegroom! Be proceeding to now go forth into [the] meeting [other MSS: his meeting]!' ⁷ "At that point all those virgins (girls) were awakened and then at once put their lamps in order (or: trimmed and adjusted their torches). ⁸ "Now the foolish maidens said to the prudent ladies, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps (torches) are being progressively run dry and extinguished (put out)!' ⁹ "But the thoughtful and prudent ladies gave a discerning and decided reply, [each] saying, 'Not at this time. There would in no way be enough for [both] us and you folks as well. Instead, be going now on your way to the merchants (the folks normally selling [oil]) and at once buy for yourselves [at the market].' ¹⁰ "So, during their going off to make a purchase (to buy), the bridegroom came, and the ladies who were prepared and ready entered in with him into the wedding festivities (or: marriage feast), and then the gate was shut and barred (or: the door was closed and locked). ¹¹ "Now subsequently the rest (remainder) of the virgins are finally coming as well, [as a group] saying, 'O sir! Sir! (or: Master! Master!) Open up at once to (or: for) us!' ¹² "But the person [answering the door], making a discerning reply, said, 'I now say in truth to you folks, I have not seen you nor am I presently acquainted with you people.' ¹³ "Therefore, stay awake and be constantly alert and watchful, because you people have not seen or known [either] the day, nor yet the hour! ¹⁴ "You know, [it is] just as a person [who is] periodically (or: presently about to be) traveling abroad calls (or: summoned) his own slaves and turns over to them his possessions (or: and then gave over to them [control of] the goods and property normally being his subsistence). ¹⁵ "He also, on the one hand, gave to one five talents [= thirty thousand silver coins (denarii); = one hundred years' wages], yet to another, two [talents], and then to another, one [talent; = six thousand denarii] – to each one according to his own ability. And then he traveled abroad. ¹⁶ "Now the one receiving the five talents, immediately proceeding on his way, puts them to work in trading and gains (or: made a profit of) another five talents (= doubled his investments). ¹⁷ "And similarly, the person [being given] the two, further gains (or: made a profit of) another two. ¹⁸ "Yet the one receiving the one [talent], upon going off (or: coming away), digs a hole in the ground and hides his owner's silver [coins]. ¹⁹ "Now after much time [had passed], the owner (master; lord) of those slaves proceeds in coming, and then takes up a joint discussion with them, proceeding to settle the accounting. ²⁰ "And thus, upon approaching, the person receiving the five talents brought to [him] five other talents, then saying, 'Master, you turned over (committed) to me five talents. Look! I gained five other talents by them!' ²¹ "The owner affirms to him, 'Well [done] (or: Excellent)! [You are] a good and trustworthy (loyal; faithful) slave. You were faithful and trustworthy (or: full of faith and trust) upon [the matter of] a few things; I will proceed to place you (set you down; appoint you) upon (= with responsibility for) many things. Enter at once into your owner's (master's) joy (or: into the state of the joy of your lord; = Come to my celebration)!' ²² "Now also coming forward, the person receiving the two talents said, 'Master, you turned over (committed) to me two talents. Look! I gained two other talents by them!' ²³ "The owner affirms to him, 'Excellent (Well [done])! [You are] a good and trusting (or: loyal; faithful) slave. You were full of faith and trust (or: faithful and trustworthy) upon [the matter of] a few things; I will proceed to place you (set you down; appoint you) upon (= give you responsibility for) many things. Enter at once into your owner's joy!' ²⁴ "Now also approaching, the one having received the one talent said, 'O master, I knew by experience that you are a hard (rough; = tough and stern) man, constantly harvesting (habitually reaping) where you do (or: did) not sow seed, and repeatedly collecting and gathering together from places where you do (or: did) not fully scatter and disperse [the chaff] (= winnow). ²⁵ "'And so, being fearful (or: made afraid), upon going off I hid your talent (= silver) within the ground (earth; or: the Land). Look! You continue having what is yours!' ²⁶ "Yet, giving a decisive reply, his owner said to him, '[You] worthless (incompetent) and hesitating (slothful; sluggish) slave! Had you seen, so as to be aware, that I am constantly harvesting where I do not sow, and repeatedly collecting and gathering together from places where I do not fully scatter (= winnow)? ²⁷ "'It was therefore binding (necessary) for you to at once deposit my silver (= money) with the bankers (or: money-changers!) – and then upon coming I, myself, could likely recover that which is my own together with offspring (a birthed yield; = interest). ²⁸ "'Therefore, you men at once take the talent away from him, and then give [it] to the one now holding (presently having) the ten talents.' ²⁹ "– You see, to everyone habitually possessing (having and holding), it will continue being given, and, he will continue being made to superabound (be surrounded with excess); yet from the person not habitually possessing (having or holding), even that which he is currently holding will proceed in being taken away from him – ³⁰ "'And now, you men at once throw the useless slave out into the darkness (dim obscurity and gloominess) which is farther outside. In that place there will continue being the weeping (or: lamenting) and the grinding of the teeth.' ³¹ "Now whenever the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the eschatological messianic figure; = the representative human) may come within His manifestation which calls forth praise (His glory; His good reputation) – as well as all the [other MSS add: set-apart (holy)] agents (folks with the message; messengers) with Him – at that time He will proceed sitting down upon a throne which has the quality and