1 Corinthians 10 Cross References - JMNT

¹ So I am not intending (or: willing; wanting) you folks to continue being ignorant, brothers, that our fathers (= ancestors) were all continually existing under the cloud, and everyone passed completely through the midst of the sea, ² and so they all immersed themselves into Moses (or: got themselves baptized [other MSS: were baptized] unto Moses), within the cloud and within the sea, ³ and they all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and they all drank the same spiritual drink, for they kept on drinking from out of a spiritual bedrock (or: cliff rock; rock mass) – one continually following along behind (or: progressively accompanying [them]). Now the bedrock (or: cliff rock) was the Christ (or: the rock mass was existing being the Anointing). ⁵ But still, God did not take delight (was not well-pleased; did not approve) in the majority of them, for they were strewn down flat on the ground (scattered and laid low) within the midst of the wilderness (desolate place; desert; uninhabited place). ⁶ Now these things were made to be types of us (or: were birthed to be examples for, and pertaining to, us), [directed] into this [goal]: [for] us not to habitually be those who set their strong passions (rushing emotions; ardor; cravings) upon worthless things (ugly things of bad quality), just (correspondingly; along the same lines) as those also set their passionate emotions and cravings on [such things]. ⁷ Neither continue on to become (or: Stop becoming) idolaters, just (or: correspondingly; along the same lines) as some of them, even as it has been written, "The people sit down to continually eat and drink, and they stand up (arise again) to repeatedly engage in childish play (sport; amusement)." [i.e., play around the idol – the golden calf; Ex. 32:6] ⁸ Neither may we continue practicing sexual immorality (prostitution; fornication) just (correspondingly; in the same sphere) as some of them practiced sexual immorality (or: partook of the prostitution) – and twenty-three thousand fell in (or: on) one day. [note: this whoredom involved the idolatry of Baal worship – Num. 25:1-9] ⁹ Neither should (or: may) we keep on putting the Anointed One (or: Christ) to outrageous tests [with other MSS: put the Lord (= Christ or Yahweh) to the proof, out of {personal motives}; with others: try-out God] just as some of them tested and tried [Him] – and were being destroyed (loosed-away) by the serpents, day by day. [Num. 21:5-9] ¹⁰ Neither continue habitually murmuring (grumbling with a buzz of under-toned mutterings of critical and discontented comments; [Num. 16:41]) exactly as some of them murmured – and loosed themselves away (or: destroyed themselves) by the Destroyer [note: same word used in Ex. 12:23, LXX]. ¹¹ Now all these things went on progressively (or: from time to time) stepping together among (or: to) those folks typically (as examples; figuratively), and it was written with a view toward a placing [of them] into the minds of us: ones unto whom (directed into the midst of whom) the ends (= conjunctions; or: consummations; goals) of the ages have come down to (or: arrived at) and are now face to face [with us]. [note: “the ends,” plural, may describe a picture of a succession, where “one end” meets “another end,” this latter being really the beginning of another indefinite time-period, stretched out like a rope; each rope in the time-line having “two ends.”] ¹² Consequently, let the person habitually supposing (thinking; imagining) to have taken a stand – and presuming to still be standing – be continually taking notice and observing so as to heed [that] he should (or: [and] he would) not fall. ¹³ No trial (or: ordeal; temptation; putting to the proof; effect of probing and testing) has laid hold of or seized you folks except a human one (something pertaining to the human nature and situation). Now God [is] faithful, loyal, trustworthy, and full of faith and trust – One who will not permit (let, allow; or: let go; leave alone) you folks to be tested, tried, tempted or made to undergo an ordeal above (or: over; = beyond) that which you people continue having ability and power [to handle or endure], but to the contrary, together with the trial (or: ordeal), He will also continually make the way out (the egress; or: He also will habitually do the stepping forth from out of the midst; or: He will even progressively construct the out-come) to continually enable and repeatedly empower you folks to undergo [it] (to bear up under [it]; to carry on under [it], sustain [it], and lead on). ¹⁴ Wherefore by all means, my beloved ones, be habitually fleeing away from the idolatry (the religious service of form, figures or image, and of what is seen; phantoms of the mind; impressions or fancies; ideas and concepts). ¹⁵ I am now saying [this] as to and for sensible and thoughtful people (ones with a prudent and intelligent frame of mind; discreet and discerning folks): you, yourselves, sift and decide about (or: separate and judge) what I continually affirm and mean. ¹⁶ The cup of The Blessing (or: The cup which is the good Word, the Idea of prosperity, ease, wellness and goodness) which we are habitually blessing (eulogizing; speaking well of; speaking of with reference to goodness, prosperity, ease and wellness), is it not (does it not exist being) the common existing and sharing with, participation in, fellowship of, communion of being with and partnership of, and from, Christ's blood (or: the blood which is the Anointing)? The bread (or: loaf of bread) which we are habitually breaking, is it not (does it not exist being) the common existing and sharing with, participation in, fellowship of, communion of being with, and partnership of, Christ's body (or: the body which is anointed)? ¹⁷ Because we, The Many, are (exist being) one bread (one loaf of bread), one body, for we, The All (the all of humanity), are continuously holding a share with others and are co-partaking from out of the one Bread (or: the one loaf of bread). ¹⁸ Take an extended look at Israel, according to [the] flesh, and be observing [their cultural situation]: are not those habitually eating the things sacrificed common-beings of the altar (partners, partakers and ones who share common participation pertaining to the altar)? ¹⁹ What, then, am I now meaning and affirming? That what is sacrificed to an idol is anything? Or, that an idol is anything (= something more than an idol)? ²⁰ To the contrary (or: Not at all!): that which the multitudes of ethnic groups (the nations; the pagans; the Gentiles) habitually sacrifice, they continue sacrificing to, for or by demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences), and not to, for or by God (or: even to or by a non-god, or a no-god), and I am not intending for (willing; wanting) you folks to proceed to becoming partakers of and thus common-beings with the demons (= partners and ones who share common participation pertaining to the animistic influences [possibly: = evil or deranged spirits, mental conditions or attitudes]). ²¹ You folks are unable to continue to drink (or: You can not habitually drink) [the] cup of the Lord (or: the Owner's cup; or: = the cup pertaining to Christ; or: [Yahweh's] cup; cf John 18:11) and a cup of demons (or: a cup pertaining to animistic influences [possibly: = evil attitudes; deranged mental conditions; evil spirits]); you are unable to continue to (or: to habitually) hold a share with and co-partake of [the] Lord's [= Christ's or Yahweh's] table and also a table of demons (pertaining to or having its source in animistic influences [possibly: = evil attitudes or qualities]). [note: Mal. 1:7 refers to the altar of burnt-offering as “the table of the Lord;” Isa. 65:11, Jer. 7:18 and Ezk. 1618; 23:41 use the term “table” with reference to pagan idol-feasts; Paul may be using the terms “cup” and “table” figuratively, and not referring to specific ceremonies] ²² Or are we proceeding to cause the Lord's emotions to boil over the side (constantly inciting the Lord [= Christ, or Yahweh; cf Deut. 32:21, LXX] to jealous indignation)? We are not stronger than He! ²³ All things are authorized (allowed; permitted; rightful; in accord with cultural law), but yet not all things proceed to bear together for advantage, profit or expedience. Everything is allowable (authorized; in accord with right and custom), but yet not all things progressively edify or build up the house. ²⁴ Let no one be habitually seeking the [interest, advantage, profit, welfare or edification] of himself, but to the contrary, the [interest, advantage, profit, welfare and edification] of the other (or: different) person. ²⁵ Go on habitually eating everything that is normally being sold in (or: at) a meat market, while examining nothing because of (or: sifting not one thing back through) the conscience, ²⁶ for, "the earth (or: land) and the results of its filling (entire contents; that which fills it up) belong to and have their origin in the Lord [= Yahweh]." [Ps: 24:1; etc.] ²⁷ If anyone of the unbelievers (or: of those not full of faith) is periodically inviting you folks [to be his guest], and you are wanting (or: intending) to go, keep on habitually eating everything that is normally being placed beside (or: = set before) you, while examining nothing because of (or: sifting not one thing back through) the conscience. ²⁸ Yet if anyone should say to you folks, "This is [meat; something] offered in a temple or a sacred sacrifice to an idol," do not proceed to eat [it], because of that person pointing it out (disclosing it) and [on account of] the conscience. ²⁹ Now I am not speaking [about] your own conscience, but rather the other person's. For to what purpose is my freedom now being decided by another person's conscience? ³⁰ If I myself am continuously participating (holding a share with [others] and co-partaking) in grace and favor (or: with gratitude), why am I being repeatedly blasphemed (spoken abusively about; vilified; injuriously misrepresented; or: hindered in regard to the Light) over what I myself am habitually receiving in good grace and for which I am expressing gratitude? ³¹ Therefore whether you folks are habitually eating or continually drinking, or anything you are constantly doing, be continuously doing all things unto God's glory (or: performing everything [directed toward and leading] into a good reputation pertaining to God; making all things into a manifestation which calls forth praise to God). ³² Progressively come to be people who are not obstacles or causes for stumbling (= become inoffensive) – both to Jews and to Greeks (or: those of the Hellenistic culture), as well as to God's called-out community (or: God's called-out person), ³³ correspondingly as I myself am also habitually accommodating and pleasing all folks in all things, not continually seeking the thing that bears together for advantage, profit, welfare and expedience of myself, but to the contrary, that which pertains to The Many – to the end that they can be saved (rescued, delivered, healed, made whole and restored to their original state and condition)!

²⁴ "No one continues being able (has habitual power) to continue being, or performing as, a slave for two owners (lords; masters). You see, he will either proceed in hating (or: regarding with ill will) the one and will continue loving the different one, or he will continue holding firmly to and having instead the one, and will proceed despising (having a negative attitude and disposition toward) the different one. You folks are not able (still have no power) to continue being, or performing as, slaves for God and at the same time for money and riches (you can't be enslaved to both God and wealth)!

³¹ "Therefore, you folks should not fret, be anxious, be full of care or be worrying, constantly saying, 'What can we eat?' or, 'What can we drink?' or, 'What can we put on ourselves to wear?' ³² "You see, the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the pagans; the non-Jews) are habitually in eager pursuit of these things – spending all of their energy in seeking them! After all, your heavenly Father (or: your Father Who inhabits, and can be compared to, the atmosphere) has seen and knows that you folks repeatedly have need for all of these things.

³⁸ "Now the field is the organized System (the ordered arrangement; the world; the world of religion as well as of economy, culture and government in the secular; = the realm of society). As for the fine, ideal seed, these are the sons of the reign (= the produce and resulting situation which have the kingdom as their source and origin; the offspring who are the reign; = those things having the character and quality of the kingdom and are associated with its reign). Yet the weeds (darnel) are the sons of the worthless person or the disadvantageous circumstance (or: the sons whose source and origin is the one who brings pain and misery through hard labor; the produce whose character and quality are malevolent and wicked; the sons of the evil one; or: offspring of the difficult and wearisome situation [the predicament of mankind?]; the bad environment; may = the result of the work of a worthless person [perhaps: the words of a religious person]). ³⁹ "And now the enemy (the hostile person) – the person sowing them – is the adversary (the person who will thrust something through you; or: the "devil"). And then [the] harvest is [the] bringing of the parts together to one destined end (or: a combined final act; a purposed consummation; a putting together of the final product; a joining of all aspects into the fruition of the goal) of an age, but the harvesters (reapers) are agents (messengers; folks with the message).

³⁹ "And now the enemy (the hostile person) – the person sowing them – is the adversary (the person who will thrust something through you; or: the "devil"). And then [the] harvest is [the] bringing of the parts together to one destined end (or: a combined final act; a purposed consummation; a putting together of the final product; a joining of all aspects into the fruition of the goal) of an age, but the harvesters (reapers) are agents (messengers; folks with the message). ⁴⁰ "Therefore, just as the weeds (darnel) are periodically collected together and are normally burned down (or: up) in a fire, thus will it be within the conclusion (the combined final act; the joining of all parts and aspects to one end and goal) of the age [other MSS: this age]. ⁴¹ "The Son of the Man will progressively send off His agents (messengers; folks with the message) as emissaries, and they will continue gathering together out of His kingdom (collect and cull out of His reign) all the snares and things which entrap, as well as the folks habitually producing (or: doing; constructing; practicing; creating) the lawlessness. ⁴² "Next they will continue throwing them into the furnace (oven; kiln) of The Fire [note: a figure of being dealt with in, and by, God]: 'the weeping (crying and lamentation) and the grinding of teeth' will continue being in that situation (or: place).

²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1] ²² "Furthermore, if those days were not curtailed (or: except those days be cut short), no flesh (= people) [at] all would likely be rescued (delivered; kept safe). Yet, because of the picked out and chosen folks, those days will proceed being curtailed (cut short). ²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]. ²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks.

²⁶ Now during the progression of their eating [the meal], upon taking the loaf of [unleavened] bread and saying words of ease and wellness (or: speaking blessing [to them]), Jesus broke [it in pieces]. And then at giving [them] to the disciples, He said, "You folks take [it] (or: receive [this]). Eat [it] at once. This is My body (or: This is the body which is Me)." ²⁷ Next, upon taking a [other MSS: the] cup and speaking words about grace and expressing gratitude, He gave [it] to them, while saying, "All you men drink from out of it, ²⁸ "for you see, this is My blood (or: the blood which is Me), which pertains to the covenant [with other MSS: this is My blood – which is the new arrangement] – the [blood] around (or: encompassing and pertaining to) many [people; peoples], [the blood] continuously (or: presently) being poured out and progressively diffused into a divorce from failures, a forgiveness for mistakes, a dismissal of errors, a release from deviations, and a flowing away of sins!

³³ Now Peter, making a determined response, says to Him, "Even if everyone [else] will proceed being caught in the snare in union with You, and will continue being caused to stumble, I myself will never (not even once) proceed being ensnared or cause to stumble!" ³⁴ And so Jesus affirmed to him, "Of a truth (or: Really; Count on it; Amen), I now am saying to you that within this night – before a rooster crows (or: is to crow; other MSS: the crowing of the cock), you will proceed to disown (renounce) Me three times."

⁴⁰ Then He proceeds coming toward the disciples, and He is presently finding them continuing fast asleep. So He then says to Peter, "So (or: Thus [is the case]), you folks have no strength to stay awake and watch with Me [for] one hour. ⁴¹ "You folks continue awake and keep on watching. And continue praying to the end that you folks may not enter into a test (a trial; a putting to the proof). On the one hand the spirit [is] eager (the attitude [can be] the first to rush forward with passion); on the other hand the flesh (= the estranged human nature; the alienated self; the person who has been molded and dominated by the System) [is] without strength (weak and infirm)."

²² And during their continued eating, Jesus, taking a loaf of bread [and] saying a good word (or: expressing the goodness, ease and wellbeing of the Word; or: speaking a blessing), breaks [it] and gives [it] to them, then said, "You men take (or: grasp) this. It is My body." (or: "Get hold of and receive [it]. This is My body.") ²³ Then, taking a cup – while speaking of the goodness and wellbeing of grace, and expressing gratitude [for it] – He gave [it] to them and all the men drank from out of it. ²⁴ Then He said to them, "This is the blood – pertaining to My arrangement (My covenant; or: My will; [with other MSS: This is My blood which is the source of the New Covenant]) – the [blood] being now progressively poured, scattered and diffused out over many [folks; peoples]. ²⁵ "Truly, I am now laying out my thoughts and saying to you that no longer, under any circumstances, can I (may I; would I; should I) drink from out of the product of the grapevine – until that day, whenever I can drink it (or: constantly drink it) new in quality and kind, within God's reign as King (or: in the midst of the kingdom of God; = the realm of God's activities, influence and way of doing things)."

²⁹ Later Levi prepared a great reception banquet for Him within his house. And there was a great crowd of many tax collectors, as well as others who were lying down while dining with them. ³⁰ Then the Pharisees and the scribes (scholars and theologians) began grumbling with subdued talk and perplexed buzzing (murmuring) to His disciples about them, one after another saying, "Why (Because of what [reason or situation]) are you folks participating in eating and drinking with the tax collectors and outcasts (folks who because of their lifestyle or means of making a living were considered as failures, or, 'sinners,' by the religious people; folks who did not by habit adhere to the religious customs of the Jewish culture)?"

⁷ "So you folks continue staying (remaining; dwelling) in this same house – repeatedly eating and drinking the things they provide, for the worker is worthy (of equal value) of his wage (pay). [So] do not repeatedly change [locations] by transferring from house to house. ⁸ "Also, into whatever town or city you may one after another be entering – and they may continue favorably welcoming and receiving you folks – habitually eat the things regularly placed beside you,

⁴ And then at once send away (divorce and cause to flow off; forgive) for us our failures and mistakes (sins; times and occasions of missing the target) – for we, ourselves, are also habitually sending away (causing to flow off and forgiving) for everyone continually owing and being indebted to us. And would (or: may) You not at any point lead, bring or carry us into a [time or situation of] examination, testing or trial where we are put to the proof, but to the contrary, at once bring us out of danger, away from the worthless person, or the one of malicious intent or who has bad and unprofitable qualities (or: the bad situation; the wicked person; the miserable condition; the painful labor; the unprofitable endeavor).'"

