Acts 1:1-1 Peter 1:

LEB^{(i) 1} I produced the former account, O Theophilus, about all _⌊that_⌋* Jesus began to do and to teach, ² until the day he was taken up, after he* had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, ³ to whom he also presented himself alive after he suffered, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God. ⁴ And while he* was with* them,* he commanded them, "Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what was promised by the Father, which you heard about from me. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit _⌊not many days from now_⌋."* ⁶ So when* they had come together, they began asking* him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" ⁷ But he said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when* the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth." ⁹ And after he* had said these things, while* they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight. ¹⁰ And as they were staring into the sky while* he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them ¹¹ who also said, "Men _⌊of Galilee_⌋,* why do you stand there looking* into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven like this will come back in the same way you saw him departing into heaven!" ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain that is called Olive Grove* which is near Jerusalem, _⌊a Sabbath day's journey away_⌋.* ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying—Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. ¹⁴ All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with* his brothers. ¹⁵ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (and it was a crowd of persons of about one hundred twenty at the same place) and* said, ¹⁶ "Men and brothers, it was necessary that the scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit proclaimed beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, ¹⁷ because he was counted among us and received a share in this ministry." ¹⁸ (Now this man acquired a field for the wages of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language* "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.") ²⁰ "For it is written in the book of Psalms,
'Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,'*
and,
'Let another person take his position.'* ²¹ Therefore it is necessary for one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us—one of these men must become a witness of his resurrection together with us." ²³ And they proposed two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was called Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and* said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show clearly which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to depart to his own place." ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to serve* with the eleven apostles. ^{2 1} And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same place. ² And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ And divided* tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages* as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out. ⁵ Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when* this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language. ⁷ And they were astounded and astonished, saying, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how do we hear, each one of us, in _⌊our own native language_⌋?* ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,* ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the great deeds of God!" ¹² And all were amazed and greatly perplexed, saying _⌊to one another_⌋,* "_⌊What can this mean?_⌋"* ¹³ But others jeered and* said, "They are full of sweet new wine!" ¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them, "Judean men, and all those who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words! ¹⁵ For these men are not drunk, as you assume, because it is the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ¹⁷ 'And it will be in the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. ¹⁸ And even on my male slaves and on my female slaves I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ¹⁹ And I will cause wonders in the heaven* above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. ²⁰ The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. ²¹ And it will be that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.'* ²² "Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— ²³ this man, delivered up by the determined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by* nailing to a cross* through the hand of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised _⌊him_⌋* up, having brought to an end the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says with reference to him,
'I saw the Lord before me _⌊continually_⌋,* for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken. ²⁶ For this reason my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced greatly, furthermore also my flesh will live in hope, ²⁷ because you will not abandon my soul in Hades, nor will you permit your Holy One to experience decay. ²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with gladness with your presence.'* ²⁹ "Men and brothers, it is possible to speak with confidence to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us until this day. ³⁰ Therefore, because he* was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat _⌊one of his descendants_⌋* on his throne, ³¹ by* having foreseen this,* he spoke about the resurrection of the Christ,* that neither was he abandoned in Hades nor did his flesh experience decay. ³² This Jesus God raised up, of which* we all are witnesses. ³³ Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this that you see and hear.* ³⁴ For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says,
'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, ³⁵ until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '* ³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt, that God has made him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified!" ³⁷ Now when they* heard this,* they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "What should we do, men and brothers?" ³⁸ And Peter said* to them, "Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself." ⁴⁰ And with many other words he solemnly urged and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this crooked generation!" ⁴¹ So those who accepted his message were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added. ⁴² And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. ⁴³ And fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were being performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were in the same place, and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ And they began selling* their* possessions and property, and distributing these things to all, to the degree that anyone had need. ⁴⁶ And every day, devoting themselves to meeting* with one purpose in the temple courts* and breaking bread from house to house, they were eating their food with joy and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to the total of those who were being saved. ^{3 1} Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a certain man was being carried who was lame _⌊from birth_⌋.* _⌊He_⌋* was placed every day at the gate of the temple called "Beautiful," so that he could ask for charitable gifts from those who were going into the temple courts.* ³ When he* saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts,* he began asking to receive alms. ⁴ And Peter looked intently at him, together with John, and* said, "Look at us!" ⁵ So he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, "Silver and gold _⌊I do not possess_⌋,* but what I have, this I give to you—in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!"* ⁷ And taking hold of him by the right hand, he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ And leaping up, he stood and began walking around* and entered into the temple courts* with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ And they recognized him, that this one* was the one who used to sit asking for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him. ¹¹ And while* he was holding fast to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's, utterly astonished. ¹² And when he* saw it,* Peter replied to the people, "Men and Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made him walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham and of Isaac* and of Jacob,* the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, after* he had decided to release him.* ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and demanded that a man—a murderer—be granted to you. ¹⁵ And you killed the originator of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses! ¹⁶ And on the basis of faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. ¹⁷ And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. ¹⁸ But the things which God foretold through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ* would suffer, he has fulfilled in this way. ¹⁹ Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he may send the Christ* appointed for you—Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of the restoration of all things, about which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from earliest times. ²² Moses said, 'The Lord God* will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You will listen to him in everything that he says to you.* ²³ And it will be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet will be destroyed utterly from the people.'* ²⁴ And indeed, all the prophets from Samuel and all those who followed him* have spoken about and proclaimed these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed.'* ²⁶ God, after he* had raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning each of you back from your wickedness!" ^{4 1} And while* they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them and put them* in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who listened to the message believed, and the number of the men was approximately five thousand. ⁵ And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, ⁶ and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest's family. ⁷ And they made them stand in their* midst and* began to ask,* "By what power or by what name did you do this?" ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means* this man was healed— ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy! ¹¹ This one* is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become _⌊the cornerstone_⌋.* ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved." ¹³ Now when they* saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And because they* saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. ¹⁵ But after they* had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin,* they began to confer* with one another, ¹⁶ saying, "What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them is evident to all those who live in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it!* ¹⁷ But in order that it may not spread much further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name _⌊to anyone at all_⌋."* ¹⁸ And they called them back and* commanded them* not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and* said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! ²⁰ For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard." ²¹ So after* threatening them* further, they released them, finding no way to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old. ²³ And when they* were released, they went to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they* heard it,* they lifted their voices with one mind to God and said, "Master, you are the one who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, ²⁵ the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant,
'Why do the nations* rage, and the peoples conspire in vain? ²⁶ The kings of the earth stood opposed, and the rulers assembled together at the same place, against the Lord and against his Christ.'* ²⁷ For in truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, ²⁸ to do all that your hand and plan* had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness, ³⁰ as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." ³¹ And when* they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak* the word* of God with boldness. ³² Now the group of those who believed were one heart and soul, and no one said anything of what belonged to him was his own, but all things were theirs in common. ³³ And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. ³⁴ For there was not even anyone needy among them, because all those who were owners of plots of land or houses were selling them* and* bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold ³⁵ and placing them* at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need. ³⁶ So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality, ³⁷ sold a field* that belonged to him and* brought the money and placed it* at the feet of the apostles. ^{5 1} Now a certain man _⌊named_⌋* Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and he kept back for himself some of the proceeds, and his* wife was aware of it.* And he brought a certain part and* placed it* at the feet of the apostles. ³ But Peter said, "Ananias, for what reason has Satan filled your heart, that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back for yourself some of the proceeds of the piece of land? ⁴ When it* remained to you, did it not remain yours? And when it* was sold, was it at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!" ⁵ And when* Ananias heard these words, he fell down and* died. And great fear came on all those who heard about it.* ⁶ So the young men stood up, wrapped him up, and carried him* out and* buried him.* ⁷ And it happened that there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you both* were paid this much for the piece of land." And she said, "Yes, this much." ⁹ So Peter said to her, "How is it that it was agreed by you two* to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!" ¹⁰ And immediately she fell down at his feet and died. So when* the young men came in, they found her dead, and carried her* out and* buried her* with her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard about these things. ¹² Now many signs and wonders were being performed among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all together* in Solomon's Portico. ¹³ And none of the rest dared to join them, but the people spoke highly of them. ¹⁴ And even more believers in the Lord* were being added, large numbers of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and put them* on cots and mats* so that when* Peter came by, at least his* shadow would fall on some of them. ¹⁶ And the people of the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, who were all being healed. ¹⁷ Now the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and* they were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out and* said, ²⁰ "Go and stand in the temple courts* and* proclaim to the people all the words of this life." ²¹ And when they* heard this,* they entered at daybreak into the temple courts* and began teaching.*
Now when* the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin—even the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel—and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²² But the officers who came* did not find them in the prison, and they returned and* reported, ²³ saying, "We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we* opened them,* we found no one inside!" ²⁴ Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, as to what this might be. ²⁵ But someone came and* reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple courts* and teaching the people!" ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and* brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them).* ²⁷ And when they* had brought them, they made them* stand in the Sanhedrin,* and the high priest put a question to them, ²⁸ saying, "_⌊We strictly commanded_⌋* you* not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!" ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered and* said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men! ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by* hanging him* on a tree. ³¹ This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are witnesses of these things, and so is* the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." ³³ Now when* they heard this,* they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. ³⁴ But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin,* a Pharisee _⌊named_⌋* Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, and* gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵ And he said to them, "Men and Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! ³⁶ For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined _⌊him_⌋.* _⌊He_⌋* was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and _⌊caused people to follow him in revolt_⌋.* And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.* ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him. ⁴⁰ And they summoned the apostles, beat them,* commanded them* not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.* ⁴¹ So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin* rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. ⁴² Every day, both in the temple courts* and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ* was Jesus. ^{6 1} Now in these days, as* the disciples were increasing in number,* a complaint arose by the _⌊Greek-speaking Jews_⌋* against the _⌊Hebraic Jews_⌋* because* their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.* ² So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and* said, "It is not desirable that we neglect the word of God to serve tables. ³ So, brothers, select from among you seven men _⌊of good reputation_⌋,* full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." ⁵ And the statement pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a convert from Antioch), ⁶ whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed and* placed their* hands on them. ⁷ And the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was increasing greatly, and a large number of priests began obeying* the faith. ⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ But some of those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (_⌊as it was called_⌋),* both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia,* stood up and* disputed with Stephen. ¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. ¹¹ Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!" ¹² And they incited the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came up and* seized him and brought him* to the Sanhedrin.* ¹³ And they put forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking words against the holy place* and the law! ¹⁴ For we have heard him saying that this Nazarene Jesus will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed down to us." ¹⁵ And as they* looked intently at him, all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin* saw his face was like the face of an angel. ^{7 1} And the high priest said, "Is it so concerning these things?" ² So he said, "Men—brothers and fathers—listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he* was in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, ³ and said to him, 'Go out from your land and from your relatives and come to the land that I will show you.' ⁴ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and* settled in Haran. And from there, after his father died, he caused him to move to this land in which you now live. ⁵ And he did not give him an inheritance in it—not even a footstep*—and he promised to give it* to him for his possession, and to his descendants after him, _⌊although he did not have_⌋** a child. ⁶ But God spoke like this: 'His descendants will be foreigners in a foreign land, and they will enslave them and mistreat them* four hundred years, ⁷ and the nation _⌊that_⌋* they will serve as slaves, I will judge,' God said, 'and after these things they will come out* and will worship me in this place.'* ⁸ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision, and so he became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac did so with* Jacob, and Jacob did so with* the twelve patriarchs. ⁹ And the patriarchs, because they* were jealous of Joseph, sold him* into Egypt. And God was with him, ¹⁰ and rescued him from all his afflictions and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And he appointed him ruler over Egypt and all* his household. ¹¹ And a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan and great affliction, and our fathers could not find food. ¹² So when* Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. ¹³ And on the second visit* Joseph was made known to his brothers, and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. ¹⁴ So Joseph sent and* summoned his father Jacob and all his* relatives, seventy-five persons in all. ¹⁵ And Jacob went down to Egypt and died, he and our fathers. ¹⁶ And they were brought back to Shechem and buried in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. ¹⁷ "But as the time of the promise that God had made to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt ¹⁸ until another king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. ¹⁹ This man deceitfully took advantage of our* people and* mistreated our ancestors, _⌊causing them to abandon their infants_⌋* so that they would not be kept alive. ²⁰ At this time Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God. _⌊He_⌋* was brought up for three months in his* father's house, ²¹ and when* he was abandoned, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up and brought him up _⌊as her own son_⌋.* ²² And Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in his words and deeds. ²³ "But when _⌊he was forty years old_⌋,* it entered in his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel. ²⁴ And when he* saw one of them being unjustly harmed, he defended him* and _⌊avenged_⌋* the one who had been oppressed by* striking down the Egyptian. ²⁵ And he thought his* brothers would understand that God was granting deliverance to them by his hand, but they did not understand. ²⁶ And on the following day, he made an appearance to them while they* were fighting and was attempting to reconcile* them in peace, saying, 'Men and brothers, why are you doing wrong to one another?' ²⁷ But the one who was doing wrong to his* neighbor pushed him aside, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸ You do not want to do away with me _⌊the same way_⌋* you did away with the Egyptian yesterday, do you?'* ²⁹ And at this statement, Moses fled and became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. ³⁰ "And when* forty years had been completed, an angel appeared to him in the desert of Mount Sinai in the flame of a burning bush. ³¹ And when* Moses saw it,* he was astonished at the sight, and when* he approached to look at it,* the voice of the Lord came: ³² 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob!'* So Moses began trembling and* did not dare to look at it.* ³³ And the Lord said to him, 'Untie the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. ³⁴ _⌊I have certainly seen_⌋* the mistreatment of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.'* ³⁵ This Moses whom they had repudiated, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?'*—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer with _⌊the help_⌋* of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶ This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. ³⁷ "This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.'* ³⁸ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and who with our fathers received living oracles to give to us, ³⁹ to whom our fathers were not willing to become obedient, but rejected him* and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, ⁴⁰ saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go on before us! For this Moses, who led us out from the land of Egypt—we do not know what has happened to him!'* ⁴¹ And they manufactured a calf in those days, and offered up a sacrifice to the idol, and began rejoicing* in the works of their hands. ⁴² But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, just as it is written in the book of the prophets:
'You did not bring offerings and sacrifices to me for forty years in the wilderness, did you,* house of Israel? ⁴³ And you took along the tabernacle* of Moloch and the star of the god* Rephan, the images that you made, to worship them, and I will deport you beyond Babylon!'* ⁴⁴ The tabernacle of the testimony _⌊belonged_⌋* to our fathers in the wilderness, just as the one who spoke to Moses directed him* to make it according to the design that he had seen, ⁴⁵ and which, after* receiving it* in turn, our fathers brought in with Joshua _⌊when they dispossessed the_⌋* nations that God drove out from the presence of our fathers, until the days of David, ⁴⁶ who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.* ⁴⁷ But Solomon built a house for him. ⁴⁸ But the Most High does not live in houses* made by human hands, just as the prophet says, ⁴⁹ 'Heaven is my throne and earth is the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? ⁵⁰ Did not my hand make all these things?'* ⁵¹ "You stiff-necked people and uncircumcised in hearts and in your* ears! You constantly resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so also do you! ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand about the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become, ⁵³ you who received the law by directions of angels and have not observed it!" ⁵⁴ Now when they* heard these things, they were infuriated in their hearts and gnashed their* teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and* saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" ⁵⁷ But crying out with a loud voice, they stopped their ears and rushed at him with one purpose. ⁵⁸ And after they* had driven him* out of the city, they began to stone* him,* and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And they kept on stoning Stephen as he* was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" ⁶⁰ And falling to his* knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And after he* said this, he fell asleep.* ^{8 1} And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. ³ But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering _⌊house after house_⌋,* he dragged off both men and women and* delivered them* to prison. ⁴ Now those who had been scattered went about proclaiming the good news of the word. ⁵ And Philip came down to the city of Samaria and* began proclaiming* the Christ* to them. ⁶ And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard him* and saw the signs that he was performing. ⁷ For many of those who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them,* crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city. ⁹ Now a certain man _⌊named_⌋* Simon had been in the city practicing magic and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. ¹⁰ They were all paying attention to _⌊him_⌋,* from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called 'Great.'" ¹¹ And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astonished them with his* magic. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he* was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. ¹³ And Simon himself also believed, and after he* was baptized he was _⌊keeping close company with_⌋* Philip. And when he* saw the signs and great miracles that were taking place, he was astonished. ¹⁴ Now when* the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who went down and* prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ (For he had not yet fallen on any of them, _⌊but they had only been baptized_⌋* in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then they placed their* hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Now Simon, when he* saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, "Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my* hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!" ²⁰ But Peter said to him, "May your silver _⌊be destroyed along with you_⌋,* because you thought _⌊you could acquire_⌋* the gift of God by means of money! ²¹ _⌊You have no_⌋* part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!" ²³ For I see you are in _⌊a state of bitter envy_⌋* and _⌊bound by unrighteousness_⌋."* ²⁴ But Simon answered and* said, "You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me." ²⁵ So when* they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans. ²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Get up and go toward the south* on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) ²⁷ And he got up and* went, and behold, there was a man, an Ethiopian eunuch (a court official of Candace,* queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasury) who had come to worship in Jerusalem ²⁸ and was returning and sitting in his chariot, and reading aloud the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ And the Spirit said to Philip, "Approach and join this chariot." ³⁰ So Philip ran up to it* and* heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet and said, "So then, do you understand what you are reading?" ³¹ And he said, "So how could I, unless someone will guide me?" And he invited Philip to come up and* sit with him. ³² Now the passage of scripture that he was reading aloud was this:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. ³³ In his* humiliation justice was taken from him. Who can describe his _⌊descendants_⌋?* For his life was taken away from the earth."* ³⁴ And the eunuch answered and* said to Philip, "I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this—about himself or about someone else?" ³⁵ So Philip opened his mouth and beginning from this scripture, proclaimed the good news to him about Jesus. ³⁶ And as they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"* ³⁸ And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water—Philip and the eunuch—and he baptized him. ³⁹ And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer, for he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he* passed through, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. ^{9 1} But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and* asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them* tied up* to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he proceeded, it happened that when he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" ⁵ So he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! ⁶ But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you _⌊what you must do_⌋."* ⁷ (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, because they* heard the voice but saw no one.) ⁸ So Saul got up from the ground, but although* his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was _⌊unable to see_⌋* for three days, and he did not eat or drink. ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus _⌊named_⌋* Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" And he said, "Behold, here I am, Lord!" ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, "Get up, go to the street called 'Straight' and in the house of Judas look for _⌊a man named Saul from Tarsus_⌋.* For behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man _⌊named_⌋* Ananias coming in and placing hands* on him so that he may regain his sight." ¹³ But Ananias replied, "Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, ¹⁴ and here he has authority from the chief priests to tie up* all who call upon your name!" ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles* and kings and the sons of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." ¹⁷ So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing his* hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight and got up and* was baptized, ¹⁹ and after* taking food, he regained his strength. And he was with the disciples in Damascus several days. ²⁰ And immediately he began proclaiming* Jesus in the synagogues: "This one is the Son of God!" ²¹ And all who heard him* were amazed, and were saying, "Is this not the one who was wreaking havoc in Jerusalem on those who call upon this name, and had come here for this reason, that he could bring them tied up* to the chief priests?" ²² But Saul was increasing in strength even more, and was confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by* proving that this one is the Christ.* ²³ And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him. ²⁵ But his disciples took him* at night and* let him down through the wall by* lowering him* in a basket. ²⁶ And when he* arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they* did not believe that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and* brought him* to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ And he was speaking and debating with the _⌊Greek-speaking Jews_⌋,* but they were trying to do away with him. ³⁰ And when* the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. ³¹ Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.* ³² Now it happened that as* Peter was traveling through all the places,* he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. ³³ And he found there a certain man _⌊named_⌋* Aeneas who was paralyzed, who had been lying on a mat* for eight years. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed yourself!" And immediately he got up. ³⁵ And all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, who all* indeed turned to the Lord. ³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple _⌊named_⌋* Tabitha (which translated means "Dorcas").* She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.* ³⁷ Now it happened that in those days after* becoming sick, she died. And after* washing her,* they placed her in an upstairs room. ³⁸ And because* Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they* heard that Peter was in _⌊Lydda_⌋,* sent two men to him, urging, "Do not delay to come to us!" ³⁹ So Peter got up and* accompanied them. When he* arrived, they brought him* up to the upstairs room, and all the widows came to him, weeping and showing him* tunics and other clothing that Dorcas used to make while she* was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter sent them all outside, and, falling to his* knees, he prayed. And turning toward the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" And she opened her eyes, and when she* saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and* raised her up. And he called the saints and the widows and* presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.* ^{10 1} Now there was a certain man in Caesarea _⌊named_⌋* Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Cohort, ² devout and fearing God together with all his household, doing many charitable deeds for the people and praying to God _⌊continually_⌋.* ³ About the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, "Cornelius." ⁴ And he stared at him and became terrified and* said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your charitable deeds have gone up for a memorial offering before God. ⁵ And now, send men to Joppa and summon a certain Simon, who is also called Peter. ⁶ This man is staying as a guest with a certain Simon, a tanner,* whose house is by the sea." ⁷ And when the angel who spoke to him departed, he summoned two of the household slaves and a devout soldier from those who attended him, ⁸ and after he* had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. ⁹ And the next day, as* they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted to eat. But while* they were preparing the food,* a trance came over him. ¹¹ And he saw heaven opened and an object something like a large sheet coming down, being let down to the earth by its four corners, ¹² in which were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and birds of the sky. ¹³ And a voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, slaughter and eat!" ¹⁴ But Peter said, "Certainly not, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common and unclean!" ¹⁵ And the voice came again to him for the second time: "The things which God has made clean, you must not consider unclean!" ¹⁶ And this happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven. ¹⁷ Now while Peter was greatly perplexed within himself as to what the vision that he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having found the house of Simon by asking around, stood at the gate. ¹⁸ And they called out and* asked if Simon who was also called Peter was staying there as a guest. ¹⁹ And while* Peter was reflecting about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, men* are looking for you. ²⁰ But get up, go down, and go with them—not hesitating at all, because I have sent them." ²¹ So Peter went down to the men and* said, "Behold, I am he whom you are looking for! What is the reason for which you have come?" ²² And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man—and well spoken of by the whole nation of the Jews—was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear words from you." ²³ So he invited them in and* entertained them as guests, and on the next day he got up and* went away with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴ And on the next day he entered into Caesarea. ²⁵ So it happened that when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his* feet, and* worshiped him.* ²⁶ But Peter helped him up, saying, "Get up! I myself am also a man!" ²⁷ And as he* conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered. ²⁸ And he said to them, "You know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or to approach a foreigner. And to me God has shown that I should call no man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore—and without raising any objection—I came when I* was sent for. So I ask for what reason you sent for me." ³⁰ And Cornelius said, "_⌊Four days ago at this hour_⌋,* the ninth, I was praying in my house. And behold, a man in shining clothing stood before me ³¹ and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charitable deeds have been remembered before God. ³² Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon who is also called Peter. This man is staying as a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner,* by the sea. ³³ Therefore I sent for you at once, and you _⌊were kind enough to come_⌋.