Romans 9 Cross References - JMNT

¹ Truth I presently speak within Christ (or: I am constantly speaking reality in union with [the] Anointed One; centered in [the] Anointing), I am not now lying (or: I do not habitually lie), my conscience (my joint-knowing from having seen together) habitually giving joint-witness (testifying together; giving corroborating evidence) to me (in me; for me; with me) within [the] Holy Spirit (or: in a set-apart spirit and attitude; in union with a Sacred Breath), ² that to me (or: for me; in me) a great distressing sorrow (or: an annoying grief), as well as unintermittent (unceasing) consuming pain, continues being in my heart. 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). ⁹ For the Word (or: message) of Promise [is] this: "Corresponding to (or: At; In line with) this season (or: In accord with this fitting situation and fertile moment) I will be coming, and then a son will be existing for Sarah (or: shall progressively be by Sarah and will be existing in Sarah)." [Gen. 18:14] ¹⁰ Yet not only so, but further, Rebecca, also, continued having a marriage-bed (= was habitually having sexual intercourse and conceiving children) from the midst of one man, Isaac, our father (= ancestor). ¹¹ For you see, not as yet being born ones, nor ones practicing (performing; accomplishing) anything good or vile (mean; sorry; careless; bad [p46 reads: worthless; of bad quality; corrupt; evil]) – to the end that God's purpose and aim, which He designed and set beforehand, may continually remain (abide; dwell) down from (corresponding to and in accord with) election (a selection; a choosing-out; a choice), not forth from out of works (or: actions), but instead from out of the One repeatedly calling (or: from the continual summoning) – ¹² It was said (or: declared) to her that, "The greater (by implication: the older) will continue performing as and be a slave to and for the smaller (by implication: the younger; the inferior)." [Gen. 25:23] ¹³ Just as it has been written, "Jacob I love (participate in and accept as on the same ground), yet Esau I regard with ill-will (I hate; I am unfriendly to; I esteem with little affection)." [Mal. 1:2-3] ¹⁴ What, then, shall we continue saying? Not [that there is] injustice (behavior contrary to the Way pointed out) with God? Of course not (May it not come to be)! ¹⁵ For He is saying to Moses, "I will continue being merciful to (will progressively relieve the distress and misery of) whomever I should presently be merciful (or: I may continuously relieve of distress and misery), and I will continue being compassionate to whomever I should (or: may; would) be continuously compassionate." [Ex. 33:19] ¹⁶ Consequently, then, [it is] not of or from the one constantly exercising [his] will (or: [it does] not pertain or belong to habitually intending or designing), nor of the one constantly rushing forward (or: nor does it pertain or belong to the one continuously running or habitually racing), but rather of, from, pertaining to and belonging to God, the One constantly being merciful (or: but from God’s habitually and continuously relieving from distress and misery; or: but to the contrary, [it is] from the One repeatedly dispensing mercy, which is God). ¹⁷ For the Scripture is saying to Pharaoh that, "Into this itself (or: For this very thing) I roused you forth (I awakened and stirred you to come out), so that I may (or: would) display and demonstrate in you My power and ability, so that My Name would be thoroughly proclaimed (preached and published far and wide) within all the land (or: in the entire earth)." [Ex. 9:16] ¹⁸ Consequently, then, on whom He from time to time wills (or: to whom His will is presently directing) He is continuously merciful (He constantly relieves from distress and misery). Yet whom He from time to time wills (intends; designs), He continues progressively hardening. ¹⁹ You will ask me (or: protest to me), then, "Why, then, is He still blaming and continuing to find fault? For who (which one; what) has resisted (stood against or in place of)His intention (the effect of His deliberated purpose and resolve) and is yet still so standing?" ²⁰ O man (or: human)! On the contrary, even more, what (or: who) are you – the one habitually answering back to God (or: replying against God; from a position of standing instead and in opposition, judging for God; disputing with God)? "The thing molded and formed will not proceed to be saying to the One molding and forming, 'Why do you make me thus (or: did you create and construct me this way)?'" [cf Isa. 29:16; 45:9; 64:8] ²¹ Or does not the Potter hold authority or have a right pertaining to clay, forth from out of the same kneaded mixture (effect of uniform mixture) to make the one a container (a vessel; an instrument; a utensil) into honor and value, yet the other into an unhonored one (a worthless one; one without value; one deprived of privileges; or: = one for common use)? ²² Now since (or: So what if) God – habitually willing (or: repeatedly intending) to display and demonstrate inherent fervor, natural impulse, propensity and disposition (or: teeming passion; swelling desire; or: anger, wrath and indignation), and also to make known by personal experience His power and ability – in much long-suffering (long-breathing; forbearance) bears and carries (or: brought forth and produced; or: enduringly supports while moving) containers (vessels; instruments; utensils) of natural impulse (belonging to a passionate disposition; displaying inherent fervor; from teeming passion and swelling desire; or: of anger; having the character of wrath; owned by indignation), being folks having been fully outfitted, thoroughly prepared and made correspondingly adequate for loss (or: having equipped, adapted and adjusted themselves down into ruin, waste and destruction [of their well-being]), and now continuing in this condition, ²³ [it is] to the end that He could and would (or: may) also at some point make known by intimate experience the wealth of His glory (or: of His manifestation of that which calls forth praise; of the glory which is Him; which pertains to His reputation; from His imagination and opinion) upon containers of mercy (instruments of mercy), which He beforehand prepares into [being] (or: made ready and provides into the midst of) a manifestation of [that] glory ²⁴ – even us, whom He calls (or: at one point summoned; invites), not only from out of the Jews, but further, even from out of the nations (or: out of the ethnic multitudes, also; forth from the Gentiles, too). ²⁵ And so, as He is saying in Hosea, "The one [that is] not My people, I will be continually (or: one-after-another) calling, 'My people,' and her being one that had not been loved, 'Beloved one;' ²⁶ "and it will proceed being in the place where it was declared to them, 'You folks [are] not My people,' there they will continue being called 'sons of [the] Living God.'" [Hos. 2:23; 1:10] ²⁷ Now Isaiah is repeatedly crying out over Israel, "If ever (or: Even if) the number of the sons of Israel may (or: should; would) be as the sand of the sea, [even] the destitute remainder (or: the fully forsaken; [even] the minority under the effect of lack; the subjected, left-behind surviving group; the failing part left below) will continue being delivered (saved, healed and made whole; rescued); ²⁸ "for the Lord [= Yahweh] will progressively produce a Word of bringing ends together (or: will repeatedly construct a thought of completing combinations; will continue doing an accounting of combining goals together; will continue creating [the] message of finishing things together; will habitually perform [the] Logos of combined maturities and joined destinies) and of cutting things together (of combined or summary cuttings) upon the land (or: earth)." [Isa. 10:22-23] ²⁹ And further, just as Isaiah before declared, "Except the Lord [= Yahweh] of Hosts left a seed down within for us (or: conserved a seed in or by us), we would become as Sodom, and we would be made like as (or: likened to) Gomorrah." [Isa. 1:9] ³⁰ What, then, shall we continue declaring? That [the] nations (ethnic multitudes; Gentiles; non-Israelites) – the ones not constantly pursuing (pressing forward rapidly after) rightwisedness (covenant inclusion which is right and fair relationship with equitable dealings in accord to the Way pointed out; a turning in the right direction on the Path) – overtook, seized and took-down this rightwisedness as a possession: yet [it is] a rightwisedness (a turning to equity and justice in the Way; = covenant membership and participation) that [is] forth from out of the midst of faith, trust and conviction (or: [Christ's] faithfulness)! ³¹ However Israel, habitually pursuing a Law which was rightwisedness (right and fair relationship with equitable dealings in accord to the way pointed out [to them]; right living on the path) did not precede [the others] into [that] principle or custom (or: did not outstrip or sooner arrive unto [such] a law or custom [other MSS add: which was justice and rightwised living]; = did not reach, ahead of other folks, what the Torah promised). ³² Through what cause (or: Why)? Because [it was] not forth from out of a source of faith, trust and conviction, but rather as from out of works (actions) as its source. They dash against, trip and stumble on (or: by) the Stone that caused the Stumbling-effect, ³³ Just as it has been written, "Look and consider! I am repeatedly placing in Zion a 'Stone of Stumbling,' and a 'Rock of a trap-snare.' And the one habitually believing upon Him (or: It) will not continue being brought to shame, disgrace, or disappointment." [Isa. 28:16]

¹ A scroll of a lineage and birth (or: genesis; origin; genealogy) of Jesus Christ (or: Jesus [the] Anointed One; = Jesus [the] Messiah) – son of David; son of Abraham. [note: the term "son" can mean "a descendant," or, "one having the qualities and characteristics of"] ² Abraham generated and became the father of Isaac; then Isaac produces Jacob, and then Jacob produced Judah and his brothers. ³ Now Judah produced Perez and Zerah from out of Tamar, then Perez produced Hezron, and Hezron begat Aram (= Ram). ⁴ Then Aram (Ram) produced Amminadab, Amminadab sired Nahshon, and Nahshon effected Salmon's birth. ⁵ Later Salmon generated Boaz from out of Rahab, then Boaz produced Obed from out of Ruth and Obed begat Jesse. ⁶ Now [it was] Jesse [who] effected the birth of David, the king. And then David caused the birth of Solomon from out of the woman (= wife) [that had] belonged to Uriah. ⁷ Later Solomon fathered Rehoboam, next Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah generated Asa. ⁸ Now Asa effected the birth of Jehoshaphat (or: Joshaphat), then Jehoshaphat produced Jehoram and Jehoram caused the birth of Uzziah. ⁹ Later Uzziah produced Jotham, next Jotham begat Ahaz, then Ahaz generated Hezekiah. ¹⁰ Now Hezekiah produced Manasseh, Manasseh produced Amos (or: Amon), and Amos (Amon) begat Josiah. ¹¹ Then Josiah generated Jechoniah and his brothers upon the [occasion of] the change of abode (= deportation and exile) to Babylon. ¹² Now after the change of abode (deportation; exile) to Babylon, Jechoniah begat Shealtiel, then Shealtiel produced Zerubbabel, ¹³ Zerubbabel generated Abiud (or: Abihud), Abiud produced Eliakim, and Eliakim sired Azor. ¹⁴ Then Azor begets Zadok, Zadok produces Achim, and Achim fathers Eliud. ¹⁵ Later Eliud causes the birth of Eleazar, then Eleazar generates Matthan, and Matthan produces Jacob. ¹⁶ Now [it was] Jacob [who] fathered Joseph, the husband of Mary – from out of whom Jesus, the One being normally called Christ (or: termed Anointed [= Messiah]), was given birth. ¹⁷ Consequently, all the generation from Abraham until David [were] fourteen generations, and from David until the change of abode (the deportation and exile) to Babylon [were] fourteen generations, and from the change of abode to Babylon until the Christ [were] fourteen generations.

¹³ Also, may You not bring (or: carry) us into an ordeal or a putting to the proof – neither by trial, nor by temptation, nor by examination. But to the contrary, rescue us away from the bad situation (the wicked person; the miserable condition; the painful labor; the unprofitable endeavor; the malicious man). [later MSS add: because Yours is the reign (kingdom) and the ability (power) and the manifestation which calls forth praise (the reputation; the glory), on into the ages. It is true (Make it so; Amen).]'

³⁷ "The person habitually having fondness and affection for father and mother over and above for Me is not suitable for Me (or: worthy or of equal value with regards to Me). Likewise the person continuing in having fondness and affection for a son or daughter over and above for Me is not suitable for Me (worthy of Me).

²⁵ Speaking from a discerning and decided perception within that fitting situation (or: during that particular season [of ministry]; or: at that strategic moment), Jesus said, "I continue outwardly acclaiming My concurrence with You, publicly saying the same thing as You, O Father – Owner, Lord and Master of the heaven and of the earth (or: of the sky and atmosphere, as well as of the land) – that You hide (or: because You hid) these things from 'wise folks' (or: 'clever people') and 'understanding, intelligent, intellectuals,' and You unveil (or: revealed; disclosed) them to infants (babes who are not yet able to speak; = untutored, untaught, ordinary folks). ²⁶ "Yes Father, because in this way goodwill is birthed in front of You (or: because thus does Your thought, imagination and presuming of ease and wellness come into existence in Your presence)!"

¹⁴ "And so the prophecy of Isaiah is progressively being filled up in (or: for; by) them – the one continuing in saying, 'In listening you folks will keep on hearing, and yet you can by no means have things flow together so as to get the picture or see the relationships (or: comprehend or understand), and while constantly looking, you will continue observing, and yet you can by no means see so as to perceive. ¹⁵ 'For the heart of this people was made thick and fat, and thus has become impervious, dull and insensitive, and with the ears they hear heavily, and are thus hard of hearing, and they shut (or: closed) their eyes (or: they squint their eyes), lest at some time they might see with [their] eyes and should then be listening and hearing with [their] ears, and with the heart they could make things flow together so as to comprehend – and they might turn about! And so, I will progressively cure and heal them!' [Isa. 6:9-10] (or: ... and they squint their eyes! At some point should they not see with [their] eyes, and continue listening so as to hear with [their] ears, and thus understand in the heart? And then they can turn around, and I will continue healing them!')

⁵⁷ And thus, they continued being stumbled and entrapped by this trap-stick (snare) in Him. So Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not un-honored or without value, except in the midst of his own fatherland (home territory) and within his own household."

¹⁶ Now Simon Peter, making a discerning and decided reply, said, "You, Yourself, continue being the Anointed One (the Christ; = the Messiah), the living God's Son!"

¹⁶ And now, consider this: One person, after approaching Him, said, "Teacher, what good shall I proceed doing (or, as a subjunctive: what virtuous act or excellent and worthwhile deed can I perform) to the end that I can hold and possess eonian life (life having the character and qualities of the Age and whose source is the Age; life for the ages)?" ¹⁷ So He said to him, "Why are you now proceeding in asking Me about the Good? One continuously exists being (or: is) the Good. (or: What do you now inquire of Me concerning 'goodness and virtue'? Excellence {Intrinsic value; Quality; Good; Virtue} is one {or: unity; oneness}.) Yet, if you continue desiring and intending to enter into the Life, continue habitually observing, guarding and keeping the implanted goals (impartation of the finished product within; inward directives)." ¹⁸ He then responds to Him, "Which (or: Which sort; Which ones)?" So Jesus affirms, "These: 'You will not continue committing murder. 'You will not continue committing adultery, 'You will not continue stealing. 'You will not continue bearing a false witness or giving a false testimony.' [Ex. 20:13] ¹⁹ -720'You will continue honoring and expressing value to the father and the mother.' [Ex. 20:12] 'You will continue loving the one near you (your neighbor and associate) as he were yourself,'" [Lev. 19:18] ²⁰ The young man then replies to Him, "I keep watch over and maintain all these. What yet am I habitually lacking; where am I still deficient and falling behind?"

¹⁵ "'Is it not allowed by law and custom for me to do that which I continue wanting and intending, in [regard] to my own things? Or does your eye continue being worthless (= is your way of viewing things knavish, base, unsound and in a poor condition, or even malicious and degenerate) because I, myself, continue being good (virtuous; = having generous and benevolent qualities)?'

³³ "Listen, and hear another illustration (parable): There was a man (human), a householder, who planted a vineyard. Then he put a fence (or: wall; hedge) around it and excavated a trough-shaped receptacle as a winepress. Next he erected a viewing tower, then he leased [the vineyard] out to farmer who would cultivate and dress the vines. With that, he left his home country and traveled abroad.

⁴² Jesus is then saying to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'A stone which the builders rejected as the result of a test – this one is birthed into (or: comes to be for) a head of a corner (= a keystone; a capstone; a cornerstone). This [head] was birthed (came into existence) from [the] Lord's [=Yahweh's] side (or: presence), and it is wonderful and marvelous in our eyes'? [Ps. 118:22-23]

⁴⁴ "Further, the person falling upon this Stone will progressively be shattered together. Yet upon whom it may likely fall, It will be progressively winnowing him and scattering the chaff."

³¹ "As a result, you are continually giving evidence in yourselves (testifying to and for yourselves) that you exist being sons of those that were murdering the prophets, ³² "And so, you, yourselves... Fill full the measure of your fathers! ³³ "[You] snakes! [You] offspring (brood) of vipers (poisonous serpents)! How can you flee and escape from the judging which has the qualities, character and significance of the valley of Hinnom (= the sentence to the city dump [Greek: Gehenna]; the deciding which pertains to the waste depository of the city)?

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]

³⁵ "The heaven and the earth (or: The atmosphere and sky, as well as the land,) will pass on by, yet My thoughts and words (or: ideas and messages) can by no means pass on by.

²⁰ "constantly teaching and progressively training them to habitually watch over, guard, keep and maintain everything (or: all things) – as many things as I Myself implanted as goals (imparted as the finished product within; gave as interior, destiny-laden directives) in and for you folks. And now – look and consider this! – I Myself continuously am (exist being) with you folks all the days, on until the joint-goal (or: the conjunction; the end [of all] brought together; the conclusion, consummation and fruition; the combined finished product and actualization) of the age (or: which is that Age [= the Age of the Messiah]; or: as far as the attending and associated end of this age; or: until the consummation brought by the Age [of Messiah])." [written circa A.D. 40-60 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]

²¹ "because, [you see], the Son of the Man (the son of the human; the Human Being) is indeed progressively leading the way under (or: is now going away), just as (or: accordingly as) it has been written about (or: concerning) Him, yet [there is] disaster (woe; calamity; or: Alas!) to (for; in) that person (human; man) through whom the Son of the Man is being progressively given over! It was being beautiful in and ideal for Him – if that person (human) had not been given birth (or: were not born)!"

¹⁷ "And so, he himself will continue advancing in His presence (or: going forward in His sight) – within and in union with a breath-effect (or: wind) and ability having the character and qualities of Elijah (or: in association with Elijah's spirit and power; or: in an attitude and an ability which is Elijah [= God is Yah]) – ‘to turn back hearts of fathers upon children,’ [Mal. 3:23] and stubborn folks (or: incompliant ones; unpersuaded people) in a thoughtful (sensible; prudent) frame of mind which has the character and qualities of fairness, equity, rightwised relationships, and justice which pertain to the Way pointed out: to prepare and make a people having been fully formed into vessels and utensils, as well as being completely furnished and supplied with equipment, by, for and in [the] Lord [= Yahweh]."

⁵⁴ "He, Himself, takes the place and position belonging to Israel, His boy (or: He took for Himself the stead pertaining to Israel, His servant boy; He has taken in Himself the part of Israel, His boy), to have [them] reminded of mercy, ⁵⁵ "just and correspondingly as He spoke [it] to our fathers – to Abraham and to his seed (= descendants) – on into the Age."

⁶⁹ "And He raises up a horn of deliverance (rescue; safety; health and wholeness; salvation) for us within the midst of His boy David's house, ⁷⁰ "Just and correspondingly as He spoke through [the] mouth of His set-apart (or: holy) prophets from [that] age, ⁷¹ " [about] a deliverance (rescue; safety; health and wholeness; salvation) from out of the midst our enemies, and from out of [the] hand of all those constantly hating us and repeatedly treating us with ill will, ⁷² "to do (or: perform; form; construct; create) mercy with our fathers, and to have called to mind His set-apart (or: holy) arrangement (thorough setting and placement; covenant; testament): ⁷³ "an oath (solemn promise) which He swore to Abraham, our father, ⁷⁴ "to give to us – upon being drug out of danger from [the] hand of enemies – ⁷⁵ "to fearlessly render habitual sacred, public service to Him, in pious ways sanctioned by divine law and in accord to the way pointed out (or: with [covenant] fairness, equity, justice and right relationships) in His sight (or: before Him and in His presence) for all our days.