⁴¹ "However (or: Nonetheless; In any case), give the things being within (or: continuing being inside) [as] a gift or expression of mercy (= alms or charity), then – look, and consider! – everything is (or: all things are) clean to (or: for; among) you folks.

²³ "'Next, you folks proceed in bringing the grain-fed young animal (e.g.: fat and choice calf): at once slaughter (or: sacrifice) [it], and, after eating, we can be put in a good and easy frame of mind (or: we should be given thoughts of well-being, cheer and celebration),

²⁶ "'Furthermore, in the midst of all these things [and conditions] a great, yawning chasm (or: gaping opening) has been set firmly in position and is now established between us and you people, so that folks presently wanting or intending to step through from here toward you people would continue being unable [to do so] – neither could folks pass over from there toward us.'

⁷ Then, upon seeing [this], all [the crowd] began buzzing throughout with muttered complaints, one to another saying, "He goes in (enters) to loose-down (= relax and lodge for the night) beside (= in company with) an adult man [who is] an outcast (a sinner; one who by way of life fails to attain the goal of a culturally accepted life)!"

¹⁹ And then, taking in hand a loaf of bread – [and again] speaking a word of favor and grace (or: giving thanks) – He broke [it] in pieces and gave [it] to them, while saying, "This [bread] is (or: = represents) My body (or: the body which is Me) – it is presently and continuously being given over you folks (or: that which is customarily given on your behalf and over your [situation]). You folks are normally doing this unto My memorial (or, reading as an imperative: Habitually do this with a view to My commemoration)." ²⁰ Also, the cup, as thusly [is done] with (or: similarly after) the [occasion] to eat the dinner, continuing in saying, "This, the cup [of wine], [is; represents; seals] the new arrangement (or: the covenant which is new in character and quality) in union with, and within the midst of, My blood (or: the blood which is Me) – it is presently and continuously being poured out over you folks (or: that which is customarily poured out on your behalf).

³¹ "Simon, O Simon! Look, and consider. The adversary (or: opponent; satan) makes (or: made) a request concerning you men: to winnow [you folks] as grain! ³² "But I Myself urgently asked concerning you, [Simon], to the end that your trust and faith would not leave from out of [you] (or: = give out). And so at some point, you yourself, upon turning around, make your brothers immovable (or: stabilize and establish your fellow members)."

⁴⁶ And so He said to them, "Why do you folks continue sleeping? Upon standing up (or: rising), carry on thinking of having ease and well-being (or: praying), so that you folks would not enter into a test or a trial."

¹⁰ Jesus considered and decidedly said to her, "If you had seen, so as to be aware of and now perceive God’s gift, and Who is the One presently saying to you, ' [Please] give [some] to me, to drink,' you would ask (or: make request of) Him, and He would give living water to you."

¹⁴ "Yet whoever may (or: would) drink from out of the water which I, Myself, will be continuously giving to him will not repeatedly become thirsty, on into the age, but further, the water which I shall constantly give to (or: in) him will progressively come to be (or: repeatedly become; continuously birth itself) within him a spring (or: fountain) of water, constantly bubbling up (continuously springing and leaping up) into a life having the source, character and qualities of the Age (life of and for the ages; eonian life; = the life of the Messianic age)."

²⁰ "Our fathers worshiped (or: worship) within this mountain [i.e., Mt. Gerizim], and you folks continually say that the place where it continues necessary (or: is constantly binding) to be habitually worshiping is within Jerusalem."

²² The next day (or: On the morrow) the crowd – the one having stood, and still standing, on the other side of the sea (or: lake) – saw that there was no other little boat there, except one, and that Jesus did not enter in together with His disciples, but rather His disciples went (or: came) away alone. ²³ And further, boats from out of Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread, from the Lord giving thanks (whose source was the Owner expressing gratitude). ²⁴ Therefore, when the crowd saw that Jesus is not there, nor His disciples, they stepped within – into the little boats – and went into Capernaum, progressively seeking Jesus. ²⁵ And later, upon finding Him – on the other side of the sea (or: lake) – they said to Him, "Rabbi, when (or: at what time) have you come to be here (or: in this place)?" ²⁶ Jesus decidedly answered them, and says, "It is certainly true (Amen, amen), I am saying to you folks, you people continue seeking Me not because you saw signs, but rather because you ate from out of the loaves, and you were fed until satisfied. ²⁷ "Stop continuously working or doing business for the food which is continuously disintegrating of itself (loosing itself away; destroying itself), but rather [for] the Food continuously remaining (abiding; dwelling) into eonian Life (life originating from, existing in, having the characteristics and qualities of, the Age; age-enduring and eon-lasting life) which the Son of the Man (of Humanity; of the human; of mankind; or: = the Human Being) will continue giving to you (or: in you; for you) folks, for This One (or: This Man) Father God seals (or: for God, the Father, put [His] seal [showing ownership and/or approval and/or authority] upon a person [doing] this; or: you see, this One the Father sealed: God)." ²⁸ Then they said to Him, "What should we be habitually doing, so that we would be habitually working God’s works (or: actions having the character of God; or: the deeds which have their source in God; or: = the things God wants us to do)?" ²⁹ Jesus considered and answered, saying to them, "This is God’s work (the work whose source is God): that you folks would continuously trust and progressively believe into that One whom He sends forth with a mission (or: into the One Whom That One sent forth as an Emissary)." ³⁰ So then they say to Him, "Then what sign are you yourself doing (making; performing; producing), so that we can see and believe (or: have faith) in you? What are you, yourself, presently accomplishing (or: actively working)? ³¹ "Our fathers ate manna within the wilderness (in the desolate place of the desert), according as it stands written, 'He gave to them bread from out of the atmosphere (or: the sky; heaven) to habitually eat.'" [Ps. 78:24] ³² Therefore Jesus says to them, "Count on this (Amen, amen): I am now [emphatically] saying to you folks, Moses did NOT give the bread from out of the atmosphere (or: the sky; heaven) to YOU folks! But rather, My Father is presently (or: continually) giving the true, real, genuine bread from out of the heaven (or: the atmosphere) for and to you people. ³³ "For God’s bread is (or: You see the bread which is God, and comes from God, exists being) the One repeatedly descending (continually or habitually stepping down) from out of the midst of heaven (or: the atmosphere) and constantly (or: habitually and progressively) giving Life to the world (or: for the organized system and secular society; or: to the aggregate of humanity and in the universe)." ³⁴ Therefore they exclaimed to Him, "O Master (or: Sir; Lord), always and ever give this bread to us!" ³⁵ Jesus said to them, "I, Myself, am (or: exist being) the Bread of ‘the Life’ (or: the bread which is life, and which gives life). The person progressively coming toward (or: to; or: face to face with) Me may by no means at any point hunger (or: would under no circumstances be hungry), and the one constantly trusting (or: habitually believing) into Me will by no means continue thirsting (under no circumstances be repeatedly thirsty) at any time. ³⁶ "But further, I say to you that you folks have also seen Me, and yet you continue not trusting or believing [Concordant Greek Text adds: Me]. ³⁷ "All that (or: Everything which) the Father continues giving to Me will move toward Me to finally arrive here, and the person progressively coming toward Me I may under no circumstances (or: would by no means) throw forth from out of the midst (eject; cast out) [so that he will be] outside, ³⁸ "because I have stepped down to this level (or: descended), away from the heaven (or: the atmosphere), not to the end that I should continue doing My will (purpose; intent), but to the contrary, the will (intent; purpose) of the One sending Me. ³⁹ "Now this is the purpose (intent; will) of the One sending Me: that all that (or: everything which) He has given to Me, so that it is now Mine, I will proceed to (or, as an aorist subjunctive: may; should; would) lose nothing from out of it, but further, I will proceed to (or: should; would) raise it up to, in and with The Last Day (or: by the Last Day; for the final Day). ⁴⁰ "You see, this is the purpose (will; intent) of My Father, to the intent that all mankind (or: everyone) – the person, continuously watching (or: gazing at) the Son with discernment and contemplation, even habitually trusting and progressively believing into Him – may possess (or: can have; would hold) Life, Whose source is the Age (or: eonian life; life having the qualities and characteristics of the Age [of Messiah]; an age-enduring and eon-lasting life), and I will proceed to (or: can; should; would) be raising him up to and for the last Day (or: in the Last Day; by and with the final day)." ⁴¹ Therefore the Jews (= religious authorities) began a buzz of discontented complaining and critical comments, and were progressively murmuring like a swarm of bees concerning Him, because He said, "I, Myself, am (or: exist being) the Bread – the One stepping down (or: descending) from out of the midst of the heaven (or: the atmosphere)," ⁴² and they kept on saying, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we have seen and know? How [other MSS: How then] is he now presently saying that 'I have stepped down (or: descended) from out of the midst of the heaven (or: the sky) '?" ⁴³ Jesus decidedly answered, and says to them, "Stop the grumbling buzz of murmuring (under-toned mutterings of critical and discontented comments like a swarm of bees) with one another! ⁴⁴ "No one is able (or: is presently having power) to come toward Me unless the Father –the One sending Me – should drag him [as with a net] (or: draw him [as drawing water in a bucket or a sword from its sheath]), and I Myself will progressively raise him up (proceed to resurrect him; continue standing him back up again) within (or: in union with; or: centered in) the Last (eschatos) Day. ⁴⁵ "It exists having been written within the Prophets: 'And they will all continue existing being God’s taught-ones (or: folks having had God as the source of instruction).' [Isa. 54:13] Everyone hearing from the Father (at the Father’s side), and learning [D and others read: progressively learning], is progressively coming toward Me! ⁴⁶ "Not that anyone has seen the Father – except the person (or: One) continuously being (or: existing) at God’s side – this person (or: One) has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ "It is certainly true (or: Amen, amen), I am saying to you folks, the person continuously trusting (or: constantly or progressively believing) presently and continuously holds eonian life (life having its source, qualities and characteristics from the Age [of the Messiah]; age-enduring and eon-lasting life; or: = the life of the coming Age)! ⁴⁸ "I Myself am (or: continuously exist being) the 'Bread of the Life' (or: the bread which is life and which gives life), 49. "– your fathers ate the manna within the wilderness (desert; desolate place), and they died –

⁵⁰ "this is (or: continuously exists being) the Bread which is repeatedly (or: constantly) stepping down from out of the atmosphere (or: progressively descending from heaven) to the end that ANYONE may eat from out of It and not die (or: he can, or would, not die; [B reads: and he can continue not dying]). ⁵¹ "I Myself am (or: continuously exist being) the continuously living Bread – the One stepping down (or: descending) from out of the midst of the atmosphere (or: heaven). If anyone should eat from out of this Bread, he will continue living on into the Age. Now the Bread, also, which I Myself will continue giving over (or: for the sake of) the life of the world (the ordered system; or: = ‘the totality of human social existence’ – Walter Wink; the aggregate of humanity) is (or: continuously exists being) My flesh!" ⁵² Therefore, the Jews (= religious authorities) began violently arguing (disputing; warring [with words]) toward one another, constantly saying, "How is this one presently able to give us his flesh to eat?" ⁵³ Then Jesus said to them, "Most truly (Amen, amen) I am now laying out the arrangement for (or: saying to) you people: unless you folks should at some point eat the flesh of the Son of the Human (the Son of man; = the eschatological messianic figure), and then would drink His blood (or: since you would not eat the flesh which is the Human Being, and further, drink His blood), you are continuing not holding (or: habitually having or presently possessing) Life within yourselves! ⁵⁴ "The person habitually eating (continuously chewing or masticating) My flesh and drinking My blood is continuously possessing (habitually holding; progressively having) eonian Life (life derived from and having the qualities of the Age; age-enduring and eon-lasting life), and I Myself will proceed raising, resurrecting and standing him back up again in the Last Day (or: for and by the last Day), ⁵⁵ "for My flesh is (or: constantly exists being) true (real; genuine) food, and My blood is (or: continuously exists being) true (real; genuine) drink. ⁵⁶ "The person habitually eating (constantly chewing [on]) My flesh and repeatedly drinking My blood is continuously remaining (abiding; dwelling) within, and in union with, Me – and I Myself within, and in union with, him. ⁵⁷ "Just as (or: In corresponding accordance as) the continuously-living Father sent Me off (or: forth) as an Emissary (commissions Me as a Representative and sends Me on a mission), and I, Myself, am continuously living through (or: because of) the Father, likewise he who is habitually eating (repeatedly chewing and feeding [on]) Me, that person will also continue living, through (or: because of; by means of) Me. ⁵⁸ "This is (or: continuously exists being) the Bread: the One stepping down (or: descending) from out of the midst of heaven (or: [the] sky and atmosphere) – not according as the fathers ate and died. The person habitually eating (continually chewing and feeding [on]) this Bread will continue living [p66 & others read middle: will in (or: of) himself continue living; D reads present: is continuously living] on into the Age."

³⁷ Now within the last day – the great one – of the feast (or: festival), Jesus, after having taken a stand, stood and then suddenly cries out, saying, "If ever anyone may continue being thirsty, let Him be habitually coming toward (or: to; face to face with) Me and let him be constantly (habitually; repeatedly) drinking! [cf Isa. 12:3; 55:1]

²⁸ So now they hurled abuse at him (railed and reviled him) and said, "You are now a disciple of that fellow, but we ourselves are disciples of Moses! ²⁹ "We have seen, and know, that God has spoken to (or: in) Moses. But this fellow – we have not seen, nor do we know, where he is from."

²⁸ "and I Myself am continuously giving eonian life (age-enduring life; life having the qualities and characteristics of the Age [of Messiah]; a life from, of and for the ages) to and in them and so by no means (or: under no circumstances) can they at any point be lost or destroyed, or even cause themselves to perish; and further, no one will be snatching them (or: taking them by force) from out of My hand. ²⁹ "My Father, Who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all (or: everything; all things or people; [other MSS read: What My Father has given to Me is greater than all]), and no one has power or is able to proceed to snatch from out of the Father's hand. ³⁰ "I and the Father are (continuously exist being) ONE (or: I and Father: We are one thing [= essence, nature or being]; or: = unity; union)."

⁴² So they were continuing strongly focused toward and persevering in and by, while devoting themselves to, the teaching of the sent-forth folks (the emissaries; the representatives) and to the common existence and in the common being, to sharing, partnering, contributing and in the participation in the breaking of the loaves of bread (= eating meals), as well as to, in and by the thoughts, words and deeds that were focused toward having goodness, ease and well-being (or: prayers).

⁴⁶ Not only daily continuing strongly focused and persevering while devoting themselves in like passion and with one accord within the Temple courts and grounds, but also regularly breaking bread (= having meals) from house to house (or: home by home; or: in accord with [their] homes), they were sharing and partaking together of food (nourishment) in the midst of great rejoicing and with the evenness and smoothness of a heart without a stone,

¹⁵ Then again, a voice, forth from a second [one, saying] to him: "You are not to continue making, or considering, common [the] things which God cleansed (or: cleanses) and made (or: makes) clean!"

²³ So without delay an agent of [the] Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] from necessity struck him, in return for that [situation] – [since] he did not give the credit (or: glory) to God. Later, having come to be consumed (or: eaten) by worms, he expired (breathed out).

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

¹¹ Now after walking back up and breaking bread, then tasting (= sipping and eating) for a considerable time, besides conversing until daybreak, without further ado, he went out.

²⁸ "Continue holding focused toward and taking attentive care – to and for yourselves, as well as for all the little flock among whom the Set-apart Breath-effect Itself (or: the Holy Spirit Himself) set you folks [as] ones who look around over people for their welfare and oversee situations – to be continuously (or: habitually) acting as shepherds of God's [other MSS: {the} Lord's {= Christ's or Yahweh's}] called-out community which He built as a surrounding for Himself (or: made to encompass Himself), through (or: by means of) His own blood.

¹⁶ "Within this I myself also habitually exercise, exert myself, train and make endeavors: to be constantly having (or: habitually holding) a conscience free from striking toward [others], being inoffensive to God as well as [to] humanity – through all [situations] and at all [times].

⁴⁴ and then [for] the rest [to follow] – some in fact upon planks, yet others upon various pieces from the ship. And in this way it happened for everyone to be brought safely through and be preserved on the land.

³ about (concerning; with reference to) His Son – the One coming into existence (or: birthing Himself) from out of David’s sperm (or: Davidic seed; = David's descendant), down from and in the line of succession of flesh (or: = in the sphere of the natural realm);

¹ What then shall we declare Abraham – our forefather according to the flesh (or: the first founder of our family, in line with natural descent) – to have found? (or: What, consequently, will we say? Is Abraham found [as] our preferred father on the level or sphere of flesh?)