* So now we all are present before God to hear all the things that have been commanded to you by the Lord." ³⁴ So Peter opened his* mouth and* said, "In truth I understand that God is not one who shows partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation the one who fears him and who does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for* the message that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—this one is Lord of all— ³⁷ you know the thing that happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ Jesus of Nazareth—how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all the things that he did both in the land of the Judeans and in Jerusalem, whom they also executed by* hanging him* on a tree. ⁴⁰ God raised this one up on the third day and granted that he should become visible, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen beforehand by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that this one is the one appointed* by God as judge of the living and of the dead. ⁴³ To this one all the prophets testify, that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins." ⁴⁴ While* Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message. ⁴⁵ And those believers from the circumcision who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, ⁴⁶ for they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ "Surely no one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did!" ⁴⁸ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days. ^{11 1} Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had accepted the word* of God. ² So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision took issue with him, ³ saying, "You went to men _⌊who were uncircumcised_⌋* and ate with them!" ⁴ But Peter began and* explained it* to them in an orderly sequence, saying, ⁵ "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision—an object something like a large sheet coming down, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came to me. ⁶ As I* looked intently into it, I was considering it,* and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild animals and the reptiles and the birds of the sky. ⁷ And I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter, slaughter and eat!' ⁸ But I said, 'Certainly not, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth!' ⁹ But the voice replied from heaven for the second time, 'The things which God has made clean, you must not consider unclean!' ¹⁰ And this happened three times, and everything was pulled up into heaven again. ¹¹ And behold, at once three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea approached the house in which we were staying.* ¹² And the Spirit told me to accompany them, not hesitating at all. So these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the man's house. ¹³ And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter, ¹⁴ who will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' ¹⁵ And as I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as also on us at the beginning. ¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'* ¹⁷ Therefore if God gave them the same gift as also to us when we* believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?" ¹⁸ And when they* heard these things, they became silent* and praised God, saying, "Then God has granted the repentance leading to life to the Gentiles also!" ¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message to no one except Jews alone. ²⁰ But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they* came to Antioch, began to speak* to the Hellenists* also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² _⌊And the report came to the attention_⌋* of the church that was in Jerusalem about them, and they sent out Barnabas as far as* Antioch, ²³ who, when he* arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with _⌊devoted hearts_⌋,* ²⁴ because he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large number were added* to the Lord. ²⁵ So he departed for Tarsus to look for Saul. ²⁶ And when he* found him,* he brought him* to Antioch. And it happened to them also that they met together for a whole year with the church and taught a large number of people.* And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. ²⁷ Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them _⌊named_⌋* Agabus stood up and* indicated by the Spirit that a great famine was about to come over the whole inhabited earth (which took place in the time of Claudius). ²⁹ So from the disciples, _⌊according to their ability to give_⌋,* each one of them determined to send financial aid* for support to the brothers who lived in Judea, ³⁰ which they also did, sending the aid* to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. ^{12 1} Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm them.* ² So he executed James the brother of John with a sword. ³ And when he* saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (_⌊Now this was during the feast_⌋* of Unleavened Bread.) ⁴ After he* had arrested _⌊him_⌋,* he also put him* in prison, handing him* over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him _⌊out for public trial_⌋* after the Passover. ⁵ Thus Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was fervently being made to God by the church for him. ⁶ Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door were watching the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood near him,* and a light shone in the prison cell. And striking Peter's side, he woke him up, saying, "Get up _⌊quickly_⌋!"* And his chains fell off of his* hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals!" And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me!" ⁹ And he went out and* was following him.* And he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but was thinking he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ And after they* had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened for them by itself, and they went out and* went forward along one narrow street, and at once the angel departed from him. ¹¹ And when* Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know truly that the Lord has sent out his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and all _⌊that the Jewish people expected_⌋!"* ¹² And when he* realized this,* he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John (who is also called Mark), where many people were gathered together and were praying. ¹³ And when* he knocked at the door of the gateway, a female slave _⌊named_⌋* Rhoda came up to answer. ¹⁴ And recognizing Peter's voice, because of her* joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and* announced that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ But they said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting* it was so. And they kept saying,* "It is his angel!" ¹⁶ But Peter was continuing to knock, and when they* opened the door* they saw him and were astonished. ¹⁷ But motioning to them with his* hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and to the brothers," and he departed and* went to another place. ¹⁸ Now when* day came, there was not a little commotion among the soldiers as to what then had become of Peter. ¹⁹ And when* Herod had searched for him and did not find him,* he questioned the guards and* ordered that they be led away to execution. And he came down from Judea to Caesarea and* stayed there. ²⁰ Now he was very angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians. So they came to him with one purpose, and after* persuading Blastus, _⌊the king's chamberlain_⌋,* they asked for peace, because their country was supported with food from the king's country. ²¹ So on an appointed day Herod, after* putting on royal clothing and sitting down on the judgment seat, began to deliver a public address to them. ²² But the people began to call out loudly,* "The voice of a god and not of a man!" ²³ And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down _⌊because_⌋* he did not give the glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and* died. ²⁴ But the word of God kept on increasing* and multiplying. ²⁵ So Barnabas and Saul returned to* Jerusalem when they* had completed their* service, having taken along with them* John (who is also called Mark). ^{13 1} Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church that was there: Barnabas, and Simeon (who was called Niger), and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. ² And while* they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ³ Then, after they* had fasted and prayed and placed their* hands on them, they sent them* away. ⁴ Therefore, sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed away to Cyprus. ⁵ And when they* came to Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John as assistant. ⁶ And when they* had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, ⁷ who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and* wished to hear the word of God. ⁸ But Elymas the magician (for his name is translated in this way) opposed them, attempting to turn the proconsul away from the faith. ⁹ But Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him ¹⁰ and* said, "O you who are full of all deceit and of all unscrupulousness, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness! Will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord! ¹¹ And now behold, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun _⌊for a while_⌋.* And immediately mist and darkness fell over him, and he was going around looking for people* to lead him* by the hand. ¹² Then when* the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he* was astounded at the teaching about* the Lord. ¹³ Now _⌊Paul and his companions_⌋* put out to sea from Paphos and* came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John departed from them and* returned to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And they went on from Perga and* arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And they entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and* sat down. ¹⁵ So after the reading from the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent word* to them, saying, "Men and brothers, if there is any message of exhortation by you for the people, say it."* ¹⁶ So Paul stood up,* and motioning with his* hand, he said, "Israelite men, and those who fear God, listen! ¹⁷ The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people during their* stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. ¹⁸ And for a period of time of about forty years, he put up with them in the wilderness. ¹⁹ And after* destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave their land to his people* as an inheritance. ²⁰ This took* about four hundred and fifty years. And after these things, he gave them* judges until Samuel the prophet. ²¹ And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. ²² And after* removing him, he raised up David for their king, about whom he also said, testifying, 'I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man in accordance with my heart, who will carry out all my will.'* ²³ From the descendants of this man, according to his promise, God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus. ²⁴ Before _⌊his coming_⌋* John had publicly proclaimed* a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵ But while John was completing his* mission, he said, 'What do you suppose me to be? I am not he! But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of his* feet!' ²⁶ "Men and brothers, sons of the family of Abraham and those among you who fear God—to us the message of this salvation has been sent! ²⁷ For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they* did not recognize this one, and the voices of the prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled them* by* condemning him.* ²⁸ And although they* found no charge worthy of death, they asked Pilate that he be executed. ²⁹ And when they had carried out all the things that were written about him, they took him* down from the tree and* placed him* in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead, ³¹ who appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem—who are now his witnesses to the people. ³² And we proclaim the good news to you: that the promise that was made to the fathers, ³³ this promise* God has fulfilled to our children* by* raising Jesus, as it is also written in the second psalm,
'You are my Son; today I have fathered you.'* ³⁴ But that he has raised him from the dead, no more going to return to decay, he has spoken in this way: 'I will give you the reliable divine decrees of David.'* ³⁵ Therefore he also says in another psalm,*
'You will not permit your Holy One to experience decay.'* ³⁶ For David, after* serving the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and _⌊was buried with_⌋* his fathers, and experienced decay. ³⁷ But he whom God raised up did not experience decay. ³⁸ "Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, ³⁹ by this one everyone who believes is justified! ⁴⁰ Watch out, therefore, lest what is stated by the prophets come upon you:* ⁴¹ 'Look, you scoffers, and be astonished and perish! For I am doing a work in your days, a work that you would never believe even if someone were to tell it* to you.'"* ⁴² And as* they were going out, they began urging* that these things be spoken about to them on the next Sabbath. ⁴³ And after* the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the devout* proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and* were persuading them to continue in the grace of God. ⁴⁴ And on the coming Sabbath, nearly the whole city came together to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ But when* the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting what was being said by Paul by* reviling him.* ⁴⁶ Both Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and* said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you, since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life! Behold, we are turning to the Gentiles! ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:
'I have appointed you _⌊to be_⌋* a light for the Gentiles, _⌊that you would bring_⌋* salvation to the end of the earth.'* ⁴⁸ And when* the Gentiles heard this,* they began to rejoice* and to glorify the word of the Lord. And all those who were designated for eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ So the word of the Lord was carried through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the devout women of high social standing and the most prominent men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out of their district. ⁵¹ So after* shaking off the dust from their feet against them, they went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. ^{14 1} Now it happened that in Iconium they entered _⌊together_⌋* into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up and _⌊poisoned the minds_⌋* of the Gentiles against the brothers. ³ So they stayed there* for a considerable time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be performed through their hands. ⁴ But the population of the city was divided, and _⌊some_⌋* were with the Jews _⌊and some_⌋* with the apostles. ⁵ So when an inclination took place on the part of both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to mistreat them* and to stone them, ⁶ they became aware of it* and* fled to the Lycaonian cities—Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. ⁷ And there they were continuing to proclaim the good news. ⁸ And in Lystra a certain man was sitting powerless in his feet, lame from _⌊birth_⌋,* who had never walked. ⁹ This man listened while* Paul was speaking. _⌊Paul_⌋,* looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, ¹⁰ said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!" And he leaped up and began walking.* ¹¹ And when* the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods have become like men and* have come down to us!" ¹² And they began calling* Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, because he was the _⌊principal speaker_⌋.* ¹³ And the priest of the temple* of Zeus that was just outside the city brought bulls and garlands to the gates and* was wanting to offer sacrifice, along with the crowds. ¹⁴ But when* the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it,* they tore their clothing and* rushed out into the crowd, shouting ¹⁵ and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, proclaiming the good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things that are in them— ¹⁶ who in generations that are past permitted all the nations* to go their own ways. ¹⁷ And yet he did not leave himself without witness by* doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you* with food and your hearts with gladness." ¹⁸ And although* they said these things, only with difficulty did they dissuade the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. ¹⁹ But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and when they* had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him* outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after* the disciples surrounded him, he got up and* went into the city. And on the next day he departed with Barnabas for Derbe. ²¹ And after they* had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them* to continue in the faith and saying,* "Through many persecutions* it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God." ²³ And when they* had appointed elders for them in every church, after* praying with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. ²⁴ And they passed through Pisidia and* came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And after* they proclaimed the message in Perga, they went down to Attalia, ²⁶ and from there they sailed away to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. ²⁷ And when they* arrived and called the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.* ²⁸ And they stayed no little time with the disciples. ^{15 1} And some men came down from Judea and* began teaching* the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved." ² And after* there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. ³ So they were sent on their way by the church, and* passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. ⁴ And when they* arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them. ⁵ But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them* to observe the law of Moses!" ⁶ Both the apostles and the elders assembled to deliberate concerning this matter. ⁷ And after* there was much debate, Peter stood up and* said to them, "Men and brothers, you know that in the early days* God chose among you through my mouth that the Gentiles should hear the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by* giving them* the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. ⁹ And he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ So now why are you putting God to the test by* placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in _⌊the same_⌋* way those also are." ¹² And the whole group became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. ¹³ And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Men and brothers, listen to me! ¹⁴ Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name. ¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ¹⁶ 'After these things I will return and build up again the tent of David that has fallen, and the parts of it that had been torn down I will build up again and will restore it, ¹⁷ so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles* _⌊who are called by my name_⌋,* says the Lord,* who makes these things ¹⁸ known from of old.'* ¹⁹ Therefore I conclude we should not cause difficulty for those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but we should write a letter to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. ²¹ For Moses has those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, because he* is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath." ²² Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, men who were leaders among the brothers— ²³ writing this letter* _⌊to be delivered by them_⌋:*
The apostles and the elders, brothers.
To the brothers who are from among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Greetings! ²⁴ Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and* have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your _⌊minds_⌋,* ²⁵ it seemed best to us, _⌊having reached a unanimous decision_⌋,* and* having chosen men, to send them* to you together with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ men who have risked their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they will report the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸ For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things: ²⁹ that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you* keep yourselves from _⌊these things_⌋* you will do well. Farewell. ³⁰ So when* they were sent off, they came down to Antioch, and after* calling together the community, they delivered the letter. ³¹ And when they* read it* aloud, they rejoiced at the encouragement. ³² Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers by a long message. ³³ And after* spending some time, they were sent away in peace from the brothers to those who had sent them.* ³⁵ But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord with many others also. ³⁶ And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Come then,let us return and* visit the brothers in every town in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing." ³⁷ Now Barnabas wanted to take John who was called Mark along also, ³⁸ but Paul held the opinion they should not take this one along, who departed from them in Pamphylia and did not accompany them in the work. ³⁹ And a sharp disagreement took place, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas took along Mark and* sailed away to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and* departed, after* being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. ⁴¹ And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. ^{16 1} And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there _⌊named_⌋* Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman but of a Greek father, ² who was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul wanted this one to go with him, and he took him* and* circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek. ⁴ And as they went through the towns, they passed on to them to observe the rules that had been decided by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were growing in number every day. ⁶ And they traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia.* ⁷ And when they* came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. ⁸ So going through Mysia, they went down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a certain Macedonian man was standing there and imploring him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and* help us!" ¹⁰ And when he had seen the vision, we wanted at once to go away to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. ¹¹ So putting out to sea from Troas, we sailed a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis, ¹² and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. And we were staying in this city for some days. ¹³ And on the day of the Sabbath, we went outside the city gate beside the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and* spoke to the women assembled there. ¹⁴ And a certain woman _⌊named_⌋* Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a merchant dealing in purple cloth who showed reverence for God, was listening. The Lord opened _⌊her_⌋* heart to pay attention to what was being said by Paul. ¹⁵ And after she was baptized, and her household, she urged us,* saying, "If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come to my house and* stay." And she prevailed upon us. ¹⁶ And it happened that as* we were going to the place of prayer, a certain female slave who had a spirit of divination* met us, who was bringing a large profit to her owners by* fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and us and* was crying out, saying, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!" ¹⁸ And she was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed and turning around, said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out _⌊immediately_⌋.* ¹⁹ But when* her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and* dragged them* into the marketplace before the rulers. ²⁰ And when they* had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, "These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, ²¹ and are proclaiming customs that are not permitted for us to accept or to practice, because we* are Romans!" ²² And the crowd joined in attacking them, and the chief magistrates tore off their clothing and* gave orders to beat them* with rods. ²³ And after they* had inflicted many blows on them, they threw them* into prison, giving orders to the jailer to guard them securely. ²⁴ Having received such an order, _⌊he_⌋* put them in the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.* ²⁵ Now about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and* singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds* were unfastened. ²⁷ And after* the jailer was awake and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his* sword and* was about to kill himself, because he* thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, "Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!" ²⁹ And demanding lights, he rushed in and, _⌊beginning to tremble_⌋,* fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And he brought them outside and* said, "Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?" ³¹ And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household!" ³² And they spoke the message of the Lord to him, together with all those in his house. ³³ And he took them at that very hour of the night and* washed their* wounds, and he himself was baptized at once, and all those of his household.* ³⁴ And he brought them up into his* house and* set a meal before them,* and rejoiced greatly that he had believed in God with his whole household. ³⁵ And when it* was day, the chief magistrates sent the police officers, saying, "Release those men." ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul: "The chief magistrates have sent an order* that you should be released. So come out now and* go in peace!" ³⁷ But Paul said to them, "They beat us in public without due process—men who are Roman citizens—and* threw us* into prison, and now they are wanting to release us secretly? Certainly not! Rather let them come themselves and* bring us out!" ³⁸ So the police officers reported these words to the chief magistrates, and they were afraid when they* heard that they were Roman citizens. ³⁹ And they came and* apologized to* them, and after they* brought them* out they asked them* to depart from the city. ⁴⁰ And when they* came out of the prison, they went to Lydia and when they* saw them,* they encouraged the brothers and departed. ^{17 1} Now after they* traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ² _⌊And as was his custom_⌋,* Paul went in to them and on three Sabbath days he discussed with them from the scriptures, ³ explaining and demonstrating that it was necessary for the Christ* to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."* ⁴ And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, and also a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the prominent women. ⁵ But the Jews were filled with jealousy and, taking along some worthless men from the rabble in the marketplace and forming a mob, threw the city into an uproar. And attacking Jason's house, they were looking for them to bring them* out to the popular assembly. ⁶ And when they* did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world* have come here also, ⁷ whom Jason has entertained as guests! And these people are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus!" ⁸ And they threw the crowd into confusion, and the city officials who heard these things. ⁹ And after* taking money as security from Jason and the rest, they released them. ¹⁰ Now the brothers sent away both Paul and Silas at once, during the night, to Berea. _⌊They_⌋* went into the synagogue of the Jews when they* arrived. ¹¹ Now these were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica. _⌊They_⌋* accepted the message with all eagerness, examining the scriptures every day to see if these things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed, and not a few of the prominent Greek women and men. ¹³ But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the message of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there too, inciting and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴ So then the brothers sent Paul away at once to go to the sea, and both Silas and Timothy remained there. ¹⁵ And those who conducted Paul brought him* as far as Athens, and after* receiving an order for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as soon as possible, they went away. ¹⁶ Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he* observed the city was full of idols. ¹⁷ So he was discussing in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles,* and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸ And even some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him, and some were saying, "What does this babbler want to say?" But others said,* "He appears to be a proclaimer of foreign deities," because he was proclaiming the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ And they took hold of him and* brought him* to the Areopagus, saying, "May we learn what is this new teaching being proclaimed by you? ²⁰ For you are bringing some astonishing things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what _⌊these things mean_⌋."* ²¹ (Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who stayed there used to spend their time in nothing else than telling something or listening to something new.) ²² So Paul stood there in the middle of the Areopagus and* said, "Men of Athens, I see you are very religious _⌊in every respect_⌋.* ²³ For as I* was passing through and observing carefully your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, 'To an unknown God.' Therefore what you worship without knowing it,* this I proclaim to you— ²⁴ the God who made the world and all the things in it. This one, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands, ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands as if he* needed anything, because* he himself gives to everyone life and breath and everything. ²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of humanity to live on all the face of the earth, determining their fixed times and the fixed boundaries of their habitation, ²⁷ to search for God, if perhaps indeed they might feel around for him and find him.* And indeed he is not far away from each one of us, ²⁸ for in him we live and move and exist,* as even some of _⌊your own_⌋* poets have said: 'For we also are _⌊his_⌋* offspring.'* ²⁹ Therefore, because we* are offspring of God, we ought not to think the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought. ³⁰ Therefore although* God has overlooked the times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man who he has appointed, having provided proof to everyone by* raising him from the dead." ³² Now when they* heard about the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed, but others said, "We will hear you about this again also." ³³ So Paul went out from the midst of them. ³⁴ But some people* joined him and* believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman _⌊named_⌋* Damaris and others with them. ^{18 1} After these things he departed from Athens and* went to Corinth. ² And he found a certain Jew _⌊named_⌋* Aquila, _⌊a native_⌋* of Pontus who had arrived recently from Italy _⌊along with_⌋* Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome, and* he went to them. ³ And because he was practicing the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. ⁴ And he argued in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade* both Jews and Greeks. ⁵ Now when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to be occupied with* the message, solemnly testifying to the Jews that the Christ* was Jesus. ⁶ And when* they resisted and reviled him,* he shook out his* clothes and* said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am guiltless! From now on I will go to the Gentiles!" ⁷ And leaving there, he entered into the house of someone _⌊named_⌋* Titius Justus, a worshiper* of God whose house was next door to the synagogue. ⁸ And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his whole household. And many of the Corinthians, when they* heard about it,* believed and were baptized. ⁹ And the Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not keep silent, ¹⁰ because I am with you and no one will attack you to harm you, because many people are mine in this city." ¹¹ So he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. ¹² Now when* Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one purpose against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, ¹³ saying, "This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law!" ¹⁴ But when* Paul was about to open his* mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it was some crime or wicked villainy, O Jews, _⌊I would have been justified in accepting_⌋* your complaint. ¹⁵ But if it is questions concerning a word and names and _⌊your own law_⌋,* see to it* yourselves! I do not wish to be a judge of these things." ¹⁶ And he drove them away from the judgment seat. ¹⁷ So they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and* began beating* him* in front of the judgment seat. And none of these things was a concern to Gallio. ¹⁸ So Paul, after* remaining many days longer, said farewell to the brothers and* sailed away to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his* head at Cenchrea, because he had taken a vow. ¹⁹ So they arrived at Ephesus, and those he left behind there, but he himself entered into the synagogue and* discussed with the Jews. ²⁰ And when* they asked him* to stay for a longer time, he did not give his consent, ²¹ but saying farewell and telling them,* "I will return to you again if* God wills," he set sail from Ephesus. ²² And when he* arrived at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and* went down to Antioch. ²³ And after* spending some time there, he departed, traveling through one place after another in the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. ²⁴ Now a certain Jew _⌊named_⌋* Apollos, _⌊a native_⌋* Alexandrian, arrived in Ephesus—an eloquent man who was well-versed in the scriptures. ²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being enthusiastic in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus, although he* knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when* Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately. ²⁷ And when* he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him* and* wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he* arrived, _⌊he_⌋* assisted greatly those who had believed through grace. ²⁸ For he was vigorously refuting the Jews in public, demonstrating through the scriptures that the Christ* was Jesus. ^{19 1} And it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the inland regions and* came* to Ephesus and found some disciples. ² And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you* believed?" And they said to him, "But we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit!" ³ And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into the baptism of John." ⁴ And Paul said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who was to come after him—that is, in Jesus." ⁵ And when they* heard this,* they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when* Paul laid hands* on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak* in tongues and to prophesy. ⁷ (Now the total number of men was about twelve.) ⁸ So he entered into the synagogue and* was speaking boldly for three months, discussing and attempting to convince* them* concerning* the kingdom of God. ⁹ But when some became hardened and were disobedient, reviling the Way before the congregation, he departed from them and* took away the disciples, leading discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ And this took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia* heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. ¹¹ And God was performing _⌊extraordinary_⌋* miracles by the hands of Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs or work aprons _⌊that had touched his skin_⌋* were carried away to those who were sick, and their* diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.* ¹³ But some itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches!" ¹⁴ (Now seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.) ¹⁵ But the evil spirit answered and* said to them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?" ¹⁶ And the man _⌊who had the evil spirit_⌋* leaped on them, subdued all of them, and* prevailed against them, so that they ran away from that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ And this became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted. ¹⁸ And many of those who had believed came, confessing and disclosing their practices, ¹⁹ and many of those who practiced magic brought together their* books and* burned them* up in the sight of everyone. And they counted up their value and found it was _⌊fifty thousand silver coins_⌋.* ²⁰ In this way the word of the Lord was growing in power and was prevailing. ²¹ Now when these things were completed, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also." ²² So after* sending two of those who were assisting him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed some time in Asia.* ²³ Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way. ²⁴ For someone _⌊named_⌋* Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen. ²⁵ _⌊These_⌋* he gathered together, and the workers occupied with such things, and* said, "Men, you know that from this business _⌊we get our prosperity_⌋,* ²⁶ and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia* this man Paul has persuaded and* turned away a large crowd by* saying that the gods made by hands are not gods. ²⁷ So not only is there a danger this line of business of ours will come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing—and she is about to be brought down even from her grandeur, she whom the whole of Asia* and the entire world worship!" ²⁸ And when they* heard this* and became full of rage, they began to shout,* saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" ²⁹ And the city was filled with the tumult, and with one purpose they rushed into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were traveling companions of Paul. ³⁰ But when* Paul wanted to enter into the popular assembly, the disciples would not let him. ³¹ And even some of the Asiarchs* who were his friends sent word* to him and* were urging him* not to risk himself by going into the theater. ³² So some were shouting one thing* and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know _⌊why_⌋* they had assembled. ³³ And some of the crowd advised* Alexander, when* the Jews put him forward. But Alexander, motioning with his* hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly. ³⁴ But when they* recognized that he was a Jew, they were shouting with one voice from all of them for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" ³⁵ And when* the city secretary had quieted the crowd, he said, "Ephesian men, for who is there among men who does not know the Ephesian city is honorary temple keeper of the great Artemis and of her* image fallen from heaven? ³⁶ Therefore because* these things are undeniable, it is necessary that you be quiet and do nothing rash! ³⁷ For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. ³⁸ If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the court days are observed and there are proconsuls—let them bring charges against one another! ³⁹ But if you desire anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. ⁴⁰ For indeed we are in danger of being accused of rioting concerning today, since there* is no cause in relation to which we will be able to give an account concerning this disorderly gathering!" And when he* had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.