³⁴ Then Simeon spoke good words to (or: blessed) them, and said to Mary (Miriam), His mother, "Look and consider! This One continues lying down into the midst of a fall, and then a standing back up again, of many people within Israel – and into a sign being constantly spoken in opposition to, and being repeatedly contradicted!

⁸ "Be at once, then, producing fruit of corresponding value to (or: of equal worth of; worthy of) the aforementioned change of mind and way of thinking! And so, you should not start (or: begin) to be repeatedly saying among yourselves, 'We continue having Abraham [as; for] a father,' for I am now saying to you folks that God continues able (constantly has power) to raise up children to (or: for) Abraham from out of the midst of these stones!

²³ And so this same Jesus, Himself starting to rule (or: progressively beginning), was about thirty years [old], being a son – as it continued commonly established by Law, legal to Joseph, [but] – of (or: from) Eli, ²⁴ [a son] of Matthat, [son] of Levi, [son] of Melchi, [son] of Jannai, [son] of Joseph. ²⁵ [He was a son] of Mattathias, [son] of Amos, [son] of Nahum, [son] of Esli, [son] of Naggai, ²⁶ [son] of Maath, [son] of Mattathias, [son] of Semein, [son] of Josech, [son] of Joda (or: Yoda), ²⁷ [son] of Joanan, [son] of Rhesa, [son] of Zerubbabel, [son] of Shealthiel, [son] of Neri, ²⁸ [son] of Melchi, [son] of Addi, [son] of Cosam, [son] of Elmadam, [son] of Er, ²⁹ [son] of Jesus, [son] of Eliezer, [son] of Jorim, [son] of Matthat, [son] of Levi, ³⁰ [son] of Simeon, [son] of Judah, [son] of Joseph, [son] of Jonam, [son] of Eliakim, ³¹ [son] of Melea, [son] of Menna, [son] of Mattathah, [son] of Nathan, [son] of David, ³² [son] of Jesse, [son] of Obed, [son] of Boaz, [son] of Salmon, [son] of Nahshon, ³³ [son] of Amminadab, [son] of Arni, [son] of Hezron, [son] of Pherez, [son] of Judah, ³⁴ [son] of Jacob, [son] of Isaac, [son] of Abraham, [son] of Terah, [son] of Nahor, ³⁵ [son] of Serug, [son] of Reu, [son] of Peleg, [son] of Eber, [son] of Shelah, ³⁶ [son] of Cainan, [son] of Arphaxad, [son] of Shem, [son] of Noah, [son] of Lamech, ³⁷ [son] of Methuselah, [son] of Enoch, [son] of Jared, [son] of Mahalaleel, [son] of Cainan, ³⁸ [son] of Enos (or: Enosh), [son] of Seth, [son] of Adam, [son] of God. [note: Following Joseph, in vs. 23, each name of this genealogy is a genitive or ablative phrase. Thus, alternate renderings of the last part of vs. 38 are: ... belonging to, or from, Adam, belonging to, or from, God; or: ... whose source is Adam, whose source is God; or, as a genitive of apposition: ... who is Adam, who is God; comment: this last function of the genitive would indicate a continuity, from God, through Adam, and on through the rest of the genealogy]

²³ "Further, whoever should not be caused to trip the spring of a trap or to stumble into a snare of offense at Me is a happy and blessed person."

²¹ Within the same hour, He expresses extreme joy (or: transports supreme happiness and exultation) to the Set-apart Spirit (or: in the set-apart Breath-effect; by the Holy Spirit; for the sacred spirit; with the Sacred Attitude), and says, "I am in Myself constantly speaking out the same thought, word and message by You (or: I am, Myself, habitually confessing out and acclaiming to You), O Father – Lord of the heaven (or: Owner of the atmosphere and sky) and the earth (or: Land) – because You carefully hid (or: conceal) these things from wise folks and intelligent people (folks that can make thing flow together to thoroughly comprehend), and then revealed (or: uncover; unveil) them to (or: in; by; for) babies (infants not yet able to speak). Yes, O Father, because thus well-thinking is birthed (or: it thus came to be an approved notion and an imagination of ease and well-being bring good pleasure) in front of You (= in Your presence).

²⁶ "If anyone continues coming to (or: toward) Me, and does not habitually regard with a negative will (= put lesser importance to; hate, in the sense of giving less preference to) his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters – and still [more], even his own soul-life (his inner being and its concerns; the person which is himself) – he has no power and is unable to be My disciple!

²⁴ "And so he, shouting a call, said, 'Father Abraham, mercy me (do at once that which will be merciful to me) and at once send Lazarus (means: God's helper; or: God is the Helper) so that he can (or: may) immerse (dip; baptize) the tip of his finger [in] water, and then can cool down my tongue – because I continue being pained within the midst of this flame.' ²⁵ "But Abraham said, 'Child (or: Born one; or: Descendant), be reminded that within your life (or: lifetime) you took away (or: received from; or: got in full) your good things (or: the good things that pertain to you; the good things that had their source in you), and Lazarus likewise the bad things (the [experiences] of poor quality; the worthless things; the harmful and injurious [treatments]; the [conditions] as they ought not to be). But at the present time, here he continues being called alongside and given relief, aid, comfort and consolation, yet you yourself continue being given pain. 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.'

³⁰ "Yet he said, 'O no (or: = That's not enough; or: = They won't), father Abraham. However, if someone from [the] dead people should go his way (or: travel) to them, they will proceed to change their minds (or: have a change in their way of thinking) [and be returning to Yahweh]!'

⁴¹ And then, as He came near, upon seeing (or: viewing and perceiving) the City, He wept (or: wailed; or: lamented; or: cried, shedding tears as an expression of grief) upon it (= over its condition and situation), ⁴² then saying, "If you, even you yourself, knew by intimate experience or had discerned in this day the things [leading, moving or tending] toward peace (= shalom; [other MSS: your peace])! – but at this time it is (or: has been) hidden from your eyes – ⁴³ "that days will proceed arriving upon you, and your enemies will be progressively setting up an encampment beside you and will continue casting up a mound beside [you and] a staked fortification (or: rampart) on (or: next to) you, and next will proceed to encircle and surround you, then continue bringing and enclosing pressure on you from every side! ⁴⁴ "Later, they will proceed in dashing you to the ground and razing you, as well as your children within the midst of you – then they will continue not leaving stone upon stone (or: a stone on a stone) within you – in return for what things? Because you do not know the season (or: had no intimate or personal awareness so as to recognize the occasion; have no insights about the fertile moment) of your visitation and inspection."

¹ Within a beginning (or: In union with Headship and Sovereignty) there was the Logos (the Word; the Thought; the collection of thoughts; the Idea; the Reason; the discourse; the communication; the verbal expression). And the Logos (the idea; the thought; the expression; the Word) was facing, [directed, and moving] toward, (or: continued being face to face with) God. And the Logos (the Word; the thought; the idea; the reason; the expression) continued being God.
(or: Originally, within the midst of the first principle, the Word was existing and continued to be, and the Word was being [projected] toward God. And this Word, It was existing actually being God;
or: In command was Reason, and Reason was staying with God, for Reason was just what God was;
or: The Thought was in the midst of [the] Source, the Thought was oriented toward Deity, and the Thought was [an extension of] Deity;
or: In beginning, the collected and put side by side Thoughts continued in progressive existence, and the collected and put side by side Thoughts continued being a progression to God, and God {“the Divine Mystery” – Paul Tillich's definition of theos} was in continued existence being those collected and put side by side Thoughts;
or: In union with [the] beginning there was the continued existence of the Idea, and the Idea was continued existence face to face with God, and the Idea continued in existence being “the Divine Mystery;”
or: In beginning, the Word continued Being. Then the Word was Being directed toward God. And yet the Word was Being God;
or: Within the power of beginning – which is the controlling principle and power of the entire process – there existed the Idea, and the Idea was aimed at and moving toward God.
Also, the Idea existed being God). ² This (or: This One) was continuing in existence, within a power of beginning and in union with Headship and Sovereign principle, facing [directed, and moving] toward (or: staying with) God. ³ All things (or: All humanity; [The] whole) come to be (or: was at some time birthed; occur; or: came to be; were birthed; or: suddenly happened) through and by means of It (i.e., the Word; or: Him), and apart from It (or: Him) not even one thing comes into being (occurs; was birthed; came into being; happens) which has come into being (which has occurred; which has happened).

¹² Yet, as many as receive It (or: took Him) – to the ones habitually trusting and believing into Its Name (or: His Name) – It gives (or: He gave) to them (or: for them; in them) authority ([the] right; or: privilege from out of the midst of Being) to be birthed (or: to become) God’s children (born ones), ¹³ who are born (or: were given birth) not out of bloods (or: [flows] of blood), neither forth from the will of flesh (or: from the intent of a flesh [ceremony]), nor yet out of the will (purpose; intent) of an adult male, but to the contrary, from out of the midst of God!

¹³ who are born (or: were given birth) not out of bloods (or: [flows] of blood), neither forth from the will of flesh (or: from the intent of a flesh [ceremony]), nor yet out of the will (purpose; intent) of an adult male, but to the contrary, from out of the midst of God!

¹⁷ because the Law was given through Moses, yet grace and truth are birthed (or: joyous favor and reality came to be) through Jesus Christ.

⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathaniel progressively coming toward Him, and He begins saying about him, "Look, and pay attention: truly an Israelite, within whom exists (or: there continues being) no deceit (bait or contrivance for entrapping; fraud; guile)!"

⁸ "The Spirit (or: Breath; Attitude) habitually breathes and blows where It (or: He) is presently intending (willing; purposing), and you continually hear It’s (or: His) voice, but yet you have not seen, and thus do not know, from what source It continuously comes, and where It goes and brings [things and folks] under control. (or: The wind constantly blows where it presently sets its will, and you constantly hear it’s sound, but yet you have not seen and do not know from where it is coming, nor where it is going; or: = The wind continuously blows and the Spirit normally breathes – in the place that each has purpose. And so you are often hearing the sound that either make, although you have not perceived from what place it is presently coming, as well as to what place it is presently leading, under [its influence or control].) Thus is everyone (or: does everyone constantly exist being) – the one being birthed, having been born forth from out of the midst of the Spirit (or: Breath; Attitude)."

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)."

³³ The [Jewish leaders] considered and replied to Him, "We are Abraham's seed (offspring; descendants), and we have served as slaves to no one at any time. How are you now saying, 'You will progressively come to be free ones'?"

³⁷ "I have seen and know that you people are Abraham's seed (offspring; descendants), but now you men continue seeking to kill Me, because My word (message; thought; idea; discourse) is not continuing to have room and make progress within you guys. ³⁸ "I am habitually speaking things which I Myself have seen, [being] at the side of (or: present with) the [other MSS: My] Father, and you folks are yourselves therefore habitually doing [p75: speaking] things which you hear (or: heard) at the side of your father [with other MSS: ... and so are you people then by practice doing what you have seen at the side of the Father?]." ³⁹ In calculated reply, they said to Him, "OUR father is Abraham!" Jesus then says to them, "If (or: Since) you folks are Abraham's children, be continually doing Abraham's deeds (actions; works). [other MSS: If you folks were Abrahams' children, were you ever doing Abraham's works (deeds; acts)?]

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)."

³⁵ "Since He said 'gods' [= elohim] to whom God's Word (or: Logos) came to be (or: toward whom the Idea, whose source and origin is God, was birthed; toward whom God's message proceeded and was directed into existence) – and it is not possible (or: there is no power) for the Scripture [= the Tanakh] to be loosened, to be undone so as to nullify, or to be destroyed –

⁵² and not over [the condition of] the Nation (or: on behalf of the ethnic group) only, but further, to the end that He could gather God's children together – those having been thoroughly scattered – into one (or: so that He would lead together into unity God’s divided, dissipated and disintegrated born-ones that have been dispersed throughout).

²⁵ "The person being constantly fond of (maintaining an emotional attachment to; continuing in devoted affection for) his soul (or: soul-life; interior being; = self) progressively destroys it (or: her), and in contrast, the one constantly hating (regarding with less affection or with ill-will) his soul (or: soul-life; interior being) within this System (world; ordered arrangement; = this cultural, political and religious society) will safeguard (keep in watchful custody and preserve) it, [leading] on into eonian life (life of and for the ages; life having the qualities and characteristics of the Age; life for, pertaining to, and having its source in, the Age [of Messiah]).

²⁷ "for the Father, Himself, continuously likes, has fond affection for, and is constantly friendly to you people, because you have liked and been friendly to, and even have shown fond affection for Me, and further, you folks have trusted and still believe that I came out from God's side (or: came forth from beside God).

²⁶ "and I made Your Name intimately known to them – and I will continue making It experientially known, to the end that the love [in; with] which You love Me can (would; may; could) continuously be (or: exist) within the midst of and among them – and I Myself within the midst of, among, and in union with them."

²³ "This Man, given up out of the midst in and by the specific, determined, bounded (limited) plan (intended purpose, design and counsel) and foreknowledge (intimate knowledge which was experienced beforehand) of God (or: whose source and character was God; or: which pertained to and was God), you folks, through the hand (= agency) of people not bound by the Law (= folks without knowledge of and not living in accordance to the Torah), took up and assassinated by fastening [Him] to [an execution stake (or: a cross)],

³⁹ "For you see, the promise is (continuously exists being) to and for (and in?) you folks, as well as to (for; in?) your children – even to and for (and in?) all people: to and for (and in?) the folks [being] a long way off – in such an amount as [the] Lord [= Yahweh] our God would call to [Himself]!"

²⁵ "You yourselves are the sons of the prophets and of that which was thoroughly set in order and arranged through the covenant, which God fully arranged (or: covenanted) to, and with a view toward, your fathers (= ancestors), progressively saying to Abraham, 'And so, within and in union with your Seed, all the families (or: kinship groups; clans; tribes) of the earth (or: land) shall proceed being blessed and will continue having words of goodness, ease and well-being spoken to and about them.' [Gen. 22:18; 26:4] ²⁶ "To you folks first, God, in raising up His Servant, sent Him forth continually blessing you and repeatedly speaking words of goodness, ease and well-being within the [situation for] constantly and progressively turning each one away from your misery-gushed situation of worthless conditions, laborious works, painful relationships, malicious deeds, wicked plans and evil thoughts and dispositions."

²⁷ "For in truth (actuality; reality) both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with ethnic multitudes and [the] People of Israel – [coming] upon (= against) Your set-apart Servant (or: holy Boy) Jesus, Whom You anointed – were gathered together (thus: were made to join forces) in this city ²⁸ "to do whatever (or: as many things as) Your hand and Your counsel (purpose; plan; intent; design) previously marked out the bounds for and limited beforehand to be happening (to come to be; to occur).

²³ "Now as forty year's time was progressively being fulfilled to (or: for; in; by; with) him, it walked up upon his heart (= it occurred in the core of his being) to visit and look upon (or: see for himself and inspect) his brothers (= his fellows; his countrymen) – the sons (= the people) of Israel. ²⁴ "Then, upon seeing someone [D, E add: of his kinsmen (or: fellow tribesmen)] being repeatedly injured and treated wrongly (unjustly; unfairly), he at once defended [him] and took revenge for the person being abused (worn down by exhaustive labor and knavish treatment), striking a fatal blow on the Egyptian [D* adds: and hid him in the sand]. ²⁵ "Now he had been assuming from what was customary [that] the brothers (= his people) would then be grasping that God was presently giving deliverance to them through his hand [note: e.g., in his striking the Egyptian] – but they did not put that together so as to comprehend [this]. ²⁶ "And so, on the following day, he was seen by them as [some] men continued fighting [D* adds: and he saw them behaving unfairly and bringing injury], and thus he began attempting to negotiate with them a change into peace, saying, 'Men! You are brothers (= fellow countrymen)! Why [is it] that you continue injuring one another and behaving unfairly (or: unjustly)?'

¹⁵ Yet the Lord [= Christ] said to him, "Be presently going (or: Go, and continue on your way), because this one is (or: exists being) a vessel of choice to Me (or: a picked our and chosen instrument for Me) to lift up and carry My Name before (in the sight and presence of) the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; Gentiles; non-Israelites) – as well as [before] kings and [the] sons (= people) of Israel.

²⁶ "Men! Brothers! Sons of the race (or: family) of Abraham as well as those among you continuously fearing God (or: [who] are God-fearers)! The Logos (Word; message) of this deliverance (salvation; return to health, wholeness and our original state of being) was sent forth out to us [other MSS: you]!

³² "And thus we ourselves continue bringing and declaring [to] you folks the good news [about] the promise that was being birthed to (or: was coming into existence, or occurring, toward) our fathers (= ancestors), ³³ "that God has filled this out of [our] midst (or: has fully fulfilled this) for (or: to; in) our children [other MSS: us, their children,] in raising (resurrecting; standing back up again) Jesus – even as it has been written in the second Psalm, 'You are My Son; I Myself have given birth to You today (or: today I Myself have become Your Father).' [D adds: You see then, request of Me and I will proceed giving to You the ethnic multitudes (nations and people groups) {for} Your allotted inheritance, and the limits and uttermost parts of the earth {as} Your firmly held possession.] [Ps. 2:7]

⁴⁷ "You see, thus has the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] directed to us: 'I have placed (or: set) you unto [being] a light of nations (ethnic multitudes; non-Jews), [in order for] you to be [placed] into the midst of a deliverance (a rescue and a return to health and wholeness; a restoring to the original state of being and condition) as far as [the] last [point] of the earth!'" [Isa. 49:6] ⁴⁸ Now upon hearing [this], the non-Jews (the [folks of the] nations and ethnic groups) began rejoicing and continued glorifying (enhancing the reputation of) the message from God (God's Logos: God's Word and idea). And so they trusted and believed – whoever were folks having been set and arranged into an eonian life (or: into life which has is source and quality from the Age).

¹⁴ "Simeon led [us] out and unfolded, relating in detail, how God first (or: first of all; in the first [place]) made a visit (and: took an attentive look characterized by complete care) to at one point take from out of the midst of the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; folks who were non-Jews) a people for His Name (= as His representatives and for His glory; or: by His Name [= power and authority]; in His Name [= possession and realm of being]; with His Name [= character and reputation]; to His Name).

³⁰ Next, after leading them outside [D adds: and upon securing the rest {of the prisoners}], he said to them, "Sirs (or: [My] lords; Masters) what is it now necessary for me to continue doing or keep on performing so that I can be kept safe (or: rescued)?" ³¹ So these men said, "At once place your trust and confidence upon the Lord Jesus (or: the Master, Jesus), and then you as well as your household will be kept safe (or: rescued and kept from trouble or danger [from the consequences of these events])." ³² Later, they spoke God's [other MSS: the Lord's {= Christ's or Yahweh's}] Word (or: God's idea and thoughts; God's Logos; God's message) to him [and] to all the folks within his house (or: household), together. ³³ Then, taking them along in that very hour of the night, he washed [the bruises from] the blows, and bathed [their] stripes. Next he himself was immersed (baptized), along with all his folks (= family, or, those belonging to him; [p45 reads: his whole house]), instantly and effectively. ³⁴ Besides this, leading (or: bringing) them up into the house, he placed beside [them] a table (= fed them a meal). Then, after having put faith on God, and now being in a state of confident trust in and loyalty to [Him], he expressed extreme gladness, leaping and skipping in ecstatic delight, along with all the household.