¹¹ Then later he received (or: took hold of; obtained) circumcision as a mark and a sign (or: circumcision’s sign) – a seal (or: a stamped impression of a seal or signet ring which shows both possession and authority) of and from the accordance with the Way pointed out, which is faith (or: of a rightwised relationship with fair and equitable dealings from trust and which has the character and qualities of conviction; or: from faith's own righteousness), pertaining to the [situation of being] within the uncircumcision (or: = the right covenantal relationship corresponding to the faith he had while in his uncircumcised state), in order for him to be a father of all the people habitually believing and trusting by way of uncircumcision [and moving them] into [the place for] the accordance with the Way pointed out (or: the rightwised relationships characterized by fair and equitable dealings; the well-ordered life that is pointed in the right direction; = covenantal inclusion) to be logically considered in them (or: reckoned and reasonably concluded to them; calculated, accounted and credited for them) also – ¹² and as well, a father of [the] Circumcision, [yet] not to (or: for) those out of circumcision only, but rather also to (for; in; by; with) those continuously advancing in line with the elements of the faith (or: walking orderly by the first principles of trust and reliant allegiance) – in the footprints of our father Abraham – within uncircumcision (or: in uncircumcision, in union with the footprints of the faith of our father Abraham).

²³ Now it was not written because of him only, that, "it was and is logically considered for him (reckoned, concluded and accounted to him; it was put to his account)," [Gen. 15:6]

¹⁴ But nonetheless The Death reigned (or: holds royal and kingly rule) from Adam as far as and as long as Moses [= Law], even upon those not sinning (failing to hit the target; deviating from the goal) upon [B and other MSS: within] the result of that which is conformed to (upon the occasion of the effect of the similarity of, or in the likeness of) the stepping aside (or: the transgression) of Adam – who is, and continues being, a type (an impress; a prefigure; a pattern) of the One being repeatedly (or: always) about to '85 [be (?) come (?) do something (?)] (or: the One habitually impending) (or: which exists being an impression made by a blow from the [situation; Person; creation; realm; arrangement] progressively being about to [exist]).

³ Or are you continuing to be ignorant (are you remaining without experiential knowledge; do you continue not knowing) that as many of we who are immersed (or: were at one point baptized) into Christ Jesus are immersed (or: were then baptized) into His death?

²⁸ Now [look], we have seen, and thus know and are aware, that to those habitually or progressively loving God – to the folks being called and invited according to [the] purpose (or: for, in and with the people progressively experiencing love for God – in, with, by and for the people being invited down from an advanced placing, congruent with a design and corresponding to a before-placing and a prior setting forth) – He is constantly working all things together into good and is progressively working all humanity together into that which is advantageous, worthy of admiration, noble and of excellent qualities. [with other MSS: Yet we know that God is continuously joining everything together (or: working together with everything) into goodness by those continuously loving God'85] ²⁹ because those whom He foreknew (whom He knows from previous intimate experience), He also marked out beforehand (determined, defined and designed in advance) [as] copies (joint-forms) of the image (material likeness; portrait; mirrored image) of His Son (or: He previously divided, separated and bounded conformed patterns from the image of His Son) into the [situation for] Him to be (or: to continually exist being) the Firstborn among, within the center of, and in union with many brothers (= a vast family of believers)! ³⁰ Now [in fact, consider this]: those whom He at one point before-marked-out (or: designates beforehand; [A reads: knew from prior intimate experience]), these He also at once called (or: calls; invited), and whom He called (or: calls; invites), these He also in one stroke rightwised (or: makes right, frees from guilt while making them fair and placing them in [covenant] relationships in the Way pointed). Now further, those whom He rightwised (or: rightwises; turns in the right direction; = included in covenant), these He also instantly glorified (or: makes of reputation which calls forth praise; gives a splendid appearance; gives honorable thoughts and imaginations; clothes with splendor). ³¹ What, then, shall we say to (or: declare in the face of) these things? Since (or: If) God [is] over (thus: = above) us (or: on our behalf; for us), who or what [is; will be; can be; will appear] down against us? [Nobody! Nothing!] ³² Surely (or: Actually; In fact; Certainly), He Who at one point did not spare (or: spares not) His own Son, but further, over [the situation] of us all (or: on behalf of all of us), He at one point handed Him over (or: gives Him up [into the hands of another]), how will He not also, in grace and joyous favor, freely be constantly and progressively giving all things (or: The Whole) to us, together with Him? ³³ Who will bring charges down on (institute proceedings against) God’s selected and chosen ones (the folks picked out by God; the ones gathered out and laid in order, who belong to God)? God [is] the One continually and progressively rightwising [them] (or: constantly turning them in the right direction, repeatedly placing [them] in the Way pointed out and keeping them in right relationships, = now freeing [them] from guilt and including [them] in covenant). ³⁴ Who [is] the one habitually bringing commensurate evaluations or corresponding decisions (or: constantly condemning and giving a verdict down against; or, as a future: will be separating by following the patterns so as to be indicting or passing sentence)? Now Christ Jesus [is] at the same time the One dying, yet very much more being aroused and raised [some MSS add: forth from out of dead ones], Who also exists (or: is) within God’s right side (at God’s right hand or position; [note: the place of honor, power and offensive weapons, yet also the place of acceptance and receiving]), Who also continuously hits on-target within (or: falls in with the situation and addresses the concerns) over our [situation and predicament] (and: on our behalf)! [or as a question, and with other MSS: {Will} Christ Jesus ...?] ³⁵ Who or what will be separating, dividing or parting us away from the Love of and from Christ (or: the separation-overcoming love which is Christ; [other MSS: the God's love within Christ Jesus])? Pressure (squeezing; affliction; tribulation; oppression), or confinement in a narrow, tight place (distress; difficulty; trouble), or pursuit (the chase of persecution), or famine (or: hunger; deprivation of food), or nakedness (lack of sufficient clothing; deprivation of necessities), or danger (peril; risk), or sword (or: large butcher knife; or: curved weapon for close combat)? ³⁶ Accordingly as it has been written, "On Your account (For Your sake; By reason of You) we are progressively being put to death the whole day! We are logically considered (accounted) as sheep which belong to slaughter (are associated with slaughter)." [Ps. 44:23] ³⁷ But rather (or: On the contrary), within all these things we are habitually over-conquering (we are remaining completely victorious; we continue more than conquering) through the One loving us. ³⁸ For you see, I have been persuaded and now stand convinced that neither death, nor life (or: living existence), nor agents (or: messengers), nor sovereignties (rulers; those in prime position; or: beginnings), nor things being now here (being placed within, at present), nor things about to be (impending, or about to consecutively come), nor powers (or: capabilities), ³⁹ nor height (effect of being high), nor depth (or: deep places), nor any other or different created thing (or: founded thing; institution) will be having power or be able to separate, divide or part us from God’s Love (or: from the acceptance from God; from the urge toward reunion which is God) which is within Christ Jesus, our Owner (Lord; Master; Possessor).

³ For you see, I kept on claiming, while having goodness, holding well-being and possessing ease, that I myself am to be (or: to continuously exist [as]) a result or an effect of something set up as an offering devoted to God (= a sacrifice; [comment: this would correspond to Jesus telling His disciples to follow Him, bearing their crosses]), forth from the Anointing (or: = [thus being separated] from [the body] of Christ; or: arising from the Christ) over [the situation of] (or: for the sake of) my brothers, my relatives (kinsmen; joint or commonly born ones; fellow countrymen) according to flesh (= in the sphere of natural human birth), ⁴ the very ones who are Israelites, whose [is] the placing in the condition of a son (or: the deposit of the Son; the setting in place which is the Son; the constituting as a son) and the glory (the things which call forth praise and bring a splendid reputation) and the arrangements(or: covenants; [other MSS: the Covenant) and the placing of the Law (or: even the setting of custom and legislation by/as [Torah]) and the sacred service and the promises, ⁵ whose [are] the fathers (= ancestors) and forth from out of the midst of whom [is] the Christ, the [descendant] down the line of flesh (or: on the level of the human realm) – the One continuously being upon all mankind: God, worthy of praise and blessing on into the ages! It is so (or: – corresponding to natural descent – [is] the Anointed One [= the Messiah] who exists being God: One with a message of goodness, ease and well-being – superimposed on all things – on into the indefinite time periods! Amen – count on it)! ⁶ Yet [it is] not such as that God's Word has fallen out (thus: = failed in its purpose), for in consideration of all the folks [springing] forth from out of Israel – not [all] these folks [are] Israel! ⁷ Neither because they exist being seed of Abraham [are] all children! But rather (or: To the contrary), "In Isaac shall a seed (= a descendant) continue being called in you (or: For you, a seed will continue being named in Isaac; To you, offspring will continue being invited in union with Isaac)." [Gen. 21:12] ⁸ That is, [some MSS: That is because] the children of the flesh (= those born physically by humans; or: = the self that is produced by influence from the alienated System) – these [are] not the children of God! But rather, “the children of The Promise” is He continually considering into [being] seed (or: He is constantly counting into [the] Seed; [that] is habitually reckoned and reasonably concluded for a seed).

¹⁴ if somehow, possibly, I may arouse my own flesh (= my own people) to jealousy and can deliver (or: should save; as a future: I will rescue and make whole) certain folks (or: some) from among them.

²⁰ Beautifully [put]! (Ideally [said]!; Well [conceived]!) In lack of faith or trust (or: By unbelief; Because of lack of allegiance) they are broken off (or: were broken out of the midst), yet you yourself stand in faith (or: by trust; with confidence). Stop being haughty (Don't constantly have high opinions; Do not continually think lofty things), but to the contrary, [be constantly having] an attitude and mindset of respectful awe (or: [Godly] fear; healthy respect)! ²¹ For you see, since (or: if) God spares not (or: did not spare) the natural branches (the branches down from, or, in accord with, nature), neither will He continue sparing you!

⁵ thus we, the many, are and continue to exist being one body within Christ (in union with [the] Anointed), yet individually (or: the situation being in accord with one), members of one another (or: but still, [being] on one level, [are] members whose source is, and who belong to, each other).

¹⁹ not being folks habitually getting justice for yourselves (not maintaining what is right concerning yourselves; not avenging yourselves), beloved ones, but on the contrary, you folks must yield the position held in anger (or: give a place for [His] natural impulse, propensity, passion and personal emotion; give place to [His] intrinsic fervor; relinquish [your] right to anger or wrath), for it has been written, "'In Me (or: For or By Me) [is] maintenance of justice (execution of the Way pointed out; working out of the right); I Myself will continue giving away, instead (or: I will progressively be making a recompense [to you]; or: I will continue taking the opposing position of giving [it] away; or: in its place, I Myself will repeatedly repay [you]),' the Lord [= Yahweh] is habitually saying." [Deut. 32:25; comment: if we are not to practice giving away evil in exchange for evil (vs. 17, above), then we should not expect the Lord to do this]

⁵ On which account (or: Wherefore) [there is] compelling necessity (or: compression) to constantly be subjected and humbly aligned in support (or, as a middle: to be subjecting and aligning oneself; to place oneself under; to humbly subordinate oneself), not only (or: solely) because of strong personal emotion (intrinsic fervor; natural disposition; swelling desire and teeming passion; or: indignation, anger or wrath), but further, also, because of the conscience.

¹¹ This also – being folks having seen and thus knowing the season (the fit of the situation; the appointed fertile moment) – that [it is] by this time (or: already) an hour to be aroused (or: awakened) out of sleep, for now our rescue (our deliverance; our wholeness, health and salvation) [is] closer than when we came to trust (or: we believed with faith and conviction).

⁶ He who is habitually minding (being disposed to; being opinionated about) the day, in the Lord [= Yahweh] is continuously opinionated (or: for the Lord [= Christ] is he [thus] minding or being disposed; [some MSS add: and yet the person not minding the day, to, for or in the Lord he is not minding it]). And the one habitually eating, in the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] is he eating, for he habitually gives thanks to God (constantly expresses gratitude by God, for God and in God). And the one not eating is not eating in God (to God; for God), and habitually expresses gratitude for God (in God; gives thanks to God).

¹³ No longer, then, should we continue judging (making decisions about; discriminating against; separating away) one another, but rather, to a greater extent you folks must decide this: not to continue placing (or: setting) the stumbling-block (that which results in tripping) for or in the brother; neither a snare (a trap-spring; a cause for tripping or becoming trapped). ¹⁴ I have seen to know (or: have perceived), and I have been persuaded and now stand convinced, within [the] Lord Jesus, that nothing (not one thing) [is] common (ceremonially defiled; unclean; contaminating; = the opposite of set-apart or holy) through itself, except to (in; by; for) the person considering (or: logically accounting and reckoning) anything to be common (defiled; contaminating); to (for; in; by) that one [it is] common and unclean. ¹⁵ For instance, if because of solid food (or: the effect of something eaten) your brother is continually made sad (made sorry, distressed or grieved), you are no longer continuing to walk about (= living your life) in accord with (or: down from and on the level of) Love (or: you are not yet habitually walking [your path] in participation with transcendent unity of unambiguous, uniting acceptance toward others). Do not, by your food (or: for your solid food), progressively destroy away (lose by ruining; bring to loss) that person over whom Christ died.

¹⁵ For instance, if because of solid food (or: the effect of something eaten) your brother is continually made sad (made sorry, distressed or grieved), you are no longer continuing to walk about (= living your life) in accord with (or: down from and on the level of) Love (or: you are not yet habitually walking [your path] in participation with transcendent unity of unambiguous, uniting acceptance toward others). Do not, by your food (or: for your solid food), progressively destroy away (lose by ruining; bring to loss) that person over whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Do not cause your good thing (or: the excellence and virtue which pertain to you) to be slandered (defamed; insulted; blasphemed; vilified; have its light hindered), ¹⁷ for you see, God's kingdom (or: the reign-and-rule which is God; the expression, influence and activity of God’s sovereignty) is not (or: does not exist being) solid food and drink, but rather, fair and equitable dealing which brings justice and right relationship in the Way pointed out (being turned in the right direction; rightwisedness; also = covenant inclusion and participation), peace (and: harmony; = shalom) and joy (or: happiness; rejoicing) within set-apart Breath-effect (or: a dedicated spirit and sacred attitude; or: in [the] Holy Spirit). ¹⁸ You see the one continuously slaving for and in the Christ in this [realm, sphere or regard] [is; continues being] well-pleasing (well-satisfying; fully acceptable) to (or: in; by; with) God, and approved (after examination and testing) by people (or: among mankind). ¹⁹ Consequently, then, we are continuously pressing forward and pursuing the things pertaining to, belonging to and which are the peace [= shalom] and the things pertaining to, belonging to and which are the act of building a house, pertaining to [input] into one another (or: which [effect] edification [infusing] into each other).

¹⁹ Consequently, then, we are continuously pressing forward and pursuing the things pertaining to, belonging to and which are the peace [= shalom] and the things pertaining to, belonging to and which are the act of building a house, pertaining to [input] into one another (or: which [effect] edification [infusing] into each other). ²⁰ Stop tearing down (dissolving; loosing down; demolishing) God's work for the sake of solid food (or: on account of the effect of what is eaten). Indeed, all things [are] clean (= ceremonially pure; [Aleph2 adds: to the clean ones]), but on the other hand, [it is] bad (harmful; unsound; base; wicked; evil; not as ought to be) for (or: to; in; with) the person who by habitually eating [experiences] an effect of [or causes] stumbling through it.

²⁰ Stop tearing down (dissolving; loosing down; demolishing) God's work for the sake of solid food (or: on account of the effect of what is eaten). Indeed, all things [are] clean (= ceremonially pure; [Aleph2 adds: to the clean ones]), but on the other hand, [it is] bad (harmful; unsound; base; wicked; evil; not as ought to be) for (or: to; in; with) the person who by habitually eating [experiences] an effect of [or causes] stumbling through it. ²¹ [It is] beautiful (fine; as it ought to be; profitable; ideal) not to eat meat (animal flesh), neither to drink wine, nor even that in which your brother habitually stumbles (strikes himself against [it]), or is being constantly snared, or is continually weak.

¹ Now we ourselves, the able ones (the powerful people), owe and thus are constantly obliged (or: are continually indebted) to pick up and habitually carry (or: embrace) the weaknesses (the results of being without strength) of the unable ones (the powerless or disabled people; the incapable), and not to constantly be pleasing ourselves. ² Let each one of us be habitually pleasing to the near one (or: be continuously accommodating for [his] neighbor or associate), [leading] into The Good, toward building the House (or: unto [his] good, virtue and excellence: toward edification).