* ^{20 1} Now after the turmoil had ceased, Paul summoned* the disciples, and after* encouraging them,* he said farewell and* departed to travel to Macedonia. ² And after he* had gone through those regions and encouraged them _⌊at length_⌋,* he came to Greece ³ and stayed* three months. Because* a plot was made against him by the Jews as he* was about to set sail for Syria, he came to a decision to return through Macedonia. ⁴ And Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, and Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia, were accompanying him. ⁵ And these had gone on ahead and* were waiting for us in Troas. ⁶ And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days. ⁷ And on the first day of the week, when* we had assembled to break bread, Paul began conversing* with them, because he* was going to leave on the next day, and he extended his* message until midnight. ⁸ Now there were quite a few lamps in the upstairs room where we were gathered. ⁹ And a certain young man _⌊named_⌋* Eutychus who was sitting in the window was sinking into a deep sleep while* Paul was conversing at length. Being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down and* threw himself on him, and putting his arms around him,* said, "Do not be distressed, for his life is in him." ¹¹ So he went up and broke bread,* and when he* had eaten and talked for a long time, until dawn, then he departed. ¹² And they led the youth away alive, and _⌊were greatly_⌋* comforted. ¹³ But we went on ahead to the ship and* put out to sea for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there. For having made arrangements in this way, he himself was intending to travel by land. ¹⁴ And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and* went to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And we sailed from there on the next day, and* arrived opposite Chios. And on the next day we approached Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not be having to spend time in Asia.* For he was hurrying if it could be possible for him to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. ¹⁷ And from Miletus he sent word* to Ephesus and* summoned the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them, "You know from the first day on which I set foot in Asia* how I was the whole time with you— ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews— ²⁰ how I did not shrink from proclaiming to you anything that would be profitable, and from teaching you in public and from house to house, ²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks with respect to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. ²² "And now behold, bound by the Spirit I am traveling to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me _⌊there_⌋,* ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in town after town, saying that bonds and persecutions await me. ²⁴ But I consider my* life as worth _⌊nothing_⌋* to myself, in order to finish my mission and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ "And now behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom, will see my face no more. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you on this very day that I am guiltless of the blood of all of you,* ²⁷ for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole purpose of God. ²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he obtained through the blood of his own Son.* ²⁹ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ And from among you yourselves men will arise, speaking _⌊perversions of the truth_⌋* in order to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you* with tears. ³² "And now I entrust you to God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you* up and to give you* the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have desired no one's silver or gold or clothing! ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands served to meet* my needs and the needs of* those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you with respect to all things that by* working hard in this way it is necessary to help those who are in need, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."* ³⁶ And when he* had said these things, he fell to his knees and* prayed with them all. ³⁷ And there was considerable weeping by all, and _⌊hugging_⌋* Paul, they kissed him, ³⁸ especially distressed at the statement that he had said, that they were going to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. ^{21 1} And it happened that after we tore ourselves away* from them, we put out to sea, and* running a straight course we came to Cos and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ² And finding a ship that was crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and* put out to sea. ³ And after we* sighted Cyprus and left it behind _⌊on the port side_⌋,* we sailed to Syria and arrived at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its* cargo there. ⁴ And we stayed there seven days after we* found the disciples, who kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. ⁵ And it happened that when our days were over, we departed and* went on our way, while* all of them accompanied us, together with their* wives and children, as far as outside the city. And after* falling to our knees on the beach and* praying, ⁶ we said farewell to one another and embarked in the ship, and they returned to their own homes. ⁷ And when* we had completed the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. And after we* greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them. ⁸ And on the next day we departed and* came to Caesarea, and entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and* stayed with him. ⁹ (_⌊Now this man had_⌋* four virgin daughters who prophesied.) ¹⁰ And while we* were staying there* many days, a certain prophet _⌊named_⌋* Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And he came to us and took Paul's belt. Tying up his own feet and hands, he said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him* into the hands of the Gentiles.'" ¹² And when we heard these things, both we and the local residents urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul replied, "What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!" ¹⁴ And because* he would not be persuaded, we remained silent, saying, "The will of the Lord be done." ¹⁵ So after these days we got ready and* went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ And some of the disciples from Caesarea also traveled together with us, bringing us* to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing,* with whom we were to be entertained as guests. ¹⁷ And when* we came to Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. ¹⁸ And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ And after* greeting them, he began to relate* _⌊one after the other_⌋* the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And when* they heard this,* they began to glorify* God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many ten thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and they are all zealous adherents of the law. ²¹ And they have been informed about you that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles the abandonment of Moses, telling them not to circumcise their* children or to live according to our* customs. ²² What then _⌊is to be done_⌋?* Doubtless they will all hear that you have come! ²³ Therefore do this that we tell you: _⌊we have_⌋* four men who have taken a vow upon themselves.* ²⁴ Take these men and* purify yourself along with them and _⌊pay their expenses_⌋* so that they can shave their* heads, and everyone will know that the things which they had been informed about you are nothing, but you yourself also agree with observing the law. ²⁵ But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter after* deciding they should avoid food sacrificed to idols and blood and what has been strangled and sexual immorality." ²⁶ Then Paul took along the men on the next day, and* after he* had purified himself together with them, he entered into the temple courts,* announcing the completion of the days of purification until _⌊the time_⌋* the offering would be presented on behalf of each one of them. ²⁷ But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia* who had seen him in the temple courts* stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, ²⁸ shouting, "Israelite men, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place! And furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!" ²⁹ (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought that Paul had brought into the temple.) ³⁰ And the whole city was stirred up, and the people came running together, and they seized Paul and* dragged him outside of the temple courts,* and immediately the doors were shut. ³¹ And as they* were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² _⌊He_⌋* immediately took along soldiers and centurions and* ran down to them. And when* they saw the military tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the military tribune came up and* arrested him and ordered him* to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what it was that he had done. ³⁴ But some in the crowd were shouting one thing and others another, and because* he was not able to find out the truth on account of the commotion, he gave orders to bring him into the barracks.* ³⁵ And when he came to the steps, it happened that he had to be carried by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd, ³⁶ for the crowd of people was following them,* shouting, "Away with him!" ³⁷ And as he* was about to be brought into the barracks,* Paul said to the military tribune, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek? ³⁸ Then you are not the Egyptian who before these days raised a revolt and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?"* ³⁹ But Paul said, "I am a Jewish man from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no unimportant city. Now I ask you, allow me to speak to the people." ⁴⁰ So when* he permitted him,* Paul, standing there on the steps, motioned with his* hand to the people. And when there* was a great silence, he addressed them* in the Aramaic language, saying, ^{22 1} "Men—brothers and fathers—listen to my defense to you now!" ² And when they* heard that he was addressing them in the Aramaic language, _⌊they became even more silent_⌋.* And he said, ³ "I am a Jewish man born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the exactness of the law received from our fathers, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today. ⁴ _⌊I_⌋* persecuted this Way to the death, tying up and delivering to prison both men and women, ⁵ as indeed the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me, from whom also I received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and* was traveling there* to lead away those who were there also tied up to Jerusalem so that they could be punished. ⁶ "And it happened that as* I was traveling and approaching Damascus around noon, suddenly a very bright light from heaven flashed around me, ⁷ and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' ⁸ And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene whom you are persecuting.' ⁹ (Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.) ¹⁰ So I said, 'What should I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and* proceed to Damascus, and there it will be told to you about all the things that have been appointed for you to do.' ¹¹ And as I could not see as a result of the brightness of that light, I arrived in Damascus led by the hand of those who were with me. ¹² And a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who live there, ¹³ came to me and stood by me* and* said to me, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight!' And at that same time I looked up at him and saw him.* ¹⁴ And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth, ¹⁵ because you will be a witness for him* to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now why are you delaying? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name!' ¹⁷ "And it happened that when* I returned to Jerusalem and I was praying in the temple courts,* I was in a trance, ¹⁸ and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and depart _⌊quickly_⌋* from Jerusalem, because they will not accept your testimony about me.' ¹⁹ And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that from synagogue to synagogue I was imprisoning and beating those who believed in you. ²⁰ And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I myself also was standing near and was approving, and was guarding the cloaks of those who were killing him.' ²¹ And he said to me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!'" ²² Now they were listening to him until this word, and they raised their voices, saying, "Away with such a man from the earth! For it is not fitting for him to live!" ²³ And while* they were screaming and throwing off their* cloaks and throwing dust into the air, ²⁴ the military tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks,* saying he was to be examined with a lash so that he could find out for what reason they were crying out against him in this way. ²⁵ But when they had stretched him out for the lash,* Paul said to the centurion standing there, "Is it permitted for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" ²⁶ And when* the centurion heard this,* he went to the military tribune and* reported it,* saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen!" ²⁷ So the military tribune came and* said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." ²⁸ And the military tribune replied, "I acquired this citizenship for a large sum of money." And Paul said, "But I indeed was born a citizen.* ²⁹ Then immediately those who were about to examine him kept away from him, and the military tribune also was afraid when he* realized that he was a Roman citizen and that _⌊he had tied him up_⌋.* ³⁰ But on the next day, because he* wanted to know the true reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble, and he brought down Paul and* had him* stand before them. ^{23 1} And looking intently at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Men and brothers, I have lived my life in all good conscience before God to this day." ² So the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike his mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And are you sitting there judging me according to the law, and acting contrary to the law do you order me to be struck?" ⁴ And those who stood nearby said, "Are you reviling the high priest of God?" ⁵ And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, 'You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"* ⁶ Now when* Paul realized that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he shouted out in the Sanhedrin, "Men and brothers! I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees! I am being judged concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead!" ⁷ And when* he said this, a dispute developed between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) ⁹ And there was loud shouting, and some of the scribes from the party of the Pharisees stood up and* contended sharply, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man! But what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" ¹⁰ And when* the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring him* into the barracks.* ¹¹ And the next night the Lord stood by him and* said, "Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." ¹² And when it* was day, the Jews made a conspiracy and* bound themselves under a curse, saying they would* neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ Now there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy, ¹⁴ who went to the chief priests and the elders and* said, "We have bound ourselves under a curse to partake of nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near." ¹⁶ But when* the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks* and* reported it* to Paul. ¹⁷ So Paul called one of the centurions and* said, "Bring this young man to the military tribune, because he has something to report to him." ¹⁸ So he took him and* brought him* to the military tribune and said, "The prisoner Paul called me and* asked me* to bring this young man to you because he* has something to tell you." ¹⁹ And the military tribune, taking hold of his hand and withdrawing privately, asked, "What is it that you have to report to me?" ²⁰ And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. ²¹ You therefore do not be persuaded by them, because more than forty men of _⌊their number_⌋* are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have done away with him. And now they are ready, waiting for _⌊you to agree_⌋."* ²² So the military tribune sent the young man away, directing him,* "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." ²³ And he summoned two of the centurions and* said, "Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen,* in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea. ²⁴ And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them and* bring him* safely to Felix the governor." ²⁵ _⌊He wrote_⌋* a letter that had this form:* ²⁶ Claudius Lysias.
To his excellency Governor Felix.
Greetings! ²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I* came upon them* with the detachment and* rescued him,* because I* learned that he was a Roman citizen. ²⁸ And because I* wanted to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him* down to their Sanhedrin.* ²⁹ I found _⌊he_⌋* was accused concerning controversial questions of their law, but having no charge deserving death or imprisonment. ³⁰ And when it* was made known to me there would be a plot against the man, I sent him* to you immediately, also ordering his* accusers to speak against him* before you. ³¹ Therefore the soldiers, in accordance with _⌊their orders_⌋,* took Paul and* brought him* to Antipatris during the night. ³² And on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and* they returned to the barracks.* ³³ _⌊The horsemen_⌋,* when they* came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. ³⁴ So after* reading the letter* and asking what province he was from, and learning that he was from Cilicia, ³⁵ he said, "I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers arrive also," giving orders for him to be guarded in the praetorium* of Herod. ^{24 1} And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor. ² And when* he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,* saying, "We have experienced* much* peace through you, and reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight. ³ Both in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this,* most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. ⁴ But so that I may not impose on you for longer, I implore you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. ⁵ For we have found* this man to be a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire* and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ⁶ who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we arrested _⌊him*_⌋.* ⁸ When* you yourself examine him* you will be able to find out from _⌊him_⌋* about all these things of which we are accusing him." ⁹ And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting these things were so. ¹⁰ And when* the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I* know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself. ¹¹ You can ascertain that _⌊it has not been more than_⌋* twelve days _⌊since_⌋* I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or making a crowd develop in the temple courts* nor in the synagogues nor throughout the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove the things* to you concerning which they are now accusing me. ¹⁴ But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets, ¹⁵ having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶ _⌊For this reason_⌋* also I myself _⌊always_⌋* do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and people. ¹⁷ So after many years, I came to practice charitable giving and offerings to my people,* ¹⁸ in which they found me purified in the temple courts,* not with a crowd or with a disturbance. ¹⁹ But there are some Jews from Asia* who ought to be present before you and bring charges against me,* if they have anything against me, ²⁰ or these men themselves should say what crime they found when* I stood before the Sanhedrin,* ²¹ other than concerning this one declaration that I shouted while* standing there before them: 'I am being judged before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead!'" ²² But Felix, because he* understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide _⌊your case_⌋."* ²³ He ordered* the centurion for him to be guarded and to have some freedom, and in no way to prevent any of his own people* from serving him. ²⁴ And after some days, when* Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And while* he was discussing about righteousness and self control and the judgment that is to come, Felix became afraid and* replied, "Go away for the present, and when I* have an opportunity, I will summon you." ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and* talked with him. ²⁷ And when* two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And because he* wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind _⌊as a prisoner_⌋.* ^{25 1} Now when* Festus set foot in the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. ² And the chief priests and the most prominent men of the Jews brought charges against Paul to him, and were urging him, ³ asking for a favor against him, that he summon him to Jerusalem, because they* were preparing an ambush to do away with him along the way. ⁴ Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself was about to go there* in a short time. ⁵ So he said, "Let those among you who are prominent go down with me,* and* if there is any wrong in the man, let them bring charges against him." ⁶ And after he* had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. On the next day he sat down on the judgment seat and* gave orders for Paul to be brought. ⁷ And when* he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges that they were not able to prove, ⁸ while* Paul said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews nor against the temple nor against Caesar have I sinned with reference to anything!" ⁹ But Festus, because he* wanted to do a favor for the Jews, answered and* said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there concerning these things?" ¹⁰ But Paul said, "I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where it is necessary for me to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. ¹¹ If then I am doing wrong* and have done anything deserving death, I am not trying to avoid* dying. But if there is nothing true of the things which these people are accusing me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!" ¹² Then Festus, after* discussing this* with his* council, replied, "You have appealed to Caesar—to Caesar you will go!" ¹³ Now after* some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus. ¹⁴ And while they were staying there many days, Festus laid out the case against Paul to the king, saying, "There is a certain man left behind by Felix as a prisoner, ¹⁵ concerning whom when* I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented evidence, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. ¹⁶ To _⌊them_⌋* I replied that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before the one who had been accused met his* accusers face to face and received an opportunity for a defense concerning the accusation. ¹⁷ Therefore, when* they had assembled here, I made* no delay; on the next day I sat down on the judgment seat and* gave orders for the man to be brought. ¹⁸ When they* stood up, his* accusers began bringing* no charge concerning _⌊him_⌋* of the evil deeds that I was suspecting, ¹⁹ but they had some issues with him concerning their own religion, and concerning a certain Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul claimed to be alive. ²⁰ And because* I was at a loss with regard to the investigation concerning these things, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and to be judged there concerning these things. ²¹ But when* Paul appealed that he be kept under guard for the decision of His Majesty the Emperor, I gave orders for him to be kept under guard until I could send him to Caesar." ²² So Agrippa said to Festus, "I want to hear the man myself also." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will hear him." ²³ So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pageantry and entered into the audience hall, along with military tribunes and the most prominent men of the city. And when* Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in. ²⁴ And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole population of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he must not live any longer. ²⁵ But I understood that he had done nothing deserving death himself, and when* this man appealed to His Majesty the Emperor, I decided to send him.* ²⁶ I do not have anything definite to write to my* lord about _⌊him_⌋.* Therefore I have brought him before you all*—and especially before you, King Agrippa—so that after* this preliminary hearing has taken place, I may have something to write. ²⁷ For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner and not to indicate the charges against him." ^{26 1} So Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted for you to speak for yourself." Then Paul extended his* hand and* began to defend himself:* ² "Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that before you I am about to defend myself today, ³ because* you are especially acquainted with both all the customs and controversial questions with respect to the Jews. Therefore I beg you* to listen to me with patience. ⁴ "Now all the Jews know my manner of life from my youth, that had taken place from the beginning among my own people* and in Jerusalem, ⁵ having known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that in accordance with the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now I stand here on trial on the basis of hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, ⁷ to which our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve him* night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king! ⁸ Why is it thought incredible by you people* that God raises the dead? ⁹ Indeed, I myself thought it was necessary to do many things opposed to the name of Jesus the Nazarene, ¹⁰ which I also did in Jerusalem, and not only did I lock up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when* they were being executed, I cast my vote* against them.* ¹¹ And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often and* tried to force* them* to blaspheme, and because I* was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing them* even as far as to foreign cities. ¹² In _⌊this activity_⌋* I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and full power of the chief priests. ¹³ In the middle of the day along the road, O king, I saw a light from heaven, more than the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who were traveling with me. ¹⁴ And when* we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Aramaic language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads!' ¹⁵ So I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But get up and stand on your feet, because for this reason I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and witness both to the things in which you saw me and to the things in which I will appear to you, ¹⁷ rescuing you from the people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' ¹⁹ "Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰ but to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem and all the region of Judea and to the Gentiles, I proclaimed that they should repent and turn to God, doing deeds worthy of repentance. ²¹ On account of these things the Jews seized me in* the temple courts* and* were attempting to kill me.* ²² Therefore I have experienced help from God until this day, and* I stand here testifying to both small and great, saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses have said were going to happen, ²³ that the Christ* was to suffer and that as the first of the resurrection from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles." ²⁴ And as* he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are out of your mind, Paul! Your* great learning _⌊is driving_⌋* you _⌊insane_⌋!"* ²⁵ But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but am speaking words of truth and rationality. ²⁶ For the king knows about these things, to whom also I am speaking freely, for I am not convinced that these things in any way have escaped* his notice, because this _⌊was_⌋* not _⌊done_⌋* in a corner. ²⁷ Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe." ²⁸ But Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?"* ²⁹ And Paul replied, "I pray to God, whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who are listening to me today may become such people as I also am, except for these bonds!" ³⁰ Both the king and the governor got up, and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. ³¹ And as they* were going out, they were talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment." ³² And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar." ^{27 1} And when it was decided that we would sail away to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion _⌊named_⌋* Julius of the Augustan* Cohort. ² And we went aboard a ship from Adramyttium that was about to sail to the places along the coast* of Asia* and* put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. ³ And on the next day, we put in at Sidon. And Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him* to go to his* friends _⌊to be cared for_⌋.* ⁴ And from there we put out to sea and* sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.* ⁵ And after we* had sailed across the open sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we put in at Myra in Lycia. ⁶ And there the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and* put us _⌊on board_⌋* it. ⁷ And sailing slowly, in many days and with difficulty we came* to Cnidus. Because* the wind did not permit us to go further, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. ⁸ And sailing along its coast with difficulty, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was the town of Lasea. ⁹ And because* considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast* was already over, Paul strongly recommended, ¹⁰ saying to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage is going _⌊to end_⌋* with disaster and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives!" ¹¹ But the centurion was convinced even more by the shipmaster and the shipowner than by what was said by Paul. ¹² And because* the harbor was unsuitable for spending the winter in, the majority decided on a plan to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could arrive at Phoenix, a harbor of Crete facing toward the southwest and toward the northwest, to spend the winter there.* ¹³ And when* a southwest wind began to blow gently, because they* thought they could accomplish their purpose, they weighed anchor and* sailed close along Crete. ¹⁴ But not long afterward a wind like a hurricane, called the northeaster,* rushed down from it.* ¹⁵ And when* the ship was caught and was not able to head into the wind, we gave way and* were driven along. ¹⁶ And running under the lee of a certain small island called Cauda, we were able with difficulty to get the ship's boat under control. ¹⁷ After* hoisting _⌊it up_⌋,* they made use of supports to undergird the ship. And because they* were afraid lest they run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and* thus were driven along. ¹⁸ And because* we were violently battered by the storm, on the next day _⌊they began_⌋* jettisoning the cargo,* ¹⁹ and on the third day they threw overboard the gear of the ship with their own hands. ²⁰ But when* neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and with not a little bad weather confronting us,* finally all hope was abandoned that we would be saved. ²¹ And because* many were experiencing lack of appetite, at that time Paul stood up in their midst and* said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice not to put out to sea from Crete, and thus avoided this damage and loss! ²² And now I urge you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life from among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For this night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve came to me, ²⁴ saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul! It is necessary for you to stand before Caesar, and behold, God has graciously granted you all who are sailing with you.' ²⁵ Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will be like this—according to _⌊the_⌋* way it was told to me. ²⁶ But it is necessary that we run aground on some island." ²⁷ And when the fourteenth night had come, as* we were being driven in the Adriatic Sea about the middle of the night, the sailors suspected _⌊they were approaching some land_⌋.* ²⁸ And taking soundings, they found twenty fathoms. So going on a little further and taking soundings again, they found fifteen fathoms. ²⁹ And because they* were afraid lest somewhere we run aground against rough places, they threw down four anchors from the stern and* prayed for day to come. ³⁰ And when* the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and were lowering the ship's boat into the sea, pretending as if they were going to lay out anchors from the bow, ³¹ Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved!" ³² Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it fall away.* ³³ And until the day was about to come, Paul was urging them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited anxiously, and* you have continued without eating, having taken nothing. ³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take some food, for this is necessary for your preservation. For not a hair from your head will be lost." ³⁵ And after he* said these things and took bread, he gave thanks to God in front of them all, and after* breaking it,* he began to eat. ³⁶ So they all were* encouraged and partook of food themselves. ³⁷ (Now we were in all two hundred seventy six persons on the ship.) ³⁸ And when they* had eaten their fill of food, they lightened the ship by* throwing the wheat* into the sea. ³⁹ Now when day came, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay having a beach, onto which they decided to run the ship ashore if they could. ⁴⁰ And slipping the anchors, they left them* in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes* of the steering oars. And hoisting the foresail to the wind that was blowing, they held course for the beach. ⁴¹ But falling into a place of crosscurrents,* they ran the ship aground. And the bow stuck fast and* stayed immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence.* ⁴² Now the plan of the soldiers was that they would kill the prisoners lest any escape by* swimming away, ⁴³ but the centurion, because he* wanted to save Paul, prevented them _⌊from doing what they intended_⌋,* and gave orders that those who were able to swim should jump in first to get to the land, ⁴⁴ and then the rest, some of whom floated* on planks and some of whom on anything that was from the ship. And in this way all were brought safely to the land. ^{28 1} And after we* were brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. ² And the local inhabitants showed _⌊extraordinary_⌋* kindness to us, for they lit a fire and* welcomed us all, because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold. ³ And when* Paul had gathered a large number of sticks and was placing them* on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and* fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ And when the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying* to one another, "Doubtless this man is a murderer whom, although he* was rescued from the sea, Justice* has not permitted to live!" ⁵ He, in turn, shook off the creature into the fire and* suffered no harm. ⁶ But they were expecting that he was going to swell up* or suddenly to fall down dead. So after* they had waited for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and* began saying* that he was a god. ⁷ Now in the regions around that place were fields belonging to the chief official of the island, _⌊named_⌋* Publius, who welcomed us and* entertained us* hospitably for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was lying down, afflicted with fever and dysentery. Paul went* to _⌊him_⌋* and after* praying, he placed his* hands on him and* healed him. ⁹ And after* this had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases were coming and being healed also. ¹⁰ They also honored us with many honors, and when we* were putting out to sea, they gave us* the things _⌊we needed_⌋.* ¹¹ Now after three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian one _⌊with the twin gods Castor and Pollux as its insignia_⌋.* ¹² And putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. ¹³ From there we got underway* and* arrived at Rhegium, and after one day a south wind came up and* on the second day we came to Puteoli, ¹⁴ where we found brothers, and* were implored to stay with them seven days. And in this way we came to Rome. ¹⁵ And from there the brothers, when they* heard the news about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. When he* saw them, Paul gave thanks to God and* took courage. ¹⁶ And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him. ¹⁷ Now it happened that after three days, he called together those who were the most prominent of the Jews. And when* they had assembled, he said to them, "Men and brothers, although* I had done nothing against our* people or the customs of our fathers, from Jerusalem I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they* had examined me, were wanting to release me,* because there was no basis for an accusation worthy of death with me. ¹⁹ But because* the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar (not as if I* had any charge to bring against my own people).* ²⁰ Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you,* for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!" ²¹ And they said to him, "We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and* reported or spoken anything evil about you. ²² But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere." ²³ And when they* had set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince* them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. ²⁴ And some were convinced by* what was said, but others refused to believe. ²⁵ So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after* Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, ²⁶ saying,
'Go to this people and say, "_⌊You will keep on hearing_⌋* and will never understand, and _⌊you will keep on seeing_⌋* and will never perceive. ²⁷ For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their* ears they hear with difficulty, and they have shut their eyes, lest they see with their* eyes, and hear with their* ears, and understand with their* heart, and turn, and I would heal them." '* ²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!"* ³⁰ So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