³¹ "In accord with that, He set (or: established) a Day within which He is progressively about to continue evaluating and deciding about (or: judging) the inhabited area [of the Empire], in fairness and equity (in union with rightwised relationships for making things right and in accord with the Way pointed out; also: = based upon covenant principles; or: = as being in covenant) – within a Man, [D adds: Jesus,] Whom He definitely marked out, furnishing faith to all people (providing trust and assurance for all mankind; tendering loyalty in all) by raising Him back up from the midst of dead ones."

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.

¹⁷ [D reads: Then departing from there], with our coming to be [arrived] into the midst of Jerusalem, the brothers (= community of believers) favorably and gladly welcomed and received us. ¹⁸ So on the following [day], Paul was proceeding to be entering in with us to [meet with] Jacob (or: James). All the older men (or: elders) came to be present, as well. ¹⁹ Then, after greeting and embracing them, he began leading out with a detailed account, unfolding one by one each of the things which God had done among the ethnic multitudes (= the non-Jews of the nations) through his attending service. ²⁰ Now after hearing [these things] they began giving the glory and ascribing the reputation to God [D and other MSS: the Lord (= Yahweh, or, Christ)]. Besides this, they said to him, "Brother, you are now observing and noticing how many tens of thousands there are among the Jews of those having trusted and are continuing in believing – and they all continue humbly from their beginning being zealots of the Law (or: zealous about the Law).

²⁶ "'Go your way at once to this People and say, "By listening (or: In hearing), you people will continue hearing (or: listening) and yet by no means would you understand (or: could you make things flow together). And then, while constantly looking and observing, you folks will continue looking and observing, and yet by no means would you see (or: could you perceive). ²⁷ "You see, the heart of this People was made fat and thick (fleshy and stout; clotted and coarse; massive and gross; = thick-witted and stupid) and with [their] ears they hear heavily (= with difficulty and without response), and they squint or close their eyes – lest at some point they would (or: could) see with [their] eyes and should hear with [their] ears, and would understand (make things fit together) with the heart, and then could turn about and return – and so, I will proceed progressively (or: one-after-another) healing them!"' [Isa. 6:9-10] ²⁸ "Therefore, continue letting it be known by you folks that this restoration to health and wholeness – this rescue, deliverance and salvation – was (or: has been) sent off to, for, and among the ethnic people groups (the multitudes of the nations)! And they themselves will keep on listening, then in and for themselves will continue (or: be progressively) hearing!"

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);

⁷ to (or: for) all those being in Rome: God’s loved ones (folks dearly loved of God), set-apart (holy) called ones, joyous grace and peace to you (or: favor and harmony [= shalom] [are] in and with you) from God, our Father and Lord, Jesus Christ (or: from our Father God, and [the] Master, Jesus Christ; or: from God our Father, even [the] Owner – [the] Anointed Jesus).

⁹ For you see, God is my Witness (or: continuously exists being my Evidence) – to and in Whom I continuously render service (or: for Whom I am hired to constantly work), within my spirit (or: in union with my Breath-effect; in my attitude), within His Son’s good news (or: in union with the message of goodness, ease and well-being pertaining to, coming from, having the character of, and which is, His Son) – how unintermittingly (without intervals in between; unceasingly) I am habitually constructing a memory (or: producing a recollection) pertaining to you (or: making mention of you folks),

¹⁷ for in It God’s justice (solidarity in fairness and equity; righteousness; [covenantal] qualities of the Way pointed out; way of righting what is wrong; right relationship [with us]; means of turning us in the right direction) is continuously and progressively being unveiled (revealed; disclosed), from out of faith (or: forth from out of the midst of trust and conviction), [proceeding] into faith ([leading] into the midst of trust and conviction), according as it has been written, "But the one righteous (or: just) out-of-faith will himself continue living (or: Yet the Just One will experience life in himself from out of faith; or: Now the one in accord with the Way pointed out from trust, will in himself be living; or: And the person rightwised from out of faith will continuously live; or: So the One being fair and equitable from trust will progressively receive life into Himself from that trust)." [Hab. 2:4] ¹⁸ You see, God’s personal emotion (or: inherent fervor; mental bent; natural impulse; teeming desire and swelling passion; temperament; disposition; or: anger; wrath) is continuously and progressively being unveiled (revealed; disclosed) from heaven upon every irreverence (lack of awe or absence of pious fear; disrespect) and injustice (wrong; unrighteousness; situation or act contrary to the Way pointed out) of mankind (or: that arises from humans) – the folks continuously holding down (restraining; stopping while possessing) the Truth (or: reality) in the sphere of (or: within the midst of) injustice (unrighteousness; that which is not right; unfairness and inequality) –

¹⁸ You see, God’s personal emotion (or: inherent fervor; mental bent; natural impulse; teeming desire and swelling passion; temperament; disposition; or: anger; wrath) is continuously and progressively being unveiled (revealed; disclosed) from heaven upon every irreverence (lack of awe or absence of pious fear; disrespect) and injustice (wrong; unrighteousness; situation or act contrary to the Way pointed out) of mankind (or: that arises from humans) – the folks continuously holding down (restraining; stopping while possessing) the Truth (or: reality) in the sphere of (or: within the midst of) injustice (unrighteousness; that which is not right; unfairness and inequality) – ¹⁹ simply because the thing experientially known (or: personally knowable; able to be gained by insight) pertaining to God (or: from, and which has its origin in, God; which is God) is continuously made visible (made apparent; manifested by light) within (or: among) them, for God at one point made (or: makes) it visible (manifests it) to them (or: for them; in them; by them; among them). ²⁰ For you see, from [the] creation (framing; founding of order out of chaos; settling) of [the] ordered System (cosmos; universe; or: world of culture, religion and government) His invisible things (unseen [qualities and attributes]) – both His imperceptible (unobservable, but effecting-all) power, ability and capacity, as well as divinity (Godship; God-state) – are habitually seen down the line (or: are normally correspondingly perceived), being continually apprehended (grasped by the mind; mentally conceived) in the results and by the effects of things which are made or done, in order for them to be continuously defenseless (without an excuse), ²¹ simply because, although at one point experientially knowing God with insight, they did (or: do) not glorify (imagine; esteem; suppose; fancy; conjecture about; hold an opinion of; repute) [Him] as God, or even thank [Him] (or: give thanks in joyously expressing the goodness and well-being inherent in [His] grace and favor). And so in contrast, they were made futile (vain; fruitless; without profit; empty; useless; worthless; subject to a process of meaningless frustration; subject to exercises in futility) in their reasonings (or: thought processes; dialogues; ideas that went throughout in every direction), and their [collective] unintelligent (stupid; unable-to-put-things-together) heart was darkened (= the core of their being was made to experience an absence of light in a dim, shadowy gloom of obscurity [= ignorance]). ²² [So] continuously claiming (asserting; alleging with pretense) to be wise ones, they were made to be dull (sluggish; moronic; stupid; foolish) ²³ and they at once changed (or: exchange in barter; make other than it is) the glory (or: splendor and praise-inducing manifestation; or: esteem; opinion; imagination; supposition; thought; appearance; honorable consideration) of the imperishable (un-ruinable; unspoilable and incorruptible; non-decayable) God within the result of a likeness (resemblance; conformed similarity; copy-effect) of an image (form; appearance) of a perishable (corruptible; spoilable) human, as well as of flying things and of four-footed [animals] and of creeping things. ²⁴ Wherefore (or: On which account) God gave (or: hands) them over (or: delivered or delivers them into another's power), within the full passions (or: rushing passionate cravings; added earnest desires, wants and wishes; or: compiled angers and complete wrath) of their hearts, into uncleanness (or: ritual impurity), to be continuously dishonored and shamed – with respect to (or: pertaining to) their bodies – among (or: within) themselves,

²⁴ Wherefore (or: On which account) God gave (or: hands) them over (or: delivered or delivers them into another's power), within the full passions (or: rushing passionate cravings; added earnest desires, wants and wishes; or: compiled angers and complete wrath) of their hearts, into uncleanness (or: ritual impurity), to be continuously dishonored and shamed – with respect to (or: pertaining to) their bodies – among (or: within) themselves, ²⁵ whichever folks altered or exchange God’s truth (or: the reality from and which is God, and which pertains to God) to and for something else, within (or: in union with) The Lie, then were adored and venerated with dread, and next rendered religious service to and for the creation (or: creature; or: forming, framing, founding and settling which brought order from chaos) alongside (or: to the side of; parallel to; or: = rather than) the Creator (The One framing and founding) Who is (continuously exists being) well spoken of (praised; blessed; eulogized; or: is One filled with thoughts of goodness and well-being) on into the ages. It is so (Amen)!

²⁵ whichever folks altered or exchange God’s truth (or: the reality from and which is God, and which pertains to God) to and for something else, within (or: in union with) The Lie, then were adored and venerated with dread, and next rendered religious service to and for the creation (or: creature; or: forming, framing, founding and settling which brought order from chaos) alongside (or: to the side of; parallel to; or: = rather than) the Creator (The One framing and founding) Who is (continuously exists being) well spoken of (praised; blessed; eulogized; or: is One filled with thoughts of goodness and well-being) on into the ages. It is so (Amen)!

²⁵ whichever folks altered or exchange God’s truth (or: the reality from and which is God, and which pertains to God) to and for something else, within (or: in union with) The Lie, then were adored and venerated with dread, and next rendered religious service to and for the creation (or: creature; or: forming, framing, founding and settling which brought order from chaos) alongside (or: to the side of; parallel to; or: = rather than) the Creator (The One framing and founding) Who is (continuously exists being) well spoken of (praised; blessed; eulogized; or: is One filled with thoughts of goodness and well-being) on into the ages. It is so (Amen)! ²⁶ Because of this (or: Wherefore) God gave, or hands, them over (delivered, or delivers, them into the power of someone else) into experiences of dishonor (or: ignoble sufferings; situations of being unvalued; unworthy passions), for even their females at one point altered (or: alter; change or exchange) the natural use into the [use which is] off to the side of (or: beside; = other than) nature (or: a natural condition; natural production; a generated situation).

²⁶ Because of this (or: Wherefore) God gave, or hands, them over (delivered, or delivers, them into the power of someone else) into experiences of dishonor (or: ignoble sufferings; situations of being unvalued; unworthy passions), for even their females at one point altered (or: alter; change or exchange) the natural use into the [use which is] off to the side of (or: beside; = other than) nature (or: a natural condition; natural production; a generated situation). ²⁷ And likewise (or: So in like manner) also the males, sending away (or: abandoning; leaving) the natural use of the female, were set aflame within their cravings unto (or: into) one another; males in (or among) males continuously producing (accomplishing; effecting; working down) shameless indecency, and constantly taking away (or: receiving back) the necessary retribution (return compensation; the opposite of a reward; the anti-payment) of their wandering (or: the corresponding wage which is binding, pertaining to their straying and deception) within the midst of, or among, themselves.

²⁷ And likewise (or: So in like manner) also the males, sending away (or: abandoning; leaving) the natural use of the female, were set aflame within their cravings unto (or: into) one another; males in (or among) males continuously producing (accomplishing; effecting; working down) shameless indecency, and constantly taking away (or: receiving back) the necessary retribution (return compensation; the opposite of a reward; the anti-payment) of their wandering (or: the corresponding wage which is binding, pertaining to their straying and deception) within the midst of, or among, themselves. ²⁸ And then, correspondingly as they did not (or: to the same degree as they do not) put God to the proof and so approve [Him] as fit and suitable, to be continuously holding [Him] within full experiential knowledge (or: having [Him] in union with added intimate insight; or: possessing [Him] in recognition and acknowledgment), God gave them over (hands or delivers them) into a mind which fails to meet the test (a disqualified mind) to continuously do (practice; make) things that consistently are not fitting (not reaching the proper level),

²⁸ And then, correspondingly as they did not (or: to the same degree as they do not) put God to the proof and so approve [Him] as fit and suitable, to be continuously holding [Him] within full experiential knowledge (or: having [Him] in union with added intimate insight; or: possessing [Him] in recognition and acknowledgment), God gave them over (hands or delivers them) into a mind which fails to meet the test (a disqualified mind) to continuously do (practice; make) things that consistently are not fitting (not reaching the proper level), ²⁹ being people having been filled with all injustice – so that they are now full of every inequity and unfairness which lacks rightwised relationships and right actions – [as well as] worthlessness (or: criminality; unprofitableness; badness of condition; misery-gushed existence), inordinate, anti-social desire for more (or: ruthless, aggressive and self-assertive greed for advantage), ugliness (poorness of quality; malice); folks very full of (or: replete with) jealousy and envy, murder, strife (or: contentiousness), bait for entrapment, [and] with a settled habit of evil and a disposition of depravity. ³⁰ [They are] whisperers (or: gossipers), slanderers, haters (detesters) of God, overbearing and outrageous folks, haughty and arrogant people, ostentatious and vainglorious ones, inventors of ugly, worthless and bad things, [being] incompliant (stubborn; disobedient) to parents, ³¹ unintelligent (stupid; unable to cause things to flow together), covenant-breakers (or: folks bound by no arrangement or who are false to agreements; not put-together), folks without natural affection, people unwilling to make a treaty (or: implacable), unmerciful folks, ³² those who, fully knowing by experience (being fully aware of) the effect of God’s justice (or: the result of God's fairness and equity; or: the result of what is right, from the way pointed out, which is God; or: God's decree of the Way pointed out) – that those continually performing (committing; executing) such things are folks deserving (worthy; of equivalent value) of death – not only keep on doing the same things, but also are constantly mutually approving, taking pleasure in and consenting with those habitually performing (or: committing; practicing) them.

¹ Wherefore (or: Because of which) you continue to be without a defense or an excuse, O human – everyone continually judging (pronouncing a judgment; separating, evaluating and making decisions; determining) – for within that which you continue judging the other person (or: the different one), you are correspondingly evaluating (or: commensurately deciding about; condemning) yourself, since you who are continually judging are constantly performing (committing; practicing) the very same things!

⁴ Or, are you continually having a "down-oriented" frame of mind (or: despising; thinking down or with disrespect; or: = a negative disposition) concerning the riches (or: wealth) of His kind and gentle usefulness (benevolence with a sweet disposition; kindness), [His] delaying forbearance (the tolerant holding-back) and [His] patient longsuffering, constantly being ignorant that God’s kind and gentle usefulness (benevolence with a sweet disposition) is continuously leading you into a change of mind and purpose (a paradigm shift; or: = repentance with a change of heart and thinking, accompanied by a turn, or return, to God)?

⁴ Or, are you continually having a "down-oriented" frame of mind (or: despising; thinking down or with disrespect; or: = a negative disposition) concerning the riches (or: wealth) of His kind and gentle usefulness (benevolence with a sweet disposition; kindness), [His] delaying forbearance (the tolerant holding-back) and [His] patient longsuffering, constantly being ignorant that God’s kind and gentle usefulness (benevolence with a sweet disposition) is continuously leading you into a change of mind and purpose (a paradigm shift; or: = repentance with a change of heart and thinking, accompanied by a turn, or return, to God)? ⁵ Yet down from your hardness (or: in line with and in accord to your obstinacy) and an unrepentant heart (= unchanged thinking and affection in the center of your being) you habitually collect and lay up stores of personal emotion in yourself (or: progressively treasure up to yourself inherent fervor, passionate impulse and a mental bent or a disposition; or: periodically bank for yourself anger, indignation or wrath) within a day of personal emotion (fervor; passion; anger; etc.) and of an unveiling of a decision of rightwising from God (or: of a revealing of God’s verdict regarding fair and equitable dealing; of an uncovering of a just judgment which is God; of a disclosure of a separation for a decision having the character of the Way pointed out from God; disclosure from God's right evaluation),

⁵ Yet down from your hardness (or: in line with and in accord to your obstinacy) and an unrepentant heart (= unchanged thinking and affection in the center of your being) you habitually collect and lay up stores of personal emotion in yourself (or: progressively treasure up to yourself inherent fervor, passionate impulse and a mental bent or a disposition; or: periodically bank for yourself anger, indignation or wrath) within a day of personal emotion (fervor; passion; anger; etc.) and of an unveiling of a decision of rightwising from God (or: of a revealing of God’s verdict regarding fair and equitable dealing; of an uncovering of a just judgment which is God; of a disclosure of a separation for a decision having the character of the Way pointed out from God; disclosure from God's right evaluation),

¹⁵ which very ones continuously display (exhibit; show outward proof by demonstration) the work of the Law (or: action and conduct of that law and principle) written within their hearts, their conscience (the knowing with themselves; awareness; integrated recognition from what has been seen) continually bearing joint-testimony (giving confirming witness and evidence, together), and, in between each other’s calculations (or: logical thoughts), also constantly accusing (speaking down [against] in the assembly) or defending themselves (or: and in the mean time one another’s reasonings and reckonings constantly accusing, or even repeatedly excusing themselves),

²⁸ for you see, the Jew is not the one in the visibly apparent or outwardly manifest (or: For not he in the outward appearance is a Jew), neither [is] circumcision that [which is] visibly apparent (outwardly manifest) in flesh (= in body), ²⁹ but rather, a Jew [is] the one within the hidden [place] (or: [that which is] in the concealed [realm]) and circumcision [is] of [the] heart (= core of our being) – in union with Breath-effect (or: within [the] spirit; in attitude), not in letter – whose praise (applause; full recommendation; [note play on words: Jew is a derivative of "Judah," which means "praise"]) [is] not from out of mankind (humanity), but rather from out of God.

¹ What then [is] the advantage (the thing given by the surplus of abundance which results in pre-eminence, prerogative and superiority) of the Jew, or what [is] the furthering benefit of the circumcision? ² Much, in accord with every turn (i.e., from every angle, or, in every way), for first [of all] (or: in the first place; foremost; mainly), indeed, that they were (or: are) entrusted with God’s brief utterances (little words; [note: the diminutive of Logos; often translated: “oracles”]). ³ For what if certain ones refuse (or: some at one point refused) to believe (or: disbelieved; are unfaithful or disloyal; were without faith; are faithless)? Will not their unbelief (faithlessness; lack of trust; disloyalty) proceed in causing God’s faith (or: faithfulness; trustworthiness; loyalty; trust) to be idled-down (rendered useless and unproductive)?

⁵ However (or: But; Now) if our injustice (disregard for what is right; behavior contrary to the Way pointed out) continues to stand together with (is jointly establishing; habitually commends) God’s solidarity in fair and equitable dealings ([covenantal] justice; Way pointed out; rightwised direction), what shall we continue saying (or: declaring)? God, the One continuously bringing the personal emotion (inherent fervor; impulse; or: wrath; anger; indignation), [is] not unjust! – after the manner of a man (down from [my] humanity) I normally say, "Certainly not (May it not come to be)!" (or: [Is] not God, the One repeatedly bringing on the personal emotion against mankind or anger in correspondence to humanity, unjust? I repeatedly say, "It can't happen!"; or: God [is] not unfair by being the one constantly bringing this inherent fervor and impulse against a person. I am now saying, "It could not occur!")