² Let each one of us be habitually pleasing to the near one (or: be continuously accommodating for [his] neighbor or associate), [leading] into The Good, toward building the House (or: unto [his] good, virtue and excellence: toward edification). ³ For Christ also did not please Himself (or: For even the Anointed One does not make accommodations for Himself), but rather, just as it has been written, "The insults (unjustifiable verbal abuses; reproaches) of those habitually insulting You fell (or: fall) upon Me." [Ps. 69:10] ⁴ You see, as much as was written before was written [leading] into the teaching (the instruction and training) [which is] ours (or: was written unto and for our instruction), to the end that through the persistent remaining-under to give support (the humble yet relentless endurance in handling the blows), and through the calling-alongside of the Scriptures (or: through the Scriptures' comfort, consolation, relief, aid, support and performance as a Paraclete) we may constantly hold expectation (or: have expectant hope).

⁹ God [is] full of faith, trustworthy, loyal and faithful – through Whom you folks were called and invited into a common being and existence of (or: partnership, participation, fellowship, sharing and communion with) His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord (Owner; Master).

¹³ Christ has been parted and remains divided into fragments! (or, as a question: Has Christ been fragmented into divided parts?) Paul was not crucified over (on behalf of; [other MSS: concerning]) you folks! Or were you baptized (immersed) into the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I am continually thankful [other MSS: I constantly thank {others add: my} God] that I baptized (immersed) not one of you folks, except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so that no one could say that you folks were immersed (baptized) into my name! ¹⁶ Now, I did baptize (immerse) the household of Stephanas, too. Beyond that I do not know for sure whether I immersed anyone else.

²⁸ and God collects His thoughts and speaks forth (or: selects, picks out and chooses) ignoble things (or: those of no family; those without known ancestry; the base ones; or: the things that are unborn or have not happened; the occurrences that have not come to be) pertaining to the controlling System (or: from the world or government, politics, religion, culture; of the realm of the secular), and those that are looked down on, despised and regarded as having come from out of nothing – even those being nothing (or: not existing; the things [which] are not) – in order that He could make ineffective (may bring down to idleness and uselessness) the existing things (= [systems of government and religion] presently being),

⁷ So that neither is the one habitually planting anything [special] (anyone [of importance]), nor the one habitually irrigating (watering; giving drink), but rather God: the One habitually and progressively causing growth and increase.

⁶ Now I refashioned these things (or: transfer these things into a figure; change these things to a distinctive form; = changed the form of the metaphor), brothers – with a view to Apollos and myself – because of you folks, to the end that in us you could learn not to set your thoughts (be disposed; put your intellect and opinion; entertain sentiments) on things over and above things which have been written, so that you do not continue being puffed up – one over and above another, [and] down on the different one. ⁷ For who continues making you to discriminate (or: who is now thoroughly separating or dividing you through the midst, for evaluation; or: who is repeatedly discerning or distinguishing you; or: what makes you completely different and separated)? And what are you habitually holding (constantly having) which you did not receive? Now since (or: if) also you received [it], why do you continue boasting, as though not receiving [it]? ⁸ You folks already continuously exist being ones having become completely satiated, with the result that you are now fully satisfied. You are already suddenly rich. You people suddenly reign as kings – apart from us! [note: these three statements could also be questions: Are you'85 Are you'85 Do you'85?] And would that you surely did reign, so that we could also reign as kings together with you!

¹⁰ We [are] stupid folks (fools; ones led by nonsense) because of Christ, yet you folks [are] sensible and intelligent ones (ones with understanding) within and in union with Christ; we [are] weak ones, yet you people [are] strong ones; you [are] folks in glory and illustrious reputation, yet we [are] dishonored and unvalued ones.

⁹ I wrote to you folks, in the letter: not to keep on mixing yourselves together again with men who make a practice of whoring, or who are male prostitutes (or: not to be repeatedly intermingled again with male paramours who sell themselves) – ¹⁰ and [I am] not wholly or altogether [referring] to this world's (or: secular society's) fornicators or male paramours (or: the male prostitutes of this cultural, religious and political system [note: the concept of sexual misconduct also has a figurative aspect in Scripture, denoting unfaithfulness to God]); or to those who are greedy and want to have more than, and to take advantage of, others and/or [are] folks who snatch things away, as extortionists; or [who are] idolaters (or: hirelings of the idols). Otherwise, in that case, you folks continue under obligation to consequently exit the System (go forth from out of the midst of the world of religion, culture and society) – ¹¹ yet at this time (or: so now) I write for you folks not to continue mixing yourselves back together with anyone being regularly recognized as (usually designated; habitually named or called) a "brother," if he should continue being a paramour (a sexually licentious man, or one who deals with prostitutes or who sells himself for sex), or a covetous and greedy person, or an idolater, or a verbally abusive one, or a drunkard, or a snatching one (or: an extortioner) – to not even be habitually eating with such a person.

¹¹ yet at this time (or: so now) I write for you folks not to continue mixing yourselves back together with anyone being regularly recognized as (usually designated; habitually named or called) a "brother," if he should continue being a paramour (a sexually licentious man, or one who deals with prostitutes or who sells himself for sex), or a covetous and greedy person, or an idolater, or a verbally abusive one, or a drunkard, or a snatching one (or: an extortioner) – to not even be habitually eating with such a person.

⁵ I am saying [this] to direct you folks toward turning back within [your community or yourself, and so, to reconsider]. Is there thus not one wise man (a man skilled with insight) among you folks who will continue able to thoroughly sift and hold up [things] for evaluation and decision (to adjudicate back) in his brother's midst?

⁹ Or have you not seen so as to know that unfair (unjust; inequitable; wrongly-turned) folks will not proceed to inherit a kingdom from God (or: receive an allotment in God's sovereign reign or activities)? Do not be repeatedly misled or constantly caused to wander (or: be deceived). Neither sexually licentious folks (paramours; fornicators), nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor unmanly (effeminate; men who wear soft, delicate clothes; catamites; men or boys who allow themselves to be used homosexually), nor men who lie with and have sexual intercourse with males,

¹² Everything is presently out-of-Being (or: authorized; allowed; permitted) to me and for me. But yet not everything proceeds to bear together for advantage, profit or help. Everything is authorized, permitted and out of [His] Being, but still I myself will not proceed in being brought under authority by anyone. (or: With and to me, all humanity is from the source of Being, and continues with right and privilege. However, all humanity is not habitually carrying together. With and to me, all humanity is from the source of Being, and continues with right and privilege, nonetheless, I will not continue being put in subjection to rights and privileges under any person or under any certain thing, pertaining to me.: or: Everyone has rights with me, but on the other hand, not all things are advantageous. Everyone has privilege with me, although, as for me, I will not proceed in being subdued under anyone's privilege.)

¹⁸ Constantly flee (Repeatedly take flight [from]) the prostitution. [note: this would also apply to idolatry in pagan temples which used prostitutes as part of the idol worship] The effect (or: result) of every sin (failure to hit the target; error; mistake) – whatsoever a person may do – exists being outside of the body. Yet the one habitually committing prostitution (practicing sexual immorality) is habitually sinning (sowing errors and mistakes) into his own body. [note: both his physical body, and the body of the called-out community]

²⁹ Now I forcefully declare this, brothers (= family), the season (fitting and appointed situation; fertile moment) now exists being one that has been contracted (drawn together so as to be shortened, curtailed and limited)! So that for the remaining [time] (the rest of [the season]), those presently having wives (or: the men now holding a woman) should proceed in being as not presently having [them], [note: in the culture and time which Paul is here addressing, the term “married,” or, “having a woman” referred to both formal marriage, and to a man and a woman living together]

³⁴ Further, the unmarried (or: = single) woman – as well as the virgin (or: unmarried mature young woman of marriageable age) – is habitually concerned about and caring for the Lord's things (= issues; matters): [i.e.] that she may continually exist being set-apart (holy; sacred; different from the profane) – both in [her] body and in [her] spirit (or: so that she would be sacred with body as well as with spirit; that she should be holy both for the Body, and for the Spirit). However, the woman being married is constantly concerned about and repeatedly caring for the involvements of the System ([her] world): how she can please and be accommodating to the man ([her] husband).

¹ Now concerning [foods] that were offered in sacrifice to idols, we have seen and know that we all continue having insight and knowledge (gnosis) gained by personal experience. [note: this may have been a quotation from their letter to Paul] The (or: This) knowledge (gnosis) keeps on puffing [you; us] up, but The Love (agape: urge toward unambiguous, participating, accepting reunion) progressively edifies and builds up the house! ² If anyone continues imagining (supposing; presuming) to have come to know anything through his experience, he not as yet knows according as it continues binding and necessary [for him] to personally know (or: he does not yet have insight to the level as he ought to have insight).

⁴ Therefore, concerning the eating of the [foods] that were offered in sacrifice to idols, we have seen and know that an idol is nothing (or: = meaningless) within [the] System (in the world of [our] culture or religion, or within the midst of the created universe), and that [there is] no other God, except One.

⁷ Nevertheless, the intimate, experiential knowledge, insight and awareness (gnosis) [of this is] not within everyone (or: all folks). Now some – by joint custom and mutual habit pertaining to the idol, until right now – are continually eating [food] as something sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience being weak is repeatedly being stained (polluted; defiled).

⁹ So continue to be on watch and take notice lest somehow this "right" (privilege and authority from out of existence; = liberty) of yours should come to be a tripping-effect to, or an obstacle that results in, stumbling for or in the weak folks.

⁹ So continue to be on watch and take notice lest somehow this "right" (privilege and authority from out of existence; = liberty) of yours should come to be a tripping-effect to, or an obstacle that results in, stumbling for or in the weak folks. ¹⁰ For if anyone should see you – the one presently having (continuing in holding and in possession of) experiential, intimate knowledge or insight (gnosis) – repeatedly lying down (habitually reclining at a meal during a sacrificial banquet) within an idol's temple dining room, will not his conscience – he being a weak person – be progressively "built up" unto the [rationalizations for him] to be habitually eating [foods] having been offered in sacrifice to idols?

¹⁰ For if anyone should see you – the one presently having (continuing in holding and in possession of) experiential, intimate knowledge or insight (gnosis) – repeatedly lying down (habitually reclining at a meal during a sacrificial banquet) within an idol's temple dining room, will not his conscience – he being a weak person – be progressively "built up" unto the [rationalizations for him] to be habitually eating [foods] having been offered in sacrifice to idols? ¹¹ You see, [thus] the one being habitually weak is being progressively loosed away and ruined (or: is destroying himself) by (with; in; for) your "knowledge" (gnosis) – the brother (= fellow believer; member of the family) because of whom Christ died! ¹² Now by continually doing error (repeatedly failing and missing the goal; habitually sinning or acting amiss) unto the brothers (or: So while from time to time [casting this] mistake into the [hearts] of [your] fellow believers) in this way, and repeatedly beating or striking and thus wounding their weak conscience, you folks are constantly doing error (failing; sinning; acting amiss) unto Christ! ¹³ Because of this very reason, if food is habitually being a snare-stick to entrap my brother (= fellow believer; family member) or cause him to stumble, I should under no circumstances eat meat (flesh [i.e., referring to what was offered to idols]) – on into the Age! – so that I should not be a snare-stick to entrap my brother (or: group member) or cause him to stumble.

¹³ Because of this very reason, if food is habitually being a snare-stick to entrap my brother (= fellow believer; family member) or cause him to stumble, I should under no circumstances eat meat (flesh [i.e., referring to what was offered to idols]) – on into the Age! – so that I should not be a snare-stick to entrap my brother (or: group member) or cause him to stumble.

¹⁰ Or, is He saying [this] entirely because of us? Because of us! For it was written that the one progressively plowing ought normally (or: is constantly obliged) to be habitually plowing upon [the basis of] an expectation (or: expectant hope), and the person habitually threshing [to do so] on an expectation of the [result]: to continue participating in his share [of the produce].

¹³ Have you folks not seen so as to know that those habitually working at (performing the duties of; engaged in the business pertaining to) the sacred things of the temple are habitually eating from out of the things of the temple (the holy place of the sanctuary)? Those constantly sitting beside and attending to the altar are habitually sharing jointly in a portion of the altar (= the offerings sacrificed there).

¹⁹ You see, continually being free from out of the midst of all things and from all people (or: from everything), I enslave myself to all people (or: everything and everyone), to the end that I can (may; would) gain [all] the more folks.

¹⁹ You see, continually being free from out of the midst of all things and from all people (or: from everything), I enslave myself to all people (or: everything and everyone), to the end that I can (may; would) gain [all] the more folks. ²⁰ So I come to be (or: became) as a Jew for (or: to; with) the Jews, to the end that I can (would; may) gain Jews; as under Law for (or: to; with) those under Law, to the end that I can (or: would; should; may) gain those under Law; ²¹ as without law (or: as lawless) – [though] not continually being without a law pertaining to God, but to the contrary, within a principle which is Christ (or: Christ's law; the custom which has the character and quality of Christ; or: [the] law which is [the] Anointing) – to those without law (for and with the lawless ones), to the end that I will progressively [other MSS: can; may; would] gain the folks without law (the lawless ones). ²² To (For; Among) those without strength (the weak ones), I become (or: came to be) as without strength (weak), to the end that I would (can; may) gain those without strength (the weak ones). I have become and continue to be all things for (to; among) all folks (or: peoples), to the end that I can (would; may) by every means (in every way; under all circumstances) save (rescue; deliver; restore to health, wholeness and their original condition) anybody! ²³ Now I habitually do all things (or: everything) because of the message of abundant wellness (the good news; the message of prosperous and ideal ease, and goodness), to the end that I would (could; can) for myself come to be its (or: His) joint participant (co-partner; sharer-in-common, along with others; equal fellow in communion and common Being).

³ and they all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and they all drank the same spiritual drink, for they kept on drinking from out of a spiritual bedrock (or: cliff rock; rock mass) – one continually following along behind (or: progressively accompanying [them]). Now the bedrock (or: cliff rock) was the Christ (or: the rock mass was existing being the Anointing).

⁷ Neither continue on to become (or: Stop becoming) idolaters, just (or: correspondingly; along the same lines) as some of them, even as it has been written, "The people sit down to continually eat and drink, and they stand up (arise again) to repeatedly engage in childish play (sport; amusement)." [i.e., play around the idol – the golden calf; Ex. 32:6]

¹¹ Now all these things went on progressively (or: from time to time) stepping together among (or: to) those folks typically (as examples; figuratively), and it was written with a view toward a placing [of them] into the minds of us: ones unto whom (directed into the midst of whom) the ends (= conjunctions; or: consummations; goals) of the ages have come down to (or: arrived at) and are now face to face [with us]. [note: “the ends,” plural, may describe a picture of a succession, where “one end” meets “another end,” this latter being really the beginning of another indefinite time-period, stretched out like a rope; each rope in the time-line having “two ends.”]

¹⁴ Wherefore by all means, my beloved ones, be habitually fleeing away from the idolatry (the religious service of form, figures or image, and of what is seen; phantoms of the mind; impressions or fancies; ideas and concepts).

¹⁶ The cup of The Blessing (or: The cup which is the good Word, the Idea of prosperity, ease, wellness and goodness) which we are habitually blessing (eulogizing; speaking well of; speaking of with reference to goodness, prosperity, ease and wellness), is it not (does it not exist being) the common existing and sharing with, participation in, fellowship of, communion of being with and partnership of, and from, Christ's blood (or: the blood which is the Anointing)? The bread (or: loaf of bread) which we are habitually breaking, is it not (does it not exist being) the common existing and sharing with, participation in, fellowship of, communion of being with, and partnership of, Christ's body (or: the body which is anointed)?