Romans

^{1 1} Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy scriptures, ³ concerning his Son, who was born _⌊a descendant_⌋* of David according to the flesh, ⁴ who was declared Son of God in power according to _⌊the Holy Spirit_⌋* by the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles* on behalf of his name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. ⁷ To all those in Rome who are loved by God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed in the whole world. ⁹ For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, is my witness, how constantly I make mention of you, ¹⁰ always asking in my prayers if somehow now at last I may succeed to come to you in the will of God. ¹¹ For I desire to see you, in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, in order to strengthen you, ¹² that is, to be encouraged together with you through _⌊our mutual faith_⌋*, both yours and mine. ¹³ Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that often I intended to come to you, and was prevented until now, in order that I might have some fruit among you also, just as also among the rest of the Gentiles.* ¹⁴ I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵ Thus _⌊I am eager_⌋* to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For the righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith, just as it is written, "But the one who is righteous by faith will live."* ¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of people, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what can be known about God is evident among* them, for God made it clear to them. ²⁰ For from the creation of the world, his invisible attributes, both his eternal power and deity, are discerned clearly, being understood in the things created, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God with the likeness of an image of mortal human beings and birds and quadrupeds and reptiles. ²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to immorality, that their bodies would be dishonored among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God with a lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed for eternity. Amen. ²⁶ Because of this, God gave them over to degrading passions, for their females exchanged the natural relations for those contrary to nature, ²⁷ and likewise also the males, abandoning the natural relations with the female, were inflamed in their desire toward one another, males with males committing the shameless deed, and receiving in themselves the penalty that was necessary for their error. ²⁸ And just as they did not see fit _⌊to recognize God_⌋*, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do the things that are not proper, ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greediness, malice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malevolence. They are gossipers, ³⁰ slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boasters, contrivers of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ senseless, faithless, unfeeling, unmerciful, ³² who, although they* know the requirements of God, that those who do such things are worthy of death, not only do they do the same things, but also they approve of those who do them. ^{2 1} Therefore you are without excuse, O man, every one of you who passes judgment. For in that which you pass judgment on someone else, you condemn yourself, for you who are passing judgment are doing the same things. ² Now we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who do such things. ³ But do you think this, O man who passes judgment on those who do such things, and who does the same things, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the wealth of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who will reward each one according to his works: ⁷ to those who, by perseverance in good work, seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life, ⁸ but to those who act from selfish ambition and who disobey the truth, but who obey unrighteousness, wrath and anger. ⁹ There will be affliction and distress for every _⌊human being_⌋* who does evil, of the Jew first and of the Greek, ¹⁰ but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God. ¹² For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.* ¹⁴ For whenever the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things of the law, these, although they* do not have the law, are a law to themselves, ¹⁵ who show the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts one after another accusing or even defending them ¹⁶ on the day when God judges the secret things of people, according to my gospel, through* Christ Jesus. ¹⁷ But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸ and know his will and approve the things that are superior, because you* are instructed by the law, ¹⁹ and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of those in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law. ²¹ Therefore, the one who teaches someone else, do you not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, do you steal? ²² The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who abhors idols, do you rob temples? ²³ Who boast in the law, by the transgression of the law you dishonor God!* ²⁴ For just as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."* ²⁵ For circumcision is of value if you do the law, but if you should be a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶ Therefore, if the uncircumcised person follows the requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be credited for circumcision? ²⁷ And the uncircumcised person by nature who carries out the law will judge you who, though provided with _⌊the precise written code_⌋* and circumcision are a transgressor of the law. ²⁸ For the Jew is not _⌊one outwardly_⌋*, nor is circumcision _⌊outwardly_⌋*, in the flesh. ²⁹ But the Jew _⌊is one inwardly_⌋*, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God. ^{3 1} Therefore, what is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the use of circumcision? ² Much in every way. For first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. ³ _⌊What is the result_⌋* if some refused to believe? Their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? ⁴ May it never be! But let God be true but every human being a liar, just as it is written,
"In order that you may be justified in your words, and may prevail when you are* judged."* ⁵ But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? God, who inflicts wrath, is not unjust, is he? (I am speaking according to a human perspective.) ⁶ May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? ⁷ But if by my lying, the truth of God abounded to his glory, why am I also still condemned as a sinner? ⁸ And why not (as we are slandered, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, in order that good may come of it? Their* condemnation is just! ⁹ What then? Do we have an advantage? Not at all. For we have already charged both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, ¹⁰ just as it is written,
"There is no one righteous, not even one; ¹¹ there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. ¹² All have turned aside together; they have become worthless; There is no one who practices kindness; there is not even one.* ¹³ Their throat is an opened grave; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is under their lips,* ¹⁴ whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.* ¹⁵ Their feet are swift to shed blood; ¹⁶ destruction and distress are in their paths, ¹⁷ and they have not known the way of peace.* ¹⁸ The fear of God is not before their eyes."* ¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law, in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable to God. ²⁰ For by the works of the law _⌊no person will be declared righteous_⌋* before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified about by the law and the prophets— ²² that is, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ* to all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by his grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God made publicly available as the mercy seat* through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, because of the passing over of previously committed sins, ²⁶ in the forbearance of God, for the demonstration of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just and the one who justifies the person by faith* in Jesus. ²⁷ Therefore, where is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law* of faith. ²⁸ For we consider a person to be justified by faith apart from the works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, also of the Gentiles, ³⁰ since God is one, who will justify _⌊those who are circumcised_⌋* by faith and _⌊those who are uncircumcised_⌋* through faith. ³¹ Therefore, do we nullify the law through faith? May it never be! But we uphold the law. ^{4 1} What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has found? ² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ³ For what does the scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness."* ⁴ Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited according to grace, but according to his due. ⁵ But to the one who does not work, but who believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks about the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ⁷ "Blessed are they whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins are covered over. ⁸ Blessed is the person against whom the Lord will never count sin."* ⁹ Therefore, is this blessing for _⌊those who are circumcised_⌋*, or also for _⌊those who are uncircumcised_⌋*? For we say, "Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness."* ¹⁰ How then was it credited? While he* was _⌊circumcised_⌋* or _⌊uncircumcised_⌋*? Not _⌊while circumcised_⌋* but _⌊while uncircumcised_⌋*! ¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal* of the righteousness by faith which he had _⌊while uncircumcised_⌋*, so that he could be the father of all who believe _⌊although they are uncircumcised_⌋*, so that righteousness could be credited to them,* ¹² and the father _⌊of those who are circumcised_⌋* to those who are not only from the circumcision, but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith of our father Abraham _⌊which he had while uncircumcised_⌋*. ¹³ For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants, that he would be heir of the world, was not through the law, but through the righteousness by faith. ¹⁴ For if those of the law are heirs, faith is rendered void and the promise is nullified. ¹⁵ For the law produces wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. ¹⁶ Because of this, it is by faith, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise may be secure to all the descendants, not only to those of the law, but also to those of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all ¹⁷ (just as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")* before God, in whom he believed, the one who makes the dead alive and who calls the things that are not as though they are, ¹⁸ who against hope believed in hope, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was said, "so will your descendants be."* ¹⁹ And not being weak in faith, he considered his own body as good as dead, * because he* was approximately a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb. ²⁰ And he did not waver in unbelief at the promise of God, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God ²¹ and being fully convinced that what he had promised, he was also able to do. ²² Therefore* it was credited to him for righteousness. ²³ But it was not written for the sake of him alone that it was credited to him, ²⁴ but also for the sake of us to whom it is going to be credited, to those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, ²⁵ who was handed over on account of our trespasses, and was raised up in the interest of our justification.* ^{5 1} Therefore, because we* have been declared righteous by faith, we have* peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we* know that affliction produces patient endurance, ⁴ and patient endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, ⁵ and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ⁶ For while* we were still helpless, yet at the proper time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For only rarely will someone die on behalf of a righteous person (for on behalf of a good person possibly someone might even dare to die), ⁸ but God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while* we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Therefore, by much more, because we* have been declared righteous now by his blood, we will be saved through him from the wrath. ¹⁰ For if, while we* were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, by much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved by his life. ¹¹ And not only this, but also we are boasting in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. ¹² Because of this, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned. ¹³ For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not charged to one's account when there* is no law. ¹⁴ But death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who is to come. ¹⁵ _⌊But the gift is not like the trespass_⌋*, for if by the trespass of the one, the many died, by much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, multiply to the many. ¹⁶ And the gift is not as through the one who sinned, for on the one hand, judgment from the one sin led to condemnation, but the gift, from many trespasses, led to justification. ¹⁷ For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through the one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ Consequently therefore, as through one trespass came condemnation to all people, so also through one righteous deed came justification of life to all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ Now the law came in as a side issue, in order that the trespass could increase, but where sin increased, grace was present in greater abundance, ²¹ so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{6 1} What therefore shall we say? Shall we continue in sin, in order that grace may increase? ² May it never be! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we may live _⌊a new way of life_⌋*. ⁵ For if we have become identified with him in the likeness of his death, certainly also we will be identified with him in the likeness* of his resurrection, ⁶ knowing this, that our old man was crucified together with him, in order that the body of sin may be done away with, that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ For the one who has died has been freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, ⁹ knowing that Christ, because he* has been raised from the dead, is going to die no more, death no longer being master over him. ¹⁰ For that death he died, he died to sin once and never again, but that life he lives, he lives to God. ¹¹ So also you, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. ¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires, ¹³ and do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin will not be master over you, because you are not under law, but under grace. ¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! ¹⁶ Do you not know that to whomever you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to whomever you obey, whether sin, leading to death, or obedience, leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God that you were slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted, ¹⁸ and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. ¹⁹ (I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) For just as you presented your members as slaves to immorality and lawlessness, leading to lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with respect to righteousness. ²¹ Therefore what sort of fruit did you have then, about which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now, having been set free from sin and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit leading to sanctification, and its end is eternal life. ²³ For the compensation due sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ^{7 1} Or do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law is master of a person for as long a time as he lives? ² For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of the husband. ³ Therefore as a result, if she belongs to another man while* her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress if she* belongs to another man. ⁴ So then, my brothers, you also were brought to death with respect to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. ⁵ For when we were in the flesh, sinful desires were working through the law in our members, to bear fruit for death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the law, because we* have died to that by which we were bound, so that we may serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter of the law. ⁷ What then shall we say? Is the law sin? May it never be! But I would not have known sin except through the law, for I would not have known covetousness if the law had not said, "Do not covet."* ⁸ But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin is dead. ⁹ And I was alive once, apart from the law, but when* the commandment came, sin sprang to life ¹⁰ and I died, and this commandment which was to lead to life was found with respect to me to lead to death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. ¹³ Therefore, did that which is good become death to me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be recognized as sin, producing death through what is good for me, in order that sin might become sinful to an extraordinary degree through the commandment. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, _⌊sold into slavery to sin_⌋*. ¹⁵ For what I am doing I do not understand, because what I want to do, this I do not practice, but what I hate, this I do. ¹⁶ But if what I do not want to do, this I do, I agree with the law that it is good. ¹⁷ But now I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that lives in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good does not live in me, that is, in my flesh. For the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. ¹⁹ For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but the evil that I do not want to do, this I do. ²⁰ But if what I do not want to do, this I am doing, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that lives in me. ²¹ Consequently, I find the principle with me, the one who wants to do good, that evil is present with me.* ²² For I joyfully agree with the law of God in my inner person, ²³ but I observe another law in my members, at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that exists in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be* to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself with my mind am enslaved to the law of God, but with my flesh I am enslaved to the law of sin. ^{8 1} Consequently, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what was impossible for the law, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did. By* sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the requirement of the law would be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who are living according to the flesh are intent on the things of the flesh, but those who are living according to the Spirit are intent on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace, ⁷ because the mindset of the flesh is enmity toward God, for it is not subjected to the law of God, for it is not able to do so, ⁸ and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God. ⁹ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person _⌊does not belong to him_⌋*. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus* from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you. ¹² So then, brothers, we are obligated not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all those who are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba!* Father!" ¹⁶ The Spirit himself confirms to our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer together with him so that we may also be glorified together with him. ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now. ²³ Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while we* await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we await it eagerly with patient endurance. ²⁶ And likewise also, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as one ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unexpressed groanings. ²⁷ And the one who searches our hearts knows what the mindset of the Spirit is, because he intercedes on behalf of the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, ²⁹ because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined, these he also called, and those whom he called, these he also justified, and those whom he justified, these he also glorified. ³¹ What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, together with him, freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring charges against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. ³⁴ Who is the one who condemns? Christ* is the one who died, and more than that, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or hunger or lack of sufficient clothing or danger or the sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written,
"On account of you we are being put to death the whole day long; we are considered as sheep for slaughter."* ³⁷ No, but in all these things we prevail completely through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ^{9 1} I am telling the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears witness to me in the Holy Spirit— ² that my grief is great and there is constant distress in my heart. ³ For I could wish myself to be accursed from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my fellow countrymen according to the flesh, ⁴ who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the temple service, and the promises, ⁵ to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom is the Christ according to human descent, who is God over all, blessed _⌊forever_⌋*! Amen. ⁶ But it is not as if the word of God had failed. For not all those who are descended from Israel are truly Israel, ⁷ nor are they all children because they are descendants of Abraham, but "In Isaac will your descendants be named."* ⁸ That is, it is not the children _⌊by human descent_⌋* who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. ⁹ For the statement of the promise is this: "At this time I will return and _⌊Sarah will have_⌋* a son."* ¹⁰ And not only this, but also when* Rebecca conceived children by one man,* Isaac our father— ¹¹ for although they* had not yet been born, or done anything good or evil, in order that the purpose of God according to election might remain, ¹² not by works but by the one who calls—it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger,"* ¹³ just as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."* ¹⁴ What then shall we say? There is no injustice with God, is there?* May it never be! ¹⁵ For to Moses he says, "I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion."* ¹⁶ Consequently therefore, _⌊it does not depend on the_⌋* one who wills or on the one who runs, but on God who shows mercy. ¹⁷ For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very reason I have raised you up, so that I may demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."* ¹⁸ Consequently therefore, he has mercy on whomever he wishes, and he hardens whomever he wishes. ¹⁹ Therefore you will say to me, "Why then does he still find fault? For who has resisted* his will? ²⁰ On the contrary, O man, who are you who answers back to God? Will what is molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this"?* ²¹ Or does the potter not have authority over the clay, to make from the same lump a vessel that is for _⌊honorable use_⌋* and one that is for _⌊ordinary use_⌋*? ²² And what if God, wanting to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? ²³ And he did so* in order that he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ us whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵ As he also says in Hosea,
"I will call those who were not my people, 'My people,' and those who were not loved, 'Loved.'* ²⁶ And it will be in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"* ²⁷ And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel,
"Even if the number of the sons of Israel is like the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved, ²⁸ _⌊for the Lord will execute his sentence thoroughly and decisively_⌋* upon the earth."* ²⁹ And just as Isaiah foretold,
"If the Lord of hosts had not left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom and would have resembled Gomorrah."* ³⁰ What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness—even the righteousness that is by faith. ³¹ But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, did not attain to the law. ³² Why that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if by works. They stumbled over the _⌊stone that causes people to stumble_⌋*, ³³ just as it is written,
"Behold, I am laying in Zion _⌊a stone that causes people to stumble_⌋*, and _⌊a rock that causes them to fall_⌋*, and the one who believes in him will not be put to shame."* ^{10 1} Brothers, the desire of my heart and my prayer to God on behalf of them is for their salvation. ² For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For ignoring the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own,* they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. ⁵ For Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: "The person who does this* will live by it."** ⁶ But the righteousness from faith speaks like this: "Do not say in your heart,* 'Who will ascend into heaven?'"* (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷ or "Who will descend into the abyss?"* (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? "The word is near to you, in your mouth and in your heart"* (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), ⁹ that* if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."* ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who is rich to all who call upon him. ¹³ For "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."* ¹⁴ How then will they call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him about whom they have not heard? And how will they hear about him without one who preaches to them? ¹⁵ And how will they preach, unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How timely are the feet of those who bring good news of good things."* ¹⁶ But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"* ¹⁷ Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word about Christ. ¹⁸ But I say, they have not heard, have they?* On the contrary,
"Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the inhabited world."* ¹⁹ But I say, Israel did not know, did they?* First, Moses says,
"I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation; by a senseless nation I will provoke you to anger."* ²⁰ And Isaiah is very bold and says,
"I was found by those who did not seek me; I became known to those who did not ask for me."* ²¹ But about Israel he says,
"The whole day long I held out my hands to a disobedient and resistant people."* ^{11 1} Therefore I say, God has not rejected his people, has he?* May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, from the descendants of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. ² God has not rejected his people, whom he foreknew! Or do you not know, in the passage about* Elijah, what the scripture says—how he appeals to God against Israel? ³ "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life!"* ⁴ But what does the divine response say to him? "I have left for myself seven thousand people* who have not bent the knee to Baal."* ⁵ So in this way also at the present time, there is a remnant _⌊selected by grace_⌋*. ⁶ But if by grace, it is no longer by works, for otherwise grace would no longer be grace. ⁷ What then? What Israel was searching for, this it did not obtain. But the elect obtained it, and the rest were hardened, ⁸ just as it is written,
"God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, until this very day."* ⁹ And David says,
"Let their table become a snare and a trap, and a cause for stumbling and a retribution to them; ¹⁰ let their eyes be darkened so that they do not see, and cause their backs to bend _⌊continually_⌋*."* ¹¹ I say then, they did not stumble so that they fell, did they?* May it never be! But by their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.* ¹² And if their trespass means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean? ¹³ Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Therefore, inasmuch as I am apostle to the Gentiles, I promote my ministry, ¹⁴ if somehow I may provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them. ¹⁵ For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean except life from the dead? ¹⁶ Now if the first fruits are holy, so also is the whole batch of dough, and if the root is holy, so also are the branches. ¹⁷ Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although you* were a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the root of the olive tree's richness, ¹⁸ do not boast against the branches. But if you boast against them, you do not support the root, but the root supports you. ¹⁹ Then you will say, "Branches were broken off in order that I could be grafted in." ²⁰ Well said! They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand firm because of faith. Do not think arrogant thoughts, but be afraid. ²¹ For if God did not spare the _⌊natural_⌋* branches, neither will he spare you.* ²² See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity upon those who have fallen, but upon you the kindness of God—if you continue in his kindness, for otherwise you also will be cut off. ²³ And those also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴ For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are _⌊natural branches_⌋* be grafted into their own olive tree? ²⁵ For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you will not be wise _⌊in your own sight_⌋,* that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, ²⁶ and so all Israel will be saved, just as it is written,
"The deliverer will come out of Zion; he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. ²⁷ And this is the covenant from me with them* when I take away their sins."* ²⁸ With respect to the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but with respect to election, they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers. ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰ For just as you formerly were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of the disobedience of these, ³¹ so also these have now been disobedient for your mercy, in order that they also may now be shown mercy. ³² For God confined them all in disobedience, in order that he could have mercy on them all. ³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how incomprehensible are his ways! ³⁴ "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?* ³⁵ Or who has given in advance to him, and it will be paid back to him?"* ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for eternity! Amen. ^{12 1} Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may approve what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. ³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone who is among you not to think more highly of yourself than what one ought to think, but to think _⌊sensibly_⌋*, as God has apportioned a measure of faith to each one. ⁴ For just as in one body we have many members, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ, and _⌊individually_⌋* members of one another, ⁶ but having different gifts according to the grace given to us: if it is prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if it is service, by service; if it is one who teaches, by teaching; ⁸ if it is one who exhorts, by exhortation; one who gives, with sincerity; one who leads, with diligence; one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹ Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; be attached to what is good, ¹⁰ being devoted to one another in brotherly love, esteeming one another more highly in honor, ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, being enthusiastic in spirit, serving the Lord, ¹² rejoicing in hope, enduring in affliction, being devoted to prayer, ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute,* bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Think the same thing toward one another; _⌊do not think arrogantly_⌋*, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise _⌊in your own sight_⌋*. ¹⁷ Pay back no one evil for evil. Take thought for what is good in the sight of all people. ¹⁸ If it is possible on your part, be at peace with all people. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God's wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay,"* says the Lord. ²⁰ But "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by* doing this, you will heap up coals of fire upon his head."* ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ^{13 1} Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except by God, and those that exist are put in place by God. ² So then, the one who resists authority resists the ordinance which is from God, and those who resist will receive condemnation on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a cause of terror for a good deed, but for bad conduct. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it, ⁴ for it is God's servant to you for what is good. But if you do what is bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does what is bad. ⁵ Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities* are servants of God, busily engaged in this very thing. ⁷ Pay to everyone what is owed: pay taxes to whom taxes are due; pay customs duties to whom customs duties are due; pay respect to whom respect is due; pay honor to whom honor is due.* ⁸ Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another, for the one who loves someone else has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,"* and if there is any other commandment, are summed up in this statement: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."* ¹⁰ Love does not commit evil against a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. ¹¹ And do this because you* know the time, that it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we believed. ¹² The night is far gone, and the day has drawn near. Therefore let us throw off* the deeds of darkness and put on the weapons of light. ¹³ Let us live decently, as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh. ^{14 1} Now receive the one who is weak in faith, but not for quarrels about opinions. ² One believes he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats must not despise the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not judge the one who eats, because God has accepted him. ⁴ Who are you, who passes judgment on the domestic slave belonging to someone else? To his own master he stands or falls, and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. ⁵ One person* prefers one day over another day, and another person regards every day alike. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ The one who is intent on the day is intent on it for the Lord, and the one who eats eats for the Lord, because he is thankful to God, and the one who does not eat does not eat for the Lord, and he is thankful to God. ⁷ For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. ⁹ For Christ died and became alive again for this reason, in order that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰ But why do you judge your brother? Or also, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹ For it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will praise God."* ¹² So* each one of us will give an account concerning himself.* ¹³ Therefore, let us no longer pass judgment on one another, but rather decide this: not to place a cause for stumbling or a temptation before a brother. ¹⁴ I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean of itself, except to the one who considers something to be unclean; to that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ For if because of food, your brother is grieved, you are no longer living according to love. Do not destroy by your food that person for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let your good be slandered. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ For the one who serves Christ in this way is well-pleasing to God and approved by people. ¹⁹ So then, let us pursue _⌊what promotes peace_⌋* and _⌊what edifies one another_⌋*. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God on account of food. All things are clean, but it is wrong for the person _⌊who eats and stumbles in the process_⌋*. ²¹ It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine or to do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is weakened.* ²² The faith that you have, have with respect to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not pass judgment on himself by what he approves. ²³ But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin. ^{15 1} But we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each one of us please his neighbor for his good, for the purpose of edification. ³ For even Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."* ⁴ For whatever was written beforehand was written for our instruction, in order that through patient endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. ⁵ Now may the God of patient endurance and of encouragement grant you _⌊to be in agreement_⌋* with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that with one mind you may glorify with one mouth the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also has accepted you, to the glory of God. ⁸ For I say, Christ has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers, ⁹ and that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, just as it is written,
"Because of this, I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to your name."* ¹⁰ And again it says,
"Rejoice, Gentiles, with his people."* ¹¹ And again,
"Praise the Lord, all the Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him."* ¹² And again Isaiah says,
"The root of Jesse will come, even the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will put their hope."* ¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁴ Now I myself also am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to instruct one another. ¹⁵ But I have written to you more boldly on some points, so as to remind you again because of the grace that has been given to me by God, ¹⁶ with the result that I am a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving the gospel of God as a priest, in order that the offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ Therefore I have a reason for boasting in Christ Jesus regarding the things concerning God. ¹⁸ For I will not dare to speak about anything except that which Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, ¹⁹ by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit,* so that from Jerusalem and traveling around as far as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. ²⁰ And so, having as my ambition to proclaim the gospel where Christ has not been named, in order that I will not build on the foundation belonging to someone else, ²¹ but just as it is written,
"Those to whom it was not announced concerning him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."* ²² For this reason also I was hindered many times from coming to you, ²³ and now, no longer having a place in these regions, but having a desire for many years to come to you ²⁴ whenever I travel to Spain. For I hope while I* am passing through to see you and to be sent on my way by you, whenever I have first enjoyed your company for a while. ²⁵ But now I am traveling to Jerusalem, serving the saints. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ For they were pleased to do so, and they are obligated to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to serve them in material things. ²⁸ Therefore, after I* have accomplished this and sealed this fruit for delivery to them, I will depart by way of you for Spain, ²⁹ and I know that when I* come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. ³⁰ Now I exhort you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to contend along with me in your prayers on my behalf to God, ³¹ that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, ³² so that, coming to you with joy by the will of God, I may rest with you. ³³ Now may the God of peace be with all of you. Amen. ^{16 1} Now I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is also a servant* of the church in Cenchrea, ² in order that you may welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever task she may have need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, even me myself. ³ Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who risked their own necks for my life, for which not only I am thankful, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; ⁵ also greet* the church in their house. Greet Epenetus my dear friend, who is _⌊the first convert_⌋* of Asia for Christ. ⁶ Greet Mary, who _⌊has worked hard_⌋* for you. ⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia,* my compatriots* and my fellow prisoners, who are well known to* the apostles, who were also in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those of the household of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Greet Herodion my compatriot.* Greet those of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ¹² Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, the laborers in the Lord. Greet Persis, the dear friend who _⌊has worked hard_⌋* in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus, the chosen one in the Lord, and his mother and mine. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. ¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. ¹⁷ Now I exhort you, brothers, to look out for those who cause dissensions and temptations contrary to the teaching which you learned, and stay away from them. ¹⁸ For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own stomach, and by smooth speech and flattery they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. ¹⁹ For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, and I want you to be wise toward what is good, but innocent toward what is evil. ²⁰ And in a short time the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ* be with you. ²¹ Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my compatriots.* ²² I, Tertius, the one who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. ²³ Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus the brother. ²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.*