⁵ However (or: But; Now) if our injustice (disregard for what is right; behavior contrary to the Way pointed out) continues to stand together with (is jointly establishing; habitually commends) God’s solidarity in fair and equitable dealings ([covenantal] justice; Way pointed out; rightwised direction), what shall we continue saying (or: declaring)? God, the One continuously bringing the personal emotion (inherent fervor; impulse; or: wrath; anger; indignation), [is] not unjust! – after the manner of a man (down from [my] humanity) I normally say, "Certainly not (May it not come to be)!" (or: [Is] not God, the One repeatedly bringing on the personal emotion against mankind or anger in correspondence to humanity, unjust? I repeatedly say, "It can't happen!"; or: God [is] not unfair by being the one constantly bringing this inherent fervor and impulse against a person. I am now saying, "It could not occur!")

⁵ However (or: But; Now) if our injustice (disregard for what is right; behavior contrary to the Way pointed out) continues to stand together with (is jointly establishing; habitually commends) God’s solidarity in fair and equitable dealings ([covenantal] justice; Way pointed out; rightwised direction), what shall we continue saying (or: declaring)? God, the One continuously bringing the personal emotion (inherent fervor; impulse; or: wrath; anger; indignation), [is] not unjust! – after the manner of a man (down from [my] humanity) I normally say, "Certainly not (May it not come to be)!" (or: [Is] not God, the One repeatedly bringing on the personal emotion against mankind or anger in correspondence to humanity, unjust? I repeatedly say, "It can't happen!"; or: God [is] not unfair by being the one constantly bringing this inherent fervor and impulse against a person. I am now saying, "It could not occur!") ⁶ Else (or: Otherwise), how is God constantly making decisions about and repeatedly judging (or, as a future: how will God separate, evaluate and be judging) the ordered System (the controlling world of society, economy, government and religion; human aggregate)?

⁶ Else (or: Otherwise), how is God constantly making decisions about and repeatedly judging (or, as a future: how will God separate, evaluate and be judging) the ordered System (the controlling world of society, economy, government and religion; human aggregate)? ⁷ But [other MSS: For] if in the result of my lie (or: falsehood-effect) God’s truth and reality encircles (or: surrounds) for superabundance into His glory (or: [leading] unto His enhanced reputation and a manifestation which calls forth praise), why am I also still being continually separated (judged; evaluated) as one failing to hit the target (as a sinner or an outcast)? ⁸ And [it is] not according as we are constantly being slandered (abusively spoken of so as to hinder the Light) and according as certain folks – of whom the result of the judgment (or: whose evaluation-effect and separation) is fair (equitable; in accord with justice) – habitually affirm us to be continually saying, "We should constantly be doing (or: producing) the bad things (the ugly, worthless and evil things) so that the good things may come [of it]!"

²⁰ On account of that (or: Wherefore), no flesh (= person) [at] all will proceed to be put in right relationship (be rightwised; be justified; be made right; be made free from guilt, placed in the Way pointed out; = placed in covenant relationship) before Him (in His sight; face to face with Him in His presence; corem Deo) from out of works of Law (or: deeds or accomplishments springing from Law; performance of Laws' cultus; or: observance of custom or Torah), for you see, through Law [comes] a full, clear, exact, added and experience-gained knowledge of sin (or: from failure; having the character of a missing of the target; which is deviation and error). ²¹ Yet now, apart from Law (or: custom; habitual practice; ordinance made by authority; or: = Torah), a righteousness of God (God’s solidarity, with fair and equitable dealings; a turning in the right direction, from God; God’s covenantal faithfulness, justice and pointing out of the Way; a rightwisedness and right relationship, which is God) has been manifested and remains displayed in clear light – being continuously attested in witness by means of (or: under) the Law (= Torah) and the Prophets – ²² yet a righteousness of God (or: a right relationship and solidarity with and which is God; justice from God; God’s fair and equitable dealings in accord with the Way pointed out; a rightwised condition effected by God) through Jesus Christ’s faithfulness (trust; faith; convinced loyalty) [coming] into all humanity – as well as upon and into all those believing, for you see, there exists no distinction (no difference; no divided arrangement)!

²⁹ Or [is He] the God of [the] Jews only? [Is He] not also of the ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles; non-Jews)? Yes, of the ethnic multitudes (nations) also, ³⁰ since indeed (or: if after all; [other MSS: seeing that God [is] One (or: [there is] one God; [it is the] one God; = God [is; tends toward] Union; [Deut. 6:4,Shema]) Who from out of faithfulness (or: forth from [His] faith, trust and loyalty) will, by rightwising [them], progressively make Circumcision right, just and free from guilt, placing them in the Way pointed out and setting them in solidarity within right relationships – and (or: as well as) Uncircumcision through means of the [same] faithfulness (by means of this trust, faith and loyalty).

⁹ So then, [is] this happiness (or: blessedness) upon the Circumcision, or upon the Uncircumcision as well (or: also)? Emphatically we are habitually reiterating, "The faith and trust is logically considered [to be] in Abraham into accordance with the Way pointed out (or: Faith was accounted to and reckoned for Abraham for Righteousness - fair and equitable dealings and rightwised existence)." [Gen. 15:6]

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 –

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 –

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).

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). ¹³ For not through (a; or: [the]) law [is/was] the Promise to (for; in) Abraham, or to (for; in) his seed (offspring; posterity), [for] him to be an heir of [the] aggregate of humanity (or: the one receiving and enjoying an allotted System of culture: the world of society), but on the contrary, through a [covenantal]-rightwisedness which is faith and creates faithfulness (or: faith’s righteousness and justice; a placing in right relationship and a keeping in the Way pointed out which belongs to and comes from faith, reliance and trust; trust’s way of life which results in fair and equitable dealings; fairness and equity from conviction).

¹³ For not through (a; or: [the]) law [is/was] the Promise to (for; in) Abraham, or to (for; in) his seed (offspring; posterity), [for] him to be an heir of [the] aggregate of humanity (or: the one receiving and enjoying an allotted System of culture: the world of society), but on the contrary, through a [covenantal]-rightwisedness which is faith and creates faithfulness (or: faith’s righteousness and justice; a placing in right relationship and a keeping in the Way pointed out which belongs to and comes from faith, reliance and trust; trust’s way of life which results in fair and equitable dealings; fairness and equity from conviction). ¹⁴ You see, if the ones out of law (or: = those who have [the] Law as their origin) [are] heirs (inheritors and enjoyers of the allotment), [then] the faith has been made empty (void; vain) and is now without content, and the Promise has been rendered useless (has been permanently unemployed and idle; has been annulled and is inoperative).

¹⁴ You see, if the ones out of law (or: = those who have [the] Law as their origin) [are] heirs (inheritors and enjoyers of the allotment), [then] the faith has been made empty (void; vain) and is now without content, and the Promise has been rendered useless (has been permanently unemployed and idle; has been annulled and is inoperative). ¹⁵ For you see, the Law is by labor constantly effecting personal emotion from intrinsic fervor or natural propensity (or: is working-down anger and wrath; is producing indignation; is fully accomplishing a teeming, passionate impulse or a disposition of desire). Yet (or: Now) where no law is existing (or: where there is no custom), neither [is there] a stepping to the side (a transgression; a violation; a breach).

¹⁵ For you see, the Law is by labor constantly effecting personal emotion from intrinsic fervor or natural propensity (or: is working-down anger and wrath; is producing indignation; is fully accomplishing a teeming, passionate impulse or a disposition of desire). Yet (or: Now) where no law is existing (or: where there is no custom), neither [is there] a stepping to the side (a transgression; a violation; a breach). ¹⁶ On account of this (or: Therefore) [it is; it was; the Promise comes] from out of faith-trust, to the end that [it is] down from, in line with and according to grace: a joy-producing act of favor [leading] unto (or: into) the [situation for] the Promise to be continuously firm (steadily walked; secured, confirmed and established; guaranteed as valid and made sure) in all (or: to all; for all) the seed (or: = realized by all the offspring), not in the [seed] (or: to the one; for the person) from out of the Law only (or: by that only from out of custom), but rather also in the [seed] (or: to the one; for the person; or: by that) from out of Abraham’s faith, which is a father of all of us (or: out of [the] trust of Abraham, who is [the] father of us all).

¹⁶ On account of this (or: Therefore) [it is; it was; the Promise comes] from out of faith-trust, to the end that [it is] down from, in line with and according to grace: a joy-producing act of favor [leading] unto (or: into) the [situation for] the Promise to be continuously firm (steadily walked; secured, confirmed and established; guaranteed as valid and made sure) in all (or: to all; for all) the seed (or: = realized by all the offspring), not in the [seed] (or: to the one; for the person) from out of the Law only (or: by that only from out of custom), but rather also in the [seed] (or: to the one; for the person; or: by that) from out of Abraham’s faith, which is a father of all of us (or: out of [the] trust of Abraham, who is [the] father of us all). ¹⁷ According as it has been and stands written, "A father of many multitudes (nations; ethnic groups) I have placed (put; set; deposited) you" [Gen. 17:5] – [while he was being] down in the midst of and facing [the One] Whom (or: down in a place that was in opposition, of which; or: in line with and in union with, yet being on the opposite side of the matter) he believed, which was God (or: he trusted in [the message] which was God; or: he relied upon [the idea] which [came] from God; or: he gained confidence from God) – the One continuously (habitually; or: repeatedly; periodically) making the dead ones alive, and (or: even) continuously calling (or: repeatedly and habitually summoning) the things not existing as existing (or: = not being into continuously being) –

²² Wherefore (or: Through which; For this reason), also, it was and is logically considered for him (reasonably reckoned in him and accounted to him) into rightwisedness (virtue in the Way pointed out and the setting in right relationship; righteousness; fair and equitable dealing; right thinking and conduct; being turned in the right direction; = covenantal inclusion).

¹ Being, then, folks that were rightwised (placed in the right relationship of [covenantal] solidarity in the Way pointed out and made fair, equitable, just, free from guilt and turned in the right direction) from the midst of faith, out of trust and with conviction as the source, we continuously hold and progressively have [other MSS: let us (or: we can) habitually retain and enjoy] peace and harmony face to face with God (or: [directing and conducting us] toward God), through our Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ (or: Master, [the] Anointed Jesus),

³ So not only this, but further, we also keep on being proud of and boasting within the pressures, while exulting in ordeals, afflictions and tribulations, having seen and thus knowing that the pressure (or: the ordeal, affliction or tribulation) is habitually producing (working down; accomplishing) a relentless remaining (or: abiding and dwelling) under [situations and circumstances] (or: humble and persistent endurance and fortitude as we get through it, as well as the patient ability to give support).

⁵ Now the expectation (or: expectant hope) does not habitually bring down shame (disgrace; dishonor; thus: disappointment), because God’s love (the urge toward reunion and the unambiguous, uniting acceptance from God) has been poured out in a gush and shed forth so that it now floods within our hearts, permeating the core of our being, through the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit; Sacred Attitude) being given to us (in us; for us).

¹¹ And not only that, but further, we also are now folks constantly exulting, speaking with pride, boasting, and glorying within, and in union with, God, through our Owner (or: Lord; Master), Jesus Christ – through Whom we NOW receive (or: actively seize; grasp; take-down and hold by hand) the [aforementioned] act of being changed from enmity to friendship (or: the full exchange of being changed to be in line, consistent and compatible, where we are totally other than we were; the reconciliation; the commensurate exchange; the change, [induced by the action of God,] which came down [upon us]).

²⁰ Now Law and custom at one point entered in alongside (or: intruded into the situation by the side) to the end that the effect of the fall to the side (or: so that the result of the offense and the stumbling aside) would increase to be more than enough (should greatly abound and become more intense). But where the Sin (the failure; the divergence and missing of the target) increases (or: abounded to be more than enough; becomes more intense) THE GRACE ("the act producing happiness, which is granted as a favor" – Jim Coram) at once super-exceeds (or: hyper-exceeded) over and above, surrounding to excessive abundance and overflow, ²¹ to the end that JUST AS the Sin (the failure; the erroneous act; the deviation and digression which issued in missing the goal) at one point reigned (or: ruled as king; exercised sovereign sway) within, and in union with, the Death, THUS SO (or: in THIS way) also the Grace and joyous favor would reign (should rule as king; can exercise sovereign sway) through rightwisedness (or: by means of rightly-turned existence with equity in [covenantal] solidarity of right relationships which accord to the Way; through a Justice-[expression]) [which leads] into Life which belongs to, pertains to and has the characteristics of the Age (or: eonian life; Life of the Age [of Messiah]; a life for the ages) – through Jesus Christ, our Owner (Lord; Master).

¹⁴ For as many as are being continuously led by God’s Spirit (or: habitually brought or conducted in [the] Breath-effect which is God; progressively driven along with an attitude from God), these folks are God’s sons (these continuously exist being sons of God; or: = these are folks who have the character and qualities of God). [comment: echo of the Exodus] ¹⁵ For you folks did (or: do) not receive again a spirit of slavery to fear (or: get slavery’s spirit or breath-effect again, unto fear; or: take an attitude which personifies being a slave [in Egypt or under the Law, leading] into fear again), but rather you received a spirit of being placed as a son (or: a Breath-effect which set you in the position of a son; or: you receive an attitude of one having been adopted [in accord with Greek or Roman law]), within which (or: in union with Whom) we are habitually crying out, “Abba (Dad), O Father!” ¹⁶ The same Spirit (or: spirit; or: The Breath-effect Himself; or: This very attitude) is constantly witnessing together with our spirit (is continuously bearing joint-testimony to our spirit; is habitually co-witnessing for our spirit; is progressively adding confirming testimony and evidence in our attitude) that we are, and continuously exist being, God’s children (ones born of God; children from God [not of the child-escort {Gal. 3:24}], by natural descent).

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)!

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).

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!

¹¹ For you see, not as yet being born ones, nor ones practicing (performing; accomplishing) anything good or vile (mean; sorry; careless; bad [p46 reads: worthless; of bad quality; corrupt; evil]) – to the end that God's purpose and aim, which He designed and set beforehand, may continually remain (abide; dwell) down from (corresponding to and in accord with) election (a selection; a choosing-out; a choice), not forth from out of works (or: actions), but instead from out of the One repeatedly calling (or: from the continual summoning) –

¹⁴ What, then, shall we continue saying? Not [that there is] injustice (behavior contrary to the Way pointed out) with God? Of course not (May it not come to be)! ¹⁵ For He is saying to Moses, "I will continue being merciful to (will progressively relieve the distress and misery of) whomever I should presently be merciful (or: I may continuously relieve of distress and misery), and I will continue being compassionate to whomever I should (or: may; would) be continuously compassionate." [Ex. 33:19] ¹⁶ Consequently, then, [it is] not of or from the one constantly exercising [his] will (or: [it does] not pertain or belong to habitually intending or designing), nor of the one constantly rushing forward (or: nor does it pertain or belong to the one continuously running or habitually racing), but rather of, from, pertaining to and belonging to God, the One constantly being merciful (or: but from God’s habitually and continuously relieving from distress and misery; or: but to the contrary, [it is] from the One repeatedly dispensing mercy, which is God).

¹⁶ Consequently, then, [it is] not of or from the one constantly exercising [his] will (or: [it does] not pertain or belong to habitually intending or designing), nor of the one constantly rushing forward (or: nor does it pertain or belong to the one continuously running or habitually racing), but rather of, from, pertaining to and belonging to God, the One constantly being merciful (or: but from God’s habitually and continuously relieving from distress and misery; or: but to the contrary, [it is] from the One repeatedly dispensing mercy, which is God). ¹⁷ For the Scripture is saying to Pharaoh that, "Into this itself (or: For this very thing) I roused you forth (I awakened and stirred you to come out), so that I may (or: would) display and demonstrate in you My power and ability, so that My Name would be thoroughly proclaimed (preached and published far and wide) within all the land (or: in the entire earth)." [Ex. 9:16] ¹⁸ Consequently, then, on whom He from time to time wills (or: to whom His will is presently directing) He is continuously merciful (He constantly relieves from distress and misery). Yet whom He from time to time wills (intends; designs), He continues progressively hardening.

¹⁸ Consequently, then, on whom He from time to time wills (or: to whom His will is presently directing) He is continuously merciful (He constantly relieves from distress and misery). Yet whom He from time to time wills (intends; designs), He continues progressively hardening. ¹⁹ You will ask me (or: protest to me), then, "Why, then, is He still blaming and continuing to find fault? For who (which one; what) has resisted (stood against or in place of)His intention (the effect of His deliberated purpose and resolve) and is yet still so standing?"

²¹ Or does not the Potter hold authority or have a right pertaining to clay, forth from out of the same kneaded mixture (effect of uniform mixture) to make the one a container (a vessel; an instrument; a utensil) into honor and value, yet the other into an unhonored one (a worthless one; one without value; one deprived of privileges; or: = one for common use)? ²² Now since (or: So what if) God – habitually willing (or: repeatedly intending) to display and demonstrate inherent fervor, natural impulse, propensity and disposition (or: teeming passion; swelling desire; or: anger, wrath and indignation), and also to make known by personal experience His power and ability – in much long-suffering (long-breathing; forbearance) bears and carries (or: brought forth and produced; or: enduringly supports while moving) containers (vessels; instruments; utensils) of natural impulse (belonging to a passionate disposition; displaying inherent fervor; from teeming passion and swelling desire; or: of anger; having the character of wrath; owned by indignation), being folks having been fully outfitted, thoroughly prepared and made correspondingly adequate for loss (or: having equipped, adapted and adjusted themselves down into ruin, waste and destruction [of their well-being]), and now continuing in this condition, ²³ [it is] to the end that He could and would (or: may) also at some point make known by intimate experience the wealth of His glory (or: of His manifestation of that which calls forth praise; of the glory which is Him; which pertains to His reputation; from His imagination and opinion) upon containers of mercy (instruments of mercy), which He beforehand prepares into [being] (or: made ready and provides into the midst of) a manifestation of [that] glory

³⁰ What, then, shall we continue declaring? That [the] nations (ethnic multitudes; Gentiles; non-Israelites) – the ones not constantly pursuing (pressing forward rapidly after) rightwisedness (covenant inclusion which is right and fair relationship with equitable dealings in accord to the Way pointed out; a turning in the right direction on the Path) – overtook, seized and took-down this rightwisedness as a possession: yet [it is] a rightwisedness (a turning to equity and justice in the Way; = covenant membership and participation) that [is] forth from out of the midst of faith, trust and conviction (or: [Christ's] faithfulness)! ³¹ However Israel, habitually pursuing a Law which was rightwisedness (right and fair relationship with equitable dealings in accord to the way pointed out [to them]; right living on the path) did not precede [the others] into [that] principle or custom (or: did not outstrip or sooner arrive unto [such] a law or custom [other MSS add: which was justice and rightwised living]; = did not reach, ahead of other folks, what the Torah promised).