²⁰ To the contrary (or: Not at all!): that which the multitudes of ethnic groups (the nations; the pagans; the Gentiles) habitually sacrifice, they continue sacrificing to, for or by demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences), and not to, for or by God (or: even to or by a non-god, or a no-god), and I am not intending for (willing; wanting) you folks to proceed to becoming partakers of and thus common-beings with the demons (= partners and ones who share common participation pertaining to the animistic influences [possibly: = evil or deranged spirits, mental conditions or attitudes]). ²¹ You folks are unable to continue to drink (or: You can not habitually drink) [the] cup of the Lord (or: the Owner's cup; or: = the cup pertaining to Christ; or: [Yahweh's] cup; cf John 18:11) and a cup of demons (or: a cup pertaining to animistic influences [possibly: = evil attitudes; deranged mental conditions; evil spirits]); you are unable to continue to (or: to habitually) hold a share with and co-partake of [the] Lord's [= Christ's or Yahweh's] table and also a table of demons (pertaining to or having its source in animistic influences [possibly: = evil attitudes or qualities]). [note: Mal. 1:7 refers to the altar of burnt-offering as “the table of the Lord;” Isa. 65:11, Jer. 7:18 and Ezk. 1618; 23:41 use the term “table” with reference to pagan idol-feasts; Paul may be using the terms “cup” and “table” figuratively, and not referring to specific ceremonies]

²¹ You folks are unable to continue to drink (or: You can not habitually drink) [the] cup of the Lord (or: the Owner's cup; or: = the cup pertaining to Christ; or: [Yahweh's] cup; cf John 18:11) and a cup of demons (or: a cup pertaining to animistic influences [possibly: = evil attitudes; deranged mental conditions; evil spirits]); you are unable to continue to (or: to habitually) hold a share with and co-partake of [the] Lord's [= Christ's or Yahweh's] table and also a table of demons (pertaining to or having its source in animistic influences [possibly: = evil attitudes or qualities]). [note: Mal. 1:7 refers to the altar of burnt-offering as “the table of the Lord;” Isa. 65:11, Jer. 7:18 and Ezk. 1618; 23:41 use the term “table” with reference to pagan idol-feasts; Paul may be using the terms “cup” and “table” figuratively, and not referring to specific ceremonies]

²⁴ Let no one be habitually seeking the [interest, advantage, profit, welfare or edification] of himself, but to the contrary, the [interest, advantage, profit, welfare and edification] of the other (or: different) person. ²⁵ Go on habitually eating everything that is normally being sold in (or: at) a meat market, while examining nothing because of (or: sifting not one thing back through) the conscience, ²⁶ for, "the earth (or: land) and the results of its filling (entire contents; that which fills it up) belong to and have their origin in the Lord [= Yahweh]." [Ps: 24:1; etc.] ²⁷ If anyone of the unbelievers (or: of those not full of faith) is periodically inviting you folks [to be his guest], and you are wanting (or: intending) to go, keep on habitually eating everything that is normally being placed beside (or: = set before) you, while examining nothing because of (or: sifting not one thing back through) the conscience. ²⁸ Yet if anyone should say to you folks, "This is [meat; something] offered in a temple or a sacred sacrifice to an idol," do not proceed to eat [it], because of that person pointing it out (disclosing it) and [on account of] the conscience.

²⁸ Yet if anyone should say to you folks, "This is [meat; something] offered in a temple or a sacred sacrifice to an idol," do not proceed to eat [it], because of that person pointing it out (disclosing it) and [on account of] the conscience. ²⁹ Now I am not speaking [about] your own conscience, but rather the other person's. For to what purpose is my freedom now being decided by another person's conscience?

³² Progressively come to be people who are not obstacles or causes for stumbling (= become inoffensive) – both to Jews and to Greeks (or: those of the Hellenistic culture), as well as to God's called-out community (or: God's called-out person), ³³ correspondingly as I myself am also habitually accommodating and pleasing all folks in all things, not continually seeking the thing that bears together for advantage, profit, welfare and expedience of myself, but to the contrary, that which pertains to The Many – to the end that they can be saved (rescued, delivered, healed, made whole and restored to their original state and condition)!

¹³ Sift, sort-out and decide among yourselves: is it appropriate (fitting and proper) [for; in] a woman (or: wife) to [in public] be habitually praying uncovered (not veiled down) to God?

²² So do you folks by no means continue having houses for the habitual eating and drinking? Or are you constantly despising (holding a negative attitude toward) God's called-out community, and are you repeatedly pouring shame and disgrace down on those presently having nothing? What should I say to you? Am I supposed to now praise and commend you folks? In this I am not now sending praise, applause or commendation upon [you]! ²³ For you see, I myself received to myself and accepted from the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] that which I also passed along (or: hand on as a tradition; cf vs. 2, above) to you folks, that the Lord Jesus, within the night in which He was in process of being handed over, received and took a loaf of bread, ²⁴ and then, with gratitude and expressing the ease of grace, broke it in pieces and said, " [some MSS add: You folks take {it}; eat {it}.] This is My body, being now broken over [the situation and condition of] you folks (or: for you people; on your behalf). Keep doing this, into the calling up of the memory pertaining to Me (or: with a view to remembering Me; or: unto a remembering of what is Mine)."

²⁴ and then, with gratitude and expressing the ease of grace, broke it in pieces and said, " [some MSS add: You folks take {it}; eat {it}.] This is My body, being now broken over [the situation and condition of] you folks (or: for you people; on your behalf). Keep doing this, into the calling up of the memory pertaining to Me (or: with a view to remembering Me; or: unto a remembering of what is Mine)." ²⁵ Similarly, [He took] the cup also, after the eating of the supper, saying, "This cup is the new arrangement within My blood (or: exists being the thorough placing and setting – which is new in kind and character – in the sphere of My blood; or: is the new covenant [being made] in union with My blood). Keep on doing this, whenever you may be normally drinking, into the calling up of the memory pertaining to Me (or: with a view to remembering Me).

²⁵ Similarly, [He took] the cup also, after the eating of the supper, saying, "This cup is the new arrangement within My blood (or: exists being the thorough placing and setting – which is new in kind and character – in the sphere of My blood; or: is the new covenant [being made] in union with My blood). Keep on doing this, whenever you may be normally drinking, into the calling up of the memory pertaining to Me (or: with a view to remembering Me). ²⁶ For whenever (or: as often as) you folks may be repeatedly eating this loaf of bread and may be habitually drinking the [other MSS: this] cup, you continuing to proclaim and bring down the announcement of the death of the Lord – until which point He may come (or: up to the point at which He should come; or: until the time where He would suddenly come).

²⁶ For whenever (or: as often as) you folks may be repeatedly eating this loaf of bread and may be habitually drinking the [other MSS: this] cup, you continuing to proclaim and bring down the announcement of the death of the Lord – until which point He may come (or: up to the point at which He should come; or: until the time where He would suddenly come). ²⁷ So that whoever may habitually eat the loaf of bread, or should be drinking the cup, pertaining to (or: with reference to) the Lord in a manner or situation without equal value (or: unworthily; unsuitably), he or she will proceed in coming to be one held within (or: embraced by and possessed within the sphere of; or: will continue being a possession that is engulfed within) the body and the blood of the Lord.

²⁷ So that whoever may habitually eat the loaf of bread, or should be drinking the cup, pertaining to (or: with reference to) the Lord in a manner or situation without equal value (or: unworthily; unsuitably), he or she will proceed in coming to be one held within (or: embraced by and possessed within the sphere of; or: will continue being a possession that is engulfed within) the body and the blood of the Lord. ²⁸ So let a person habitually examine, test and evaluate himself (or: regularly approve and accept himself [i.e., his attitude and behavior in the occasion]), and in this manner let him be habitually eating from out of the loaf of bread and drinking from out of the cup,

²⁸ So let a person habitually examine, test and evaluate himself (or: regularly approve and accept himself [i.e., his attitude and behavior in the occasion]), and in this manner let him be habitually eating from out of the loaf of bread and drinking from out of the cup, ²⁹ for the one continually eating and drinking in a manner or situation without equal value (or: in an unworthy or unsuitable way) is repeatedly eating and drinking the effect of an evaluation and the result of a decision (or: a judgment) in (or: to; for) himself – not continually passing [this] judging through the whole body (or: in not continuing to separate throughout the body; not completely evaluating the body; not discriminating for, discerning about, or making a distinction of, the body [of believers]; [other MSS add: of the Lord]).

¹ Now once again, brothers (= fellow believers, or, members of the Family), I do not intend (purpose; want; desire) you folks to continue being ignorant concerning the things (or: matters) of the spirit and attitude (or: the [qualities; characteristics] which are the Spirit; the [aspects or workings] of the Breath-effect; or: spiritual folks).

¹² You see, correspondingly as the [human] body is one [body] and continuously has (possesses; holds) many members (body parts), and all the members of the one body – being many – are one body, in this way, also, [is] the Christ (or: even thus [is] the Anointed One and the Anointing). ¹³ For we, ourselves – within the midst of one Spirit (or: in union with one Breath-effect and Attitude) – are all submerged into one body (or: were all immersed into, so as to be enveloped by, one body) – whether Jews or Greeks (or: Hellenists), whether slaves or free folks – and we all are (or: were) made (or: caused) to drink one Spirit (or: spirit; Breath-effect; Attitude).

²⁷ Now you folks yourselves are, and continuously exist being, Christ's body (or: a body which is Anointed; or: a body whose source and character is Christ) – and individually [you are] members of a part [of it] –

² Even if I am continuously holding light ahead of time (or: repeatedly have prophecy), and I may have seen, and thus know, all the secrets (or: every mystery) and all the intimate knowledge (or: insight; gnosis), and if I now continuously possess all the faith and trust – so as to repeatedly transport mountains (or: to change the place and position of mountain after mountain) – yet do not habitually possess (or: progressively have) love, I am (I exist being) nothing!

⁵ It is not repeatedly indecent in manner or behavior (it does not continually display lack of [good] form, rudeness or improper demeanor); it is not habitually self-seeking (or: not constantly pursuing its own interests or rights); it is not continually caused to be sharp [in response] nor aroused to irritation or upset emotions; it is not habitually keeping account of the worthless thing, nor logically considering something of bad quality, nor counting the injury.

³ Now the one habitually prophesying (or: normally publicly speaking [God's message] and sharing light ahead of time) is constantly speaking an act of building (a construction; an edification) – even a calling to the side to give relief, aid and comfort and encouragement (or: a speaking as, and doing the work of, a paraclete), as well as a speech of stimulation, soothing and gentle influence or incentive – to people (or: among humans; for mankind). ⁴ The person habitually speaking in a tongue (or: language) constantly upbuilds and edifies himself, yet the person constantly prophesying (publicly speaking [God's message] before others) continuously upbuilds, edifies and constructs the called-out community. ⁵ Now I continue intending (purposing; willing; wanting) all you folks to be habitually speaking in tongues (or: with languages), yet preferably that you would be constantly prophesying (or: should keep on speaking publicly before others [as God's spokesmen, proclaiming God's message]), for the one repeatedly prophesying [is] of greater [importance; influence] than the one habitually speaking in tongues (or: with languages) – outside of this exception: [that] he should continue on to interpret (or: translate), so that the called-out assembly can receive an upbuilding (or: may take hold of, and get, edification; would grasp [the] construction).

¹² In the same way also, since you, yourselves, are folks boiling with fervor and affection in regard to spirit things (or: from attitudes; pertaining to spirits; [in matters] which are Breath-effects), be constantly and progressively seeking, [focused] toward the upbuilding, edification and construction of the called-out community – to the end that you folks can progressively surround yourselves with abundance (or: be constantly superabounding).

¹⁷ For you yourself are indeed constantly expressing the ease and wholesomeness of grace and showing gratitude in a beautiful, fine and ideal way – but still the different person is not being progressively built up (edified)!

²⁰ Brothers (= Fellow members of the community)! Stop becoming little boys and girls in or by [your] way of thinking and use of intellect, but still be infants – non-speaking babies! – in the worthless, the ugly and the poor of quality or the evil. Yet progressively come to be mature as folks which manifest the purpose (full-grown; perfect; ones having reached the goal and express the destiny; or: = adults) in [your] way of thinking and use of intellect.

²⁰ Brothers (= Fellow members of the community)! Stop becoming little boys and girls in or by [your] way of thinking and use of intellect, but still be infants – non-speaking babies! – in the worthless, the ugly and the poor of quality or the evil. Yet progressively come to be mature as folks which manifest the purpose (full-grown; perfect; ones having reached the goal and express the destiny; or: = adults) in [your] way of thinking and use of intellect. ²¹ It has been written within the Law that, "In different (= foreign) languages (tongues) and with different (= foreign) lips shall I proceed in speaking to (with; in) this people – and not even in this manner will they proceed in paying attention to Me, or listen into and obey Me," [the] Lord [= Yahweh] is saying. [Isa. 28:11] ²² Consequently the languages (tongues) are [pointing] unto and [leading] into a sign – not for believers (or: to those constantly trusting), but rather for unbelievers (or: to those without trust or faith) – yet the prophecy (the publicly spoken message [from God]; the speaking of light ahead of time) [is] not for (or: to) unbelievers, but rather for believers (or: to those habitually trusting, progressively believing with conviction, and continuing loyal).

²⁶ What, then, is [the conclusion], brothers (= fellow members)? Whenever you folks may at some point come together: each one of you habitually has a psalm (song; tune played on a stringed instrument, with a poem); has a teaching; has an unveiling (revelation; a disclosure); has a language (or: a tongue); has a translation (or: interpretation) – all things (everything!) and every person [directed] toward edification, upbuilding and construction – let it habitually happen (normally come to be; constantly occur)!

³⁸ Yet if anyone continues being ignorant or mistaken [of this], let him continue without knowledge [other MSS: he continues being left ignorant and mistaken]. (or: Now if anyone is habitually without experiential understanding, [this] continues being not known [by him].)

¹⁰ He Who snatched (dragged so as to rescue) us from out of the midst of the very prime (or: peak) of Death (or: out of a death of such proportions) will also repeatedly rescue and drag us to Himself – into Whom we have placed our hope and expectation so as to yet rely that He also will Himself continue still dragging us further toward Himself.

¹³ So then, we are not now writing other things to you, but rather either (or: other than) what you continue reading and recognizing, or even what you folks continue progressing to full, intimate knowledge and insight about (or: what you presently recognize and acknowledge as added knowledge and complete gnosis). Yet I continue expecting and hoping that unto the purposed and destined goal (until maturity and the finished product) you will continue to additionally, accurately and intimately realize and know by experience,

² To the contrary, we speak-away from ourselves (or: spurn; renounced; disowned) the hidden things pertaining to the shame (or: whose source is [our] shame; that result in dishonorable conduct or bring disgrace), not habitually walking around (= living our lives) in craftiness (or: in union with the capability for every work; within readiness to do anything), neither constantly diluting or adulterating God's message (God's thought and idea; the Word of God), but rather, in a manifestation of the Truth and by a setting of the Reality in clear Light, we are progressively placing ourselves together in addressing every conscience of mankind (or: commending ourselves toward every human conscience), in God's sight (= before God).

⁴ within and among which folks the God of this age (or: the God who owns this indefinite time-period; the God Who is in relationship with this eon) blinds (or: deprived of the ability to see) the effects of the intellects and mental powers (or: the results of directing the mind to something) of those without faith (of the un-trusting ones; of the unbelieving and disloyal), [leading them] into the [situation that] the shining forth of light and the illumination of (or: the beaming forth of enlightenment from) the good news of the glory of the Christ (or: of the message of goodness, ease and wellness whose source is the glory of the Anointed One; of the glad tidings pertaining to the manifestation which calls forth praise to the [Messiah]) – Who continuously exists being God's image (a resemblance and likeness of [Concordant Text adds: the unseen; the invisible] God) – would not shine forth as the dawn to irradiate them.

¹¹ Being, then, folks having seen and thus knowing the Lord's fear (or: the respectful fear from, and which is, the Owner and Master [= Christ]; the respect and reverence pertaining to or coming from [Yahweh]), we are constantly persuading mankind (habitually convincing people; one after another making humans confident). So we have been, and thus remain, manifested (set in the light so as to be clearly seen) in God (by God; for God; to God; with God), yet I am also continually expecting (or: hoping expectantly) to have been manifested within your consciences.

³ [We are] habitually giving no one a cause for striking [a foot] against something so as to stumble (or: a reason or occasion for making a cutting attack toward someone) – not in even one thing – so that the attending service and dispensing of provision would not at any point be found flawed so as to be discredited,

¹⁵ And what joining of voice (concord, agreement and harmony of sound) has Christ [when faced] toward Belial [Hebrew word for "worthlessness"]? Or what part for one full of faith and trust (or: portion in a believer) [corresponds] with one who lacks faith (an unbeliever; one who is not trustworthy or loyal)? ¹⁶ Now what mutual deposit (or: concurrence or agreement arrived by group decision) [does] God's Temple [have] with idols (or: external forms or appearances; or: phantoms of the mind; unsubstantial images or forms)? For, you see, we [other MSS: you folks] continuously exist being (we/you are) a temple of [the] living God, just as God said, "I will proceed to make My home and will continue walking about within and among them (= I will habitually reside, as in a house, and live My life within and among them), and I will proceed existing being (or: I will continue being) their God, and they will proceed existing being (or: will continue being) My people." [Lev. 26:12; etc.] ¹⁷ On which account [the] Lord [= Yahweh] says, "Instantly go forth from out of their midst and be instantly marked off by boundaries so as to be defined and restricted – and do not continue (or: stop) touching what is unclean (= ceremonially defiled), [Isa. 52:11] and then I, Myself, will constantly admit you folks and receive you into [Myself; My family], [Ezk. 20:41]

¹⁷ On which account [the] Lord [= Yahweh] says, "Instantly go forth from out of their midst and be instantly marked off by boundaries so as to be defined and restricted – and do not continue (or: stop) touching what is unclean (= ceremonially defiled), [Isa. 52:11] and then I, Myself, will constantly admit you folks and receive you into [Myself; My family], [Ezk. 20:41]

¹ Therefore, beloved ones, continuing in possessing (having and holding) these – the [aforementioned] promises – we can and should cleanse ourselves off from every stain, pollution or ceremonial defilement of flesh (= the estranged human nature; = a self oriented to the System) and of spirit (or: from flesh as well as from a spirit or attitude; or: pertaining to an alienated persona, or even to an attitude bound to the System), while progressively bringing the state and condition of being set-apart (holiness) to a successful completion (or: in continuing to perform dedicated consecration amidst its destined goal), centered in a reverence from God (or: in union with respect, with regard to God; in God’s fear; [p46 reads: in God's love]).