1 Corinthians

^{1 1} Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, ² to the church of God sanctified in Christ Jesus that is in Corinth,* called to be saints, together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord* and ours. ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I give thanks to my God always concerning you, because of the grace of God which was given to you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that* in everything you were made rich in him, in all speech and all knowledge, ⁶ just as the testimony about Christ has been confirmed in you, ⁷ so that you do not lack in any spiritual gift as you* eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called to fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹⁰ Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing and there not be divisions among you, and that you be made complete in the same mind and with the same purpose. ¹¹ For it has been made clear to me concerning you, my brothers, by _⌊Chloe's people_⌋*, that there are quarrels among you. ¹² But I say this, that each of you is saying, "I am with Paul," and "I am with Apollos," and "I am with Cephas," and "I am with Christ." ¹³ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he?* Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I give thanks* that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ lest anyone should say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ (Now I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Beyond that I do not know if I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel, not with _⌊clever speech_⌋*, lest the cross of Christ be emptied. ¹⁸ For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will confound."* ²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. ²² For indeed, Jews ask for sign miracles and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a cause for stumbling, but to the Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,* and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.* ²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers, that not many were wise according to human standards,* not many were powerful, not many were well born. ²⁷ But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong, ²⁸ and the insignificant of the world, and the despised, God chose, the things that are not, in order that he might abolish the things that are, ²⁹ so that all flesh may not boast before God. ³⁰ But from him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written, "The one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."* ^{2 1} And I, when I* came to you, brothers, did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony* of God. ² For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ And I came to you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling, ⁴ and my speech and my preaching were not with the persuasiveness* of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, ⁵ in order that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ⁶ Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but wisdom not of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing, ⁷ but we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew. For if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But just as it is written,
"Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and have not entered into the heart of man, all that* God has prepared for those who love him."* ¹⁰ For* to us God has revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man that is in him? Thus also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, in order that we may know the things freely given to us by God, ¹³ things which we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.* ¹⁴ But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ Now the spiritual person discerns all things, but he himself is judged by no one. ¹⁶ "For who has known the mind of the Lord; who has advised him?"* But we have the mind of Christ. ^{3 1} And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to fleshly people, as to infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to eat it. But now you are still not able, ³ for you are still fleshly. For where there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and do you not live like unregenerate people?* ⁴ For whenever anyone says, "I am with Paul," and another, "I am with Apollos," are you not merely human? ⁵ Therefore, what is Apollos and what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, and to each as the Lord gave. ⁶ I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing it to grow. ⁷ So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who is causing it to grow. ⁸ Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one, but each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. ¹⁰ According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must direct his attention to how he is building upon it. ¹¹ For no one is able to lay another foundation than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, ¹³ the work of each one will become evident. For the day will reveal it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the work of each one, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone's work that he has built upon it remains, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but so as through fire. ¹⁶ Do you not know that you are God's temple and the Spirit of God dwells in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy this one. For God's temple is holy, which you are. ¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks himself to be wise among you in this age, let him become a fool, in order that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it is written, "The one who catches the wise in their craftiness,"* ²⁰ and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."* ²¹ So then, let no one boast in people. For all things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come, all things are yours, ²³ and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. ^{4 1} Thus let a person consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. ² In this case, moreover, it is sought in stewards that one be found faithful. ³ But to me it is a very little matter that I be judged by you or by a human court,* but I do not even judge myself. ⁴ For I am conscious of nothing against myself, but not by this am I vindicated. But the one who judges me is the Lord. ⁵ Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord should come, who will both enlighten the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of hearts, and then praise will come to each one from God. ⁶ Now I have applied these things, brothers, to myself and Apollos for your sake, in order that in us you may learn not to go beyond what is written, lest someone be inflated with pride on behalf of one person against the other. ⁷ For who concedes you superiority? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if indeed you received it, why do you boast as if you* did not receive it? ⁸ Already you are satiated! Already you are rich! Apart from us you reign as kings! And would that indeed you reigned as kings, in order that we also might reign as kings with you! ⁹ For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world and to angels and to people. ¹⁰ We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ Until the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty and poorly clothed and roughly treated and homeless, ¹² and we toil, working with our own hands. When we are* reviled, we bless; when we are* persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when we are* slandered, we encourage. We have become like the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now. ¹⁴ I am not writing these things to shame you, but admonishing you as my dear children. ¹⁵ For if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I fathered you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I exhort you, become imitators of me. ¹⁷ Because of this, I have sent to you Timothy, who is my dear and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church. ¹⁸ But some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. ¹⁹ But I am coming to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will know not the talk of the ones who have become arrogant, but the power. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not with talk, but with power. ²¹ What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness? ^{5 1} It is reported everywhere that there is sexual immorality among you, and sexual immorality of such a kind which does not even exist among the Gentiles, so that someone has the wife of his father. ² And you are inflated with pride, and should you not rather have mourned, so that the one who has done this deed would be removed from your midst? ³ For although I* am absent in body but present in spirit, I have already passed judgment on the one who has done this in this way, as if I* were present. ⁴ In the name of our Lord Jesus, when* you are assembled, and my spirit, together with the power of our Lord Jesus, ⁵ I have decided* to hand over such a person to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. ⁶ Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? ⁷ Clean out the old leaven in order that you may be a new batch of dough, just as you are unleavened. For Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. ⁸ So then, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old leaven or with the leaven of wickedness and sinfulness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. ⁹ I wrote to you in the letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. ¹⁰ By no means did I mean the sexually immoral people of this world or the greedy people and swindlers or idolaters, since then you would have to depart out of the world. ¹¹ But now I have written to you not to associate with any so-called brother, if he is a sexually immoral person or a greedy person or an idolater or an abusive person or a drunkard or a swindler—with such a person not even to eat. ¹² For what is it to me to judge those outside? Should you not judge those inside? ¹³ But those outside God will judge. Remove the evil person _⌊from among yourselves_⌋*. ^{6 1} Does anyone among you, if he* has a matter against someone else, dare to go to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? ² Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if by you the world is judged, are you unworthy of the most insignificant courts? ³ Do you not know that we will judge angels, not to mention ordinary matters? ⁴ Therefore, if you have courts with regard to ordinary matters, do you seat* these despised people in the church? ⁵ I say this to your shame. So is there not anyone wise among you who will be able to render a decision between his brothers? ⁶ But brother goes to court with brother, and this before unbelievers! ⁷ Therefore it is already completely a loss for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? ⁸ But you wrong and defraud, and do this to brothers! ⁹ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Neither sexually immoral people, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor passive homosexual partners, nor dominant homosexual partners, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor greedy persons, not drunkards, not abusive persons, not swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And some of you were these things, but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus* and by the Spirit of our God. ¹² All things are permitted for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be controlled by anything. ¹³ Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food, but God will abolish _⌊both of them_⌋*. Now the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ And God both raised up the Lord and will raise us up by his power. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Therefore, shall I take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! ¹⁶ Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For it says, "The two will become one flesh."* ¹⁷ But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with him. ¹⁸ Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a person commits is outside his body, but the one who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God with your body. ^{7 1} Now concerning the things about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to touch* a woman." ² But because of sexual immorality, let each man have* his own wife and let each woman have her own husband. ³ The husband must fulfill his obligation to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. ⁴ The wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. And likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but his wife does. ⁵ Do not defraud one another, except perhaps by agreement, for a time, in order that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and then you should be _⌊together_⌋* again, lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control. ⁶ But I say this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ I wish all people could be like myself, but each one has his own gift from God, one in this way and another in that way. ⁸ Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. ⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire. ¹⁰ To the married I command—not I, but the Lord—a wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹ But if indeed she does separate, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. ¹² Now to the rest I say—not the Lord—if any brother has an unbelieving wife and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if any wife has an unbelieving husband and he consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the brother, since otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. The brother or the sister is not bound in such cases. But God has called us* in peace. ¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? ¹⁷ But to each one as the Lord has apportioned. As God has called each one, thus let him live—and thus I order in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone called after* being circumcised? He must not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? He must not become circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. ²⁰ Each one in the calling in which he was called—in this he should remain. ²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not let it be a concern to you. But if indeed you are able to become free, rather make use of it. ²² For the one who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedperson. Likewise the one who is called while free is a slave of Christ. ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴ Each one in the situation in which he was called, brothers—in this he should remain with God. ²⁵ Now concerning virgins I do not have a command from the Lord, but I am giving an opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy. ²⁶ Therefore, I consider this to be good because of the impending distress, that it is good for a man to be thus. ²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek release. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. ²⁸ But if you marry, you have not sinned, and if the virgin marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have affliction in the flesh, and I would spare you. ²⁹ But I say this, brothers: the time is shortened, that from now on even those who have wives should be as if they do not have wives, ³⁰ and those who weep as if they do not weep, and those who rejoice as if they do not rejoice, and those who buy as if they do not possess, ³¹ and those who make use of the world as if they do not make full use of it. For the present form of this world is passing away. ³² But I want you to be free from care. The unmarried person cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. ³³ But the one who is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, ³⁴ and he is divided. And the unmarried woman or the virgin cares for the things of the Lord, in order that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ Now I am saying this for your own benefit, not that I may put a restriction on you, but to promote appropriate and devoted service to the Lord without distraction. ³⁶ But if anyone thinks he is behaving dishonorably concerning his virgin, if she is past her prime* and it ought to be thus, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin. Let them marry. ³⁷ But he who stands firm in his heart, not having necessity, but has authority concerning his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well. ³⁸ So then, the one who marries* his own virgin does well, and the one who does not marry her will do better. ³⁹ A wife is bound for as long a time as her husband lives. But if her husband _⌊dies_⌋*, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, only in the Lord. ⁴⁰ But she is happier if she remains thus, according to my opinion—and I think I have the Spirit of God. ^{8 1} Now concerning food sacrificed to idols, we know that "we all have knowledge."* Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ² If anyone thinks he knows anything, he has not yet known as it is necessary to know. ³ But if anyone loves God, this one is known by him. ⁴ Therefore, concerning the eating of food sacrificed to idols, we know that "an idol is nothing in the world" and that "there is no God except one."* ⁵ For even if after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many gods and many lords, ⁶ yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we are for him, and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we are through him. ⁷ But this knowledge is not in everyone. But some, being accustomed until now to the idol, eat this food as food sacrificed to idols, and their conscience, because it* is weak, is defiled. ⁸ But food does not bring us close to God. For neither if we eat do we have more, nor if we do not eat do we lack.* ⁹ But watch out lest somehow this right of yours becomes a cause for stumbling to the weak. ¹⁰ For if someone should see you who has knowledge reclining for a meal in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, because it* is weak, be strengthened so that he eats the food sacrificed to idols? ¹¹ For the one who is weak—the brother for whom Christ died—is destroyed by your knowledge. ¹² Now if you* sin in this way against the brothers and wound their conscience, which is weak, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat _⌊forever_⌋*, in order that I may not cause my brother to sin. ^{9 1} Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? ² If to others I am not an apostle, yet indeed I am to you, for you are my seal of apostleship in the Lord. ³ My defense to those who examine me is this: ⁴ Do we not have the right to eat and drink? ⁵ Do we not have the right to take along a sister as wife, like the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? ⁶ Or do only I and Barnabas not have the right _⌊to refrain from working_⌋*? ⁷ Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Who* shepherds a flock and does not drink* from the milk of the flock? ⁸ I am not saying these things according to a human perspective. Or does the law not also say these things? ⁹ For in the law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox while it* is threshing."* It is not about oxen God is concerned, is it?* ¹⁰ Or doubtless does he speak _⌊for our sake_⌋*? For it is written _⌊for our sake_⌋*, because the one who plows ought to plow in hope and the one who threshes ought to do so in hope of a share. ¹¹ If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too great a thing if we reap material things from you? ¹² If others share this right over you, do we not do so even more? Yet we have not made use of this right, but we endure all things, in order that we may not cause any hindrance to the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those performing the holy services eat the things from the temple, and those attending to the altar have a share with the altar? ¹⁴ In the same way also the Lord ordered those who proclaim the gospel to live from the gospel. ¹⁵ But I have not made use of any of these rights. And I am not writing these things in order that it may be thus with me. For it would be better to me rather to die than for anyone to deprive me of my reason for boasting. ¹⁶ For if I proclaim the gospel, it is not to me a reason for boasting, for necessity is imposed on me. For woe is to me if I do not proclaim the gospel. ¹⁷ For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward, but if I do so unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That when I* proclaim the gospel, I may offer the gospel free of charge, in order not to make full use of my right in the gospel. ¹⁹ For although I* am free from all people, I have enslaved myself to all, in order that I may gain more. ²⁰ I have become like a Jew to the Jews, in order that I may gain the Jews. To those under the law I became as under the law (although I* myself am not under the law) in order that I may gain those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as outside the law (although I* am not outside the law of God, but subject to the law of Christ) in order that I may gain those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, in order that I may gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, in order that by all means I may save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, in order that I may become a participant with it. ²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵ And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Thus those do so in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. ²⁶ Therefore I run in this way, not as running aimlessly; I box in this way, not as beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and subjugate it, lest somehow after* preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified. ^{10 1} For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all went through the sea, ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³ and all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. ⁵ But God was not pleased with the majority of them, for they were struck down in the desert. ⁶ Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we should not be desirers of evil things, just as those also desired them, ⁷ and not become idolaters, as some of them did, just as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play,"* ⁸ nor commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed sexual immorality, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day, ⁹ nor put Christ to the test, as some of them tested him, and were destroyed by snakes, ¹⁰ nor grumble, just as some of them grumbled, and were destroyed by the destroyer. ¹¹ Now these things happened to those people as an example, but are written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹² Therefore, the one who thinks that he stands must watch out lest he fall. ¹³ Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it. ¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I am speaking as to sensible people; you judge what I am saying. ¹⁶ The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share from the one bread. ¹⁸ Consider Israel according to the flesh: are not the ones who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? ¹⁹ Therefore, what am I saying? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? ²⁰ No, but that the things which they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to become sharers with demons. ²¹ You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You are not able to share the table of the Lord and the table of demons. ²² Or are we attempting to provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than he is, are we?* ²³ All things are permitted, but not all things are profitable. All things are permitted, but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let no one seek _⌊his own good_⌋* but the good of the other. ²⁵ Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, _⌊asking no questions_⌋* for the sake of the conscience, ²⁶ for "the earth is the Lord's, and its fullness."* ²⁷ If any of the unbelievers invites you, and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, _⌊asking no questions_⌋* for the sake of the conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, "This is offered to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and the conscience. ²⁹ Now I am not speaking about your own conscience, but the conscience of the other person. For why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? ³⁰ If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? ³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or you drink or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. ³² _⌊Give no offense_⌋* both to Jews and to Greeks and to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own benefit, but the benefit of the many, in order that they may be saved. ^{11 1} Become imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. ² Now I praise you that you remember me in all things, and just as I handed over to you the traditions, you hold fast to them. ³ But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies while* having something* on his head dishonors his head, ⁵ but every woman who prays or prophesies with uncovered head dishonors her head, for she is one and the same with the one whose head is shaved. ⁶ For if a woman does not cover herself, let her hair be shorn off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her head* shorn or shaved, let her cover her head.* ⁷ For indeed a man ought not to cover his head, because he* is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. ⁸ For man is not from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ For indeed man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man. ¹⁰ Because of this, the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, on account of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, neither is woman anything apart from man, nor is man anything apart from woman in the Lord. ¹² For just as the woman is from the man, thus also the man is through the woman. But all things are from God. ¹³ You judge _⌊for yourselves_⌋*: is it fitting for a woman to pray to God with her head* uncovered? ¹⁴ And does not nature itself teach you that a man, if he wears long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ¹⁵ But a woman, if she wears long hair, it is her glory, because her hair is given* for a covering. ¹⁶ But if anyone is disposed to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. ¹⁷ But in giving this instruction I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. ¹⁸ For in the first place, when you* come together as a church, I hear there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ¹⁹ For indeed it is necessary that there be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may become evident among you. ²⁰ Therefore, when* you come together in the same place, it is not to eat the Lord's supper. ²¹ For when you* eat it, each one of you goes ahead to take his own supper, and one is hungry and another is drunk. ²² For do you not have houses for eating and drinking? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who do not have anything? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you! ²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and after he* had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." ²⁵ Likewise also the cup, after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. ²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸ But let a person examine himself, and in this way let him eat from the bread and let him drink from the cup. ²⁹ For the one who eats and drinks, if he* does not recognize the body, eats and drinks judgment against himself. ³⁰ Because of this, many are weak and sick among you, and quite a few _⌊have died_⌋*. ³¹ But if we were evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged. ³² But if we* are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined, in order that we will not be condemned with the world. ³³ So then, my brothers, when you* come together in order to eat the Lord's supper,* wait for one another. ³⁴ If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And I will give directions about the remaining matters whenever I come. ^{12 1} Now concerning spiritual gifts,* brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. ² You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the speechless idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed," and no one is able to say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. ⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, ⁵ and there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord, ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but the same God, who works all things in all people. ⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is beneficial to all. ⁸ For to one is given a word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another a word of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another* gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another* _⌊miraculous powers_⌋*, to another* prophecy, to another* distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another* interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But in all these things one and the same Spirit is at work, distributing to each one individually just as he wishes. ¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, although they* are many, are one body, thus also Christ. ¹³ For by* one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free persons, and all were made to drink one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," not because of this is it not a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body, not because of this is it not a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body just as he wanted. ¹⁹ And if they all were one member, where would the body be? ²⁰ But now there are many members, but one body. ²¹ Now the eye is not able to say to the hand, "I do not have need of you," or again, the head to the feet, "I do not have need of you." ²² But by much more the members of the body which are thought to be weaker are necessary, ²³ and the parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, these we clothe with more abundant honor, and our unpresentable parts come to have more abundant presentability, ²⁴ but our presentable parts do not have need of this. Yet God composed the body by giving more abundant honor to the part which lacked it, ²⁵ in order that there not be a division in the body, but the members would have the same concern for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer together; if a member* is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members _⌊of it individually_⌋*, ²⁸ and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Not all are apostles, are they?* Not all are prophets, are they?* Not all are teachers, are they?* Not all are workers of miracles, are they?* ³⁰ Not all have gifts of healing, do they?* Not all speak with tongues, do they?* Not all interpret, do they?* ³¹ But strive* for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. ^{13 1} If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a ringing brass gong or a clashing cymbal. ² And if I have the gift of prophecy and I know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ And if I parcel out all my possessions, and if I hand over my body in order that I will be burned,* but do not have love, it benefits me nothing. ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous, it does not boast, it does not become conceited, ⁵ it does not behave dishonorably, it _⌊is not selfish_⌋*, it does not become angry, it does not keep a record of wrongs, ⁶ it does not rejoice at unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will pass away. If there are tongues, they will cease. If there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but whenever the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside the things of a child. ¹² For now we see through a mirror _⌊indirectly_⌋*, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know completely, just as I have also been completely known. ¹³ And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. ^{14 1} Pursue love, and strive for spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ² For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit* he speaks mysteries. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. ⁴ The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. ⁶ But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? ⁷ Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? ⁸ For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? ⁹ And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. ¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a barbarian in my judgment. ¹² In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. ¹³ Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. ¹⁵ _⌊Therefore what should I do_⌋*? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. ¹⁶ For otherwise, if you praise in your spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. ¹⁸ I give thanks to God that I speak with tongues more than all of you, ¹⁹ but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other people, than ten thousand words in a tongue. ²⁰ Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature. ²¹ In the law it is written:
"By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me,"*
says the Lord. ²² So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. ²³ Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same time and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? ²⁴ But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, ²⁵ the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" ²⁶ _⌊Therefore what should you do_⌋*, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things must be done for edification. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be on one occasion two or at most three, and _⌊one after the other_⌋*, and one must interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹ Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate. ³⁰ And if something is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent. ³¹ For you are all able to prophesy _⌊in turn_⌋*, in order that all may learn and all may be encouraged, ³² and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. ³³ For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴ the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. ³⁵ But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. ³⁶ Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only? ³⁷ If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual,* he should recognize that the things which I am writing to you are of the Lord.* ³⁸ But if anyone ignores this, he is ignored.* ³⁹ So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues. ⁴⁰ But let all things be done decently and according to proper procedure. ^{15 1} Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel which I proclaimed to you, which you have also received, in which you also stand, ² by which you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the message I proclaimed to you, unless you believed to no purpose. ³ For I passed on to you _⌊as of first importance_⌋* what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, ⁴ and that he was buried, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, ⁶ then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, the majority of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all, as it were to one born at the wrong time, he appeared also to me. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain, but I labored even more than all of them, and not I, but the grace of God with me. ¹¹ Therefore whether I or those, in this way we preached, and in this way you believed. ¹² Now if Christ is preached as raised up from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁴ But if Christ has not been raised, then* our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ And also we are found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if after all, then, the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ But if Christ has not been raised, your faith is empty; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ And as a further result, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If _⌊we have put our hope_⌋* in Christ in this life only, we are of all people most pitiable. ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since through a man came death, also through a man came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in his own group: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's at his coming, ²⁴ then the end, when he hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when he has abolished all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For it is necessary for him to reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be abolished is death. ²⁷ For "he subjected all things under his feet."* But when it says "all things" are subjected, it is clear that the one who subjected all things to him is not included. ²⁸ But whenever all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected* to the one who subjected all things to him, in order that God may be all in all. ²⁹ Otherwise, why do they do it, those who are being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why indeed are they being baptized on behalf of them? ³⁰ And why are we in danger every hour? ³¹ I die every day—yes indeed, by my boasting in you,* which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord! ³² If according to a human perspective I fought wild beasts at Ephesus, what benefit is it to me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.* ³³ Do not be deceived! "Bad company corrupts good morals."* ³⁴ Sober up correctly and _⌊stop sinning_⌋*, for some have no knowledge of God—I say this to your shame. ³⁵ But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what sort of body do they come?" ³⁶ Foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. ³⁷ And what you sow is not the body which it will become, but you sow the bare seed, whether perhaps of wheat or of some of the rest. ³⁸ But God gives to it a body just as he wishes, and to each one of the seeds its own body. ³⁹ Not all flesh is the same, but there is one flesh of human beings, and another flesh of animals, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish, ⁴⁰ and heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly bodies is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly bodies is of another kind. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, for star differs from star in glory. ⁴² Thus also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruptibility. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ Thus also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul";* the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ But the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man is from the earth, made of earth; the second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸ As the one who is made of earth, so also are those who are made of earth, and as the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹ And just as we have borne the image of the one who is made of earth, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. ⁵⁰ But I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood is not able to inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruptibility. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For it is necessary for this perishable body to put on incorruptibility, and this mortal body to put on immortality. ⁵⁴ But whenever this perishable body puts on incorruptibility and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:
"Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? ⁵⁶ Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! ⁵⁸ So then, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you* know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. ^{16 1} Now concerning the collection for the saints: just as I gave directions about it to the churches of Galatia, so you do also. ² On the first day of the week, each one of you _⌊put aside_⌋* something, saving up _⌊to whatever extent he has prospered_⌋*, in order that whenever I come, at that time collections do not take place. ³ And whenever I arrive, whomever you approve by letters, I will send these to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ And if it is worthwhile for me to go also, they will travel with me. ⁵ But I will come to you whenever I go through Macedonia (for I am going through Macedonia), ⁶ and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now in passing, for I hope to remain some time with you, if the Lord allows it. ⁸ But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ for a great and effective door has opened for me, and there are many opponents. ¹⁰ But if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to fear, for he is carrying out the Lord's work, as I also am. ¹¹ Therefore do not let anyone disdain him, but send him on his way in peace in order that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. ¹² Now concerning Apollos our brother, I urged him many times that he should come to you with the brothers, and he was not at all willing that he should come now, but he will come whenever he has an opportunity. ¹³ Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act courageously, be strong. ¹⁴ All your actions must be done in love. ¹⁵ Now I urge you, brothers—you know about the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the ministry for the saints— ¹⁶ that you also be subject to such people, and to all those who work together and labor. ¹⁷ Now I rejoice over the arrival of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because these make up for your absence, ¹⁸ for they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people. ¹⁹ The churches of the province of Asia* greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you in the Lord many times, together with the church in their house. ²⁰ All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. ²¹ The greeting is by my hand—Paul's. ²² If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!* ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴ My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians

^{1 1} Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints who are in all Achaia. ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in all affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, thus through Christ our comfort overflows also. ⁶ But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that is at work in the patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we* know that as you are sharers in the sufferings, so also you will be sharers in the comfort. ⁸ For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning our affliction that happened in the province of Asia,* that we were burdened to an extraordinary degree, beyond our strength, so that we were in despair even of living. ⁹ But we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not be putting confidence in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a risk of death, and will deliver us, in whom we have put our hope that he will also deliver us again, ¹¹ while* you also join in helping _⌊on our behalf_⌋* by prayer, so that thanks may be given _⌊on our behalf_⌋* by many persons for this gracious gift given to us through the help of many. ¹² For our reason for boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness* and purity of motive from God, not* in merely human wisdom, but by the grace of God. ¹³ For we are not writing anything else to you except what you can read or also understand. But I hope that you will understand _⌊completely_⌋*, ¹⁴ just as you have also understood us in part, that we are your reason for boasting, just as you are also ours in the day of our Lord Jesus. ¹⁵ And with this confidence, I was wanting to come to you previously, in order that you may have a second proof of my goodwill, ¹⁶ and through you to go to Macedonia, and to come to you again from Macedonia, and to be sent on my way by you to Judea. ¹⁷ Therefore, when I* was wanting to do this, perhaps then was I making use of vacillation? Or was I deciding what I was deciding according to the flesh, in order that with me my "yes" may be "yes" and my "no" may be "no" at the same time?* ¹⁸ But God is faithful, so that our word to you is not "yes" and "no." ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who was proclaimed among you by us, by me and Silvanus and Timothy, did not become "yes" and "no," but has become "yes" in him. ²⁰ For as many as are the promises of God, in him they are "yes"; therefore also through him is the "amen" to the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now the one who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anoints us is God, ²² who also sealed us and gave the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts. ²³ But I call upon God as witness against my life, that in order to* spare you, I did not come again to Corinth. ²⁴ Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, because by faith you stand firm. ^{2 1} For I have decided this for myself, not to come to you again in sorrow. ² For if I cause you sorrow, then who will make me glad except the one who is caused to be sad by me? ³ And I wrote this very thing in order that when I* came, I would not experience sorrow from those who ought to have made me glad, because I* have confidence about you all, that my joy _⌊belongs to all of you_⌋*. ⁴ For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you may be caused to be sad, but so that you may know the love that I have especially for you. ⁵ But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not caused me sorrow, but _⌊to some degree_⌋*—_⌊in order not to say too much_⌋*—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a person. ⁷ So then, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow this person should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ Therefore I urge you to confirm your love for him. ⁹ Because for this reason also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything. ¹⁰ Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; for indeed, whatever I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is _⌊for your sake_⌋* in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ in order that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes). ¹² Now when I* arrived in Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, ¹³ I did not experience rest in my spirit, because* I did not find Titus my brother, but saying farewell to them, I departed for Macedonia. ¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place. ¹⁵ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, ¹⁶ to those on the one hand an odor from death to death, and to those on the other hand a fragrance from life to life. And who is qualified for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not like the majority who peddle the word of God, but as from pure motives—but as from God—we speak before God in Christ. ^{3 1} Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we, like some, need letters of recommendation to you or from you? ² You are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by all people, ³ revealing that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, inscribed not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets of human hearts. ⁴ Now we possess such confidence through Christ toward God. ⁵ Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, ⁶ who also makes us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ⁷ But if the ministry of death in letters carved on stone came with glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look intently into the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was transitory, ⁸ how will the ministry of the Spirit not be even more with glory? ⁹ For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, by much more will the ministry of righteousness overflow with glory. ¹⁰ For indeed what had been glorified has not been glorified in this case, on account of the glory that surpasses it. ¹¹ For if what was transitory came with glory, by much more what remains is with glory. ¹² Therefore, because we* have such a hope, we use much boldness, ¹³ and not as Moses used to place a veil over his face, in order that the sons of Israel would not stare at the end of what was transitory. ¹⁴ But their minds were hardened. For until this very day, the same veil remains upon the reading of the old covenant, not being uncovered, because it is done away with in Christ. ¹⁵ But until today, whenever Moses is read aloud, a veil lies upon their heart, ¹⁶ but whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, reflecting* the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory into glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. ^{4 1} Because of this, since we* have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, ² but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person's conscience before God. ³ But if indeed our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they would not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus* as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. ⁶ For God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness,"* is the one who has shined in our hearts for the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.* ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthenware jars, in order that the extraordinary degree of the power may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying around the death of Jesus in our body, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ But because we* have the same spirit of faith in accordance with what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke,"* we also believe, therefore we also speak, ¹⁴ because we* know that the one who raised Jesus* will also raise us together with Jesus and present us together with you. ¹⁵ For all these things _⌊are for your sake_⌋*, in order that the grace that is increasing through the many may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart, but even if our outer person is being destroyed, yet our inner person is being renewed day after day. ¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory _⌊beyond all measure and proportion_⌋*, ¹⁸ because* we are not looking at what is seen, but what is not seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is not seen is eternal. ^{5 1} For we know that if our earthly house, the tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For indeed, in this house we groan, because we* desire to put on our dwelling from heaven, ³ if indeed, even after we* have taken it off,* we will not be found naked. ⁴ For indeed we who are in this tent groan, being burdened _⌊for this reason, that_⌋* we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the down payment, the Spirit. ⁶ Therefore, although we are* always confident and know that while we* are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— ⁷ for we live by faith, not by sight— ⁸ so we are confident and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. ⁹ Therefore indeed we have as our ambition, whether at home in the body or absent from the body, to be acceptable to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, in order that each one may receive back the things through the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Therefore, because we* know the fear of the Lord, we are attempting to persuade people, but we are revealed to God, and I hope to be revealed in your consciences. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to boast about us, in order that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. ¹³ For if we are out of our senses, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we* have concluded this: that one died for all; as a result all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, in order that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. ¹⁶ So then, from now on we know no one _⌊from a human point of view_⌋*, if indeed we have known Christ _⌊from a human point of view_⌋*, but now we know him this way no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. ¹⁸ And all these things are from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as if* God were imploring you through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ He made the one who did not know sin to be sin on our behalf, in order that we could become the righteousness of God in him. ^{6 1} Now because we* are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ² For he says,
"At the acceptable time I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."*
Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! ³ We are giving no one an occasion for taking offense in anything, in order that our ministry will not have fault found with it, ⁴ but commending ourselves as servants of God in every way, in much endurance, in afflictions, in distresses, in difficulties, ⁵ in beatings, in prisons, in disturbances, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in going hungry, ⁶ in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love without hypocrisy, ⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and left hand, ⁸ through glory and dishonor, through slander and good repute, regarded as deceivers and yet truthful, ⁹ as unknown and yet known completely, as dying, and behold, we go on living, as disciplined, and yet not put to death, ¹⁰ as grieving, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and possessing everything. ¹¹ _⌊We have spoken freely and openly_⌋* to you, Corinthians; our heart is open wide. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your affections. ¹³ Now the same way in exchange (I am speaking as to children), you open wide your hearts also. ¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers, for what participation is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what share does a believer have with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said,
"I will live in* them and will walk about among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people."* ¹⁷ Therefore "come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord, "and do not touch what is unclean,* and I will welcome you,* ¹⁸ and I will be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me,"* says the all-powerful Lord. ^{7 1} Therefore since we* have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit, accomplishing holiness in the fear of God. ² _⌊Make room for us in your hearts_⌋*. We have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, we have defrauded no one. ³ I do not say this _⌊to condemn you_⌋*, because I have already said that you are in our hearts, so that we die together and we live together. ⁴ Great is my confidence toward you; great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. ⁵ For even when* we arrived in Macedonia, our body had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way—quarrels outside, fears within. ⁶ But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted among you, because he* reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. ⁸ For if indeed I grieved you by my letter, I do not regret it. Even if I did regret it (I see* that that letter grieved you, even though for _⌊a short time_⌋*), ⁹ now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved according to the will of God, so that you suffered loss in no way through us. ¹⁰ For grief according to the will of God brings about a repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but worldly grief brings about death. ¹¹ For behold how much diligence this very thing, being grieved according to the will of God, has brought about in you: what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! In everything you have demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in this matter. ¹² Consequently, even if I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong or because of the one who had been wronged, but in order that your diligence _⌊on our behalf_⌋* might be revealed to you before God. ¹³ Because of this we have been encouraged, and in addition to our encouragement, we rejoiced much more over the joy of Titus, because his spirit had been refreshed by all of you. ¹⁴ For if I have boasted anything to him about you, I have not been put to shame, but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, thus also our boasting to Titus _⌊has proven to be true_⌋*. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is all the more when he* remembers the obedience of all of you as you welcomed him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ I rejoice, because in everything I am completely confident in you. ^{8 1} Now we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² that with a great ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and the extreme depth of their poverty have overflowed to the wealth of their generosity. ³ I testify that they gave* according to their ability, and beyond their ability, by their own choice, ⁴ requesting of us with much exhortation the favor and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints, ⁵ and not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, by the will of God. ⁶ So we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun it, thus he would also complete for you this act of grace. ⁷ But just as you excel in everything—in faith and in speaking and in knowledge and with all diligence and in the love from us that is in you—so may you excel in this grace also. ⁸ I am not saying this as a command, but proving the genuineness of your love by means of the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he* was rich, for your sake he became poor, in order that you, by his poverty, may become rich. ¹⁰ And I am giving an opinion in this matter, because this is profitable for you who not only began previously, a year ago, to do something, but also to want to do it. ¹¹ So now also complete the doing of it, in order that just as you have the eagerness to want to do it, thus also you may complete it from what you have. ¹² For if the eagerness is present _⌊according to what one has_⌋*, it is acceptable not _⌊according to what one does not have_⌋*. ¹³ For this is not that for others there may be relief, and for you difficult circumstances, but as a matter of equality. ¹⁴ At the present time your abundance will be for their need, in order that their abundance may also be for your need, so that there may be equality, ¹⁵ just as it is written, "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."* ¹⁶ But thanks be to God, who has put in the heart of Titus the same devotion _⌊on your behalf_⌋*, ¹⁷ because he not only welcomed our request, but being very earnest, by his own choice he went out* to you. ¹⁸ And we have sent at the same time with him the brother whose praise in the gospel has become known throughout all the churches. ¹⁹ And not only this, but he was also chosen by the churches as our traveling companion together with this gift that is being administered by us to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. ²⁰ We are trying to avoid this, lest anyone should find fault with us in this abundant gift that is being administered by us. ²¹ For we are taking into consideration what is honorable not only before the Lord, but also before people. ²² And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times in many things that he is diligent, but now much more diligent because of his great confidence in you. ²³ If there is a question concerning Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. If there is a question concerning our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show to them the proof of your love and our boasting about you _⌊openly before_⌋* the churches. ^{9 1} For it is unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the ministry to the saints, ² because I know your readiness to help, concerning which I keep on boasting to the Macedonians about you, that Achaia has been ready to help since last year, and your zeal has stirred up the majority of them. ³ But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you would not prove to be empty in this case, so that you may be prepared just as I was saying, ⁴ lest somehow if Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared, we—_⌊not to speak of you_⌋*—would be humiliated in connection with this project. ⁵ Therefore I considered it necessary to urge the brothers that they should go on ahead to you and make arrangements in advance for your generous gift that was promised previously, so this would be prepared as a generous gift and not as grudgingly granted. ⁶ Now the point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷ Each one should give as he has decided in his heart, not _⌊reluctantly_⌋* or from compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to cause all grace to abound to you, so that in everything at all times, because you* have enough of everything, you may overflow in every good work. ⁹ Just as it is written,
"He scattered widely, he gave to the poor; his righteousness remains _⌊forever_⌋*."* ¹⁰ Now the one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed, and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow, ¹¹ being made rich in every way for all generosity, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, ¹² because the service of this ministry is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but also is overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God. ¹³ Through the proven character of this service they will glorify God because of the submission of your confession to the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your participation toward them and toward everyone, ¹⁴ and they are longing for you in their prayers for you, because of the surpassing grace of God to you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! ^{10 1} Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who _⌊when I am present in person_⌋* am humble among you, but when I* am absent am bold toward you— ² now I ask when I* am present that I will not need to be bold with the confidence with which I propose to show boldness toward some who consider us as behaving according to the flesh. ³ For although we* are living in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments ⁵ and all pride that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. ⁶ And _⌊we are ready_⌋* to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is completed. ⁷ You are looking at things according to appearance. If anyone is convinced he himself is Christ's, he should consider this concerning himself again: that just as Christ himself is, so also are we. ⁸ For even if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us _⌊for building you up and not for tearing you down_⌋*, I will not be put to shame, ⁹ so that I do not want to appear as if I were terrifying you by my letters, ¹⁰ because it is said, "His letters are severe and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech is of no account." ¹¹ Let such a person consider this: that what we are in word by letters when we* are absent, we will also be in _⌊actions_⌋* when we* are present. ¹² For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves with some who commend themselves, but they themselves, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, do not understand. ¹³ But we will not boast _⌊beyond limits_⌋*, but according to the measure of the assignment that God has assigned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we* had not reached you, because we have reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ, ¹⁵ not boasting _⌊beyond limits_⌋* in the labors of others, but having hope that as your faith is growing to be enlarged greatly by you according to our assignment, ¹⁶ so that we may proclaim the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast in the things accomplished in the area assigned to someone else. ¹⁷ But "the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."* ¹⁸ For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. ^{11 1} I wish that you would put up with me _⌊in something a little foolish_⌋*—but indeed you are putting up with me. ² For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. ³ But I am afraid lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds may be led astray from the sincerity and the purity of devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if the one who comes proclaims another Jesus whom we have not proclaimed, or you receive a different spirit which you did not receive, or a different gospel which you did not accept, you put up with it well enough! ⁵ For I consider myself in no way to be inferior to the preeminent apostles.* ⁶ But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not in knowledge; certainly in everything we have made this clear to you in every way. ⁷ Or did I commit a sin by* humbling myself in order that you may be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you without payment? ⁸ I robbed other churches by* accepting support from them for the ministry to you. ⁹ And when I* was present with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will keep myself from being a burden. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting _⌊of mine_⌋* will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹ _⌊Why_⌋*? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! ¹² But what I am doing, I will also do, in order that I may remove the opportunity of those who want an opportunity, that they may be found just as also we are in what they are boasting about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is not a great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. ¹⁶ Again I say, do not let anyone think I am foolish. But indeed, if you do, accept me even as foolish, in order that I also may boast a little. ¹⁷ What I am saying in this project of boasting, I am not saying as the Lord would say, but as in foolishness. ¹⁸ Since many are boasting according to human standards, I also will boast. ¹⁹ For because you* are wise, you put up with foolish people gladly! ²⁰ For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone devours you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is presumptious toward you, if someone strikes you in the face. ²¹ I say this to my shame, namely, that we have been weak.
But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am speaking in foolishness—I also dare to boast. ²² Are they Hebrews? I am also! Are they Israelites? I am also! Are they descendants of Abraham? I am also! ²³ Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as though I were beside myself—I am more so, with far greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with beatings to a much greater degree, in danger of death many times. ²⁴ Five times I received at the hands of the Jews forty lashes less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. A day and a night I have spent in the deep water. ²⁶ I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own people, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers because of false brothers, ²⁷ with toil and hardship, often in sleepless nights, with hunger and thirst, often going hungry, in cold and poorly clothed. ²⁸ Apart from these external things, there is the pressure on me every day of the anxiety about all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to sin, and I do not burn with indignation? ³⁰ If it is necessary to boast, I will boast about _⌊the things related to my weakness_⌋*. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed _⌊forever_⌋*, knows that I am not lying. ³² In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to take me into custody, ³³ and I was lowered through a window through the wall in a rope-basket, and I escaped his hands. ^{12 1} It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable, but I will proceed to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven, ³ and I know this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ that he was caught up to paradise and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not permitted for a person to speak. ⁵ On behalf of such a person I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. ⁶ For if I want to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be telling the truth, but I am refraining, so that no one can credit to me more than what he sees in me or hears anything from me, ⁷ even because of the extraordinary degree of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, in order that it would torment me so that I would not exalt myself. ⁸ Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would depart from me. ⁹ And he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, because the* power is perfected in weakness." Therefore rather I will boast most gladly in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may reside in me. ¹⁰ Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. ¹¹ I have become a fool! You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the preeminent apostles,* even if I am nothing. ¹² Indeed, the signs of an apostle have been done among you with all patient endurance, both signs and wonders and deeds of power. ¹³ _⌊For in what respect are you made worse off_⌋* more than the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! ¹⁴ Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you. For I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵ But I will spend and be expended most gladly for your lives. If I love you much more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶ But let it be. I have not been a burden to you, but because I* was crafty, I took you by cunning. ¹⁷ I have not taken advantage of you _⌊through anyone whom I sent to you_⌋*, have I?* ¹⁸ I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he?* Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit?* Did we not walk in the same footsteps?* ¹⁹ Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and all these things, dear friends, are for your edification. ²⁰ For I am afraid lest somehow when I* arrive, I will not find you as I want, and I may be found by you as you do not want. I am afraid* lest somehow there will be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, pride, disorder. ²¹ I am afraid lest when I* come again my God will humiliate me _⌊in your presence_⌋*, and I will grieve over many of those who sinned previously and have not repented because of their impurity and sexual immorality and licentiousness that they have practiced. ^{13 1} This is the third time I am coming to you. _⌊By the testimony_⌋* of two or three witnesses every word* will be established. ² I have already said when I was present the second time, and although I* am absent now I also say in advance to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare anyone, ³ since you are demanding proof that Christ, who is not weak toward you, but is powerful among you, is speaking in me. ⁴ For indeed, he was crucified because of weakness, but he lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him because of the power of God toward you. ⁵ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are unqualified? ⁶ And I hope that you will recognize that we are not unqualified! ⁷ Now we pray to God that you not do wrong in any way, not that we are seen as approved, but that you do what is good, even though we are seen as though unqualified. ⁸ For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but rather only for the truth. ⁹ For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong, and we pray for this: your maturity. ¹⁰ Because of this, I am writing these things although I* am absent, in order that when I* am present I may not have to act severely according to the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. ¹¹ Finally, brothers, rejoice, be restored, be encouraged, _⌊be in agreement_⌋*, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. ¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. ¹³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Galatians

^{1 1} Paul, an apostle not from men nor by men but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead, ² and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia. ³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,* ⁴ who gave himself for our sins in order to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. ⁶ I am astonished that you are turning away so quickly from the one who called you by the grace of Christ to a different gospel, ⁷ not that there is a different gospel, except there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim a gospel to you contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let him be accursed! ⁹ As we said before, and now I say again, if anyone is proclaiming a gospel to you contrary to what you have received, let him be accursed! ¹⁰ For am I now making an appeal to people or to God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. ¹¹ For I make known to you, brothers, the gospel that has been proclaimed by me, that it is not _⌊of human origin_⌋*. ¹² For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism, that to an extraordinary degree I was persecuting the church of God, and trying to destroy it, ¹⁴ and was progressing in Judaism beyond many contemporaries in my nation, because* I was a far more zealous adherent of the traditions handed down by my forefathers. ¹⁵ But when the one who set me apart* from my mother's womb and called me by his grace was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son in me in order that I would proclaim the gospel about him among the Gentiles, immediately I did not consult with flesh and blood, ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia and I returned again to Damascus. ¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days, ¹⁹ but I did not see any others of the apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. ²⁰ (Now the things which I am writing to you, behold, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) ²¹ Then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia, ²² but I was unknown _⌊in person_⌋* to the churches of Judea that are in Christ, ²³ and they were only hearing, "The one formerly persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith that formerly he was attempting to destroy," ²⁴ and they were glorifying God because of me. ^{2 1} Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking along Titus also. ² Now I went up there because of a revelation and laid out to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but in private to the influential people, lest somehow I was running, or had run, in vain. ³ But not even Titus who was with me, although* he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. ⁴ Now this was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they might enslave us, ⁵ to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, in order that the truth of the gospel might remain continually with you. ⁶ But from those _⌊who were influential_⌋* (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me, _⌊God does not show partiality_⌋*)—for those who were influential added nothing to me. ⁷ But these, when they* saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcision, just as Peter to the circumcision ⁸ (for the one who was at work through Peter for his apostleship to the circumcision was at work also through me for the Gentiles), ⁹ and when James and Cephas and John—those thought to be pillars—acknowledged the grace given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, in order that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision. ¹⁰ They asked only that we should remember the poor, the very thing I was also eager to do. ¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was condemned. ¹² For before certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles, but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he* was afraid of those who were of the circumcision, ¹³ and the rest of the Jews also joined in this hypocrisy with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with them in their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were not being straightforward with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of them all, "If you, although you* are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" ¹⁵ We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles, ¹⁶ but knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the law, if not by faith in Jesus Christ,* and we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ* and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law _⌊no human being will be justified_⌋*. ¹⁷ But if while seeking to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also have been found to be sinners, then is Christ an agent of sin? May it never be! ¹⁸ For if I build up again these things which I destroyed, I show myself to be a transgressor. ¹⁹ For through the law I died to the law, in order that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, ²⁰ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, and that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not declare invalid the grace of God, for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died to no purpose. ^{3 1} O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as having been crucified? ² I want only to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now trying to be made complete by the flesh? ⁴ Have you suffered so many things for nothing—if indeed also it was for nothing? ⁵ Therefore does the one who gives you the Spirit and who works miracles among you do so by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ⁶ Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, ⁷ then understand that the ones _⌊who have faith_⌋*, these are sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news in advance to Abraham: "In you all the nations* will be blessed."* ⁹ So then, the ones who have faith are blessed together with Abraham who believed. ¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them."* ¹¹ Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because "the one who is righteous will live by faith."* ¹² But the law is not from faith, but "the one who does these things will live by them."* ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by* becoming a curse for us, because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"* ¹⁴ in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ¹⁵ Brothers, I am speaking according to a human perspective. Nevertheless, when* the covenant of a man has been ratified, no one declares it invalid or adds additional provisions to it. ¹⁶ Now to Abraham and to his descendant the promises were spoken. It does not say, "and to descendants," as concerning many, but as concerning one, "and to your descendant,"* who is Christ. ¹⁷ Now I am saying this: the law, that came after four hundred and thirty years, does not revoke a covenant previously ratified by God, in order to nullify the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise. ¹⁹ Why then the law? It was added on account of transgressions, until the descendant should come to whom it had been promised, having been ordered through angels by the hand of a mediator. ²⁰ Now the mediator is not for one, but God is one. ²¹ Therefore is the law opposed to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, certainly righteousness would have been from the law. ²² But the scripture imprisoned all under sin, in order that the promise could be given by faith* in Jesus Christ to those who believe. ²³ But before faith came, we were detained under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. ²⁴ So then, the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that we could be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after* faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. ²⁶ For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,* ²⁷ for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ's, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise. ^{4 1} Now I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he* is master of everything, ² but he is under guardians and managers until the time set by his father. ³ So also we, when we were children, we were enslaved under the elemental spirits of the world. ⁴ But when the fullness of time came, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ in order that he might redeem those under the law, in order that we might receive the adoption. ⁶ And because you are sons, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba!* (Father!)," ⁷ so that you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, also an heir through God. ⁸ But at that time when you* did not know God, you were enslaved to the things which by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, because you have come to know God, or rather have come to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental spirits? Do you want to be enslaved to them* all over again? ¹⁰ You carefully observe days and months and seasons and years. ¹¹ I am afraid for you, lest perhaps I have labored for you in vain! ¹² I ask you, brothers, become like me, because I also have become like you. You have done me no wrong! ¹³ But you know that because of an illness of the flesh I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time. ¹⁴ And you did not despise or disdain what was a trial for you in my flesh, but you welcomed me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ So where is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me! ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy by* being truthful to you? ¹⁷ They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they want to exclude you, in order that you may seek them zealously. ¹⁸ But it is good to be sought zealously in good at all times, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ My children, for whom I am having birth pains again, until Christ is formed in you! ²⁰ But I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone because I am perplexed about you. ²¹ Tell me, you who are wanting to be under the law, do you not understand* the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman. ²³ But the one by the female slave was born according to human descent, and the one by the free woman through the promise, ²⁴ which things are spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery, who is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is a slave with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,
"Rejoice, O barren woman, who does not give birth to children; burst out and shout, you who do not have birth pains, because many are the children of the desolate woman, even more than those of the one who has a husband."* ²⁸ But you, brothers, are children of the promise, just as Isaac. ²⁹ But just as at that time the child born according to human descent persecuted the child born according to the Spirit, so also now. ³⁰ But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the female slave and her son, for the son of the female slave will never inherit with the son"* of the free woman. ³¹ Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the female slave but of the free woman. ^{5 1} For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. ² Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing! ³ And again I testify to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is under obligation to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are estranged from Christ, you who are attempting to be justified* by the law; you have fallen from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit by faith we eagerly await the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. ⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from the one who calls you! ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will think nothing different, but the one who is confusing you _⌊will pay the penalty_⌋*, whoever he may be. ¹¹ Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. ¹² I wish that the ones who are disturbing you would also _⌊castrate themselves_⌋*! ¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."* ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. ¹⁶ But I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that whatever you want, you may not do these things. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those _⌊who belong to Christ_⌋** have crucified the flesh together with its feelings and its desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. ²⁶ We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ^{6 1} Brothers, even if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of humility, looking out for yourself, lest you also be tempted. ² Carry the burdens of one another, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something although he* is nothing, he is deceiving himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in someone else. ⁵ For each one will carry his own burden. ⁶ Now the one who is taught the word must share in all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked, for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹ And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we* do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith. ¹¹ See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. ¹² As many as are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh, these are attempting to compel* you to be circumcised, only so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For not even those who are circumcised observe the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised in order that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But as for me, may it never be that I boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And all those who follow this rule, peace and mercy be on them and on the Israel of God. ¹⁷ Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I carry on my body the marks of Jesus. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Ephesians

^{1 1} Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus* and faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed is* the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love,* ⁵ having predestined us to adoption through Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of his grace that he bestowed on us in the beloved, ⁷ in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ that he caused to abound to us in all wisdom and insight, ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in him, ¹⁰ for the administration of the fullness of times, to bring together all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him ¹¹ in whom also we were chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² that we who hoped beforehand in Christ should be for the praise of his glory, ¹³ in whom also you, when you heard* the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also when you believed you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory. ¹⁵ Because of this I also, hearing of _⌊your faith_⌋* in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, _⌊the glorious Father_⌋*,* may give you a spirit of wisdom* and revelation in the knowledge of him ¹⁸ (the eyes of your hearts having been enlightened), so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty strength ²⁰ which he has worked* in Christ, raising* him from the dead and seating him* at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name named, not only in this age but also in the coming one, ²² and he subjected all things under his feet* and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. ^{2 1} And you, _⌊although you were dead_⌋** in your trespasses and sins, ² in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all formerly lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the will* of the flesh and of the mind, and we were children of wrath* by nature, as also the rest of them were. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, ⁵ and we being dead in trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), ⁶ and raised us together and seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that he might show in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ it is not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we may walk in them. ¹¹ Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, the so-called uncircumcision by the so-called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands, ¹² that you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, not having hope, and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you, the ones who once were far away, have become near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition, the enmity, in his flesh, ¹⁵ invalidating the law of commandments in ordinances, in order that he might create the two in himself into one new man, thus* making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, killing the enmity in himself.* ¹⁷ And coming, he proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to the ones who were near, ¹⁸ because through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ Consequently, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,* ²¹ in whom the whole building, joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are built up together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.* ^{3 1} On account of this I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles ² —if indeed you have heard about the stewardship of God's grace given to me for you. ³ According to* revelation the mystery was made known to me, just as I wrote beforehand in brief, ⁴ so that you may be able when you read* to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ ⁵ (which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit): ⁶ that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, ⁷ of which I became a servant, according to the gift of God's grace given to me, according to the working of his power. ⁸ To me, the least of all the saints, was given this grace: to proclaim the good news of the fathomless riches of Christ to the Gentiles, ⁹ and to enlighten everyone as to what is the administration of the mystery hidden from the ages by God, who created all things, ¹⁰ in order that the many-sided wisdom of God might be made known now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places through the church, ¹¹ according to the purpose of the ages which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through faith in him.* ¹³ Therefore I ask you* not to be discouraged at my afflictions on behalf of you, which are your glory. ¹⁴ On account of this, I bend my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every* family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (you having been firmly rooted and established in love), ¹⁸ in order that you may be strong enough to grasp together with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to the one who is able to do beyond all measure more than all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us, ²¹ to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ^{4 1} Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to live in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called: ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, ³ being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; ⁴ one body and one Spirit (just as also you were called with one hope of your calling), ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. ⁷ Now to each one of us was given this grace, according to the measure of Christ's gift. ⁸ Therefore it says,
"Ascending on high he led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men."* ⁹ Now "he ascended," what is it, except that he also descended* to the lower regions of the earth? ¹⁰ The one who descended himself is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order that he might fill all things. ¹¹ And he himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers ¹² for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love. ¹⁷ This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk: in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, ¹⁹ who, becoming callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness, for the pursuit of all uncleanness in greediness. ²⁰ But you did not learn Christ in this way, ²¹ if indeed you have heard about him, and you were taught by him (just as truth is in Jesus), ²² that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, ²³ be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth. ²⁵ Therefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor,* because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin;* do not let the sun set on your anger, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands what is good, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. ²⁹ _⌊No rotten word must proceed_⌋* from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear, ³⁰ and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ All bitterness, and rage, and wrath, and clamor, and abusive speech, must be removed from you, together with all wickedness. ³² Become* kind toward one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ has forgiven you. ^{5 1} Therefore become imitators of God, as beloved children, ² and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.* ³ But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints), ⁴ and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For this you know _⌊for certain_⌋*, that every sexually immoral person, or unclean person, or greedy person (who is an idolater), does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be sharers* with them, ⁸ for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰ trying to learn what is well-pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak about the things being done by them in secret, ¹³ but all things exposed by the light are made visible, ¹⁴ for everything made visible is light. Therefore it says,
Wake up, sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.* ¹⁵ Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of the time because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Because of this do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine (in which is dissipation), but be filled by the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and singing praise in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father, ²¹ being subject to one another _⌊out of reverence for_⌋* Christ ²² —wives to their own husbands as to the Lord, ²³ because the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church (he himself being the Savior of the body). ²⁴ But as the church is subject to Christ, thus also wives should be subject* to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her; ²⁶ in order that he might sanctify her by cleansing her* with the washing of water by the word; ²⁷ in order that he might present to himself the church glorious, not having a spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she may be holy and blameless. ²⁸ Thus also husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. The one who loves his own wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as also Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body. ³¹ "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."* ³² (This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.) ³³ Only you also, each one of you, must thus love his own wife as himself, and the wife _⌊must respect_⌋* her husband. ^{6 1} Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² "Honor your father and mother" (which is the first* commandment with a promise), ³ "in order that it may be well with you, and you may _⌊live a long time_⌋* on the earth."* ⁴ And fathers, do not make your children angry, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, ⁶ not _⌊while being watched_⌋*, as people pleasers, but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ serving with goodwill as to the Lord and not to people, ⁸ because you* know that each one of you, whatever good he should do,* this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. ⁹ And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threats, knowing that both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. ¹⁰ Finally, become strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil, ¹² because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Because of this, take up the full armor of God, in order that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, girding your waist with truth, and putting on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and binding shoes under your feet with the preparation of the good news of peace, ¹⁶ in everything taking up the shield of faith, with which you are able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one, ¹⁷ and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ with all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and for me, that a word may be given to me at the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for the sake of which I am an ambassador in chains, that _⌊in them_⌋* I may speak freely, as it is necessary for me to speak. ²¹ Now, so that you also may know _⌊my circumstances_⌋*, what I am doing, Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things, ²² whom I have sent* to you for this very reason, that you may know _⌊our circumstances_⌋*, and he may encourage your hearts. ²³ Peace to the brothers and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptibility.*

Philippians

^{1 1} Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I give thanks to my God upon my every remembrance of you,* ⁴ always in my every prayer for all of you, making the prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ convinced of this same thing, that the one who began a good work in you will finish it* until the day of Christ Jesus, ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since* both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you are sharers of grace with me. ⁸ For God is my witness, that I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this I pray: that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is superior, in order that you may be sincere and blameless in* the day of Christ, ¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. ¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that _⌊my circumstances_⌋* have happened instead for the progress of the gospel, ¹³ so that my imprisonment in Christ has become known in the whole praetorium* and to all the rest, ¹⁴ and most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, dare even more to speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will. ¹⁶ The latter do so from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ _⌊What is the result?_⌋* Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰ according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether through life or through death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² But if it is to live in the flesh, this is fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer I do not know. ²³ But I am hard pressed _⌊between the two options_⌋*, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, _⌊for this is very much better_⌋*. ²⁴ But to stay on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. ²⁵ And because I am* convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that what you can be proud of may increase in Christ Jesus because of me through my return again to you. ²⁷ Only lead your lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent I hear _⌊your circumstances_⌋*, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not letting yourselves be intimidated in anything by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction to them, but of your salvation, and this from God, ²⁹ because to you has been graciously granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on behalf of him, ³⁰ having the same struggle which you saw in me and now hear about in me. ^{2 1} Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² complete my joy, so that _⌊you are in agreement_⌋*, having the same love, united in spirit, _⌊having one purpose_⌋*. ³ Do nothing according to selfish ambition or according to empty conceit, but in humility considering one another better than yourselves, ⁴ each of you* not looking out for _⌊your own interests_⌋*, but also each of you for _⌊the interests_⌋* of others. ⁵ Think this in* yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself by* taking the form of a slave, by* becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man, ⁸ he humbled himself by* becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ¹² Therefore my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For the one at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure, is God. ¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling and disputing, ¹⁵ in order that you may become blameless and innocent, children of God without fault* in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine as stars in the world,* ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, for a source of pride* to me in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ And in the same way also you rejoice and rejoice with me. ¹⁹ But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I also may be encouraged when I* know _⌊your circumstances_⌋*. ²⁰ For I have no one like-minded who will sincerely be concerned about _⌊your circumstances_⌋*. ²¹ For they all seek _⌊their own interests_⌋*, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know his proven character, that like a child with a father he served with me for the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see _⌊my circumstances_⌋*. ²⁴ And I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will arrive shortly also. ²⁵ But I considered it* necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, but your messenger and servant of my need, ²⁶ because he was longing for all of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick, coming near to death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but also on me, so that I would not have grief upon grief. ²⁸ Therefore I am sending him with special urgency, in order that when* you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious. ²⁹ Therefore welcome him in the Lord with all joy, and consider such people highly honored, ³⁰ because on account of the work of Christ he came near to the point of death, risking his life in order that _⌊he might make up for your inability to serve me_⌋*. ^{3 1} Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, but is a safeguard for you. ² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation.* ³ For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship* by the Spirit* of God and boast in Christ Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh, ⁴ although I could have confidence even in the flesh. ⁵ _⌊circumcised on the eighth day_⌋*, from the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born from Hebrews, according to the law a Pharisee, ⁶ according to zeal persecuting the church, according to the righteousness in the law being blameless. ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have considered loss because of Christ. ⁸ _⌊More than that_⌋*, I even consider all things to be loss because of the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and consider them* dung, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and may be found in him, not having my righteousness which is from the law, but which is through faith in Christ,* the righteousness from God on the basis of faith,* ¹⁰ so that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, ¹¹ if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already received this,* or have already been made perfect, but I press on if indeed I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.* ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself to have laid hold of it.* But I do one thing, forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Therefore as many as are perfect, _⌊let us hold this opinion_⌋*, and if you think anything differently, God will reveal this also to you. ¹⁶ Only to what we have attained, to the same hold on. ¹⁷ Become fellow imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have us as an example. ¹⁸ For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose God is the stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, the ones who think on earthly things. ²⁰ For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. ^{4 1} So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, thus stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. ² I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Syntyche _⌊to be in agreement_⌋* in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask also you, true yokefellow, help them, who struggled along with me in the gospel with both Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds* in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things. ⁹ And the things which you have learned and received and heard about and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last _⌊you have renewed your concern for me_⌋*, for whom also you were thinking, but you had no opportunity to express it. ¹¹ Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how both _⌊to make do with little_⌋* and I know how _⌊to have an abundance_⌋*. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both _⌊to have an abundance_⌋* and to go without. ¹³ I am able to do all things by the one who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless you have done well by sharing* with me in my affliction. ¹⁵ Now you also know, Philippians, that at the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone, ¹⁶ because even in Thessalonica _⌊on more than one occasion_⌋* you sent for my need. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek for the profit that increases to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; _⌊I am well supplied_⌋* because* I received from Epaphroditus _⌊what you had sent_⌋*, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will fulfill your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be the glory _⌊forever and ever_⌋*. Amen. ²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, and especially those of Caesar's household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Colossians