³¹ However Israel, habitually pursuing a Law which was rightwisedness (right and fair relationship with equitable dealings in accord to the way pointed out [to them]; right living on the path) did not precede [the others] into [that] principle or custom (or: did not outstrip or sooner arrive unto [such] a law or custom [other MSS add: which was justice and rightwised living]; = did not reach, ahead of other folks, what the Torah promised). ³² Through what cause (or: Why)? Because [it was] not forth from out of a source of faith, trust and conviction, but rather as from out of works (actions) as its source. They dash against, trip and stumble on (or: by) the Stone that caused the Stumbling-effect,

¹ Indeed, brothers (= family, or, fellow believers), the good thinking (pleasure; consuming desire; good will; delightful imagination) of my heart, and the request (plea; petition) [directed] toward (or: face to face with) God over them (or: for their sake) [is; leads] into deliverance (salvation; health and wholeness; restoration to their original state and condition) [for them]. ² For I am habitually testifying and giving evidence among them, because they continue possessing a zeal from God (or: For you see, I can repeatedly bear witness to and for them that they constantly hold God's zeal and they continuously have a boiling jealously and hot aspiration concerning God), but however, not down from (or: on the level of and in accordance with) full and accurate experiential knowledge, recognition or insight (epi-gnosis). ³ For they, being continuously ignorant of God's Way pointed out (or: habitually failing to recognize the rightwisedness and fairness, which are God, and the right relationships from God in His covenant justice) and constantly seeking to establish (to set and make to stand) their own way pointed out (plan of rightness in relational dealings), were not placed under, and humbly aligned to, God's Way pointed out (or: subjected to God's just path and plan of fairness, or arranged under the rightwisedness from God [= brought into God's covenant participation]),

³ For they, being continuously ignorant of God's Way pointed out (or: habitually failing to recognize the rightwisedness and fairness, which are God, and the right relationships from God in His covenant justice) and constantly seeking to establish (to set and make to stand) their own way pointed out (plan of rightness in relational dealings), were not placed under, and humbly aligned to, God's Way pointed out (or: subjected to God's just path and plan of fairness, or arranged under the rightwisedness from God [= brought into God's covenant participation]), ⁴ for you see, Christ [is] an end of Law (or: for Christ [is] Law’s goal and destiny; for [the] Anointing [is] termination from [the] Law; for Christ [was the] final act of [the] Law) [leading] into the Way pointed out in fair and equitable dealings, and rightwised [covenant] relationships of justice, to, for and in everyone habitually trusting and believing (or: because Christ [entering] into the pointed-out Way – in everyone normally exercising faith with conviction, and with each person remaining loyal – [is; brings] Law's climax).

⁶ Yet the rightwised quality and condition (the being turned in the right direction in the Way pointed out; the fairness and equity; the justice and right relationship; also = covenant inclusion) from out of the midst of faith is constantly saying thus (is habitually speaking in this manner): "You should not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend (climb back up) into the Heaven (or: the sky; or: the atmosphere)?'" – that is, to lead, convey, carry or bring Christ down;

¹⁰ You see, in (or: by; with) [the] heart (= core of your being) it is progressively believed and trusted (or: a person is made loyal and given confidence) [leading] into rightwisedness (justice; a turn in the right direction with equitable dealings and right relationships with the Way pointed out; also = covenant inclusion and participation), yet by (or: in; with) [the] mouth the same thing is being repeatedly said (or: it is agreed and habitually confessed and professed) [leading] into the midst of a deliverance (a rescue; salvation; health and wholeness). ¹¹ For the Scripture is saying, "Everyone habitually believing (putting trust) upon Him will not continue being disgraced, put to shame, humiliated or be disappointed." [Isa. 28:16] ¹² You see, there is no distinction or separation made by putting asunder in order to define or distinguish between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord (Owner; Master) of everyone (or: for the same One [being] Lord of all) is continuously being rich unto (or: is constantly abundantly furnishing [Himself] into) all the folks habitually calling upon Him.

²⁰ Yet Isaiah is daring and risking without restraint, and is saying, "I am (or: was) found by, among and within those not seeking or trying to find Me; I become (or: became; was birthed) apparent (visible; obvious to sight; manifest) in (or: by; to; with; among) the ones not inquiring about Me." [Isa. 65:1a]

¹ I am asking (or: saying), then, God does not (or: did not) thrust away His people, does He (or: did He)? [cf Ps. 94:14] Certainly not (May it not happen)! For I myself am also (or: also exist being) an Israelite, forth from out of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe Benjamin.

¹ I am asking (or: saying), then, God does not (or: did not) thrust away His people, does He (or: did He)? [cf Ps. 94:14] Certainly not (May it not happen)! For I myself am also (or: also exist being) an Israelite, forth from out of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe Benjamin. ² God does not (or: did not) thrust away His people – whom He by experience intimately foreknew! Or have you not seen, and thus perceive, in [the passage of] Elijah, what the Scripture is saying as he is repeatedly encountering in God (or: hitting on target when conversing with God), concerning the sphere and condition of (or: down against) Israel?

⁴ To the contrary, what does the useful transaction (the deliberative instruction; the oracle) say to him? "I leave down (or: reserve) to Myself (for Myself; in Myself) [other MSS: They have been leaving for Myself] seven thousand adult males, those men who do not bend a knee to Baal." [1 Kings 19:18]

⁴ To the contrary, what does the useful transaction (the deliberative instruction; the oracle) say to him? "I leave down (or: reserve) to Myself (for Myself; in Myself) [other MSS: They have been leaving for Myself] seven thousand adult males, those men who do not bend a knee to Baal." [1 Kings 19:18] ⁵ Thus then, also, within the present season (or: In this way, therefore, even in the current appropriate situation and in union with the present fertile moment) a destitute remainder (or: a forsaken minority under the effect of lack; a left-behind surviving group; a worn-smooth, plain, inferior, unsculptured, unembossed part; a remnant) has been birthed (has come to be and exists) down from a selection of grace (in accord with an election which is grace and a choosing-out for favor).

⁵ Thus then, also, within the present season (or: In this way, therefore, even in the current appropriate situation and in union with the present fertile moment) a destitute remainder (or: a forsaken minority under the effect of lack; a left-behind surviving group; a worn-smooth, plain, inferior, unsculptured, unembossed part; a remnant) has been birthed (has come to be and exists) down from a selection of grace (in accord with an election which is grace and a choosing-out for favor). ⁶ Now since (or: if) [it is] by grace (in a gift of favor), [it is] no longer from out of works (deeds; actions)! Otherwise grace (the joyous gift of favor) comes to be no longer grace (or: Else grace is no longer birthed, or comes to be, grace; [some MSS add: but if from out of works, it is no longer grace, otherwise the work is no longer work]).

⁶ Now since (or: if) [it is] by grace (in a gift of favor), [it is] no longer from out of works (deeds; actions)! Otherwise grace (the joyous gift of favor) comes to be no longer grace (or: Else grace is no longer birthed, or comes to be, grace; [some MSS add: but if from out of works, it is no longer grace, otherwise the work is no longer work]). ⁷ What, then? That which Israel is constantly searching for (or: seeking out), this it did not encounter (or: did not hit upon the mark, and thus, obtain), yet The Selected One (the Picked-out and Chosen One; or: the choice collection; the elect – that which is chosen out) hit upon the mark, encountered and obtained it. But the rest (the folks remaining) were petrified (were turned into stone; were made calloused and were hardened),

⁷ What, then? That which Israel is constantly searching for (or: seeking out), this it did not encounter (or: did not hit upon the mark, and thus, obtain), yet The Selected One (the Picked-out and Chosen One; or: the choice collection; the elect – that which is chosen out) hit upon the mark, encountered and obtained it. But the rest (the folks remaining) were petrified (were turned into stone; were made calloused and were hardened),

⁷ What, then? That which Israel is constantly searching for (or: seeking out), this it did not encounter (or: did not hit upon the mark, and thus, obtain), yet The Selected One (the Picked-out and Chosen One; or: the choice collection; the elect – that which is chosen out) hit upon the mark, encountered and obtained it. But the rest (the folks remaining) were petrified (were turned into stone; were made calloused and were hardened), ⁸ just as it has been and now stands written, "God gives (or: at one point gave) to them a spirit (breath-effect and attitude) of stupor, from receiving a piercing blow (or: deep sleep; a senseless mental condition), eyes of the [condition] not to see, ears of the [condition] not to hear, until this very day (or: until today's day)." [Deut. 29:4; Isa. 29:10]

¹¹ I am asking, then, they do not stumble that they should fall, do they? Certainly not! On the contrary, by (or: in) the result of their fall to the side the Deliverance (the Rescue, Salvation, health and wholeness; the restoration to the original state and condition) [is] in (for; to) the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the non-Jews; the Gentiles; the pagans) unto "the [situation] to bring jealousy alongside them (or: in order to provoke them to jealousy)." [Deut. 32:21]

¹¹ I am asking, then, they do not stumble that they should fall, do they? Certainly not! On the contrary, by (or: in) the result of their fall to the side the Deliverance (the Rescue, Salvation, health and wholeness; the restoration to the original state and condition) [is] in (for; to) the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the non-Jews; the Gentiles; the pagans) unto "the [situation] to bring jealousy alongside them (or: in order to provoke them to jealousy)." [Deut. 32:21] ¹² Now since (or: if) the effect of their fall to the side [brings, or, is] enrichment of the world (universe; = all humanity; or: the realm of the secular; or: the ordered System [outside of Israel]) and the effect of their lessened condition (result of their diminishing from an overthrow) [brings, or, is] enrichment of the nations (ethnic multitudes; non-Jews; Gentiles), how much exceedingly more the effects of their filled-full condition (the result of their full measure with the entire contents)! ¹³ So I am presently speaking for and to you, the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the non-Jews; the Gentiles; the pagans). In as much as (or: For as long as), indeed then, I myself am an emissary (envoy; missionary; one sent on a mission with a commission) pertaining to and belonging to [the] ethnic multitudes (nations; non-Jewish groups; Gentiles; pagans), I am continually building the reputation, appearance and notions of my service and dispensing (or: I am glorifying the function and execution of my attending in waiting upon [you folks]), 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.

¹⁹ You will say (or: declare), then, "Branches are broken off (or: were broken out of [the tree]) to the end that I may be grafted in."

²⁸ Corresponding to (With respect to; In accord with; Down from) the Good News (the message of goodness and well-being), on the one hand, [they were] enemies (hostile ones; ones regarded as enemies) because of (or: through; with a view to) you folks; on the other hand, according to (in accord with; down from; corresponding to) the selection (the choosing out; the election) [they are] loved ones, because of (with a view to) the fathers (= ancestors),

⁸ For I am saying and laying out the idea [that] Christ has been birthed to become, and remain, a Servant and Dispenser from circumcision (or: an Attendant, Helper and Minister of and pertaining to [the] Circumcision [i.e., God’s covenant people]), over [the situation of] God's reality (or: Circumcision's Dispenser of provisions for the sake of a truth from and about God, and a reality which is God), into the standing to confirm (stabilize; make good; cause to stand by stepping in place on a good footing; or: to guarantee the validity of) the promises from, which pertain to, and which belong to, the fathers (or: the patriarchal promises), ⁹ and on the other hand [to place on good footing and confirm the standing of] the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the non-Israelites; the pagans), [for them] to glorify God (to enhance the reputation of and the opinion about God) over [the situation of] mercy (for the sake of [His] mercy), just as it has been written, "Because of this I will continue openly professing and acclaiming You (speaking out of the same word for and to You; agreeing and promising) within ethnic multitudes (among nations that are pagans and Gentiles), and I will continue playing music (striking the string; making melody; singing with musical accompaniment) to, for and in Your Name." [2 Sam. 22:50; Ps. 18:50] ¹⁰ And again he is saying, "Be of a good frame of mind (Be merry and glad; Have thoughts of wellness), you ethnic multitudes (non-Jews), together with His people." [Deut. 32:43] ¹¹ And again, "You folks – all the multitudes (all nations; all of the Gentiles) – be continually praising the Lord [= Yahweh]." [Ps. 117:1] ¹² And again, Isaiah is saying, "There (or: He) will continue being The Root (or: the Sprout from the root) of Jesse, even the One habitually standing up (placing Himself back; raising Himself up) to continue being Ruler (being The Chief; to repeatedly be the Beginner) of multitudes (of nations; of Gentiles). Upon Him ethnic multitudes (non-Jews; nations) will continue placing their expectation (will rely; will hope)." [Isa. 11:10] ¹³ Now may the God of Expectation (or: the God Who is the Expectant Hope) make you full of all joy and peace within the midst of constant trust and in union with continual operation of faith and believing, [leading] into the midst of continually surrounding you with abundance within The Expectation (or: in union with expectant hope) – within [the] power of a set-apart spirit (or: within [the] Holy Spirit's ability; or: in union with a power which is, and whose source is, set-apart Breath-effect and sacred attitude). ¹⁴ Now, my brothers (Family members; fellow believers), I myself also have been persuaded and remain convinced about you that you yourselves are (or: exist being) folks stuffed full of goodness (bulging with excellence and quality), being those having been filled and remaining full of all The Knowledge (intimate, experiential knowledge and insight; [with other MSS: all gnosis]), being folks continuously able and empowered, also, to habitually put one another in mind (or: to place [thoughts] in each other's mind; to advise or admonish). ¹⁵ Yet I more daringly write to you (or: Yet with assumed resolution I outspokenly write to you; [other MSS add: brothers; = fellow believers]) partly as habitually calling you back to full recollection (causing you to be completely remembering) because of the grace and favor being given to me from [other MSS: by; under] God, ¹⁶ into the [arranged ability for] me to be Christ Jesus' public servant into the nations (a public worker of Jesus Christ unto the ethnic multitudes and pagans), constantly doing the work of a priest for God's good news (or: habitually functioning as the Temple for the message of the goodness, which is God), to the end that the offering composed of the ethnic multitudes (or: the act of bearing forward gifts from the pagans; the approaching of the nations as an offering) can become well-received and pleasingly acceptable, it being [an offering; a carrying toward] having been set-apart and remaining sacred within the midst of holy spirit and a sacred attitude (or: in union with a set-apart Breath-effect; within [the] Holy Spirit).

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).

²⁰ Where [is] a wise one? Where [is] a scribe (one learned in the Scriptures; the scholar)? Where [is] a collaborating seeker (a co-investigator; a discusser; a learned sophist; a reasoner) of this age? Does not God prove (or: make) stupid (foolish; nonsensical) the wisdom (cleverness; learned skill) of this ordered arrangement (controlling System; world of culture, religion, economy and government; realm of the secular)?

²³ Yet as for us, we are constantly proclaiming (habitually heralding) Christ: One having been terminally crucified (executed on a stake) – indeed, a trap-spring (or: a snare; thus: an obstacle or cause for stumbling or being ensnared) to (or: with; for; among) Jews (those of the Jewish culture and religion); yet stupidity (foolishness; nonsense) to (or: for) [the] multitudes (among [other] ethnic groups; in [the] nations; with the non-Jews),

²⁶ For, take a comprehensive look at (or: as an indicative: you folks are progressively observing and seeing) your calling (or: vocation; social role, position or station) brothers, that [there are] not many wise folks – according to flesh (or: corresponding to a flesh [system of philosophy or religion]; on the level of [the estranged human situation]; = having their origin in the sphere of a self oriented toward a controlling System), not many powerful ones (those with ability), not many well-born ones (ones born to ease and profit; those of noble birth; folks with good genes or genealogy), ²⁷ but to the contrary, God collects His thoughts and speaks forth (or: selects and picks out; chose) the stupid things (or: the foolish ones) of the organized System (the world of religion, culture and its secular society; or: the cosmos; the universe), to the end that He could (or: would; may) habitually disgrace and bring shame down on the wise ones; and God collects His thoughts and speaks forth (or: selects, picks out and chooses) the weak things (or: the powerless or sickly ones) of the System (world; arranged order), so that He would bring disgrace and shame down on the strong things (or: the robust and mighty ones), 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), ²⁹ so that no flesh [nature, government or religious system] – [including, or at] all – could boast in God's sight or presence (or: before God). ³⁰ Now you folks are, and continuously exist being, forth from out of the midst of Him – within and in union with Christ Jesus, Who came to be (or: is birthed) wisdom in us (or: to us; for us) from God; likewise, both fairness and equity ([covenantal] relationship in the Way pointed out; rightwisedness – being turned in the right direction – and justice) and the essence of being set-apart to be different – even release by payment of a ransom (or: redemption) – ³¹ to the end that, correspondingly as it has been and stands written, "The one constantly boasting: let him habitually boast and constantly take pride in [the] Lord [= Yahweh]." [Jer. 9:23]

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, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor greedy (covetous) ones; not drunkards, not verbal abusers, not people who ravenously snatch, swindle or extort, will proceed to inherit a kingdom from God (or: will continue in receiving an allotment in God's sovereign reign and activities). ¹¹ And some of you were these things. But now you folks bathed yourselves off (took a bath to cleanse things away). But further, you were set apart (made holy; sanctified). But also you were rightwised and placed in the Way pointed out (turned in the right direction, made fair and equitable, and then joined in right relationship with God and mankind; = put in covenant) in union with and within the midst of the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ – even in union with and within the midst of the Spirit of (or: Breath-effect and Attitude which is) our God!

¹⁶ For what have you seen or how do you know, O wife (or: dear lady; woman) – whether you will bring health and wholeness to (or: will rescue, save and deliver) [your] husband (or: man)? Or what have you seen and how do you know, O husband (or: dear sir; O man) – whether you will bring health and wholeness to (or: will rescue, save and deliver) [your] wife (or: woman), except as the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] has divided and distributed [other MSS: divides and distributes] a part to (or: in; for) each one? Let each one thus be habitually walking about (= continue living your life in this way), as God has permanently called [him].

³ Wherefore, I am now proceeding to make known to you folks that no one – speaking within God's Spirit (or: speaking in union with the Breath-effect of God; speaking in the sphere of a Breath which is God) – is in the habit of saying, "Jesus [is] a result of something set up as an offering to a deity (or thus: Jesus [is] accursed)!" And no one is able (normally has power) to say, "Jesus [is] Lord (or: Lord Jesus; perhaps: = Jesus [is] Yahweh)!" except within and in union with [the] Holy Spirit (or: in a set-apart and consecrated spirit and attitude; in [the] Sacred Breath).

¹⁶ Else, if you may continue to speak a good word in spirit (or: to utter eulogies within [the] Spirit; to be blessing in union with Breath-effect), how will the one normally filling up the place of the private life of a non-specialist [note: = one who occupies the ordinary position of the "average person," being unskilled, uneducated, uninitiated into the secrets of life in the kingdom or the mysteries of Christ] normally say, "It is so! (or: Amen; Make it so!)" at your speaking of the ease and wholesomeness of grace, and your expression of gratitude – since he has not perceived and does not know what you are presently saying?

¹² Now since (or: if) Christ is habitually being publicly preached (heralded as a message) that He has been, and remains, awakened and raised up from out of the midst of dead folks, how are some among you folks repeatedly saying that there is (or: there exists) no resurrection of dead people?

³⁵ But still someone will say, "How are the dead ones being habitually (or: presently; periodically) awakened and raised up? And in what sort of body (or: with what kind of material organism) are they continuing to come (or: one-after-another going)?"

²² If anyone continues having no fondness or affection for the Lord, let him constantly be a person placed up [in prayer to be consecrated before the Lord] – [you see,] our Lord is present (has come).

¹² For you see, our boasting (or: expression of being proud) is this – [and it is] the witness and testimony of our conscience: that within the midst of the System (world of religion, culture, economy, secular society and government), and especially (or: more exceedingly) in our relationship with you folks, we were turned back and caused to live our lives and conduct ourselves within, and in union with, God's simplicity [other MSS: quality and aspect of being set apart (holiness)] and clearness from a decision made in sunlight (or: a sincerity which is God) – and this not within fleshly wisdom or cleverness, but to the contrary, within the midst of and in union with God's grace (or: the favor from, and which is, God).