²¹ For we "habitually give forethought for providing beautiful things, ideal [situations] and fine [insights] – not only in [the] Lord's [= Yahweh's] sight, but also in the sight of people (humans)." [Prov. 3:4 LXX]

¹¹ Why (Through what reason or situation)? Because I am not continuously loving you folks? God has seen and thus knows!

¹⁸ since many folks are habitually boasting – according to the flesh (or: = on the level of the natural being; or: = in the sphere of estranged humanity) – I myself should also boast, ¹⁹ for with pleasure you folks – continuously being intelligent, sensible and prudent folks! – habitually put up with the senseless (foolish; idiotic; imprudent) people! ²⁰ In fact, you constantly put up with anyone if he is progressively bringing you down to slavery (or: is completely enslaving you as his habit) – if someone is repeatedly devouring; if someone is constantly taking [you] in hand; if someone is progressively elevating himself or lifting himself up upon [you]; if someone is continuously bringing the lash into your face (flaying you with a whip so as to remove the skin and eat into the face)! (= you folks constantly tolerate tyranny, abusive insults, pride and arrogance, as well as being drained of resources, being manipulated and being restrained.) ²¹ I am saying [this] down from dishonor (or: in accord with being devalued), seeing that we, ourselves, have been weak [among you]. Yet in whatever anyone is habitually daring – I say this in senselessness (I’m talking foolishly and unreasonably) – I, too, am habitually daring! ²² Are they Hebrews? So [am] I! Are they Israelites? So [am] I! Are they a seed of Abraham? So [am] I! [comment: this is the "boasting on the level of flesh" in vs. 18, above] ²³ Are they Christ's attending servants? – I am speaking as one being beside himself (or: insane) – I [am] over and above [them] (or: I, more so; = I surpass [them])! In toilsome labors and weariness more exceedingly; in prisons and jails more often; in blows (stripes or beatings) surpassingly; in deaths many times (= in near-death situations often). ²⁴ Five times by Jews I received forty [stripes; lashes], less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked – I have done night and day within the midst of the depth [of the sea], even hitting bottom; ²⁶ on journeys often (many times); in dangers (perils) of rivers (or: floods); in dangers of robbers (perils of plunderers); in dangers from out of [my] race (kindred); in dangers from out of the multitudes of ethnic groups ([the] nations); in dangers within city; in dangers within a desolate place (wilderness); in dangers at sea; in dangers among false-brothers (= pseudo-believers; or: = Family members who lie and deal falsely); ²⁷ in exhaustive labor and wearisome toil; in lack of sleep (or: sleeplessness; or: vigils) often; in hunger (or: scarcity of food; or: famine) and in thirst – in situations of deprivation or need of food (or: in fastings), many times; in cold and in lack of sufficient clothing (or: nakedness); ²⁸ apart from these external matters (or: apart from those things [just mentioned] – besides the outside –) [there is] the thing rushing in on me and giving cares (the pressure) from day to day: the anxiety, concern and divided distraction pertaining to all the called-out folks (or: summoned-forth communities):

²⁸ apart from these external matters (or: apart from those things [just mentioned] – besides the outside –) [there is] the thing rushing in on me and giving cares (the pressure) from day to day: the anxiety, concern and divided distraction pertaining to all the called-out folks (or: summoned-forth communities): ²⁹ Who is continuing weak and I am not proceeding to be weak (= sharing their weakness)? Who is habitually snared and caused to stumble or be entrapped, and I, myself, am not being repeatedly made fiery hot (or: caused to be incensed)?

⁸ I called the Lord [Christ or Yahweh] alongside for relief, ease and comfort, and entreated [Him] three times over (or: about) this, so that he (or: it) would (or: should) at once stand away and withdraw from me, ⁹ and yet He has said to me – and His declaration stands, "My grace is continuously sufficient in you (or: My joyous favor is constantly adequate to ward [it] off for you), for you see, ability (or: the [other MSS read: My] power) is habitually brought to its goal (or: finished; perfected; matured) within the midst of weakness (or: in union with lack of strength and infirmity)." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather continue boasting within the midst of and in union with weakness, to the end that the ability of the Christ (or: the Anointed One's power) can pitch its tent (or: should tabernacle) upon me (or: = set up residence upon me during this transient life and journey; perhaps: = fulfill the type of the Feast of Tabernacles with me; or: = be my house from heaven; [cf: ch. 5:1])! ¹⁰ Wherefore I habitually delight and take pleasure within weaknesses (or: in union with lack of strength or infirmity); in the midst of outrageous insults and ignominious situations of mistreatment; in union with pressured necessities; in the midst of pursuits for persecution and cramped situations over and on behalf of Christ, for whenever I continue being (or: may periodically be) weak, then I am powerful (or: I then exist being capable)! ¹¹ I have become unreasonable (senseless; imprudent; foolish) – you, yourselves, compel me (press and force me; = drive me to it!) – for I myself ought to have been being constantly recommended (placed together with and commended) by you folks, because not even in one thing did I come behind (or: am I deficient from or inferior to) the "very-overly" [pretentious and condescending] emissaries (or: representatives), even though I am nothing (or: since I also exist being nothing!).

¹⁴ Look (or: Consider)! This third time I continue holding [myself] ready and prepared to come to (or: go toward) you folks – and I will not proceed in being "dead weight" (an encumbrance or burden), for I am not habitually seeking your "things" (your possessions), but to the contrary, you. For the children ought not to be habitually storing up and accumulating [material resources] for the parents, but rather, the parents [should do this] for the children. ¹⁵ So I myself most gladly shall spend (pay the expenses) – even be completely spent (exhausted; bankrupted) – over (on behalf of) your souls. Even if I am constantly loving you excessively, I am habitually being loved less. (or: And since I am continuously loving you more abundantly {or: too much}, am I being loved less?)

¹⁹ All this time [other MSS: Again] do you folks continue thinking (supposing; presuming) that we are repeatedly making a verbal defense to you? Down [here] in God's stead and place, we are constantly speaking within Christ and in union with [the] Anointing. And the whole (all [these] things), beloved ones, [is (are)] over (on behalf of) your edification (your upbuilding; the construction of your house).

¹⁰ Come now, am I at the present moment habitually appealing to humans, or God? (or: am I right now constantly trying to convince and persuade mankind, or God ?) Or, am I repeatedly seeking to keep on pleasing and accommodating people (humans)? If I had been still continuing to please and accommodate people (mankind), I would not have been being Christ's slave.

²⁶ For you folks are all [i.e., Jew and non-Jew; male and female; slave and freeman] God's sons, through the faith resident within Christ Jesus (or: by means of the trust in union with an Anointing from Jesus)! ²⁷ For you see, as many of you folks as were immersed into Christ, at once clothed yourselves with Christ (or: were plunged into so as to be enveloped by then saturated and permeated with Anointing – or, the Anointed One – instantly entered within and put on [the] Anointing)!

²⁷ For you see, as many of you folks as were immersed into Christ, at once clothed yourselves with Christ (or: were plunged into so as to be enveloped by then saturated and permeated with Anointing – or, the Anointed One – instantly entered within and put on [the] Anointing)! ²⁸ Within [Him; us], there is not (there does not exist) Jew nor Greek (or: Hellenist); within, there is not (does not exist) slave nor freeman; within, there is not (does not exist) male and female; for you folks all exist being one within Christ Jesus (or: are all one person in union with an Anointing from Jesus). ²⁹ Now since you folks belong to Christ (or: have [the] Anointing as your source and origin; or: So since you people have the qualities and character of Christ, and [are] that which is Christ), you are straightway and consequently Abraham's Seed: heirs (possessors and enjoyers of the distributed allotment), down from, corresponding to and in the sphere of Promise!

²⁵ Now this Hagar is (= represents) Mount Sinai, within Arabia, and she continuously stands in the same line (or: keeps step in the same rank; marches in a column; walks or stands in a parallel row; or: is habitually rudimentary together; = corresponds to) with the present Jerusalem, for she continues in slavery (or: bondage) with her children.

¹⁶ So as many as are habitually advancing [other MSS: will advance; can advance] in line by ranks, corresponding to this measuring rod (or: continue belonging to the rank living in conformity to this rule; or: shall in this standard progressively observe the rudimentary elements or elementary principles and walk in line with them), Peace (harmony; [= shalom]) and Mercy [are continually] upon them – even (or: that is) upon the Israel whose origin and source is God (or: God's Israel).

²² and then placed and aligned all people in humbleness under His feet (or: and arranges everyone in a supportive position by His feet; or: then by the feet which are Him He subjects all things), and yet gives (or: gave) Him, [as] a Head (or: Source; origin and beginning of a series; or: extreme and top part) over all humanity and all things, for the called-out community (or: and as a Head over all humanity, gave Him to the summoned and gathered assembly; or: and then by the called-forth congregation He gives Him [to be the] Source over [the situation] of, and for, all humanity), ²³ hich [community] is His body, the result of the filling from, and which is, the One Who is constantly filling all things within all humanity (or: which continues existing being His body: the resultant fullness, entire content and full measure of Him [Who is] progressively making full and completing all things in union with all things, as well as constantly filling the whole, in all people).

¹¹ On which account (or: Wherefore) you must continuously call to mind (or: keep in mind; remember) that once you, the nations (multitudes; ethnic groups; Gentiles; non-Israelites) in flesh (= in your physical beings and cultural heritages) the ones habitually termed (spoken of as; called; said to be) "uncircumcision" by the one (or: that) habitually being termed "circumcision," in flesh (= in body and culture/religion): made by hand, ¹² that (or: because) you were, and continued on being for that season (or: in that appointed situation), apart from Christ ([the] Anointed One; = [the] Messiah): people having been alienated from the state of being a citizen (or: estranged from citizenship in the commonwealth) of Israel and [being] strangers pertaining to the arrangements of (or: foreigners from covenants and testamentary dispositions whose origin is) The Promise (or the assurance), continually having no expectation (or: hope), and [were] folks without God (or: godless; atheists) within the ordered System (world of culture, religion and governments).

¹⁵ rendering useless (nullifying; rendering down in accord with inactivity and unemployment) the Law (or: the custom; = the Torah) of the implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive) consisting in decrees (or: prescribed ordinances), to the end that He may frame (create; found and settle from a state of wildness and disorder) The Two into One New [p46 & others: common] Humanity within the midst of, and in union with, Himself, continuously making (progressively creating) Peace and Harmony (= shalom); ¹⁶ and then should fully transfer from a certain state to another which is quite different (or: make completely other while moving away from what existed; or: fully reconcile) The Both within One Body with, by, in, to and for God through the cross (execution stake) within Himself killing the enmity (or: discordant hatred; characteristics of an enemy).

⁶ (or, reading the phrase "in spirit" with the next phrase rather than the previous one: in spirit) the nations (the Gentiles; the ethnic multitudes; non-Jews) are to continuously be joint-heirs (fellow-participants by allotment) and a Joint Body (a body together) and joint sharers (partakers) of The Promise [along with the rest], resident within (or: of the assurance in union with) Christ Jesus through the good news (or: [spreading] throughout the midst by means of the message of goodness, ease and well-being)

⁴ [being] one body and one spirit (attitude and effect of the Breath), according as you folks were (or: are) also called within the midst of one expectation (or: in union with one expectant hope) of your calling (or: invitation),

¹² facing and with a viewtoward the bringing down of the fresh and timely, for the preparation (mending; knitting together; adjusting; fitting; repairing; perfectly adjusting adaptation; equipping; completely furnishing) of the set-apart folks (the saints; the holy ones) untoa work (or: into an action; into the midst of a deed or task) of attending service, [leading] unto (or: into) construction (house-building) of the body which is the Christ (or: whose source, character and quality is from the Anointed One; or: the body formed by the Anointing), ¹³ [to go on] until we the whole of mankind (all people) can (or: would) come downto the goal (or: attain; arrive at; meet accordingly; meet down face-to-face): into the state of oneness fromThe Faithfulness (or: the unity of, that belongs to and which characterizes that which is faith; or: the lack of division which has its source in trust, confidence and reliability, and has the character of being loyal), and of the full, experiential and intimate knowledge (or: recognition; discovery; insight) from (or: of) the Son of God, [growing] into [the] purposed and destined (or: complete; finished; mature; full-grown; perfect; goal-attained) adult man into (or: unto) [the] measure of [the] stature (full age; prime of life) of the entire content which comprises the Anointed One (or: which is the result of the full number which is the Christ; of the effect of the fullness from the [Messiah]; of the effect of that which fills and completes that which pertains to the Christ; of the result of the filling from, and which is, the Christ)

¹⁶ from out of Whom (or: out from the midst of Which) all the Body (or: the entire body) being continuously fitted and framed together (made a common joint by a word; laid out and closely joined together) and constantly being knit together and caused to mount up united through every fastening (or: joint) of the supply of rich furnishings (or: through every assimilation of the full supply of funds; through every touch {kindling; setting on fire} of the completely supplied requirements) in accord with (or: down from; commensurate to) the operation (operative, effectual energy) within [the] measure of each one part [other MSS: member], is itself continually making (or: is for itself progressively producing and forming) the growth and increase of the Body, [focused on and leading] into house-construction (or: unto building [up] and edification) of itself within the midst of, and in union with, love.

²⁵ Wherefore, upon at once putting the false (or: the Lie) away from yourselves [as clothing or habits], be continuously speaking Truth and reality, each one with his associate (the one near him; his neighbor), because we are (we continually exist being) members [as of a body] of one another (or: limbs or body parts belonging to one another and having our source in each other).

²⁹ Do not continue allowing every rotten word (or: putrefied idea; bad quality message) to be proceeding (or: issuing) out of your mouth, but rather if anything [is] good (profitable; virtuous; [having] quality), [speak it] toward house-construction (building [up]; edification) which pertains to the need, to the end that it may impart (or: give) grace and favor to those listening and hearing.

¹² because for us [other MSS: for you] the wrestling is not against (toward; with a view to) blood and flesh (= physical bodies), but rather against (toward; i.e., "face to face" with) the beginning controls and rules (or: original rulings; or: rulers and controllers; governments; those things or people in first position; the beginning things or people; the original ones; the princes) and face to face with the rights and privileges (or: liberties to do as one pleases; or: authorities; or: aspects from out of existence), with a view to the strengths of the System (or: strengths of the order; or: universal powers; the world's strong-ones) of this darkness (realm of shadows, gloom and dimness; [comment: = ignorance]), facing (toward; or: with a view to) the spiritual aspects (or: breath-effected attitudes; or: conditions and qualities of a spirit) of the worthlessness (the badness of conditions; the unsoundness and miserableness; the wickedness and depravity; the evil and malice; the disadvantageousness; the unprofitableness; the thing that brings toilsome labor and a gush of misery) among those situated upon elevated positions (or: situated within the heavenly positions or places; among the imposed heavenly realms; positioned in union with the celestials and heavenly ones; resident within the midst of added atmospheres). [note: this verse could be speaking about the ruling authorities of the religious world of ignorance, with its now worthless sacrifices, or, about the political system of darkened strength which was currently in power, bringing bad situations; Walter Wink, in Engaging the Powers, uses the phrase against suprahuman systems and forces for part of this verse] ¹³ On account of this, you folks receive back again (or: at once take up) the full suit of armor (panoply; implements of war) which is God (or: which belongs to and has its source in God), to the end that you would have powerand be able to withstand and resist (to stand opposite, over against as facing an opponent; or: stand in [other folks'] place, instead of [them]) within the harmful and misery-gushed day (or: the day of bad conditions), and then accomplishing all (achieving and effecting everything [the whole]), to stand firm.

¹⁰ into the [situation for] you folks to habitually test, examine, distinguish and determine (or: make sure by proving) the things that carry through and are thus of consequence or make a difference, so that you may constantly be (continually exist being) folks judged by the light of the sun (thus: clearly sincere and with integrity) and ones [that are] not stumbling or jarring against [anything] nor striking toward [someone] and causing trouble, on into the Day of Christ,

⁴ not each one continuing to attentively view (keep an eye on and look out for) the things or interests pertaining to themselves, but to the contrary, each one also [looking out for] the things and interests pertaining to others (or: of different folks; of people that are different). ⁵ You see, this way of thinking (this attitude and disposition) is continuously within and among you folks (or, as an imperative: So let this minding be habitually within you folks) – which [is] also within Christ Jesus,

¹⁴ Be habitually doing (accomplishing; constructing; producing) all things apart from grumbling complaints (or: murmurings) and reasoned considerations (or: designing thoughts; divided reckonings unto the settlements of accounts; arguments which permeate the environment or go in every direction),

²¹ For all those [others] are constantly concerned with (looking out for; are seeking) their own interests (or: things), not with the interests and things pertaining to and belonging to, or having the qualities and characteristics of, Jesus Christ.