^{1 1} Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. ³ We give thanks always to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we* pray for you, ⁴ since we* heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, which you have heard about beforehand in the word of truth, the gospel, ⁶ that has come to you, just as also in all the world it is bearing fruit and increasing, just as also among you from the day you heard about and understood the grace of God in truth, ⁷ just as you learned it* from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,* ⁸ who also made clear to us your love in the Spirit. ⁹ Because of this also we, from the day we heard about it,* did not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual insight, ¹⁰ so that you may live in a manner worthy of the Lord, _⌊to please him in all respects_⌋*, bearing fruit in every good deed and increasing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ enabled with all power, according to his glorious might, for all steadfastness and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light, ¹³ who has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us* to the kingdom of the Son _⌊he loves_⌋*, ¹⁴ in whom we have the redemption, the forgiveness of sins, ¹⁵ who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all* creation, ¹⁶ because all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all things were created through him and for him, ¹⁷ and he himself is before all things, and in him all things are held together, ¹⁸ and he himself is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in everything, ¹⁹ because he was well pleased for all the fullness to dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by* making peace through the blood of his cross, through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven. ²¹ And _⌊although you were formerly alienated_⌋** and enemies in attitude, because of your evil deeds, ²² but now you have been reconciled* by _⌊his physical body_⌋* through death, to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, ²³ if indeed you remain in the faith, established and steadfast and not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. ²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings on behalf of you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ, on behalf of his body which is the church, ²⁵ of which I became a minister, according to God's stewardship which was given to me for you, to complete the word of God, ²⁶ the mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations, but has now been revealed to his saints, ²⁷ to whom God wanted to make known what is the glorious wealth of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, ²⁸ whom we proclaim, by* admonishing every person* and teaching every person* with all wisdom, in order that we may present every person* mature in Christ, ²⁹ for which purpose also I labor, striving according to his working which is at work powerfully in me. ^{2 1} For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on behalf of you, and those in Laodicea, and all those who have not seen my face _⌊in person_⌋*, ² so that their hearts may be encouraged, united in love and into all the wealth of the full assurance of insight into the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, ³ in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. ⁴ I say this in order that no one will deceive you with persuasive speech, ⁵ for even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and seeing your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. ⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, live in him, ⁷ firmly rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding with thankfulness. ⁸ Beware lest _⌊anyone take you captive_⌋* through philosophy and empty deceit, according to _⌊human tradition_⌋*, according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ, ⁹ because in him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰ and you are filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority, ¹¹ in whom also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made by hands, by the removal of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which also you were raised together with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ And _⌊although you were dead_⌋** in the trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ having destroyed the certificate of indebtedness in ordinances against us, which was hostile to us, and removed it out of the way by* nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ When he* had disarmed the rulers and the authorities, he made a display of them in public, triumphing over them by it.* ¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you with reference to eating or* drinking or participation in a feast or a new moon or a Sabbath, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of what is to come, but the reality is Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one condemn you, taking pleasure in humility and the worship of angels, going into detail about the things which he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by the ligaments and sinews, grows with the growth of God. ²⁰ If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as if living in the world? ²¹ "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch," ²² which things are all meant for destruction by consuming according to human commandments and teachings, ²³ which things _⌊although they have_⌋*,* to be sure, an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and unsparing treatment of the body, _⌊do not have any value_⌋* against the indulgence of the flesh. ^{3 1} Therefore, if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. ⁵ Therefore put to death _⌊what is earthly in you_⌋*: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry, ⁶ because of which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, ⁷ in which also you once lived, when you used to live in them.* ⁸ But now you also lay aside all these things: anger, rage, wickedness, slander, abusive language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, because you* have taken off the old man together with his deeds, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created him, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and dearly loved, put on affection, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, ¹³ putting up with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone should have a complaint against anyone, just as also the Lord forgave you, thus also you do the same. ¹⁴ And to all these things add love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And the peace of Christ must rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God, ¹⁷ and everything _⌊whatever_⌋* you do in word or in deed, giving thanks for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him. ¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they will not become discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your _⌊human_⌋* masters in everything, not _⌊while being watched_⌋*, as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, accomplish it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to people, ²⁴ because you* know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve* the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the one who does wrong will receive back whatever wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. ^{4 1} Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a master in heaven. ² Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving, ³ praying at the same time for us also, that God may open for us a door of the message, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which also _⌊I am a prisoner_⌋*, ⁴ so that I may reveal* it, as it is necessary for me to speak. ⁵ Live with wisdom toward those outside, making the most of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how it is necessary for you to answer each one. ⁷ Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you all _⌊my circumstances_⌋*, ⁸ whom I have sent to you for this very reason, in order that you may know _⌊our circumstances_⌋* and he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ together with Onesimus, my faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all _⌊the circumstances_⌋* here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions—if he should come to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only ones who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, who have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, greets you, a slave of Christ* always struggling on behalf of you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured* in all the will of God. ¹³ For I testify to him that _⌊he is working hard_⌋* on behalf of you and those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the physician, our dear friend, greets you, as does Demas. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in her* house. ¹⁶ And whenever this letter is read among you, _⌊see to it_⌋* that it is read also among the Laodicean church, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And tell Archippus, "Direct your attention to the ministry that you received in the Lord, in order that you may complete it." ¹⁸ The greeting is by my hand, Paul's. Remember my _⌊imprisonment_⌋*. Grace be with you.

1 Thessalonians

^{1 1} Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. ² We give thanks to God always concerning all of you, making mention constantly in our prayers, ³ because we* remember your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, ⁴ knowing, brothers dearly loved by God, _⌊that he has chosen you_⌋*, ⁵ because our gospel did not come to you with word only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, just as you know what sort of people we became among you for your sake. ⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all those who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia, ⁸ for from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia,* but in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. ⁹ For they themselves report about us, what sort of welcome we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, the one who delivers us from the coming wrath. ^{2 1} For you yourselves know, brothers, our reception with you, that it was not in vain, ² but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, just as you know, we had the courage in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. ³ For our exhortation is not from error or from impurity or with deceit, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts. ⁵ _⌊For never_⌋* did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God is witness), ⁶ nor seeking glory from people, neither from you nor from others. ⁷ _⌊Although we could have insisted on our own importance_⌋** as apostles of Christ, yet we became infants in your midst, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ Longing for you in this way, we determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and hardship: working by night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we became to you who believe, ¹¹ just as you know how we treated each one of you, like a father his own children, ¹² exhorting and consoling you and insisting that you live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you to his own kingdom and glory. ¹³ And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that when you* received God's word _⌊that you heard_⌋* from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you became imitators, brothers, of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own people, just as they themselves did also at the hands of the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and who persecuted us, and who are not pleasing to God and are opposed to all people, ¹⁶ hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles in order that they may be saved, so that they always fill up their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the end.* ¹⁷ But when* we were made orphans by separation from you, brothers, for _⌊a short time_⌋* (in face, not in heart), we were even more eager with great desire to see your face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, _⌊on more than one occasion_⌋*—and Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy. ^{3 1} Therefore when we* could bear it no longer, we determined to be left behind in Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, in order to strengthen and to encourage you about your faith, ³ so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this, ⁴ for indeed when we were with you we told you beforehand that we were about to be afflicted, just as indeed it happened, and you know. ⁵ Because of this, I also, when I* could endure it no longer, sent in order to know your faith, lest somehow the tempter tempted you and our labor should be in vain. ⁶ But now, because* Timothy has come to us from you and has brought good news to us of your faith and love, and that _⌊you always think kindly of us_⌋*, desiring to see us just as also we desire to see you, ⁷ because of this, brothers, we have been comforted because of you in all our distress and affliction through your faith, ⁸ because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanks can we repay to God concerning you, because of all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, ¹⁰ night and day praying beyond all measure that we may see your face and complete what is lacking in your faith? ¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, ¹² and may the Lord cause you to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we do for you, ¹³ so that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.* ^{4 1} Finally therefore, brothers, we ask you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus that, just as you have received from us how it is necessary for you to live and to please God, just as indeed you are living, that you progress even more. ² For you know what commands we gave to you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵ not in lustful passion, just as also the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ not to transgress and to exploit his brother in the matter, because the Lord is the one who avenges concerning all these things, just as also we told you beforehand and testified solemnly. ⁷ For God did not call us to impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you. ⁹ But concerning brotherly love, I do not have need to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to progress even more, ¹¹ and to aspire to live a quiet life, and to attend to _⌊your own business_⌋,* and to work with your hands,* just as we commanded you, ¹² so that you may live decently toward those outside, and may have need of nothing. ¹³ Now we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you will not grieve as also the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord's coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words. ^{5 1} Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you, ² for you yourselves well know that the day of the Lord is coming in the same way as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever they say "Peace and security," then sudden destruction will overtake them like the birth pains of _⌊a pregnant woman_⌋*, and they will not possibly escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in the darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶ So then, we must not sleep like the rest, but must be on the alert and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. ⁸ But because* we are of the day, we must be sober, by* putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation, ⁹ because God did not appoint us for wrath, but for the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live at the same time with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build up _⌊each other_⌋*, just as indeed you are doing. ¹² Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them beyond all measure in love, because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, console the discouraged, help the sick, be patient toward all people. ¹⁵ See to it that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good toward* one another and toward all people. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but examine all things; hold fast to what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil. ²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, who also will do this. ²⁵ Brothers, pray for us.* ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I adjure you by the Lord, have this letter read aloud to all the brothers. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

2 Thessalonians

^{1 1} Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ² Grace to you and peace from God the Father* and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers, just as it is fitting, because your faith is flourishing and the love of each one of you all toward one another is increasing ⁴ so that we ourselves boast in you in the churches of God about your patient endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring, ⁵ a proof of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering, ⁶ since it is righteous in the sight of God to pay back those who are afflicting you with affliction, ⁷ and to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, ⁸ with burning flame* giving punishment to those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, ⁹ who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength, ¹⁰ whenever he should come to be glorified on that day by his saints and to be marveled at by all who believe, because our testimony was believed among you, ¹¹ for which purpose we also pray always for you, that you may be considered worthy of the calling of our God, and he might fulfill every desire for goodness and work of faith with power,* ¹² in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ^{2 1} Now we ask you, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to him, ² that you not be easily shaken from your composure, nor be troubled either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter _⌊alleged to be from us_⌋*, to the effect that the day of the Lord has arrived. ³ Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and who exalts himself over every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God. ⁵ Do you not remember that while* we were still with you, we were saying these things to you? ⁶ And you know that which restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is at work already; only the one who now restrains* will do so until he is out of the way,* ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth, and wipe out by the appearance of his coming, ⁹ whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved. ¹¹ And because of this, God sends them _⌊a powerful delusion_⌋* so that they will believe the lie, ¹² in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness. ¹³ But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you as first fruits for salvation by the sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth, ¹⁴ for which purpose he called* you through our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which you were taught, whether by spoken word or by letter from us. ¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. ^{3 1} Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored, just as also it was with you, ² and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people, _⌊for not all have the faith_⌋*. ³ But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are both doing and you will do the things that we are commanding. ⁵ Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and toward the patient endurance of Christ. ⁶ But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate us, that we did not behave irresponsibly among you, ⁸ nor did we eat bread from anyone without paying, but with toil and labor, we were working night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not that we do not have the right, but so that we may give ourselves as an example to you, so that you may imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: that if anyone does not want to work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you are living irresponsibly, working at nothing, but being busybodies. ¹² Now we command and we exhort such people in the Lord Jesus Christ that, working with quietness, they eat their own bread. ¹³ But as for you, brothers, do not be discouraged while* doing what is right. ¹⁴ But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note not to associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame. ¹⁵ And do not consider him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself grant you peace through everything in every way. May the Lord be with all of you. ¹⁷ The greeting is by my hand, Paul's, which is _⌊a sign of genuineness_⌋* in every letter: _⌊this is how I write_⌋*. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

1 Timothy

^{1 1} Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, ² to Timothy, my true child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ Just as I urged you when I* traveled to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus, so that you may instruct certain people not to teach other doctrine, ⁴ and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God's plan that is by faith. ⁵ But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a faith without hypocrisy, ⁶ from which some have deviated, and have turned away into fruitless discussion, ⁷ wanting to be teachers of the law, although they* do not understand either the things which they are saying or the things concerning which they are speaking confidently. ⁸ But we know that the law is good, if anyone makes use of it lawfully, ⁹ knowing this, that the law is not given for a righteous person but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and totally worldly, for the one who kills his father and the one who kills his mother, for murderers, ¹⁰ sexually immoral people, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and _⌊whatever_⌋* else is opposed to sound teaching, ¹¹ according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God that I was entrusted with. ¹² _⌊I give thanks_⌋* to the one who strengthens me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful, placing me into ministry,* ¹³ although I* was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, but I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord abounded with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is trustworthy and worthy of all acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But because of this I was shown mercy, in order that in me foremost, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his total patience, for an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, to the only God, be honor and glory _⌊forever and ever_⌋*. Amen. ¹⁸ I am setting before you this instruction, Timothy my child, in accordance with the prophecies spoken long ago about you, in order that by them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience, which some, because they* have rejected these, have suffered shipwreck concerning their faith, ²⁰ among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, in order that they may be taught not to blaspheme. ^{2 1} Therefore, I urge first of all that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people, ² on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable before God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time, ⁷ for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am speaking the truth, I am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. ⁸ Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and dispute. ⁹ Likewise also the women should adorn themselves in appropriate clothing, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold jewelry or pearls or expensive clothing, ¹⁰ but with good deeds which are fitting for women who profess godliness. ¹¹ A woman must learn in quietness with all submission. ¹² But I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but _⌊to remain quiet_⌋*. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve, ¹⁴ and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she* was deceived, came into transgression. ¹⁵ But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control. ^{3 1} The saying is trustworthy: if anyone aspires to supervision, he desires a good work. ² Therefore the overseer must be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, ³ not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money, ⁴ managing his own household well, having children in submission with all dignity ⁵ (but if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), ⁶ not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ But he must also have a good testimony from those outside, in order that he may not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil. ⁸ Deacons likewise must be dignified, not insincere, not devoted to much wine, not fond of dishonest gain, ⁹ holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, ¹⁰ and these also must be tested first; then let them serve if they* are above reproach. ¹¹ The wives* likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. ¹³ For those who have served well acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you in a short time. ¹⁵ But if I am delayed, I am writing* in order that you may know how one must conduct oneself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and mainstay* of the truth. ¹⁶ And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:
Who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated by* the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the Gentiles*, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. ^{4 1} Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² by the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience, ³ who forbid marrying and insist on abstaining from foods that God created for sharing in with thankfulness by those who believe and who know the truth, ⁴ because everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is* received with thankfulness, ⁵ for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. ⁶ By* teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed faithfully. ⁷ But reject those _⌊worthless myths told by elderly women_⌋*, and train yourself for godliness. ⁸ For the training of the body is _⌊somewhat_⌋* profitable, but godliness is profitable for everything, because it* holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. ⁹ The statement is trustworthy and deserving of complete acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we labor and suffer reproach,* because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers. ¹¹ Command these things and teach them. ¹² Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, pay attention to the public reading,* to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift that is in you, that was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. ¹⁵ Practice these things. Be diligent* in these things, in order that your progress may be evident to everyone. ¹⁶ Fix your attention on yourself and on your teaching. Continue in them, for by* doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ^{5 1} Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. ³ Honor widows who are truly widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to show profound respect for their own household first, and to pay back recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵ But the widow who is one truly, and is left alone, has put her hope in God and continues in her petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶ But the one who lives for sensual pleasure is dead even though she* lives. ⁷ And command these things, in order that they may be irreproachable. ⁸ But if someone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially the members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ Let a widow be put on the list if she* is not less than sixty years old, the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ being well-attested by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has helped those who are oppressed, if she has devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for whenever their physical desires lead them away from Christ, they want to marry, ¹² thus incurring condemnation because they have broken their former pledge. ¹³ And at the same time also, going around from house to house, they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but also gossipy and busybodies, saying the things that are not necessary. ¹⁴ Therefore I want younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage a household, to give the adversary no opportunity for reproach. ¹⁵ For already some have turned away and followed after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has widows, she must help them, and the church must not be burdened, in order that it may help those who are truly widows. ¹⁷ The elders who lead well must be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor by speaking and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox while it* is threshing,"* and "The worker is worthy of his wages."* ¹⁹ Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Reprove those who sin in the presence of all, in order that the rest also may experience fear. ²¹ I testify solemnly before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing according to partiality. ²² Lay hands on no one hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. ²³ (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent illnesses.) ²⁴ The sins of some people are evident, preceding them to judgment, but for some also they follow after them. ²⁵ Likewise also good works are evident, and those considered otherwise are not able to be hidden. ^{6 1} All those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, lest the name of God and the teaching be slandered. ² And those who have believing masters must not look down on them because they are brothers, but rather they must serve, because those who benefit by their service are believers and dearly loved. ³ If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, ⁴ he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a morbid interest concerning controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, ⁵ constant wrangling by people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who consider godliness to be a means of gain. ⁶ But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain. ⁷ For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. ⁸ But if we* have food and clothing, with these things we will be content. ⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they* desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. ¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I command you, in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ that you observe the commandment without fault, irreproachable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will make known in his own time, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, ¹⁶ the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. ¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be proud and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who provides us all things richly for enjoyment, ¹⁸ to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, sharing freely, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they may take hold of what is truly life. ²⁰ O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some, by* professing it, have deviated concerning the faith. Grace be with you all.

2 Timothy

^{1 1} Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, ² to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. ³ _⌊I am thankful_⌋* to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience _⌊as my ancestors did_⌋*, when _⌊I remember you constantly_⌋* in my prayers night and day, ⁴ longing to see you as I* remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, ⁵ _⌊remembering the_⌋* sincere faith in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that is in you also, ⁶ for which reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-discipline. ⁸ Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor me his prisoner, but suffer along with me for the gospel, according to the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus _⌊before time began_⌋*, ¹⁰ but has now been disclosed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ,* who has abolished death and brought to light life and immortality through the gospel, ¹¹ for which I was appointed a proclaimer and an apostle and a teacher, ¹² for which reason also I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted until that day. ¹³ Hold fast to the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ¹⁵ You know this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. ¹⁶ May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he refreshed me many times, and was not ashamed of my imprisonment, ¹⁷ but when he* was in Rome, he diligently sought me and found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord in that day! And how much he served me in Ephesus you know very well. ^{2 1} You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ² and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also. ³ Suffer together with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one who serves as a soldier is entangled in the activities of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶ The farmer who works hard must be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will grant you understanding in all these things. ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David according to my gospel, ⁹ in connection with which I suffer misfortune to the point of _⌊imprisonment_⌋* as a criminal, but the word of God is not bound. ¹⁰ Because of this, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, in order that they also may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. ¹¹ The saying is trustworthy:
For if we died with him, we will also live with him; ¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; ¹³ if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful—_⌊he cannot deny himself_⌋*.* ¹⁴ Remind people of these things, solemnly urging them before the Lord* not to dispute about words. This is in no way beneficial and leads to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵ Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, a worker having no need to be ashamed, guiding the word of truth along a straight path. ¹⁶ But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their message _⌊will spread_⌋* like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have deviated concerning the truth by* saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some. ¹⁹ However, the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his,"* and "Everyone who names the name of the Lord must abstain from unrighteousness." ²⁰ Now in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthenware ones, some of which are for honorable use, and some of which are for ordinary use. ²¹ Therefore, if someone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² But flee from youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, because you* know that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the slave of the Lord must not quarrel, but be kind toward everyone, skillful in teaching, tolerant, ²⁵ correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they will come to their senses again and escape from the trap of the devil, being held captive by him to do his will. ^{3 1} But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come, ² for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ hardhearted, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, savage, with no interest for what is good, ⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God, ⁵ maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people. ⁶ For from these are those who slip into houses and captivate foolish women loaded down with sins, led by various kinds of desires, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ And _⌊just as_⌋* Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, people corrupted in mind, disqualified concerning the faith. ⁹ But they will not progress to a greater extent, for their folly will be quite evident to everyone, as also the folly of those two was. ¹⁰ But you have faithfully followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra, what sort of persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from all of them. ¹² And indeed, all those who want to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and imposters will progress to the worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you continue in the things which you have learned and are convinced of, because you* know from whom you learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. ^{4 1} I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, ² preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and instruction. ³ For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, _⌊because they have an insatiable curiosity_⌋*, ⁴ and they will turn away from the hearing of the truth, but will turn to myths. ⁵ But you, be self-controlled in all things, bear hardship patiently, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is imminent. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. ⁹ Make haste to come to me quickly. ¹⁰ For Demas deserted me, because he* loved the present age, and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia; Titus went to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Luke alone is with me. Take along Mark and* bring him with you, because he is useful to me for ministry. ¹² But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you* come, bring the cloak that I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me much harm; may the Lord pay back to him according to his deeds, ¹⁵ against whom you also be on guard, because he vehemently opposed our words. ¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued me from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory _⌊forever and ever_⌋*. Amen. ¹⁹ Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left behind in Miletus because he* was sick. ²¹ Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers greet you. ²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Titus

^{1 1} Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of the chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth that is according to godliness, ² in the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before eternal ages, ³ but at the proper time has disclosed his message in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior, ⁴ to Titus, my true child according to a common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. ⁵ On account of this, I left you behind in Crete, in order that what remains may be set in order and you may appoint elders in every town, as I ordered you. ⁶ If anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful* children, not _⌊accused of dissipation_⌋* or rebellious. ⁷ For it is necessary for the overseer to be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain, ⁸ but hospitable, loving what is good, prudent, just, devout, self-controlled, ⁹ holding fast to the faithful message according to the teaching, in order that he may be able both to exhort with sound instruction and to reprove those who speak against it. ¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, ¹¹ whom it is necessary to silence, whoever are ruining whole families by* teaching things which must not be taught for the sake of dishonest gain. ¹² A certain one of them, one of their own prophets, has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." ¹³ This testimony is true, for which reason reprove them severely, in order that they may be sound in the faith, ¹⁴ not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of people who turn away from the truth. ¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but both their mind and conscience are defiled. ¹⁶ They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him, because they* are detestable and disobedient, and unfit for every good deed. ^{2 1} But you, speak the things which are fitting for sound instruction. ² Older men are to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderous, not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ in order that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, good, being subject to their own husbands, in order that the word of God may not be slandered. ⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be self-controlled, ⁷ concerning everything showing yourself to be an example of good deeds, in your teaching demonstrating soundness, dignity, ⁸ a sound message beyond reproach, in order that _⌊an opponent_⌋* may be put to shame, because he* has nothing bad to say concerning us. ⁹ Slaves must be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not to talk back, ¹⁰ not stealing, but demonstrating all good faith, in order that they may do credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything. ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, ¹² training us in order that, denying impiety and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled and righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us, in order that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good deeds. ¹⁵ Speak these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. ^{3 1} Remind them to be subject to the rulers and to the authorities, to obey, to be prepared for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all courtesy to all people. ³ For we also were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, spending our lives in wickedness and envy, despicable, hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love for mankind of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not by deeds of righteousness that we have done, but because of his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist concerning these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and contentions and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and fruitless. ¹⁰ Reject a divisive person after a first and second admonition, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. ¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make haste to come to me in Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Diligently send on their way Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that _⌊they may lack nothing_⌋*. ¹⁴ But also our people must learn to engage in good deeds for necessary needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. ¹⁵ All those with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.