²³ Now I, myself, continue to call upon God [to be] a witness (or: [as] evidence) upon my own soul (mind, will, emotions; inner life; self; or: = I stake my life on it!), that in my continuing in holding back and sparing you folks, I no longer came (or: I did not yet go) into Corinth.

¹⁸ "and so I will proceed into being a Father for you, and you will proceed in being (or: will continue being) sons and daughters in Me (by Me; to Me; for Me), says [the] Lord [= Yahweh] the All-strong (Almighty)." [2 Sam. 7:14; Isa. 43:6]

¹⁰ Christ's reality (or: Truth pertaining to, originating in, and which is [the] Anointed One) continuously exists within me, so that this boast (or: boasting) will not be constantly fenced in or hedged about (thus: stopped or blocked) unto (or: for) me within the slopes (= regions) of Achaia!

³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus (or, in apposition: which is [the] Lord Jesus) – the One continuously being a blessed One (or: the One constantly existing being [in character and quality as] a Word of ease and a Message of wellness and goodness) on into the ages – has seen and thus knows that I am not lying.

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).

⁸ However, even if we – or an agent from the atmosphere or sky (or: a messenger from out of the midst of heaven)! – should ever bring or announce something as "good news" (as the message of goodness; as being the evangel or gospel) to you folks which is to the side of that which we announce (or: is parallel to what we announced) to you folks in the message of goodness, ease and well-being, let it be placed on the altar before the Lord (set up as a result of a divine offering [i.e., to see if it is "accepted" by God, or "rejected," as Cain's was]; or, possibly: cursed).

²⁰ Now what I am presently writing to you folks (or: for you folks), consider! In God's sight, I am not lying!

¹⁶ having seen and thus knowing that humanity (or: mankind; or: a person) is not normally being put in right relationship made fair and equitable; made free from guilt and set into the Way pointed out; rightwised and made to be a just one; = being presently brought into covenant) from out of works of Law (or: forth from a law's deeds or actions from custom), but instead through Jesus Christ's faith (or: faith that belongs to and originates in Christ Jesus), even we ourselves trusted and believed into Christ Jesus, to the end that we would be put in right relationship made to be just, fair and equitable; be released from guilt; be rightwised and placed into the Way pointed out; also = be made a member of the covenant) from out of the midst of Christ's faith, as a source and sphere (or: forth from trust and conviction, which are Christ),– NOT from out of the midst of works of Law, as a source and sphere, because from out of the midst of works of Law (or: forth from a law's deeds or actions corresponding to custom; or: out of works which comprise [the] Law) "no flesh (= person or human) at all will be put in right relationship made to be just, fair and equitable; be freed from guilt; be rightwised or turned in the right direction from being placed into the Way pointed out; = put in covenant)." [Ps. 143:2]

⁸ Now the Scripture – seeing before [as a picture] that God is progressively putting the nations in rightwised relationship (setting the ethnic groups of non-Jews into the Way pointed out and freeing them from guilt) from out of faith – announced to (or: for) Abraham beforehand the message of goodness, ease and well-being (or: And further – the Scripture perceiving in advance and making provision that He is presently making the multitudes fair and equitable {or: = including the Gentiles in the covenant} from trust and conviction as a source – God brought-before in Abraham the glad tidings of goodness {a gospel; an evangel}), namely that, "All the nations, ethnic groups and multitudes will continuously and progressively be inwardly blessed (receive the inner Word of wellness; participate within the Good Word) in a union with you (or: within you; in you; or: = in relation to you; or: = as in your case)." [Gen. 12:3; 22:18]

¹⁰ You see, however many people continue their existence from the midst of observances and works of Law (= Everyone who lives by deeds and actions based upon the Torah) are continuously under a curse (a negative, down-focused or adversarial prayer; an imprecation), for it has been and now stands written, namely that, "A curse (or: an adversarial prayer; imprecation) [is settled] upon all (or: [is] added to everyone) not constantly remaining within all the things having been and standing written within the scroll of the Law [= Torah], in order to do them." [Deut. 27:26]

¹⁰ You see, however many people continue their existence from the midst of observances and works of Law (= Everyone who lives by deeds and actions based upon the Torah) are continuously under a curse (a negative, down-focused or adversarial prayer; an imprecation), for it has been and now stands written, namely that, "A curse (or: an adversarial prayer; imprecation) [is settled] upon all (or: [is] added to everyone) not constantly remaining within all the things having been and standing written within the scroll of the Law [= Torah], in order to do them." [Deut. 27:26] ¹¹ Now [the fact] that within [the] Law no one is in process of (or: in union with [the] Law or some legal practice or custom is no one normally) being rightwised (put in right relationship; made just, fair, equitable, set free from guilt, or, placed within the Way pointed out; also: = made a covenant member) at God's side (or: with God) [is] clearly visible and evident, because, "the fair and equitable man (the one in right relationship within the Way pointed out; the just one) will continue to live from out of faith (or: the one [who is] just from out of faith, trust, and conviction, will progressively live)," [Hab. 2:4]

¹³ Christ bought us [back] out (or: redeems and reclaims us out by payment of the ransom) from the midst of the curse (or: adversarial prayer; imprecation) of and from the Law, while becoming (or: birthing Himself to be) a curse (or: accursed One; an [embodied] adversarial prayer) for our sakes (or: over our [situation]) – for it has been and now stands written: "A curse (an adversarial prayer) [is settled] upon all (or: [is] added to everyone) continuing hanging upon a tree (or: wood; a stake or pole)" [Deut. 21:23, omitting the phrase “by God,” after the word “curse”] –

²¹ Is the Law, then, following the pattern of (or: down from; or: down against; or: on a par with; commensurate with; corresponding to) God's promises? May it not happen (It could not come to be; = Of course not)! For if a law (or: [the] Law) were given which continued having power or being able at any point to make alive (to construct or create living folks; to engender living ones; to impart life), really, the fairness and equity in right relationship (the rightwised qualities of justice and freedom from guilt within the Way pointed out; also = covenant inclusion) were likely being from out of the midst of [the] Law [= Torah; other MSS: residing within law]. ²² But to the contrary, the Scripture encircles and encloses [as fish in a net] all things, shuts them up together and locks the whole (the totality of everything) under (or: by) failure (error; deviation; the missing of the target; sin), to the end that the Promise would (or: could) suddenly be given to (or: in; for) the folks habitually trusting (or: progressively believing with faith's conviction) from out of Jesus Christ's faith (or: forth from the midst of the faith whose source and origin is Jesus Christ; from the midst of the trust and conviction which is Jesus Christ; or: so that the promise [which comes] forth from Jesus Christ’s trust, can at some point be given to the people presently having convinced assurance).

²⁴ so that, consequently, the Law (= Torah) had come to be (had been birthed into existence) and continued being our supervising guardian and attending escort [with a view to, aimed and moving] into Christ, to the end that we could (or: would) be made just, fair and equitable (rightwised; turned in the right direction and placed in right relationship within the Way pointed out; freed from guilt; also = included in covenant) from out of faith, conviction and trust.

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)!

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)! 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).

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!

²² For it has been, and stands, written that, Abraham had two sons: one forth from out of the servant girl (the maid; the female slave), and one from out of the freewoman. ²³ But, on the one hand, the one from out of the servant girl (the maid) had been born (generated and birthed) down from (in accord with; on the level of) flesh (= by human means); on the other hand, the one from out of the freewoman [was] through Promise (or: a promise)

²³ But, on the one hand, the one from out of the servant girl (the maid) had been born (generated and birthed) down from (in accord with; on the level of) flesh (= by human means); on the other hand, the one from out of the freewoman [was] through Promise (or: a promise) ²⁴ – which things are habitually being allegorized (or: are normally being expressed in an allegory; are commonly spoken of as something other [than what the language means]) – for these women are (= represent) two settled arrangements (covenants; contracts; wills): one, on the one hand, from Mount Sinai, habitually (repeatedly; continuously) giving birth into slavery (or: bondage) – which is Hagar. 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. ²⁶ Yet, on the other hand, the Jerusalem above is (continues being) free, who is (or: which particular one continues being) our mother. ²⁷ For it has been and stands written, "Be made well-minded (Be given a competent way of thinking; Be made glad; Be turned to a good attitude), barren (or: sterile) woman, O woman consistently not bringing forth (not bearing; not giving birth; not producing)! Break forth (or: Shatter) in pieces and shout for joy (or: implore aloud), O woman consistently not having labor pains (birth pangs), because many [are] the children (the born-ones) of the desolate woman (of the abandoned woman of the desert), rather than of the woman continuously having (holding; possessing) the husband." [Isa. 54:1, LXX] ²⁸ Now we [other MSS: you folks], brothers (= fellow believers; = my family), down from (or: corresponding to; in the sphere of) Isaac, are (continuously exist being) children of Promise (or: ones-born of [the] Promise). ²⁹ But nevertheless, just as then, the one being born down from (in accordance with; corresponding to; on the level of) flesh (= human efforts) was constantly pursuing and persecuting the one down from (in accordance with; corresponding to; in the sphere of) spirit (or: Breath-effect), so also now. ³⁰ Still, what does the Scripture yet say? "Cast out (or: At once expel) the servant girl (the slave-girl; the maid) and her son, for by no means will the son of the servant girl (the slave-girl; the maid) be an heir (take possession of and enjoy the distributed allotment) with the son of the freewoman." [Gen. 21:10]

³⁰ Still, what does the Scripture yet say? "Cast out (or: At once expel) the servant girl (the slave-girl; the maid) and her son, for by no means will the son of the servant girl (the slave-girl; the maid) be an heir (take possession of and enjoy the distributed allotment) with the son of the freewoman." [Gen. 21:10] ³¹ Wherefore, brothers (= fellow believers; family), we are not (we do not exist being) children of a slave-girl (a servant girl; a maid), but, to the contrary, of the freewoman.

³ Now I continue solemnly asserting (attesting; affirming; witnessing), again, to every person (or: human) proceeding to be circumcised, that he is, and continues being, a debtor (one under obligation) to do (to perform; to produce) the whole Law [= the entire Torah]! ⁴ You people were discharged (made inactive, idle, useless, unproductive and without effect; or: voided, nullified, exempted) away from Christ, you who are now in Law trying to be rightwised (also = be included in the covenant) and are basing your fairness and relationships on the way it points out – you at once fell from out of the grace and favor! ⁵ For in spirit (or: by [the] Breath-effect; with [the] Spirit) – forth from out of faith and trust – we continuously (or: progressively) receive by taking away, as with our hands, from out of [the] expectation which belongs to and whose source and reality is the fairness, equity and freedom from guilt in right relationship within the Way pointed out (or: forth from the midst of expectant hope, which is the state of being rightwised and pointed in the right direction; also = out of an expectation from covenant inclusion and participation),

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).

⁴ even as He chose us out (or: selects and picks us out) within Him, and in union with Him, before [the] (or: prior to a) casting down (or: a laying of the foundation; a conception) of [the] ordered system (world; universe; cosmic order; or: human aggregate), [for] us to continuously be set-apart ones (or: to progressively exist being sacred and dedicated people) and flawless folks (people without stain; blameless ones) in His sight and presence (or: in the midst of the sphere of His gaze) in union with love. [or, putting this last phrase at the beginning of vs. 5:] ⁵ In love [He was] marking us out beforehand (or: definitively appointing us in advance; before-setting our boundaries and defining us, with a designation) [and directing us] into a placing in the condition of a son (or: a deposit of the Son; a setting in place which is the Son; the constituting as a son; a placing in the Son) through and by means of Jesus Christ [moving us] into Himself, according to (or: down from; in correspondence with; following the pattern of) the good thought, the intention of well-being, and the well-imagined delight of His will (determined purpose). ⁶ [This was] with a view unto praise of His grace's glory (or: This [led] into [the] praise of [the] reputation and honorable consideration of His favor) with which He graced us (or: favors and gifts us with grace) within the One having been, and continuing being, loved (or: the Beloved One; or: the One having been given and now expressing the essence and qualities of love; [some MSS: within His beloved Son]),

⁶ [This was] with a view unto praise of His grace's glory (or: This [led] into [the] praise of [the] reputation and honorable consideration of His favor) with which He graced us (or: favors and gifts us with grace) within the One having been, and continuing being, loved (or: the Beloved One; or: the One having been given and now expressing the essence and qualities of love; [some MSS: within His beloved Son]), ⁷ within and in union with Whom we continuously have (constantly hold; progressively possess) the redemption (the release into freedom procured by the payment of a ransom; the liberation from our predicament) through His blood the sending away (causing to flow off; forgiveness; dismissal) of the effects and results of the fallings-aside (the stumblings by the side; wrong steps; offences; transgressions), in accordance with (or: down from; corresponding to; in keeping with; to the level of) the wealth and riches of His grace and joyous favor, ⁸ which He caused to superabound around [and] unto us (or: which He makes to be more than enough unto us; which He excessively supplied and then lavishes into us) within the midst of, in union with and centered in all wisdom (or: in every wise thing) and thoughtful prudence (gut-intelligence; mindful purpose; considered understanding). ⁹ [This occurred] while making known to us (acquainting us by intimate, experiential knowledge; suddenly making us to realize) the secret (mystery; hidden knowledge) of His will (determined purpose; resolve) in accord with (or: down from and following the pattern of; corresponding to; in line with) His good thought which He before placed within Himself (or: corresponding to the measure of His pleasing imagination and intent of well-being which He designed beforehand and determined by setting it forth within Himself), ¹⁰ [leading] into a planned administration of the effects of that which fills up the appointed seasons and fertile moments (or: unto a dispensing of the entire contents of the opportune situations; [leading] into a house-law of the result from the full measure of the fitting situations and a management of the household of the complement of the seasons; into an administration of the full effect from the eras), [designed] to itself bring back all things (or: the whole) up under one Head (or: to bring back to and gather round the main point and source of all things) within and in union with the Christ: those things upon [other MSS: within] the heavens (or: the atmospheres) and the things upon the land (earth) within and in union with Him! ¹¹ Within and in union with Whom we were (or: are) also chosen (or: appointed) by lot (or: were made an allotted portion; or: received an inheritance), being previously marked out (or: being before designated) in keeping with (or: down from; corresponding to; in accord with) a before-placed (or: predetermined-by-setting-forth) aim anddesign of the One continuously operating (effecting; energizing) all things (or: the whole) in accord with (or: down from; in line with; in correspondence to) the deliberated purpose (intent; design; plan; determined counsel) of His will (or: resultant decision of His resolve; effect of His desire),

¹⁸ the eyes of your heart (= the insights and perceptions of the core of your being) having continued being enlightened (or: being progressively illuminated into a state of enlightenment) into the [situation for] you folks to have seen and thus perceive and know what is the expectation (or: expectant hope) of His calling (or: from HIS calling; belonging to His summons; from the invitation which is Him) and what [is] the wealth and riches from the glory (or: of the imagination and opinion; pertaining to the reputation) of and from the enjoyment of His lot-acquired inheritance within, in union with, and among the set-apart, sacred people.

³ immersedamong which folks we all also were once twisted up (or: entangled; overturned; upset) within the cravings (full longings; over-desires) of our flesh (= the estranged human nature, or the alienated self; or: = system of our works and sacrificial religion), continually doing the will (or: producing the intentions) of the flesh (= our existence while in bondage, or the duties of religion), and of the divided thoughts and things passing through the mind. Furthermore, we were continuously existing in essence (in natural condition; by instinct) being children of natural impulse (natural disposition; inherent fervor and swelling passion; teeming desire; or: anger; wrath) even as (or: as also) the rest (the remaining ones) [were].

³ immersedamong which folks we all also were once twisted up (or: entangled; overturned; upset) within the cravings (full longings; over-desires) of our flesh (= the estranged human nature, or the alienated self; or: = system of our works and sacrificial religion), continually doing the will (or: producing the intentions) of the flesh (= our existence while in bondage, or the duties of religion), and of the divided thoughts and things passing through the mind. Furthermore, we were continuously existing in essence (in natural condition; by instinct) being children of natural impulse (natural disposition; inherent fervor and swelling passion; teeming desire; or: anger; wrath) even as (or: as also) the rest (the remaining ones) [were]. ⁴ But God, continuously being wealthy and rich in mercy, because of His vast (much; great in magnitude and quantity; outstretched; long-lasting; repeated) Love in (or: with) which He focused love on (or: loves and accepts) us [p46 reads: had mercy on us], ⁵ even us, being continuously dead ones by (or: in; to; with) the results and effects of stumblings aside (wrong steps; offences) [p46 reads: ... in (to; by) the bodies; other MSS: by the failure (s) to hit the mark (sin/sins); B reads: within the stumblings aside and the cravings (lusts)], He made alive together by (or: joins us in common life with, for and in; [p46, B: within; in union with]) the Christ by Grace and joyous favor you continually exist, being folks having been delivered (rescued and saved, so that you are now safe; made whole)!

⁷ to the end that within the continuously oncoming ages (the indefinite time periods continually and progressively coming upon and overtaking [us]) He may exhibit (display; point out; give proof of) the continuously transcending (being cast beyond; overshooting) riches and wealth of His grace and favor, in useful goodness (beneficial kindness) [flooding] upon us, within Christ Jesus (or: in union with [the] Anointed Jesus). ⁸ For you see, by (or: to; in; for; with) the grace and joyous favor you are (you continuously exist being) folks having been delivered (rescued; kept safe; saved; made whole; restored to your original state and condition) so as to now be enjoying salvation through [some MSS add: the] faith (or: trust; confidence), and this not forth from out of you folks, [it is] the gift of and from God (or: the gift which is God; or: the gift whose source is God), ⁹ not out of works (or: not forth from the midst of actions or deeds done; = not self-produced), to the end that no one could boast, ¹⁰ or the fact is, we are (continually exist being) the effect of what He did (or: His creation; the thing He has constructed; the result of His work; His achievement; His opus; the effect of His Deed): people being founded from a state of disorder and wildness (being framed, built, settled and created), within and in union with Christ Jesus, upon good works (virtuous actions; excellent deeds) which God made ready (prepared; or: prepares) beforehand, to the end that we may walk about (= live our lives) within and in union with them. 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).

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). ¹³ But now, within, in union with and centered in Christ Jesus, you the folks once being (continuously existing) far off (or: at a distance) came to be (were birthed; are generated; are suddenly become) near, immersed within and in union with the blood of the Christ (the Anointed One).