character of His praise-inducing manifestation (or: which has His glory as its source; or: which is His glory; or: which pertains to His good reputation). ³² "And next, all the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; people groups) will be progressively collected and gathered together in front of Him, and then He will continue marking off boundaries and separating them from one another, just as the shepherd is habitually separating [as in separate pens or groups] the sheep away from the kids (the immature goats). [note: this is something habitually done; both groups are clean animals, were used in sacrifices, and are a part of the shepherd's herd] ³³ "And so, He will continue making the sheep, on the one hand, to stand at [places to] His right [note: the place of power and receiving], yet on the other hand, the kids (immature goats) at [places to His] left. ³⁴ "At that time (or: point), the King (or: Reigning One) will proceed saying to the folks at [the places to] His right, 'Come here, you folks having received words of ease and wellness from (or: spoken well of by; or: having received the blessing of; or: bearing thoughts, ideas, expressions and the Word of goodness from) My Father! At once come into possession of the inheritance of, and enjoy the allotment of, [the period of, place of, or realm of] the reign (or: kingdom; influence and activity of sovereignty) having been prepared and made ready from a founding (a casting down [as of a foundation; or: of seed]) of a system (or: of [the] adorned arrangement; of an arranged order; of [the] world). ³⁵ "You see, I was hungry (or: I hunger) and you folks gave (or: give) to Me [something] to eat; I was thirsty (or: I thirst), and you folks gave [something for] (or: cause) Me to drink; I was existing being a foreigner (or: stranger), and you people gathered Me together [with you] (= showed Me hospitality and oneness with your group); ³⁶ " [I was/am] naked, and you people clothed (or: clothe) Me; I fell sick (or: become weak), and you folks carefully looked upon (or: = visit and look out for; took oversight of) Me; [I was/am] in prison (or: jail), and you came to Me (or: come and set your face on Me). ³⁷ "At that point, the fair, just and rightwised folks who live in right relationship within the Way pointed out will proceed giving a considered response to Him, [together] saying, 'O Lord (Master), when did we see You continuing hungry, and we nourished [You], or continuing thirsty, and we gave [something for] (or: caused) [You] to drink? ³⁸ "'And when did we see You a foreigner (or: stranger) and we gathered [You] and showed [You] hospitality, or naked and we clothed [You]? ³⁹ "'Now when did we see You continuing sick and weak or in prison (or: jail), and we came to You?' ⁴⁰ "And then, giving a decided reply, the King will proceed saying to them, 'I am truly now saying to (or: It is true, I now tell) you folks, Upon such an amount (or: = To the extent) that you did (or: do) and perform(ed) [it] to (or: for) one of these belonging to the least of My brothers (used collectively: = the members of My family; or: = those of My group or brotherhood), you did and perform [it] to and for Me!' ⁴¹ "At that point, He will also proceed saying to those at the places on [His] left, ' [You] folks having been brought under the curse, continue proceeding on your way, away from Me, into the eonian fire (or: fire for an undetermined period of time; the fire which comes with the Age [of Messiah]; the fire pertaining to and having its source in the Age; the age-lasting fire; the fire having the quality and characteristics of the Age) – the one having been prepared and made ready in (or: by; with; for) the person who thrusts [something] through [folks] (the adversary; one who casts [something] through the midst and causes division; the 'devil') as well as in (or: by; with; for) his agents (messengers). ⁴² "'You see, I was hungry (or: I hunger) and you folks did (or: do) not give to Me [something] to eat; I was thirsty (or: I thirst), and you folks did not give [something for] (or: do not cause) Me to drink. ⁴³ "'I was existing being a foreigner (or: stranger), and you people did (or: do) not gather Me together [with you] (= showed Me hospitality and oneness with your group); [I was/am] naked, and you did (or: do) not clothe Me; [I was/am] sick, weak and in prison (or: jail), and you folks did (or: do) not carefully look upon (or: = visit and look out for or take oversight of) Me.' ⁴⁴ "At that point they will also proceed giving a considered response, one after another saying, 'O Lord (Master), when did we see you continuing hungry or thirsty, or a foreigner (a stranger) or naked, or weak and sick, or in prison (or: jail), and did not give You attending service (= perform as a deacon for You)?' ⁴⁵ "At that time, He will continue making a decisive reply, continuing in saying to them, 'Truly (or: It is True; Amen), I now say to you folks, Upon such an amount (or: = To the extent) that you did (or: do) [it] not to (or: for) one of these least folks, neither did (or: do) you do [it] to (or: for) Me.' ⁴⁶ "And so, these folks will continue going off (or: coming away) into an eonian pruning (a lopping-off which lasts for an undetermined length of time; an age-lasting correction and rehabilitation; a pruning which brings betterment and which has its source and character in the Age; a cutting off during the ages), yet the fair, just and rightwised folks who are in right relationship with people and are in accord with the Way pointed out [continue going off or coming away] into eonian life (life which has its source and character in the Age [of the Messiah]; life pertaining to the Age; or: the life of and for the ages).

²⁵ Now at about midnight, Paul and Silas, continuing in thinking toward having the situation go well (or: praying; imparting words with a focus on ease and well-being), began singing hymns (or: praise and festive songs) [to] God (or: were continuing on by creating odes [about] God). So then, the prisoners kept on attentively listening [to what came] from them.