³ For you see, we ourselves are (exist being) The Circumcision: the people (or: those) continuously rendering sacred service in a spirit of God (or: by God's Breath-effect; to God's Spirit; with God's breath; [some MSS: service to God in spirit; p46 omits "God," so simply: serving in spirit]) and constantly making our boast (being loud-tongued, vaunting and exulting) within, and in union with, Christ Jesus; even folks (or: those) being people having been persuaded and thus continuing to put no confidence within flesh (= having no reliance upon what is physical: e.g., religious works or natural heritage; or: the estranged human nature; [comment: this could be a reference to animal sacrifices]). ⁴ Even though I myself continue holding (or: having) [grounds for] trust and confidence also within flesh, if any other man is in the habit of thinking (or: is constantly seeming) or presuming to have come to a settled persuasion, thus having confidence within [his] flesh, I to a greater degree (more so; for a better reason; rather more): ⁵ in circumcision, on [the] eighth day; out of race (from posterity; by birth; as to class or species), of Israel; of Benjamin's tribe; a Hebrew out of the midst of [the] Hebrews (or: = a supreme Hebrew); in accordance to Law, a Pharisee (or: down from custom, a Pharisee);

¹ Consequently, my brothers (= fellow believers; family) – loved ones and longed-for folks (people missed with a craving), my joy and winner's (or: festal) wreath – thus (in this way) you constantly stand within [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh]: [as or being] loved ones! (or, as an imperative: be habitually standing firm in thus manner: in [the] Lord, [B adds: my] beloved!)

⁵ Let your gentle fairness, lenience, considerateness and suitable reasonableness be intimately and experientially known to all mankind (or: by and for all humans). The Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] is near (close by – at hand, close enough to touch, and available)!

¹⁷ which things are a shadow of the things being about to be (or: of the impending), yet now the body belongs to the Christ (or: So we see, the body is Christ; or: Now the body has its origin in the Christ; or: Yet the body has the character and qualities of [the] Anointed; [note: A.T. Robertson sees in this construction "the body" {figure of: "the substance"} as casting the shadow; Vincent is similar]).

¹⁹ and thus not continuously (or: terminating the continuum of) getting strength from (or: apprehending and becoming strong by) the Head (or: the Source), from out of Whom all the body (or: the entire body) – being constantly fully furnished and supplied to excess with funds and nourishment, and progressively joined cohesively (welded together; knitted and compacted together; united and made to go together as in mounting for copulation) through the instrumentality of the joints (connections; junctures; fastenings) and links (things bound together, as by ligaments) – goes on growing and increasing God's growth (or: the growth of God; the growth having its source in God; the growth pertaining to God; the growth and increase which is God; or: the growth from God).

¹¹ wherein (or: in which place) there is no Greek [figure of the multitudes who are non-Jews, and of those who are cultured and civilized] and Jew [figure of a covenant people of God], circumcision and uncircumcision [figure for religious in-groups and out-groups; there is no longer a covenant people versus non-covenant people], barbarian [foreigner who speaks a different language], Scythian [figure or example of wild, uncivilized groups], slave, freeman, but to the contrary, Christ [is] all, and within all (or: Christ [is] all humanity, and within all mankind; or: Christ [is] everything or all things, and within everything and all things; [note: the Greek is plural, and is either masculine, signifying “mankind,” or neuter, signifying all creation, in these phrases]).

¹⁵ Furthermore, let the peace [= shalom] of the Christ (belonging to and originating in the [Messiah]; the harmony which is the Anointing [other MSS: God]) continuously umpire (act as a judge in the games) within your hearts (= in union with the core of your being) – into which [peace] you folks are called (were called; were invited), within one body. And progressively come to be thankful people (or: continue becoming folks expressing gratitude for the goodness, ease and well-being that comes in grace; be habitually graceful folks).

¹⁷ And everything – whatsoever you may be habitually doing, in word or in action (within a thought or message, or within a work or deed) – [do] everything (all; all things) within and in union with [the] Name of [the] Lord, Jesus [other MSS: of Jesus Christ; others: of {the} Lord, Jesus Christ], constantly giving thanks (expressing gratitude) to Father God (or: in union with God, [the] Father) through Him.

²³ Everything – whatever you folks may be habitually doing – be constantly working (doing business; practicing a trade; earning a living) from out of soul (from the whole being: intellect, emotions, will), as to (for; in) the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] and not for people (to mankind),

¹¹ Wherefore, keep on calling each other to [your] side (to encourage, aid, urge, comfort or exhort), and by habit let one person build up (or: edify) the [other] person [comment: a one-on-one endeavor], just as you are even continuously doing.

²¹ but be continuously examining and putting all things to the proof (or: yet habitually test every person) – [then] constantly hold tightly to the beautiful, the ideal, the fine! ²² Habitually hold yourself away (or: abstain) from every form (external appearance; shape; figure) of what is useless and unprofitable, or brings wearisome labor, or is mischievous, malicious, harmful or disadvantageous (or: from evil's every form).

²⁴ The One continuously calling you is faithful (trustworthy; loyal; full of faith and trust), Who will also perform (do, make, form, construct, create, produce)!

⁷ and to (or: for; in) you – the folks being continuously pressed – relaxation (ease; a relaxing of a state of constriction; relief), together with us, within the midst of the uncovering (the unveiling; the laying bare; the revelation; the disclosure) of the Lord Jesus from [the] atmosphere (or: sky; heaven), along with agents of His power (or: with His agents of ability) – ⁸ within a fire, of flame [with other MSS: in union with a blaze of fire] continuously giving justice (or: repeatedly imparting the effects of fair and equitable dealings from out of the way pointed out, and the maintaining of right) among (or: for; in; with; to) those not knowing (or: perceiving) God, even among (or: for; in; with; to) those not continuously listening to or paying attention and obeying the message of goodness and well-being, which is our Lord, Jesus (or: which comes from and pertains to our Master and Owner: Jesus).

³ But the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] is (or: exists) continuously faithful (loyal; full of faith), who will progressively establish (set you to stand fast) and keep (guard; protect) you folks away from the malicious person (or: the unsound and unprofitable; the painful labor; the malignant situation).

⁴ nor yet to constantly hold toward myths (or: stories; fictions) and unbounded (= endless) genealogies, which things habitually hold investigations and inquiries alongside which involve speculations and disputes, rather than God's house-administration (management; stewardship) – the one within trust and in union with faith.

⁵ now if anyone does not know (has not seen and is not aware) to put himself or herself at the head of (= lead, provide for and protect) her or his own household so as to stand before and lead them, how will she or he be thoughtful of, take an interest in, and take care of, God's called-out community?

¹⁵ but if ever I should be slow (or: delay), [I am writing this] to the end that you may see and thus know how it is necessary and binding to be twisted and turned back up again within God's household (or: to be treated, conducted or caused to behave in God's house), which is (or: exists being) a called-out community of [the] Living God (or: whose source is a living God; which has the qualities and character of [the] living God; or: which is a living god), a pillar and foundational seat of The Truth (or: a base from and an effect of a settling of reality),

³ coming from people habitually forbidding (preventing; hindering) [folks] to be marrying [and to be] constantly abstaining from [certain] foods – which things God creates (or: created; reduced from a state of wildness and disorder) into something to be shared and partaken of with thanksgiving by those full of faith (by the faithful and loyal folks) and by those having experienced full, intimate knowledge and realization of the Truth (or: of Reality)! ⁴ Because all God's creation (or: every creature of God) [is] beautiful (fine; ideal), and not one thing is to be thrown away – being habitually received with thanksgiving –

⁴ Because all God's creation (or: every creature of God) [is] beautiful (fine; ideal), and not one thing is to be thrown away – being habitually received with thanksgiving –

¹⁷ Pass along the notice (or: be announcing) to those rich (or: wealthy) within the present age (the current eon) to not be habitually high-minded (proud; arrogant; or: to ponder high things), neither to have put expectation upon, and thus rely on, the uncertainty (insecurity; non-evidence) of riches (or: wealth), but rather, upon God, the One continuously holding all things alongside for us (or: the One constantly offering and providing all thing to us) richly, unto [our] enjoyment (or: into beneficial participation; unto the obtaining of a portion to enjoy; [leading] into pleasure),

¹¹ The Word (or: Logos) [is] full of faith. (or: Trustworthy [is] this statement and the message:) For since we died together with [Him] (or: For if we jointly die), we will also continue living together (or: proceed jointly living; constantly co-live); ¹² since we are continuously remaining under for support (or: if we continue patiently enduring), we will also continue reigning (ruling as kings) together with [Him]; if we shall continue denying (disowning; not consenting; renouncing; turning our back on [other MSS: are repeatedly denying]) [Him], That One also will continue denying (disowning; not consenting to; renouncing; turning His back on) us. ¹³ [Yet] if we are habitually faithless (or: unfaithful; untrustworthy; disloyal; without trust or faith), That One is constantly remaining faithful (or: [Now] if we are repeatedly disbelieving or distrustful, That One continuously remains full of faith, trust, belief and reliance – That One constantly remains loyal and reliable), for to deny (disown; renounce; not consent to) Himself, it continues that He cannot (He is not able; He has no power)! (or: = You see, He cannot turn His back on Himself!)

¹⁸ The Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] will continue dragging (or: drawing) me away from every harmful act (malicious or evil work) and will continue delivering me into the midst of the reign and kingdom – the one [having dominion] upon the heavens (or: into the realm of His activities and way of doing things: the one [exercising authority] upon, and which can be compared to, the atmosphere) – which is from Him and belongs to Him, in Whom [is] the glory (or: for Whom [is] the reputation; by Whom [is] the manifestation of that which calls forth praise; to Whom [is] the good opinion), on into the ages of the ages (or: into the principle ages which consummate all the ages; into the obscure time periods of the ages). It is so! (Amen)

¹⁵ To the pure folks, everything [is] pure (or: All things [are] clean for, with and in the clean ones). Yet to (or: for; in; with) those having been stained and remaining defiled (corrupted; polluted), and to (or: for; in) faithless people (those without trust; unbelieving ones), nothing is pure or clean – but rather, their mind, as well as the conscience, has been – and now remains – stained, defiled and corrupted.

¹ Paul, a bound-one of Christ Jesus (or: a prisoner pertaining to, because of and belonging to Christ Jesus), and Timothy, the brother, to Philemon, the loved one, and our fellow worker,

² [and His] continuously being faithful by and loyal to and in the One forming (making; creating; constructing; establishing; producing; [in LXX the same word as Gen. 1:1]) Him, even as "Moses [was loyal] within His (or: his) whole house." [Num. 12:7] ³ For this [reason] He (or: You see, this One) has been esteemed worthy of more glory and a greater reputation than Moses, proportionally to the degree that He who constructs (or: prepares; fully implements) it has more value (honor; worth) than the house itself.

⁸ "you would not be hardening your hearts, as in the incitement to bitter feelings (or: the being exasperated and provoked; or: = the rebellion) down from the day of putting to the proof by ordeals in the desert, ⁹ "where your fathers made an attempt (tested it), within the putting to the proof, and yet saw My works (actions; deeds) [for] forty years," ¹⁰ "on account of which I was burdened by (or: weighed down with grief for; heavy at heart with) that generation, and said, 'They are always led astray (caused to wander) by (or: in) the heart; they do not personally or intimately know My ways.' ¹¹ "So I swore in (in union with) My inherent fervor (native character; or: swelling passion and teeming desire; or: inward agitation and anger; or: disposition and impulse), 'Now since (or: if) they shall proceed entering into My rest (or: the stopping down and rest which is Me, and which comes from Me)...!'" [Ps. 95:7-11]

¹⁴ For we have been born partners of the Christ (or: we have come to be associates and participants who partake of the Anointed One and commonly hold the Anointing) with the result that we are now in a binding partnership with Him, since surely we can fully hold in our possession – so as to retain firm and steadfast – the Origin of the substructure to the point of completion of the intended goal (or: if indeed, unto [the condition or state of] maturity, we would fully hold in our possession, so as to retain firm and steadfast, the beginning [position] with regard to the substance, essential nature and basis [of the new reality] – as well as the rule of that [which was] put under, as a standing for support),

¹⁷ So now by (or: with) which ones was He burdened (or: weighed down with grief; heavy at heart) [for] forty years? [Was it] not by those sinning (failing to hit the target; making mistakes and errors; [A reads: being without conviction, and thus, being disobedient])? Of whom those members [of the body] (the limbs; or: = carcasses) fell in the desert (or: wilderness)!

¹¹ We should at once with diligence hasten, then, to enter into this rest (or: that ceasing down [from work]; completely stopping), so that one would not fall in the same example (or: result of a pattern) of incompliance (or: stubbornness; disobedience; lack of conviction; [p46 reads: lack of faith and trust]).

¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable transactions (practice-effects) in which [it is] impossible (without power or ability) [for] God to deceive (to lie or be false), we – those fleeing to refuge – may be constantly having (holding; possessing) strong consolation (a calling alongside with relief, aid and encouragement; services of the Paraclete) to be strong to get into one's power the prescribed and settled expectation (or: expectant hope) continuously lying before [us],

²⁴ For Christ did not enter into set-apart places made by hands (= by humans) – representations (things formed after a pattern) of the true and real things – but rather into the atmosphere and heaven itself, now to be manifested (exhibited to view; caused to appear in clear light; made apparent) by the presence of God over us (or: in God's face and countenance [being] on our behalf).

¹ For the Law (= Torah), holding a shadow of (having shade from) the impending good things (virtues; excellent, agreeable or useful qualities or results) – not the very image of or the same reproduced likeness from those transactions (results of executing or performing; effects of practices) – continues not even once able (or: still never has power) at any point to perfect (bring to the goal and destiny, finish, complete or mature) those folks repeatedly coming near (approaching) by offering the [other MSS: their] same sacrifices every year, on into the whole length (or: extended or stretched into the unbroken continuance) [of its existence].

²³ We can and should be continuously retaining (holding down to have in possession) the unwavering same Word (or: unbent like-thought and similar message; or: unbowed, binding association-agreement) of the expectation (or: from the unwavering expectant-hope), for you see, the One promising [is] Faithful, Trustworthy and Loyal!

²⁵ not repeatedly abandoning (leaving down within; leaving helpless) the leading of ourselves together upon [someone or some occasion] (or: the added gathering together of ourselves), according to a custom for (or: by; among) certain folks, but rather and to the contrary, continuously calling [them] to the side for aid, relief and encouragement (or: to receive the service of a paraclete), even to so much greater a frequency, for, as much as you folks are presently seeing (continuously looking at and observing), the Day progressively drawing near!

²⁸ Someone displacing (setting aside; violating) a custom of Moses (or: Moses' Law) dies, apart from compassions, upon [evidence or testimony of] two or three witnesses. ²⁹ By how much worse punishment (= heavier the sentence) do you suppose he will be thought worthy and counted deserving: the one trampling down the Son of God, and considering the blood of the arrangement (or: covenant) common (= profane) – within which he was set-apart (made sacred and holy) – even insulting the Breath-effect of joyous favor (or: Spirit of Grace)? ³⁰ For we have perceived, and thus know, the One saying, "Execution of right in fairness out of the Way pointed out [is] by Me. I will continue giving back (repay) in its place," says the Lord [= Yahweh], and again, "The Lord [= Yahweh] will continue separating and making a decision about (or: judging) His people." [Ex. 32:35-36] [comment: this paragraph, and its judgments, pertains to God's people] ³¹ [It is] fearful (a fear-inspiring [experience]) to suddenly fall-in – into hands of a continuously living God!

³⁷ For you see, "Yet a very, very little while, [and] the One repeatedly coming will by habit be arriving, and He will not be late (or: continue delaying or taking time).

¹¹ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for loyal allegiance, also, Sarah herself – being sterile – received (or: laid hold of) power and ability unto a conception (a depositing; founding; casting down) of seed (= offspring), even beyond [the] fertile season of maturity (full age and prime of life), since a Faithful, Loyal and Believable One – the One promising – took the lead (led the way; presided; or, an alternate meaning of hgeomai yields: since she regarded the Promiser trustworthy and believable),

²⁸ In faith, by trust, with confident loyalty and for trustworthy allegiance, he had performed (or: has created so that it now stands as an institution) the Passover and the pouring of the blood, so that the One presently destroying (the Exterminator of) the first-born of people and animals would (or: could) not touch or come in contact with them. ²⁹ In faith, by trust, with confidence and in loyal allegiance, they walked through the Red Sea as through dry land – [whereas] the Egyptians, upon taking a trial of (or: making an attempt at) which, were gulped (or: swallowed) down.