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) ⁷ of which I came to be (was birthed; became) an attendant (a server; one who renders service and dispenses) in accord with, down from, in the sphere of and commensurate with the gift of God's grace and favor that being given to me (or: by me) in accord with (or: down from; corresponding to; to the level of; in line with) the operative, effective, internal working energy of His power and ability! ⁸ To me, the one far inferior to (or: less than the least among) all of those set apart (or: the saints; the holy people), was given this grace and joyous favor: to myself address the nations (non-Jews; Gentiles; ethnic multitudes) with the good news of (or: whose source is) the untrackable (untraceable; or: not-searched-out and unexplored) riches of the Christ (or: to for myself declare and bring to the ethnic groups the message of goodness, ease and well-being of the unexploreable wealth which is the Anointed One),

⁸ To me, the one far inferior to (or: less than the least among) all of those set apart (or: the saints; the holy people), was given this grace and joyous favor: to myself address the nations (non-Jews; Gentiles; ethnic multitudes) with the good news of (or: whose source is) the untrackable (untraceable; or: not-searched-out and unexplored) riches of the Christ (or: to for myself declare and bring to the ethnic groups the message of goodness, ease and well-being of the unexploreable wealth which is the Anointed One),

¹¹ in accord with (or: down from; corresponding to) a purpose of the ages (a fore-designed aim, plan and object [which He is bent on achieving] of the unspecified time-periods) which He formed (forms; made; constructs; produced) within the Christ by our Lord, Jesus,

¹⁶ to the end that He would give to you folks, in accord with (or: down from; in correspondence to and on the scale of) the riches of His glory (or: the wealth of the glory which is Him), to be strengthened (rendered strong; reinforced; made to grow strong and acquire strength) inpower and with ability through His Breath-effect for the interior person (or: by means of the Spirit, which is Him, [proceeding] into the midst of the humanity within,)

¹⁷ This, then, I am continually saying and giving evidence of (or: attesting) within the Lord: no longer are you to be continuously walking [your path] (i.e., conducting yourself; adjusting your behavior) according to the way that the nations (the multitudes; the non-Israelites; the Gentiles; the ethnic or special or pagan groups) are continuously walking around (ordering their behavior) within the emptiness (vanity; frivolity; futility) of their mind (or: intellect), ¹⁸ being folks having been, any still yet being, darkened in (or: by) the divided thought and the thing passing through the mind, having been and continuing being alienated (estranged) away from the Life of God (or: God's life; or the life which is God) through the ignorance continuously existing (or: being) within them [and] through the petrifying (becoming stone; callousness; = insensitivity) of their heart, ¹⁹ which certain people, being folks having ceased to feel pain (being insensible or callous), gave themselves over (abandoned themselves) to outrageous behavior (excessive indulgence; wantonness; licentiousness), into every unclean performance (work, trade, business or labor of impurity) in greed (always wanting more; covetousness; schemes of extortion; = wanting more than ones due, in disregard for others).

⁸ You see, God [is] my witness (or: evidence), how I continually long (or: yearn) for all you folks within the inner seat of Jesus Christ's tender emotions (upper internal organs – heart, liver, lungs; = compassions).

²⁰ in accordance with my looking away – with my head stretched out to watch – and [the] expectation (or: hope) that within nothing will I proceed being put to shame (disgrace; embarrassment), but to the contrary, within all freedom of speech (boldness and public openness which comes from being a citizen) – as always, even now (at the present moment) – Christ will progressively be made great (be magnified; be enlarged) within my body, whether through life, or through death!

⁶ Who, starting and continuing as inherently existing (or: beginning under; subsisting) within God's form (or: in an outward mold which is God), He does not consider the [situation] to be equals in and by God a plunder (or: a pillaging; a robbery; a snatching; or: a thing or situation seized and held), (or: Who, [although] constantly humbly and supportively ruling in union with an external shape and an outward appearance from God, did not give consideration to a seizure: the [situation] to continuously exist being the same things with God, even on the same levels in God, or equal [things; aspects] to God,) ⁷ but to the contrary, He empties Himself (or: removed the contents of Himself; made Himself empty), receiving (or: taking; accepting) a slave's form (external shape; outward mold), coming to be (or: birthing Himself) within an effect of humanity's (mankind's; people's) likeness. ⁸ And so, being found in an outward fashion, mode of circumstance, condition, form-appearance (or: character, role, phase, configuration, manner) as a human (a person; a man), He lowers Himself (or: humbled Himself; made Himself low; degrades Himself; levels Himself off), coming to be (or: birthing Himself) a submissive, obedient One (one who gives the ear and listens) as far as (or: to the point of; until) death – but death of a cross (torture stake)! ⁹ For this reason, God also lifts Him up above (or: highly exalted Him; elevates Him over) and by grace gives to Him (or: joyously favors on Him) the Name – the one over and above every name! – ¹⁰ to the end that within The Name: Jesus! (or: in union with the name of Jesus; in the midst of the Name belonging to [Yahweh-the-Savior]), every knee (= person) – of the folks upon the heaven (of those belonging to the super-heaven, or [situated] upon the atmosphere) and of the people existing upon the earth and of the folks dwelling down under the ground (or: on the level of or pertaining to subterranean ones; [comment: note the ancient science of the day – a three-tiered universe]) – may bend (or: would bow) in worship, prayer or allegiance, ¹¹ and every tongue (= person) may speak out the same thing (should and would openly agree, confess, avow and acclaim) that Jesus Christ [is] Lord (Master; Owner) – [leading] into [the] glory of Father God (or: unto Father God's good reputation; [progressing] into a manifestation which calls forth praise unto God [the] Father)!

¹³ for you see, God is the One habitually being inwardly active, constantly working and progressively effecting [results] within you folks – both the willing (intending; purposing; resolving) and the [situation] to be continuously effecting the action and inward work – above the thing that pleases (or: over [the situation of] well-thinking and delight; for the sake of [His] good pleasure).

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]).

⁶ in accordance to zeal, one constantly pressing, pursuing and persecuting the called-out community; in accordance to fairness and equity in the way pointed out in the Law, one coming to be, of myself, without defect (one becoming blameless).

⁹ and may be found within Him (or: in union with Him) – not continuing having (or: holding) my pointed-out way (my fairness and equity; my relationships; my basis for what is right; my own righteousness) from out of the Law or custom, but to the contrary, the [fairness and equity which accord with the Way pointed-out] through means of Christ's faithfulness (or: the trust-conviction which is Christ; the faith of and from [the Messiah]): the [covenant] fairness and equity in right relationships from being rightwised within the Way pointed out [which is] forth from out of the midst of God as a source [and is placed and thus based] upon that faith, confidence and trust –

¹⁸ For you see – I was often telling you about them, yet now I am also presently weeping (lamenting) in saying it – many continue walking about (i.e., are living their lives) as enemies of the cross of the Christ (the Anointed One's execution-stake),

¹² [We are folks who are] constantly giving thanks to the Father: the One calling you [other MSS: us] – as well as making [you; us] competent (sufficient; qualified; fit; suitable) – into the divided share of the lot of the inheritance (or: into the part and portion of the allotted possession) of the set-apart folks (or: pertaining to the holy ones; belonging to the saints; from the sacred people; which is the different-from-the-ordinary folks) within the Light;

¹⁶ because within Him was created the whole (or: in union with Him everything is founded and settled, is built and planted, is brought into being, is produced and established; or: within the midst of Him all things were brought from chaos into order) – the things within the skies and atmospheres, and the things upon the earth (or: those [situations, conditions and/or people] in the heavens and on the land); the visible things, and the unseen (or: unable to be seen; invisible) things: whether thrones (seats of power) or lordships (ownership systems) or governments (rulers; leadership systems; sovereignties) or authorities – the whole has been created and all things continue founded, put in order and stand framed through means of Him, and [proceeds, or were placed] into Him (or: = He is the agent and goal of all creation). ¹⁷ And He is before (prior to; or: maintains precedence of) all things and all people, and the whole has (or: all things have) been placed together and now continues to jointly-stand (stands cohesively; is made to have a co-standing) within the midst of and in union with Him, ¹⁸ and so He is the Head (or: Source) of the body – which is the called-out community (the ecclesia; the summoned congregation) – Who is the Beginning (or: the Ruler; the Originator and Ruling Principle; the Beginning Power and Ability of the process), a Firstborn forth from out of the midst of dead folks, to the end that He would be birthed (may come into existence; or: could come to be) within all things and in all people: He continuously holding first place (or: constantly being preeminent; or: habitually being the First One; or: continuing being the First Man [note: this phrase has in Greek literature been used as a title for a person]), ¹⁹ because WITHIN Him all – the entire contents (the result of that which fills everything; all the effect of the full measure [of things]) – delights to settle down and dwell as in a house (or: because He approved all the fullness [of all existence] to permanently reside within Him)

²⁷ to whom God wills (or: at one point purposed; or: intends) to make known by intimate experience, what [are] the riches of the glory of this Secret (or: the wealth which has its source in this sacred mystery's manifestation which calls forth praise) within the multitudes (among the nations; in the Gentiles; IN UNION WITH the swarms of ethnic groups), which is (or: exists being) Christ within you folks, the expectation of and from the glory (or: which is [the] Anointed in union with you people: the hope of the manifestation which calls forth praise; or: which is [the] Anointing within the midst of you folks – the expectation which is the glory),

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]).

⁴ Brothers (= Fellow believers; = [My] family), folks having been and still being loved by God, knowing and perceiving your election (your being picked out; your being chosen, arranged, gathered or spoken, out of the midst),

⁵ For neither did we at any time come to be flattering in word, according as you saw and are aware, neither within pretense (held-forward specious cloak) from greed: God is witness!

¹² even continuously giving evidence (witnessing; confirming by testimony) unto you folks to be continuously walking about worthily of the God (= living your lives in a manner equal in value with regard to the God) [Who is] continuously calling (or: repeatedly inviting) you people into His own kingdom (or: reign; sovereign influence and activity) and glory (or: a manifestation which calls forth praise; or: reputation; or: opinion and imagination; or: = manifest presence).

¹⁶ while continuously forbidding us (cutting us off; preventing us) to speak to the nations (the ethnic groups; the non-Israelite multitudes; the Gentiles) – to the end that they may be delivered (saved; rescued; healed and made whole) – always [proceeding] unto that which fills up their own failures (errors; deviations; sins)! But inherent fervor (or: swelling passion; teeming desire; or: anger; wrath; agitation of soul) advances upon them unto a purpose (or: on into [the] final act; or: in the end; on into the midst of a destined goal).

⁹ because God Himself did not (or: does not) place or set us into anger (inherent fervor; violent emotion; wrath; or: teeming, passionate desire), but rather, into an encompassing of deliverance (or: unto establishing a perimeter of safety; into making health and wholeness encircle [us]; into the forming of an encompassing salvation around [us]) through our Lord, Jesus Christ –

¹⁰ whenever He may come and go, to be made glorious within (to be glorified in union with; to have a reputation within) His set-apart folks (holy and sacred people), and to be wondered at (marveled at; admired) within all the folks believing in that day, seeing that our testimony (or: evidence), [being placed] on you, was believed (received with faith) and is trusted. ¹¹ Unto which end we always continuously pray (think or speak toward having goodness, ease and well-being), also, concerning you in order that our God would account you worthy of the calling (or: of equal value to the invitation) and would fill (or: make full) every delight (pleasure, good thought) of virtue (excellence; goodness) and work of faith in power (or: and may make every good disposition of excellence and action of trust full, in union with ability), ¹² so that the Name of our Lord, Jesus [other MSS add: Christ], may be invested with glory (glorified; made to be a manifestation and a reputation which calls forth praise) within you folks, and you within Him, according to (down from; in line with; on the level of) the grace and favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ (or: from our God, and [the] Owner, Anointed Jesus).

¹⁰ and within every deception (delusion; seduction) of the injustice (wrong; thing that is not the way pointed out and which is not right) within the folks continuously or repeatedly being lost (or: by the folks progressively destroying themselves) in return for which (or: in the place of which) they do (or: did) not take unto themselves and welcomely receive the love of, and from, the truth (or: Truth's love; the Love which is Truth and Reality; or: an appreciation of and affection for reality), into the [situation for] them at some point to be suddenly delivered (restored to health and wholeness; rescued; saved; restored to the original state and condition). ¹¹ And so, because of this, God is continuously sending to (or: in) them an in-working (or: operation) of wandering (or: which is the source of being caused to stray; which has the character of error and deception) into the [situation for] them to believe, and to trust, the lie, ¹² to the end that all those not believing the Truth (or: having conviction of or trusting the reality), but rather approving and delighting in injustice (inequity; the thing that is not right), may (or: can; would) at some point be sifted, separated and decided about (or: judged). ¹³ However we, ourselves, are presently indebted (or: continuously owing) to be constantly expressing gratitude to God (or: speaking of the goodness of grace and the well-being of the favor in God) always, concerning you: brothers (= fellow believers) having been loved continuing to be unambiguously accepted by the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] because God chose you for Himself, from [the] beginning, unto deliverance, [other MSS: God selected and took you in preference {to be} a firstfruit into a restoration to the original state and condition (or: into the midst of health and wholeness; {leading you} unto rescue and salvation)], in a setting-apart of spirit and faith which has the character of truth (or: a making sacred from Breath-effect and trust from reality; or: in union with Spirit's differencing and Truth's faith), ¹⁴ on into which, through our message of goodness, ease and well-being, He also called you folks [other MSS: us] into an encompassing (or: forming an encirclement; establishing a perimeter; creating a surrounding, and thus a procuring) of the glory (or: which is the glory; from the manifestation which calls forth praise) of our Lord, Jesus Christ (or: [the] Anointed).

⁵ Yet the purpose and goal of the notification (the message and announcement which is brought alongside and passed on) continues being love (the whole being's drive and movement toward reunion with another, to overcome existential separation; acceptance of the object of love without restriction, in spite of the estranged, profanized and demonized state of the object – Paul Tillich) forth from out of the midst of a clean heart and a good conscience (virtuous knowing-together; profitable impression of reality) and of unhypocritical faith (or: unfeigned trust; or: loyalty that is not overly critical; or: belief that lacks the qualities of being overly concerned with small details or hyper-evaluations),

⁷ into the midst of which I, a preacher (or: herald) and one sent with a mission (an envoy and representative), was placed (or: am set) – I am speaking truth, I am not lying – a teacher of multitudes (nations; the multiplied ethnic groups; non-Jews), within faith and Truth (or: in union with trust and reality).

¹⁶ and so confessedly (admittedly; with common consent and sameness of speech) great is the secret (or: mystery) of the reverence (the standing in awe of goodness, with adoration; the healthful devotion and virtuous conduct of ease, in true relation to God): which is made visible (manifested) within flesh (= a physical body), is rightwised (set in equity and right relationship in the Way pointed out; also = is placed in covenant) in spirit (in union with Breath-effect), is seen by agents (or: messengers), is heralded (preached) within multitudes (among nations and ethnic groups), is trusted and believed within [the] world (an ordered system; secular culture), is received back in good opinion and reputation. (or: Who [some MSS read: God; others: He] was brought to clear light within flesh (= the natural realm); was shown righteous and just (= set in covenant) within spirit and attitude; was seen by agents; was proclaimed among Gentiles {non-Jews}; was believed within [the] world of society, religion, and government; was taken back up again, within glory – a manifestation which calls forth praise!)

²¹ I continue bearing complete and thorough witness (or: I habitually give evidence and testimony throughout) in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus and of the selected, picked out and chosen agents (or: messengers; folks with the message), to the end that you may keep watch on so as to guard these things apart from effects of fore-decisions (prejudgment; prejudice), continually doing nothing (constructing not one thing) down from (in accord with; on the level of) inclination (or: a leaning toward [something]) or bias.

⁵ altercations and mutual irritations from throughout rubbing against (= friction with) people being folks having been utterly spoiled, ruined, corrupted or perished in the mind (= lost their wits), and having been deprived from the Truth (or: defrauded of reality), folks continually prescribing it a customary law, inferring providing (or: procuring; acquiring; furnishing and supplying to one's self; capital; financial gain) to be the Reverence (the standing in awe of wellness, with adoration; the virtuous conduct, in true relation to God; or: devoutness).

¹¹ However you, O human from God (or: O person whose source and origin is God), be constantly fleeing (taking flight from) these things. But continuously pursue (or: rapidly follow, press forward and chase) fair and equitable dealings in right relationships in the Way pointed out (rightwisedness; justice; = loyal covenantal living), faith (trust; trustworthiness; loyalty), love, persistent remaining under in patient yet relentless endurance to give support, meek and gentle sensitivity (mildness of temper).

¹⁵ which, in its own fitting situations (appropriate seasons; appointed occasions; fertile moments), will proceed to exhibit and point out The Happy and Only Able One (only Powerful One; alone Potent One): The King of those reigning as kings, and Lord (Master; Owner) of those ruling as lords,

⁹ pertaining to and from the One delivering and calling us (or: which is rescuing, healing restoring, saving and calling us) in a set-apart calling (or: to a holy invitation; for a separated and different sacred call); not corresponding to our works (or: down from our deeds; in accord with or on the level of our [ceremonial] activities), but on the contrary, corresponding to (down from; in accord with; on the level of) His own prior placing (or: previously setting-forth; thus: definite aim and purpose which He personally is bent on achieving), even grace: that [which is] being given to us within Christ Jesus (or: corresponding to His own predetermined purpose and the favor being given to us, [which is] belonging to and pertaining to Jesus, resident within Christ), before times having the qualities and characteristics of the ages (before [the] age-lasting time periods; prior to eonian times; = before [the] time segments of [the] ages [began]),

¹² For (Because of; In view of) which cause I am also continuously experiencing (also: feeling; being affected by; suffering) these things. But still, I am not feeling shame (or: I am not experiencing embarrassment), for I have seen and thus know by Whom I have believed and now put my trust (or: in Whom I have relied and continue placing confidence), and I have been persuaded and am continuing convinced that He is able (He continues being powerful) to watch over, guard and protect – on into that Day – the deposit placed alongside of me (or: what is entrusted to my charge).

⁸ Be habitually keeping in mind (or: remembering) Jesus Christ, being the One having been aroused and raised, and now continuing risen, forth from out of the midst of dead folks: from out of David's seed! (or: = [Who came] forth from David's descendants.) – corresponding to and in the sphere of my message of goodness, ease and well-being (or: in line with the good news that came through me),

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!)

²⁰ Now within a great house (= a palace), there are not only golden and silver containers, equipment and utensils, but also wooden ones and earthenware (ones made of baked clay). And on the one hand some which [come] into [use for] honor (things of value; = to be used on special occasions), on the other hand some which [come] into [use for] dishonor (things without value; = for everyday use).

²⁰ Now within a great house (= a palace), there are not only golden and silver containers, equipment and utensils, but also wooden ones and earthenware (ones made of baked clay). And on the one hand some which [come] into [use for] honor (things of value; = to be used on special occasions), on the other hand some which [come] into [use for] dishonor (things without value; = for everyday use). ²¹ If, then, anyone should ever clean himself out from these [aforementioned worthless, dishonorable and common] things, he will proceed being a container (or: utensil; piece of equipment) [placed] into [use for] honor and things of worth, having been set aside (dedicated and being one made sacred and holy) for honorable and valuable use by the Owner (Master of the house), one having been made ready and now being prepared, [directed and now proceeding] into every good work (or: virtuous action).

²¹ If, then, anyone should ever clean himself out from these [aforementioned worthless, dishonorable and common] things, he will proceed being a container (or: utensil; piece of equipment) [placed] into [use for] honor and things of worth, having been set aside (dedicated and being one made sacred and holy) for honorable and valuable use by the Owner (Master of the house), one having been made ready and now being prepared, [directed and now proceeding] into every good work (or: virtuous action).

⁹ [Encourage] slaves to habitually place themselves in subjection (or: to be continually in humble alignment, supportively arranged under) their own owners (or: masters) in all things – to be constantly well-pleasing and satisfying, not repeatedly speaking contrarily or refuting (or: talking back), nor embezzling (secretly putting aside for oneself; pilfering),

³ You see, we also were, ourselves, at one time people habitually being foolish, senseless and without understanding (without perception or proper use of our minds) – noncompliant and disobedient ones, folks being constantly caused to wander and being led astray (or, as a middle: repeatedly deceiving ourselves; habitually going astray), continuously being and performing as slaves to various (a diversity of many kinds of) full-rushing passions and pleasures (enjoyments; gratifications), habitually carrying ugly worthlessness (bad quality or malice) and envy (or: jealousy) throughout (= leading a bad life): detestable ones (abhorrent folks) continuously hating one another.