Philemon

^{1 1} Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker, ² and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house. ³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, ⁵ because I* hear about your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. ⁶ I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ. ⁷ For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. ⁸ Therefore, although I* have great confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, ⁹ instead I appeal to you because of love, since I* am such a one as Paul, now an old man and also a prisoner of Christ Jesus. ¹⁰ I am appealing to you concerning my child whom I became the father of during my imprisonment, Onesimus. ¹¹ Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to you* and to me, ¹² whom I have sent back to you himself, that is, my heart, ¹³ whom I wanted to keep with me, in order that he might serve me on behalf of you during my imprisonment for the gospel. ¹⁴ But apart from your consent, I wanted to do nothing, in order that your good deed might be not as according to necessity, but according to your own free will. ¹⁵ For perhaps because of this, he was separated from you for a time, in order that you might have him back forever, ¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. ¹⁷ If therefore you consider me a partner, receive him as you would me. ¹⁸ But if in anything he has caused you loss or owes you anything, _⌊charge this to my account_⌋*. ¹⁹ I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will pay it back, lest I mention to you that _⌊you owe me even your very self besides_⌋*. ²⁰ Yes, brother, I ought to have some benefit of you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you because I* know that you will do even beyond what I say. ²² At the same time also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you. ²³ Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, ²⁴ and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. ²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Hebrews

¹ Although* God spoke long ago in many parts* and in many ways to the fathers by the prophets, ² in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the world,* ³ who is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, sustaining all things by the word of power.* When he* had made purification for sins through him, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become by so much better than the angels, by as much as he has inherited a more excellent name than theirs. ⁵ For to which of the angels did he ever say,
"You are my son, today I have begotten you,"*
and again,
"I will be _⌊his father_⌋*, and he will be _⌊my son_⌋*"?* ⁶ And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
"And let all the angels of God worship him."* ⁷ And concerning the angels he says,
"The one who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire,"* ⁸ but concerning the Son,
"Your throne, O God, is _⌊forever and ever_⌋*, and the scepter of righteous is the scepter of your kingdom. ⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; because of this God, your God, has anointed you with the olive oil of joy more than your companions.* ¹⁰ And,
"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of your hands; ¹¹ they will perish, but you continue, and they will all become old like a garment, ¹² and like a robe you will roll them up, and like a garment they will be changed; but you are the same, and your years will not run out."* ¹³ But to which of the angels has he ever said,
"Sit down at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."* ¹⁴ Are they not all spirits engaged in special service, sent on assignment for the sake of those who are going to inherit salvation? ^{2 1} Because of this, it is all the more necessary that we pay attention to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word spoken through angels was binding and every transgression and act of disobedience received a just penalty, ³ how will we escape if we* neglect so great a salvation which had its beginning when it* was spoken through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard, ⁴ while* God was testifying at the same time by signs and wonders and various miracles and distributions of the Holy Spirit according to his will. ⁵ For he did not subject to angels the world to come, about which we are speaking. ⁶ But someone testified somewhere, saying,
"What is man, that you remember him, or the son of man, that you care for him? ⁷ You made him for a short time lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor;* ⁸ you subjected all things under his feet.*
For in subjecting all things,* he left nothing that was not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him, ⁹ but we see Jesus, for a short time made lower than the angels, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that apart from God* he might taste death on behalf of everyone. ¹⁰ For it was fitting for him for whom are all things and through whom are all things in bringing many sons to glory to perfect the originator of their salvation through sufferings. ¹¹ For both the one who sanctifies and the ones who are sanctified are all from one, for which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers, ¹² saying,
"I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will sing in praise of you."* ¹³ And again,
"I will trust in him."*
And again,
"Behold, I and the children God has given me."* ¹⁴ Therefore, since the children share in blood and flesh, he also in like manner shared in these same things, in order that through death he could destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and could set free these who through fear of death were subject to slavery throughout all their lives. ¹⁶ For surely he is not concerned with angels, but he is concerned with the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he was obligated to be made like his brothers in all respects, in order that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in the things relating to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For in that which he himself suffered when he* was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. ^{3 1} Therefore, holy brothers, sharers in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, ² who was faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moses also was in his household.* ³ For this one is considered worthy of greater glory than Moses, inasmuch as the one who builds it has greater honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but the one who built all things is God. ⁵ And Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony to the things that would be spoken, ⁶ but Christ was faithful* as a son over his house, whose house we are, if* we hold fast to our confidence and the hope we can be proud of. ⁷ Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,
"Today, if you hear his voice, ⁸ do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, ⁹ where your fathers tested me by trial and saw my works ¹⁰ for forty years. Therefore I was angry with this generation, and I said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they do not know my ways.' ¹¹ As I swore in my anger, '_⌊They will never enter_⌋* into my rest.'"* ¹² Watch out, brothers, lest there be in some of you an evil, unbelieving heart, with the result that you fall away* from the living God. ¹³ But encourage one another _⌊day by day_⌋*, as long as it is called "today," so that _⌊none of you become hardened_⌋* by the deception of sin. ¹⁴ For we have become partners of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of our commitment steadfast until the end, ¹⁵ _⌊while it is said_⌋*,
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."* ¹⁶ For who, when they* heard it, were disobedient? Surely it was not all who went out from Egypt through Moses? ¹⁷ And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? ¹⁸ And to whom did he swear they would not enter into his rest, except those who were disobedient? ¹⁹ And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. ^{4 1} Therefore let us fear, while there* remains a promise of entering into his rest, that none of you appear to fall short of it. ² _⌊For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us_⌋*, just as those also did, but the message _⌊they heard_⌋* did not benefit them, because they* were not united with those who heard it in faith. ³ For we who have believed enter into rest,* just as he has said,
"As I swore in my anger, '_⌊They will never enter_⌋* into my rest.'"*
And yet these works have been accomplished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,"* ⁵ and in this passage again, '_⌊They will never enter_⌋* into my rest.'"* ⁶ Since therefore it remains for some to enter into it, and the ones to whom the good news was proclaimed previously did not enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again he ordains a certain day, today, speaking by David after so long a time, just as had been said before,
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."* ⁸ For if Joshua had caused them to rest, he would not have spoken about another day after these things. ⁹ Consequently a sabbath rest remains for the people of God. ¹⁰ For the one who has entered into his rest has also himself rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. ¹¹ Therefore, let us make every effort to enter into that rest, in order that no one may fall in the same pattern of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and able to judge the reflections and thoughts of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden in the sight of him, but all things are naked and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom _⌊we must give our account_⌋*. ¹⁴ Therefore, because we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who has been tempted in all things in the same way, without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ^{5 1} For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in the things relating to God, in order that he can offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins, ² being able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and led astray, since he himself also is surrounded by weakness, ³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins _⌊for himself also, as well as for the people_⌋*. ⁴ And someone does not take for himself the honor, but is called by God, just as Aaron also was. ⁵ Thus also Christ did not glorify himself to become high priest, but the one who said to him,
"You are my Son, today I have begotten you,"* ⁶ just as also in another place he says,
"You are a priest _⌊forever_⌋* according to the order of Melchizedek,"* ⁷ who in the days of his flesh offered up both prayers and supplications, with loud crying and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard as a result of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, ⁹ and being perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation to all those who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. ¹¹ Concerning this* _⌊we have much to say and it is difficult to explain_⌋*, since you have become sluggish in hearing. ¹² For indeed, although you* ought to be teachers _⌊by this time_⌋*, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and _⌊you have need of_⌋* milk, not* solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes of milk is unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil. ^{6 1} Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, ² teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. ³ And this we will do, if God permits. ⁴ For it is impossible concerning those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and having fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, because they* have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. ⁷ For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those people _⌊for whose sake_⌋* it is also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it* produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to a curse, whose end is for burning. ⁹ But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and belonging to salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust, so as to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name by* having served the saints, and continuing to serve them. ¹¹ And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, ¹² in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. ¹³ For when* God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying,
"Surely _⌊I will greatly bless_⌋* you, and _⌊I will greatly multiply_⌋* you." ¹⁵ And so, by* persevering, he obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For people swear by what is greater than themselves, and the oath for confirmation is the end of all dispute for them. ¹⁷ In the same way God, because he* wanted to show even more to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his resolve, guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ in order that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge may have powerful encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us, ¹⁹ which we have like an anchor of the soul, both firm and steadfast, and entering into the inside of the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus, the forerunner for us, entered, because he* became a high priest _⌊forever_⌋* according to the order of Melchizedek. ^{7 1} For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham as he* was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,* ² to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything*—in the first place, his name is translated "king of righteousness," and then also "king of Salem," that is, "king of peace"; ³ without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God—he remains a priest for all time. ⁴ But see how great this man was, to whom Abraham* the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils! ⁵ And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to collect a tenth from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although _⌊they are descended from Abraham_⌋*. ⁶ But the one who did not trace his descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. ⁷ Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent. ⁸ And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives. ⁹ And, _⌊so to speak_⌋*, even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham. ¹⁰ For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. ¹¹ Thus if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for on the basis of it the people received the law, what further need is there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not said to be according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when* the priesthood changes, of necessity there is a change of the law also. ¹³ For the one about whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord is a descendant of Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And it is still more clear, if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, ¹⁶ who has become a priest not according to a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is testified,
"You are a priest _⌊forever_⌋* according to the order of Melchizedek."* ¹⁸ For on the one hand a preceding commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect), but on the other hand there is the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God. ²⁰ And by as much as this was not without an oath (for these on the one hand _⌊have become priests_⌋* without an oath, ²¹ but he with an oath by the one who said to him,
"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest _⌊forever_⌋*'"*), ²² by so much more* Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. ²³ And indeed many _⌊have become_⌋* priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he, because he continues _⌊forever_⌋*, holds the priesthood permanently. ²⁵ Therefore also he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, because he* always lives in order to intercede on their behalf. ²⁶ For a high priest such as this indeed is fitting for us, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and having become exalted above the heavens, ²⁷ who does not _⌊need every day_⌋* like the former high priests to offer up sacrifices for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, because he did this once for all when he* offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the statement of the oath, after the law, appoints a Son, who is made perfect _⌊forever_⌋*. ^{8 1} Now this is the main point in what has been said: we have a high priest such as this, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord set up, not man. ³ For every high priest is appointed in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices; therefore it was* necessary for this one also to have something that he offers. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, because there* are those who offer the gifts according to the law, ⁵ who serve a sketch and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned when he* was about to complete the tabernacle, for he says, "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown to you on the mountain."* ⁶ But now he has attained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted upon better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, occasion would not have been sought for a second. ⁸ For in finding fault with them he says,
"Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will complete a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, ⁹ not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day I took hold of them by my hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant and I disregarded them, says the Lord. ¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will decree with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I am putting my laws in their minds and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be _⌊their_⌋* God and they will be _⌊my_⌋* people. ¹¹ And they will not teach each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. ¹² For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings, and I will not remember their sins any longer." ¹³ In calling it new, he has declared the former to be old. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is near to disappearing. ^{9 1} Now* the first covenant had regulations for worship and the earthly sanctuary. ² For a tent was prepared, the first one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the presentation of the loaves, which is called the holy place. ³ And after the second curtain was a tent called the holy of holies, ⁴ containing the golden incense altar and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which were a golden jar containing the manna and the rod of Aaron that budded and the tablets of the covenant. ⁵ And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, about which it is not now possible to speak in detail. ⁶ Now these things having been prepared in this way, the priests enter into the first tent _⌊continually_⌋* as they* accomplish their service, ⁷ but only the high priest enters into the second tent once a year, not without blood, which he offers on behalf of himself and the sins of the people committed in ignorance. ⁸ The Holy Spirit was making this clear, that the way into the holy place was not yet revealed, while* the first tent was still in existence, ⁹ which was a symbol for the present time, in which both the gifts and sacrifices which were offered were not able to perfect the worshiper with respect to the conscience, ¹⁰ concerning instead only food and drink and different washings, regulations of outward things imposed until the time of setting things right. ¹¹ But Christ has arrived as a high priest of the good things to come. Through the greater and more perfect tent not made by hands, that is, not of this creation, ¹² and not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once for all into the most holy place, obtaining eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled sanctify them for the ritual purity of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵ And because of this, he is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that, because* a death has taken place for the redemption of transgressions committed during the first covenant, those who are the called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. ¹⁶ For where there is a will, it is a necessity for the death of the one who made the will to be established. ¹⁷ For a will is in force concerning those who are dead, since it is never in force when the one who made the will is alive. ¹⁸ Therefore not even the first covenant was ratified without blood. ¹⁹ For when* every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves* with water and scarlet wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you."* ²¹ And likewise he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the utensils of service with the blood. ²² Indeed, nearly everything is purified with blood according to the law, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. ²³ Therefore it was necessary for the sketches of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf, ²⁵ and not in order that he can offer himself many times, as the high priest enters into the sanctuary _⌊year by year_⌋* with blood not his own, ²⁶ since it would have been necessary for him to suffer many times from the foundation of the world, but now he has appeared once at the end of the ages for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And _⌊just as_⌋* it is destined for people to die once, and after this, judgment, ²⁸ thus also Christ, having been offered once in order to bear the sins of many, will appear for the second time without reference to sin to those who eagerly await him for salvation. ^{10 1} For the law, possessing a shadow of the good things that are about to come, not the form of things itself, is never able _⌊year by year_⌋* by means of the same sacrifices which they offer without interruption to make perfect those who draw near. ² For otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the ones who worship, having been purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? ³ But in them there is a reminder of sins _⌊year by year_⌋*. ⁴ For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁵ Therefore, when he* came into the world, he said,
"Sacrifice and offering you did not want, but a body you prepared for me; ⁶ you did not delight in whole burnt offerings and offerings for sins. ⁷ Then I said, 'Behold, I have come— in the roll of the book it is written about me— to do your will, O God.' ⁸ When he says above,
"Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin you did not want, nor did you delight in,"*
which are offered according to the law, ⁹ then he has said,
"Behold, I have come to do your will."*
He takes away the first in order to establish the second, ¹⁰ by which will we are made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ¹¹ And every priest stands every day serving and offering the same sacrifices many times, which are never able to take away sins. ¹² But this one, after he* had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from now on waiting until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet. ¹⁴ For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy. ¹⁵ And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, ¹⁶ "This is the covenant that I will decree for them after those days, says the Lord: I am putting my laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."* ¹⁷ He also says,
"Their sins and their lawless deeds I will never remember again."* ¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. ¹⁹ Therefore, brothers, since we* have confidence for the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by the new and living way which he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh, ²¹ and since we have* a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us approach with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for the one who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us think about _⌊how to stir one another up to love_⌋* and good works, ²⁵ not abandoning _⌊our meeting together_⌋*, as is the habit of some, but encouraging each other, and by so much more as you see the day drawing near. ²⁶ For if* we keep on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a fury of fire that is about to consume the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who rejected the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much worse punishment do you think the person will be considered worthy of who treats with disdain the Son of God and who considers ordinary the blood of the covenant by which he was made holy and who insults the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know the one who said,
"Vengeance is mine, I will repay,"*
and again,
"The Lord will judge his people."* ³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ³² But remember the former days in which, after you* were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings, ³³ sometimes being publicly exposed both to insults and to afflictions, and sometimes becoming sharers with those who were treated in this way. ³⁴ For you both sympathized with the prisoners and put up with the seizure of your belongings with joy because you* knew that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, in order that after you* have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. ³⁷ For yet
"a very, very little while, and the one who is coming will come and will not delay. ³⁸ But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul is not well pleased with him."* ³⁹ But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but among those who have faith to the preservation of our souls. ^{11 1} Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen. ² For by this the people of old were approved. ³ By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God, in order that what is seen did not come into existence from what is visible. ⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a greater sacrifice than Cain, by which he was approved that he was righteous, because* God approved him for his gifts, and through it* he still speaks, although he* is dead. ⁵ By faith Enoch was taken up, so that he did not experience death, and he was not found, because God took him up. For before his removal, he had been approved _⌊as having been pleasing_⌋* to God. ⁶ Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him. ⁷ By faith Noah, having been warned about things not yet seen, out of reverence constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family, by which he pronounced sentence on the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. ⁸ By faith Abraham, when he* was called, obeyed to go out to a place that he was going to receive for an inheritance, and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived in the land of promise as a stranger, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was expecting the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. ¹¹ By faith also, _⌊with Sarah_⌋*,* he received _⌊the ability to procreate_⌋* even _⌊past the normal age_⌋*, because he regarded the one who had promised to be faithful. ¹² And therefore these were fathered from one man, and he being as good as dead, as the stars of heaven in number and like the innumerable sand by the shore of the sea. ¹³ These all died in faith without receiving the promises, but seeing them from a distance and welcoming them, and admitting that they were strangers and temporary residents on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make clear that they are seeking a homeland. ¹⁵ And if they remember* that land from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. ¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, and the one who received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, ¹⁸ with reference to whom it was said, "In Isaac your descendants will be named,"* ¹⁹ having reasoned that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which he received him back also as a symbol. ²⁰ By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things that were going to happen. ²¹ By faith Jacob, as he* was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith Joseph, as he* was dying, mentioned about the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his bones. ²³ By faith Moses, when he* was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw the child was handsome, and they were not afraid of the edict of the king. ²⁴ By faith Moses, when he* was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, ²⁵ choosing instead to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to experience the transitory enjoyment of sin, ²⁶ considering _⌊reproach endured for the sake of Christ_⌋* greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. ²⁷ By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king, for he persevered as if he* saw the invisible one. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. ²⁹ By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land; the Egyptians, _⌊when they made the attempt_⌋*, were drowned. ³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they* had been marched around for seven days. ³¹ By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she* welcomed the spies in peace. ³² And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, accomplished justice, obtained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ extinguished the effectiveness of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong from weakness, became mighty in battle, put to flight enemy battle lines. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection. But others were tortured, not accepting release, in order that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶ And others _⌊experienced mocking and flogging_⌋*, and in addition bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by murder with a sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, impoverished, afflicted, mistreated, ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy, wandering about on deserts and mountains and in caves and in holes in the ground. ³⁹ And although they* all were approved* through their faith, they did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰ because* God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us. ^{12 1} Therefore, since* we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and _⌊the sin that so easily ensnares us_⌋*, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider the one who endured such hostility by sinners against himself,* so that you will not grow weary in your souls and give up. ⁴ You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your* blood as you* struggle against sin. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten the exhortation which instructs you as sons?
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, or give up when you are corrected by him. ⁶ For the Lord disciplines the one whom he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts."* ⁷ Endure it for discipline. God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without discipline, in which all legitimate sons* have become participants, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had _⌊our earthly fathers_⌋* who disciplined us, and we respected them. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they disciplined us for a few days according to what seemed appropriate to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we can have a share in his holiness. ¹¹ Now all discipline seems for the moment not to be joyful but painful, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who are trained by it. ¹² Therefore strengthen your slackened hands and your weakened knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed. ¹⁴ Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ Take care that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no one growing up like a root of bitterness causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; ¹⁶ that no one be a sexually immoral or totally worldly person like Esau, who for one meal traded his own birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that also afterwards, when he* wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, because he did not find an occasion for repentance, although he sought it with tears. ¹⁸ For you have not come to something that can be touched, and to a burning fire, and to darkness, and to gloom, and to a whirlwind, ¹⁹ and to the noise of a trumpet, and to the sound of words which those who heard begged that not another word be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not endure what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned."* ²¹ And the spectacle was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."* ²² But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to tens of thousands of angels, to the festal gathering ²³ and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and _⌊to the sprinkled blood_⌋* that speaks better than Abel's does. ²⁵ Watch out that you do not refuse the one who is speaking! For if those did not escape when they* refused the one who warned them on earth, much less will we escape,* if we* reject the one who warns from heaven, ²⁶ whose voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, saying,
"Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven."* ²⁷ Now the phrase "yet once more" indicates the removal of what is shaken, namely, things that have been created, in order that the things that are not shaken may remain. ²⁸ Therefore, since we* are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be thankful, through which let us serve God acceptably, with awe and reverence. ²⁹ For indeed our God is a consuming fire. ^{13 1} Brotherly love must continue. ² Do not neglect hospitality, because through this some have received angels as guests without knowing it. ³ Remember the prisoners, as though you were fellow-prisoners; remember* the mistreated, as though you yourselves also are being mistreated* in the body. ⁴ Marriage must be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed be undefiled, because God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. ⁵ Your lifestyle must be free from the love of money, being content with what you have. For he himself has said, "I will never desert you, and I will never abandon you."* ⁶ So then, we can say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.* What will man do to me?"* ⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; _⌊considering the outcome of their way of life_⌋*, imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and _⌊forever_⌋*. ⁹ Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods by which those who participate have not benefited. ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve in the tabernacle do not have the right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sins are burned up outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, in order that he might sanctify the people by his own blood. ¹³ So we must go out to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. ¹⁴ For here we do not have a permanent city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Therefore through him let us offer up a sacrifice of praise _⌊continually_⌋* to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and generosity, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. ¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you. ¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, and want to conduct ourselves commendably in every way. ¹⁹ And I especially urge you to do this, so that I may be restored to you more quickly. ²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, ²¹ equip you with every good thing to do his will, carrying out in us what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory _⌊forever_⌋*.* Amen. ²² Now I urge you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for indeed I have written to you _⌊briefly_⌋*. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I will see you, if he comes quickly enough. ²⁴ Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. ²⁵ Grace be with all of you.

James

^{1 1} James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Greetings! ² Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials, ³ because you* know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. ⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask for it in faith, without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed about. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ⁹ Now let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his high position, ¹⁰ but the rich person in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of the grass. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its burning heat and dries up the grass, and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is lost. So also the rich person in his pursuits* will wither away. ¹² Blessed is the person* who endures testing, because when he* is approved he will receive the crown of life that he* has promised to those who love him. ¹³ No one who is being tempted should say, "I am being tempted by God," for God _⌊cannot be tempted_⌋* by evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he* is dragged away and enticed by his own desires. ¹⁵ Then desire, after it* has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it* is brought to completion, gives birth to death. ¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of change. ¹⁸ By his* will he gave birth to us through the message of truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. ¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers: every person must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, ²⁰ for human* anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore, putting aside all moral uncleanness and wicked excess, welcome* with humility the implanted message which is able to save your souls. ²² But be doers of the message and not hearers only,* deceiving yourselves, ²³ because if anyone is a hearer of the message and not a doer, this one is like someone* staring at _⌊his own face_⌋* in a mirror, ²⁴ for he looks at himself and goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. ²⁵ But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues to do it, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts, this one will be blessed _⌊in what he does_⌋*. ²⁶ If anyone thinks he is religious, although he* does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our* God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. ^{2 1} My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality. ² For if someone* enters into your assembly* in fine clothing with a gold ring on his finger, and a poor person in filthy clothing also enters, ³ and you look favorably on the one wearing the fine clothing and you say, "Be seated here in a good place," and to the poor person you say, "You stand or be seated there* by my footstool," ⁴ have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my dear brothers! Did not God choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich exploiting you and they themselves dragging you into the courts? ⁷ Do they themselves not blaspheme the good name _⌊of the one to whom you belong_⌋*? ⁸ However, if you carry out the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"* you are doing well. ⁹ But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and thus* are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point only has become guilty of all of it. ¹¹ For the one who said "Do not commit adultery"* also said "Do not murder."* Now if you do not commit adultery but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹² Thus speak and thus act as those who are going to be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³ For judgment is merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. ¹⁴ What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it?* ¹⁵ If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking food for the day, ¹⁶ and one of you should say to them, "Go in peace, keep warm and _⌊eat well_⌋*," but does not give them what is necessary for the body, what is the benefit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. ¹⁸ But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works."* Show me your faith apart from your* works, and I will show you my* faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe, and shudder! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he* offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was working together with his works, and by the works the faith was perfected. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,"* and he was called God's friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ And likewise was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she* welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? ²⁶ For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. ^{3 1} Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you* know that we will receive a greater judgment.* ² For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual,* able to hold in check his whole body also. ³ And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. ⁴ Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member of the body* and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness,* the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire _⌊the course of human existence_⌋*, being set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸ but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless the* Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so! ¹¹ A spring does not pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water, does it?* ¹² A fig tree is not able, my brothers, to produce olives, or a grapevine figs. Neither can a saltwater spring produce fresh water. ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his* good behavior his works, with the humility of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, nonjudgmental, without hypocrisy, ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among* those who make peace. ^{4 1} From where are conflicts and from where are quarrels among you? Is it not from this, from your pleasures that wage war among your members? ² You desire and do not have; you murder and are filled with envy, and are not able to obtain; you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures. ⁴ Adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, "The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously"?* ⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says,
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."* ⁷ Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded! ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your* joy to gloominess. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. ¹¹ Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. The one who speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of the law.* ¹² There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your* neighbor? ¹³ Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there, and carry on business and make a profit," ¹⁴ you who do not know _⌊what will happen tomorrow_⌋*, _⌊what your life will be like_⌋*. For you are a smoky vapor that appears for a short time and then disappears. ¹⁵ Instead you should say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." ¹⁶ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ Therefore, to the one who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. ^{5 1} Come now, you rich people, weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming upon you! ² Your wealth has rotted, and your clothing has become moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver have become corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you, and it will consume your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days. ⁴ Behold, the wages that were held back by you from the workers who reap your fields cry out, and the cries of the reapers have come to the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵ You have lived self-indulgently on the earth* and have lived luxuriously. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous person; he does not resist you. ⁷ Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient concerning it until it receives the early and late rains. ⁸ You also be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near. ⁹ Brothers, do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the doors! ¹⁰ Brothers, take as an example of perseverance and endurance the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ Behold, we consider blessed those who have endured. You have heard about the patient endurance of Job, and you saw the outcome from the Lord, that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. ¹² Now above all, my brothers, do not swear either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no, no, in order that you may not fall under judgment. ¹³ Is anyone among you suffering misfortune? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the elders of the church and they should pray over him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins _⌊he will be forgiven_⌋*. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person accomplishes much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a human being* with the same nature as us, and _⌊he prayed fervently_⌋* for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. ¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you should wander away from the truth and someone turns him back, ²⁰ he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that person's* soul from death, and will cover over a great number of sins.

1 Peter

^{1 1} Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen* who are residing temporarily in the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you ⁵ who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, ⁶ in which you rejoice greatly, although* now for a short time, if necessary,* you are distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold that is passing away, but is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom, although you* have not seen, you love; in whom now you believe, although you* do not see him, and you rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your* souls. ¹⁰ Concerning this* salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace meant for you sought and made careful inquiry, ¹¹ investigating for what person or which time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he* testified beforehand to the sufferings with reference to Christ and the glories after these things, ¹² to whom it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you with reference to the same things which now have been announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, _⌊things into which_⌋* angels desire to look. ¹³ Therefore, _⌊when you have prepared your minds for action_⌋* by* being self-controlled, put your hope completely in the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former desires you used to conform to* in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but as the one who called you is holy, you yourselves be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ for it is written, "You will be holy, because I am* holy."** ¹⁷ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's work, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your temporary residence, ¹⁸ because you* know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb ²⁰ who was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has been revealed in these last times for you ²¹ who through him are believing in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. ²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another fervently from the heart,* ²³ because you* have been born again, not from perishable seed but imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For
"all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the grass. The grass withers and the flower falls off, ²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures _⌊forever_⌋*."*
And this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.