³⁵ women took with the hand their dead folks from out of a resurrection (or: wives received their dead ones out of the midst of a rising-again). Yet others were beaten to death with rods (or: drummed upon), not receiving (or: accepting; taking) toward (or: with a view to) themselves (= refusing) the releasing away (liberation; setting free) procured by payment of a ransom, so that they may hit the target of (or: attain) a superior (stronger and better) resurrection. ³⁶ But different ones took a trial (or: received a test) of mockings (scoffings), and of scourgings, and further, of bonds and imprisonment (= put in chains and thrown in jail). ³⁷ They were stoned, they were cut in two with a saw, they were put to the proof (tried; tested), they passed away in a slaughter (or: by murder) with sword, they went around (wandered) in sheepskins, in goat skins, continuously being behind (being in want; being in the rear), being constantly pressed (squeezed; afflicted), habitually being held in the bad (being maltreated; having it bad) – ³⁸ of whom the System (the ordered arrangement; the world or culture, secular society, religions and government) was not worthy (was not of equal value) – being continually deceived (led astray; caused to wander) in deserts and mountains and caves and the holes of the earth (or: ground).

⁴ You folks do not yet resist (or: did not take a stand down against; or: put in place opposition) as far as blood (= to the point of bloodshed; or, as a figure: = to the depth of your soul-life), toward constantly struggling against (or: repeatedly contending and fighting in opposition to) the failure (the sin; the error; the miss of the target; missing the point).

¹⁰ Brothers, take the prophets who spoke within [the authority of], and in union with, the Name of the Lord [= Yahweh] as an example to be copied: of experiencing worthless responses and bad conditions while suffering from harmful treatment and evil – as well as of patience (long-suffering; slow-rushing; long-term feelings). ¹¹ Consider! We are calling happy and blessed those remaining under (or: patiently and humbly enduring; or: steadfast and supporting). You heard [about] the persistent remaining under (steadfast, patient and humble endurance) of Job, and you saw the Lord's [= Yahweh's] goal (the end attained by the Lord; the Lord's completion), because “the Lord [= Yahweh] is great of tender affections (literally: great of internal organs; full of guts) and is empathetically compassionate.” [Ex. 34:6]

⁵ the ones being continuously garrisoned within (or: kept under watch and guarded in the center of) God's power, in union with an ability which is God, through [His] faithfulness, into a deliverance (a rescue which brings health, wholeness and a return to your original state and condition; salvation; a [period of] rescue) [which is now] ready to be unveiled (revealed; disclosed) within the midst of and in union with [this] last season (or: resident within a final fitting situation; in a final fertile moment; on [this] last occasion), ⁶ within which [season and deliverance] you folks are presently feeling constant joy and happiness and are continuing to rejoice exceedingly – though for a little while, at present, since (or: if) it continues being binding and necessary, being pained (distressed; grieved; sorrowed) within various tests (or: different trials and ordeals) to put you to the proof. ⁷ [This is] to the end that the examined and tested approval of your faith (of the trust and faithfulness of you folks) – [being] of much greater value and worth, and more precious, than of gold that constantly loses itself away (perishes of itself) despite being progressively tested and examined through fire – might be found [progressing] into praise (approval; commendation) and glory (or: a good reputation) and honor (value; worth) within an unveiling of Jesus Christ (or: in union with a revelation whose source is, which has the character of, and which is, Jesus, [the] Anointed One; in the midst of a disclosure from [Messiah] Jesus),

¹¹ Folks that are loved (Beloved ones): I am presently calling you alongside to encourage, aid, comfort and admonish you, as resident aliens (exiles; sojourners; one dwelling beside citizens in a foreign country) and temporary residents (expatriates; strangers) to continually hold yourselves away from the fleshly over-desires (passions; full-rushing upon things), which things are constantly warring (doing military service; battling) down against the soul (the inner self and being),

²¹ [into] which, also, an echo of correspondent form (or: a copy; an antitype; an impress which answers back; in place of the type or pattern) is now progressively delivering (rescuing) you folks (or: repeatedly bringing you to safety): immersion (submersion and envelopment which brings absorption and permeation to the point of saturation) – not [the] putting off of [the] filth (removal of dirt) away from [the] flesh (= not baptism or bathing of the physical body, or the removal of the alienated false persona), but rather – the result of a full inquiry into the midst of God (or: the effect of an added request unto God; or: = a further quest into “the Divine Mystery” – Paul Tillich) made by a good conscience (from an excellent joint-knowing; in relation to virtuous co-knowledge). [It saves you and it is made] through means of [the] resurrection of Jesus Christ,

¹¹ If anyone is normally speaking, [let it be] as God's little words (= inspired sayings, messages, thoughts and ideas); if anyone is habitually providing attending service and dispensing, [let it be] as out of [the] strength which God is continually supplying (furnishing; providing), to the end that, in union with all people (and: within all things), God may be constantly glorified (may habitually receive a good reputation) through Jesus Christ, in Whom (by Whom; for Whom; to Whom; with Whom) is (or: exists) the glory (the manifestation of that which calls forth praise; the good reputation) and the strength (the might), on into the ages of the ages (or: into the indefinite time periods of the ages; into the superlative times of the eons).

¹⁹ So then, also, let those repeatedly feeling the effects of experiences and of suffering which correspond to, and [are] in the sphere of, God's will (intent; purpose) continuously commit their souls to a Faithful Former (or: Loyal Founder; Trustworthy Creator), within [the] producing of good (in union with making of virtue; in construction of excellence; within the midst of performing goodness).

⁸ Be sober (or: clear headed)! Be awake, alert and watch! Your barrier in the Way pointed out (your road hazard; your opponent at court; the one "in your face" opposing your fairness and equity), one who casts or thrusts something through the midst of folks (e.g., like a soldier casting a javelin or thrusting a sword through someone, or a person throwing an issue through the midst of a group, causing division; or: a slanderer), as a constantly roaring lion, is continuously walking about, incessantly seeking to drink something or someone down (or: searching to gulp and swallow someone down), [comment: this path-hazard and road barrier may have been local religions, cultural or political opposition, or a spirit of contrariness] ⁹ to whom take a stand against (withstand; set yourself in opposition), [being] strong (firm; compact) ones in (or: by) the faith, trust and loyalty – [being] folks having seen and thus knowing about these same experiences and sufferings [that] are to repeatedly and progressively bring the goal upon (bring perfection upon; accomplish maturity upon) your brotherhood within the dominating arrangement of the System (or: in the midst of the secular realm; or: in the ordered world of religion, economy, culture and government).

⁶ and later He correspondingly evaluated and commensurately decided about (or: condemns) [the] cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing [them] to ashes for twisting down ([= distorting the path of life]; or: by and in an overthrow; to a turning down [of activities or of life]), having placed (or: set) an example (exhibition; a result of a specimen pointed out and set under view) of folks habitually being about to be irreverent (or: to commit sacrilege without awe) [other MSS: an example of things about to happen to (or: in; among) ones without reverential awe];

⁹ [The] Lord [=Yahweh], having seen, thus knows to (or: knows how to) continuously drag out of danger (or: rescue) a reverent person (one standing in devout goodness, in awe and in virtuous conduct with ease and well-being from relationship with God) from out of the midst of a trial (or: ordeal; [other MSS: trials]), yet to constantly keep in custody, guard, watch over and maintain unjust folks (people who live contrary to the Way pointed out; unrightwised folks) [who are] being repeatedly pruned (or: being progressively corrected), [which is leading] unto a day of evaluating for making a decision [about their progress] (or: of judging [condition]),

¹⁷ You, then, beloved ones, being ones by repeated experiences previously acquainted [with this] (or: knowing beforehand by experiences), be constantly on watch, guard, and keep yourselves in custody, lest – at some point being carried (or: led) away together by the deception (or: in straying; or: to deceit) of the unestablished (unprincipled; inordinate; lawless) folks – you could fall out from your own state of fixed firmness (or: steadfastness).

³ The One whom we have seen, and still now see, and we have heard, and now continue listening to and hearing, we are also constantly reporting to you, to the end that you, too, may be continuously having common being and existence (or: would be progressively holding partnership and participation) with us. And yet, our common being and existence (or: participation; fellowship; partnership; sharing) [is] with the Father, even with His Son (or: as well as with the Son from Him; or, in apposition: and with the Son which is Him), Jesus Christ.

⁷ Yet if we keep on walking about (= continue living our life) within the midst of and in union with the Light, as He exists (or: is) within the Light, we constantly have common being and existence (or: hold common fellowship, participation and enjoy partnership) with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, keeps continually and repeatedly cleansing us (or: is progressively rendering us pure) from every sin (or: from all error, failure, deviation, mistake, and from every [successive] shot that is off target [when it occurs]).

⁹ If it would be our habit to confess (admit; avow; say the same thing as; speak in accordance with; or: would continue in agreement [about]) our error (our failure; our sin; our mistake), He is constantly faithful and just (fair; in accord with the Way pointed out and in right relationship; rightwised), to the end that He would at once send away for us (or: dismiss or pardon and cause to flow away in us) the errors ([some MSS add: our] failures, mistakes and deviations) and then would cleanse [other MSS: He will cleanse] us from all injustice (all that is contrary to the Way pointed out; every unrighteousness; all unfairness, inequity and unrighteous relationships; every behavior that is turned in the wrong direction).

¹⁸ O undeveloped ones or folks of the age to be educated (or: servants, little boys and little girls who might be hit in training and for discipline), it continues being (or: is progressively) a last hour (= an eschaton of the Day, or the closing moment [of the age]), and according as you hear (or: heard) that an antichrist (or: anti-anointing; that which is instead of, or in the place of, Christ or the Anointing) repeatedly comes [other MSS: the anti-anointing (or: antichrist) continuously comes], even now many anti-anointings (or: antichrists; many things or people taking the place of Christ or stand in opposition to the Anointing) have been born and are here (or: have come into existence and are at large), from which fact (or: whence) we constantly know by experience that it continues being a last hour (= a closing moment [of the age]).

²¹ Little children (born ones) keep yourselves in custody (or: guarded)! – away from the idols (the external appearances; the forms; or: = false concepts)! [written circa A.D. 60-65 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]

⁵ But I am purposing and intending to remind you [p78 adds: brothers] – you folks having once seen and thus being aware of all this – that the Lord [= Yahweh; other MSS: Jesus (= Joshua); some read: God] after delivering (rescuing; saving) a people out of Egypt's land, [in] the second [phase] brought to ruin and loss the folks not trusting, believing or being loyal.

⁷ As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities round about them [= Admah and Zeboyim – cf Deut. 29:23], in like manner (or: turn) to them, being given to fornication and outlandish prostitution, and then going away after different flesh (= unnatural vice; or: = a different expression of alienation that was formed by the existing System), are continuously lying before [us as] – an example (a specimen; an effect of a thing pointed out or presented to sight) – continuing in undergoing an experience of justice (the Way pointed out; fairness and equity; what is right) from fire pertaining to the ages (or: of eonian, or age-lasting, fire; of a fire of undetermined duration whose quality and character are the Age [of the Messiah]).

¹⁶ These are, and continue to be, murmurers (or: those who speak privately and in a low voice, making a grumbling buzz of under-toned mutterings of critical and discontented comments), complainers (or: those who find fault with their lot; discontented ones), continuously passing from one place to another according to their strong desires (or: lusts; full passions), and their mouth continually uttering (or: speaking) over-swollen (hyper-weighty; pompous; boastful) things, continually admiring (or: wondering at) faces (= personal presences; = individuals; = personalities) for the sake and benefit of advantage and furtherance.

¹⁰ Do not be habitually fearing things which you are about to experience (or: to suffer; in which you are about to have sensible experience). Consider: the one who thrusts-through (the one who casts adversity through your midst; the devil) is about to thrust some from among you into prison (or: jail), so that you may be tried (put to the proof), and you will continue having pressure (squeezing; tribulation) [for] ten days. Progressively come to be a faithful and reliable person (or: You must be being birthed a trusting and loyal one) until death, and I will continue giving Life’s wreath to you (or: for you the wreath of The Life; or: the victor’s symbol, which is life in you).'

¹⁴ But still I am holding down a few things against you: you have there those continuously strong to be retaining the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to thrust a snare in the sight of the sons of Israel to eat things offered to forms (or: sacrificed to idols), and thus, to commit prostitution (= idolatry).

¹⁰ Because you keep watch over (observe; preserve; guard) the Word of My patient endurance (of My remaining-under), I, also, will continue keeping watch over (observing; preserving; guarding) you from out of the hour of the putting to the proof (or: trial; test) which is presently about to be progressively coming upon the whole territory where folks normally dwell (or: inhabited land), to put to the proof (to test, try and put through an ordeal) those continually dwelling down in houses upon the Land (or: inhabiting the territory).'

¹⁷ Because your are habitually saying, "I am rich and have acquired wealth and continuously have need of nothing, " and you have not seen to know (or: are not aware) that you continue being wretched (or: miserable; in hardship) and pitiful and poor and blind and naked, ¹⁸ I continue advising you [singular] to buy from Me gold having been refined (set ablaze) forth from out of fire, to the end that you may become rich; and white garments, to the end that you may clothe yourself and the shame (disgrace) of your nakedness may not be manifested (brought to light; caused to appear); and eye-salve to anoint (rub in) your eyes, to the end that you may be continuously observing (or: progressively seeing).'

²⁰ And yet the remaining ones (or: the rest) of the humans, those who were not killed in these plagues (or: blows), did not change their mind (change their perceptions or ways of thinking) from out of the works (actions; deeds) of their hands, so that they may not worship the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) and the idols (forms): the gold ones, and the wooden ones, which are able (or: have power) neither to see nor to hear, nor to walk about. [Ps. 115:4-7; 135:15-17; Dan. 5:23]

⁸ And all those continually dwelling upon the earth (or: Land) will proceed worshiping it – concerning which folks, their name has not been written within the scroll of (or: which is) "The Life of the little Lamb" – the One having been slaughtered from a casting-down of [the] ordered arrangement (world of culture, religion, government and economics; or: from [the] world's founding).

² And I saw as it were a glassy (crystalline) sea having been mixed with Fire, and the folks (or: those) continually overcoming (being progressively victorious; presently conquering) – from out of [the power and influence of] the little wild animal (creature; beast), and from out of [the nature of] its image, and from out of [the identity of] the number of its name – standing (or: having made a stand) upon the glassy (crystalline) sea, continuously holding God’s lyres (harps). ³ And they repeatedly sing the song (or: ode) of Moses, God’s slave, as well as (or: even) the song (or: ode) of the little Lamb, saying, "O Lord [= O Yahweh], The All-Strong (Omnipotent, Almighty) God, Your acts (works) [are] great ones, and wonderful ones (marvelous ones)! The King of the nations (multitudes, ethnic groups; [Sinaiticus & p45 read: King of the ages])! Your ways (roads, paths) [are] just ones (fair and equitable ones in accord with the Way pointed out) and true (or: real) ones!

¹ And I heard a great Voice out of the Temple, saying to the seven agents, "You must go (depart) and you must pour out the seven bowls (shallow cups) of God’s strong passion (fury; rushing emotion; anger) into the Land (or: earth)."

¹¹ Then I saw the atmosphere (or: sky; heaven), having been opened – and consider! A bright, white horse. And the One continually sitting upon it being constantly called "Faithful (Full of Faith; To Be Trusted; Trustworthy; Loyal) and True (or: Real), " and He is continuously judging (making decisions and separations) and battling (making war) in fairness (within equitable dealings; in justice and right relations which accord with the Way pointed out; also: = in union with covenant).

⁸ "But for the timid (cowardly) folks and for faithless ones (unbelieving people) and for abominable folks (detestable ones) and for murderers, and for prostitutes and for sorcerers (enchanters; users of drugs) and for idolaters and for all the liars (the false ones): their portion [of the inheritance?] [is] within the lake (or: basin; artificial pool; marshy area) continuously burning with Fire and Deity, which is the Second Death."

¹⁵ "Outside [are] the dogs and the sorcerers (users of drugs) and the fornicators (male prostitutes) and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone continuously fond of (being friendly to) and constantly practicing (making; doing) falsehood (deception; a lie).

¹⁷ "And now the Spirit (Breath-effect) and the Bride are continuously saying, 'Be repeatedly and/or progressively coming!' Then let the one continuing to listen and hear say, 'Be continuously coming!' And so let the person constantly thirsting continuously come; let the one habitually willing (or: intending; desiring) at once take (or: receive with the hand) Water of Life freely (or: as a free gift)."