³ You see, we also were, ourselves, at one time people habitually being foolish, senseless and without understanding (without perception or proper use of our minds) – noncompliant and disobedient ones, folks being constantly caused to wander and being led astray (or, as a middle: repeatedly deceiving ourselves; habitually going astray), continuously being and performing as slaves to various (a diversity of many kinds of) full-rushing passions and pleasures (enjoyments; gratifications), habitually carrying ugly worthlessness (bad quality or malice) and envy (or: jealousy) throughout (= leading a bad life): detestable ones (abhorrent folks) continuously hating one another. ⁴ Yet, when the beneficial usefulness in meeting needs and the affectionate friendship for mankind (the fondness for, the liking of, and the love – as shown in kissing – for humanity) of God (or: coming from, and which is, God), our Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Healer; Restorer), was fully set in clear Light (was made to completely appear; was fully manifested) –

⁴ Yet, when the beneficial usefulness in meeting needs and the affectionate friendship for mankind (the fondness for, the liking of, and the love – as shown in kissing – for humanity) of God (or: coming from, and which is, God), our Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Healer; Restorer), was fully set in clear Light (was made to completely appear; was fully manifested) – ⁵ not from out of works [which arise from] within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed), but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition) through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth) and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality) again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit) –

⁵ not from out of works [which arise from] within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed), but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition) through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth) and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality) again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit) –

⁵ not from out of works [which arise from] within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed), but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition) through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth) and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality) again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit) – ⁶ which (or: from which source) He pours forth (or: poured from out of) upon us richly through Jesus Christ, our Deliverer (Savior; Healer; Rescuer; Restorer; Safe-keeper), ⁷ to the end that, being rightwised, and set in right relationship in the Way of fairness and equity which has been pointed out (also: = being placed in covenant membership) – by and in the grace and favor of That One – we can (could; would; may) come to be (or: be birthed; be made to exist being) heirs (possessors and enjoyers of the allotment), corresponding to, in line with, and down from [the] expectation (or: an expectant hope) that comes from eonian life (or: of life whose character, origin, source and realm is the Age [of the Messiah]; or: a life of unspecified duration which leads on into the ages; [the] life of and for the ages).

⁸ Yet, on the other hand, to the Son, "God [is] Your throne, on into the age of the Age, and the scepter of straightness [is] a scepter of His kingdom and sovereign activity. (variant rendering, with other MSS: "Your throne, O God, and the staff of uprightness, [is the] staff of Your reign, unto the chief time period of the Age.) ⁹ "You love fairness and equity in rightwised [covenant] relationships within the Way pointed out (or: justice; righteousness) and yet you hate lawlessness. Because of this, God – Your God – anointed You with olive oil of extreme joy, at the side of (or: = more than; = rather than) Your partners (or: associates; fellows). [Ps. 45:6-7] ¹⁰ And further, "O Lord [= Yahweh], down from beginnings (or: in accord with ruling [principle] s), You founded (or: laid the foundations of) the earth (or: land), and the works of Your hands are the heavens (or: skies; atmospheres). ¹¹ "They shall progressively destroy themselves (or: ruin, or lose, themselves) – but You continue remaining throughout. ¹² "And all people, as a garment, shall progressively be made (or: grow) old. Then like that which is thrown around [as a cloak], You will roll or wrap them up as a garment, and so they (or: the same people) will progressively be made another (be altered; be changed; be transformed), yet You are the same, and Your years will not fail." [Ps. 102:25-28] ¹³ Now to a certain one (or, as in vs. 5: Now in which one '85?) of the agents (or: folks with a message) He once said, "Sit at (or: out of [the authority of]) My right [hand; side] until I may place your foes (or: hostile ones) a footstool of your feet (or: = turn your enemies into your footstool [= a supportive role])." [Ps. 110:1]

¹ Wherefore (From which situation), O set-apart and sacred brothers (= consecrated fellow members) – common-holders (partners; sharing possessors; joint-participants; associates; partaking members) of a super-heavenly calling (an invitation which comes from [the realm] upon the heavens; or, with epi as an intensifier: a calling of the complete and full heavens; or: a calling from the One [holding sway] upon the atmosphere) – consider (ponder; focus your thoughts down upon and think carefully about) Jesus, the Sent-off Emissary (or: Representative) and Chief and Ruling Priest of our agreed message (or: our like-reasoned idea; our saying of the same word; our unanimous consent and avowal; or: our binding association-agreement),

¹³ For you see God – after at one point promising to Abraham – since He had, and continues to have, no greater in line with (or: down into the sphere of; to the level of; according to; by; against) which to swear, swore in line with (down into; by; etc.) Himself, ¹⁴ proceeding in saying, "Assuredly, continuously speaking good (or: blessing) I will continuously speak good to (or: bless) you, then progressively multiplying I will progressively multiply and fill you." [Gen. 22:17] ¹⁵ And so, in this way enduring long (breathing and blowing long) he hit upon the target of (= obtained) the promises. ¹⁶ For you see, men are swearing by (or: down on; according to) the greater, and to (or: for; with; among) them the oath [is] an end (limit; boundary; termination) of all contradiction and dispute (or: from talking-back in face-to-face opposition), unto an established confirmation. ¹⁷ In [line with] which God – intending (or: willing; purposing) more abundantly to fully demonstrate to the heirs (or: possessors) of the promise the unchangeableness (immutable position) of His intent (will; purpose) – interposed (mediated between two parties) with an oath,

¹⁷ In [line with] which God – intending (or: willing; purposing) more abundantly to fully demonstrate to the heirs (or: possessors) of the promise the unchangeableness (immutable position) of His intent (will; purpose) – interposed (mediated between two parties) with an oath, 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],

⁶ But now He has hit the mark of a thoroughly carried-through public service, even by as much as He continues being a Medium (an agency; an intervening substance; a middle state; one in a middle position; a go-between; an umpire; a Mediator) of a superior (stronger and better) arrangement (covenant; settlement; disposition) which has been instituted (set by custom; legally [= by/as Torah] established) upon superior (stronger and better) promises! ⁷ For if that first one was being unblamable (without ground for faultfinding; beyond criticism; satisfying), a place of a second one would not have continued to be sought (looked for). ⁸ For continuously blaming (finding fault and being dissatisfied with) them, He is saying, "'Consider! Days are progressively coming,' says the Lord [=Yahweh], 'and I shall progressively bring an end together (a conclusion of its destiny; or: a joint-goal) upon the house of Israel and upon the house of Judah with a new arrangement (covenant; disposition), ⁹ "'not down from nor in accord with the arrangement (covenant) which I made with their fathers, in a day of My taking hold upon their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not remain (abide; dwell) in My arrangement (covenant) and, for my part, I cared not for (was unconcerned about; neglected) them,' says the Lord [= Yahweh]. ¹⁰ "'Because this is the arrangement (covenant; disposition) which I shall continue arranging for the house of Israel, after those days,' says the Lord: 'progressively giving My Laws into their thought (into that which goes through their mind; into their perception and comprehension), and I shall progressively imprint them (write or inscribe marks) upon their hearts, and I shall continue being in and among them ([in relation] to them; for them), into [the position of] a God, and they shall continue being (exist being) in Me ([in relation] to Me; for Me), into [the position of] a people.

¹ The first, indeed then, also continued having effects of rites and products of the way then pointed out (= ordinances and regulations for the right way to do things) in respect to worship and sacred service, besides the set-apart (or: holy) place pertaining to that system (suited to that ordered arrangement),

³ But after the second veil, a tabernacle being called the set-apart of the set-apart ones (the Holy of Holies; the separated one of the separated ones; = the most set-apart),

¹⁰ [relying] only upon foods and drinks and various immersions (baptisms; ceremonial washings), as well as rites and products of the way then pointed out (or: applications of fairness and equity) pertaining to the flesh (or: = [the] flesh's [religious] ordinances and external regulations of justice; or: = the system of human works), continuously lying upon them (thus: pressing upon them; = being imposed by them) until a fitting situation (or: season; fertile moment) of raising-up-through (or: thoroughly raising upright and making straight).

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

¹¹ In faith, by trust, with confidence and for loyal allegiance, also, Sarah herself – being sterile – received (or: laid hold of) power and ability unto a conception (a depositing; founding; casting down) of seed (= offspring), even beyond [the] fertile season of maturity (full age and prime of life), since a Faithful, Loyal and Believable One – the One promising – took the lead (led the way; presided; or, an alternate meaning of hgeomai yields: since she regarded the Promiser trustworthy and believable), ¹² on which account, also, were born from one [couple] – and these of one having been deadened – [people] corresponding to the stars of the heaven (or: sky) for fullness of multitude, and as the sand beside the lip (shore) of the sea: the innumerable. [Gen. 15:5-6]

¹⁷ By faith, in trust and with confidence, Abraham, being progressively tried (or: being repeatedly tested for loyal allegiance) had presented and handed-over Isaac; even the one taking up and receiving the promises back again, began offering the only-begotten. ¹⁸ [He] toward whom it was spoken that, "In Isaac a seed shall continue being called (or: an offspring continue being summoned) for (to; in; by) you," [Gen. 21:12]

¹³ Let no one, while being continuously probed and put to the proof, be saying "I am constantly being probed and put to the proof (tested; tried) in an ordeal from God, " for God is One Who is not put through an ordeal, not probed, put to the proof or tried, and is [thus] without experience from not having made an attempt, in regard to things of bad quality (or: you see, God exists un-testable and, lacks experience, from worthless situations or evil things or mean people), and so He Himself is repeatedly probing no one, nor constantly putting even one person in a test, to the proof or through an ordeal.

¹⁸ Being purposed (intended; willed), from pregnancy He brought us forth by a Word (collected thought; message) of Truth and Reality – [placed] into us – to be (or: to continuously exist being) a specific firstfruit of His created beings (or: of the effects of His act of creating; or: from the results of the creation which is Himself).

¹⁰ For you see, whoever perhaps kept (or: may have guarded and observed) the whole Law, yet possibly at some point stumbled in one thing, had become held (or: caught) within all [its aspects] (or: = is liable for and susceptible to everything). ¹¹ You see, the One saying, "You should (or: may) not commit adultery, " also said, "You should (or: may) not murder." [Ex. 20:13] Now if you are not committing adultery, yet you are now being a murderer, you have come to be (you have been birthed) a transgressor of (a deviator from; [p74 and A read: one who stands away from]) law (or: custom).

²⁰ But are you willing to experientially and intimately know and receive insight, O empty person, that the faith, trust and loyalty, apart from the works and actions, exists being inactive (continues unproductive; [p74 reads: empty; without contents; other MSS: is dead])?

⁴ Consider and look to the worker's wage – that having been withheld by you which belongs to those mowing your farms – which constantly utters (or: shouts) a cry, and now the outcries and shouts of those gathering in the harvest have entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts (= Yahweh of Armies)!

² – to folks gathered, laid-out and chosen in accord with and down from Father God's foreknowledge (or: corresponding to a previous experiential and intimate knowledge possessed by God, who is a Father), within a setting-apart of spirit (or: in union with the process of being set apart from common condition and use by [the] Spirit; or: in the midst of a sacred differencing which is a Breath-effect) [leading] into an obedient hearing (or: [focused] to being centered in a listening and paying attention with compliance) and a sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood (or: a sprinkling of blood, which is Jesus Christ): May grace (or: favor) and peace [= shalom] be multiplied into fullness (or: be brought to fullness) in and among you folks (or: to you folks; for you folks)! ³ Well-spoken of (or: Eulogized; Blessed; or: Well-gathered, laid-out with ease, and worthy of praise) [is] the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ (or: Who is our Owner, Jesus Christ), the One bringing us to birth again (regenerating us; begetting us back up again; causing us to be born again) down from, in line with and in correspondence to His abundant mercy (or: the much-existing sympathizing and active compassion which is Him) – through Jesus Christ's resurrection forth from out of the midst of dead folks. [We are born again]: into a progressively living expectation (or: into the midst of continuously living hope); ⁴ into the midst of an incorruptible (unspoilable; imperishable; unruinable; undecayable), unstained (undefiled), and unfading (or: unwithering) inheritance (or: enjoyment of and participation in an allotted portion as a possession) – one having been kept in view, watched-over, guarded, and which continues being maintained and kept intact within the midst of [the, or our] atmospheres (or: in union with heavens; = in realms of spirit); – [which things were and are being birthed and entering] into the midst of you folks, 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 so that it continues being contained (encompassed; included) in Scripture: "Consider (Behold; Look)! I am progressively setting (placing; laying) within Zion a chosen (picked-out), precious (held in honor and value) cornerstone lying at the extreme angle, and the one habitually trusting (relying; believing; investing loyalty) upon It may by no means be disgraced or brought to shame or be disappointed." [Isa. 28:16] ⁷ Therefore, in (or: for; with) you folks – those habitually trusting (constantly believing and remaining convinced) – [is] the Precious and Honorable One (or: To you then, who continue loyal, [He is] valuable). Yet for (or: to; in; with) those continuing being without faith (or: being habitually distrustful; being constantly unbelieving or disloyal), [He is] "A Stone which those in process of building the house reject (or: threw away after inspecting and trying) – this One is brought to be (or: was birthed) into [position of] Head and Source of [the] corner, " [Ps. 118:22] ⁸ also [He is] "A Stone that [people] strike against and that causes a stumbling-effect, even a Rock-mass which functions as a trap-spring (designed to be a snare), " [Isa. 8:14] who, continuing being unpersuaded (unconvinced and thus, uncompliant or stubborn), are repeatedly stumbling by (or: in) the Word (or: who are constantly stumbling, habitually being disobedient to the message), into which [situation] they were placed (= as it was planned).

⁸ also [He is] "A Stone that [people] strike against and that causes a stumbling-effect, even a Rock-mass which functions as a trap-spring (designed to be a snare), " [Isa. 8:14] who, continuing being unpersuaded (unconvinced and thus, uncompliant or stubborn), are repeatedly stumbling by (or: in) the Word (or: who are constantly stumbling, habitually being disobedient to the message), into which [situation] they were placed (= as it was planned). ⁹ Yet you folks [are] "a picked-out (selected; chosen) offspring (family; kin; lineage; race; species; breed) [Isa. 43:20; Deut. 7:6], a royal (kingly; palace) priesthood [Ex. 19:6; Isa. 61:6], a set-apart (holy; different) multitude (company; nation; body of people living together; swarm; association; ethnic group; caste; [Ex. 19:6; note: implies a sacred life]), a people constructed into an encirclement (made into a surrounding structure; set as a perimeter; made into a performance about [Him]; formed around as an acquisition; gathered into a surrounding [flock])" [Isa. 43:21; Ex. 19:5] – so that you may tell forth the message of (or: out-message; publish; declare abroad) the excellencies and qualities of nobleness (virtues of braveness, courage, good character, quality, self-restraint, magnificence, benevolence, reliability) of and from the One calling you out of darkness (gloomy dimness; the realm of shadows and obscurity) into the midst of His wonderful (marvelous; amazing) light [p72 reads: into the wonderful Light], ¹⁰ [you] who [were] once (or: formerly) "not a people, " but now [are] "God's people;" [formerly] being the ones having "not been given mercy, " yet now [are] "folks being mercied (being given mercy)." [Hos. 2:25]

¹⁰ [you] who [were] once (or: formerly) "not a people, " but now [are] "God's people;" [formerly] being the ones having "not been given mercy, " yet now [are] "folks being mercied (being given mercy)." [Hos. 2:25]

²⁰ to and for those being at one time unconvinced (unpersuaded; disobedient; uncompliant) within [the] days of Noah, when (or: while) he was continuing to be receiving forth, and taking away from, out of God's state of emotional quietness (taking a long time before rushing or being in a heat of passion; long-enduring patience) while [the] ark was progressively being prepared and equipped (constructed to readiness) – into which a few folks, that is, eight souls (= people), were brought safely through [the] water (or: were brought safely through, by means of water),

³ For the time having gone by [is] sufficient (= you have spent enough time, in the past,) to have accomplished (to have worked down and effected) the thing desired by (or: the intention of) the multitudes (the nations; the swarms of ethnic groups living together; the non-Jews; the Gentiles), having gone from place to place in indecent and licentious debaucheries (deeds of loose conduct), in rushing passions and over-desires, in excesses bubbling over with wine, in carousing and festive processions, in drinking parties, and in forbidden (i.e., illegal in respect to the natural laws of reason, conscience and common decency) idolatries (or: being a servant to or worshiping external forms or appearances, phantoms of the mind, unsubstantial or reflected images, or conveyed impressions),

¹⁰ Now the God of all grace and favor (or: the God whose character and quality is all grace and favor; the God Who is every grace and joyous favor), the One calling (or: inviting) you folks – ones experiencing a little and briefly suffering – into His eonian glory (His glory and reputation which has the quality and characteristics pertaining to the realm of the Age and which continues on into an unseen and indefinite time) within Christ Jesus [with other MSS: in union with the Anointed One (= the Messiah)], the Same One (or: He) will continue getting [things, or, you] down and prepare [them, or, you] (or: repair [them; you]; fit, knit or adjust [them; you] thoroughly), will continue setting [things; you] fast and establish [them; you], will continue imparting strength (will make [things; you] strong), [and] will progressively set a base upon which to ground and found [things and you]:

¹⁰ Wherefore (or: Because of this), brothers (= [my] family), hasten to exert yourselves to a greater extent to constantly make firm (sure-footed and steadfast) your calling (or: invitation) and election (selection; act of choosing out); for you see, in repeatedly doing these things, you can by no means (would under no circumstances) stumble once (or: at any time).

³ and in greed (desire to take advantage in order to have more), by formed (molded; fabricated, and thus, counterfeit) words, they will constantly exploit you (use you for business; market you; use you in trade and travel by sea), to whom (or: for which folks) the sentence (or: the result of the evaluation; the effect of a separating process) [coming] from long ago (or: out of old times; forth from old) is not continuing inactive (is not constantly unemployed; is not remaining idle), and their loss (or: destruction) is not nodding in sleep or taking a nap.

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]),

⁸ Yet now this one thing [p72: But in this] – let it not continue unnoticed, escape your detection, or be hidden from you – beloved ones, one day beside the Lord [is] as a thousand years, and yet a thousand years [is] as one day. ⁹ The Lord [= Yahweh] is not continually delaying the promise, as certain folks consider delay, but rather is constantly patient (long of emotion and slow in passion; long before rushing heatedly) unto you, constantly not intending any folks to be lost (or: to destroy themselves), but to the contrary, [for] all people to make room, allow space, give way and progress into a change of mind (or: = repentance and a return to God).

¹⁵ And so, make it a habit to consider the long-suffering patience of our Lord [= Yahweh, or Christ] [to be] deliverance (salvation; wholeness and health), according as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you, in accord with (or: down from) the wisdom being given to him (or: by him),

²⁸ And now (at the present time; in this moment), little children (born-ones; bairns), you are continuously (or, reading as imperative: keep on) dwelling (abiding; remaining; staying) within and in union with Him, to the end that if (or: whenever) He (or: it) may be manifested (made visible and apparent; shown in clear light) we can (or: may; should; would) have confident boldness (freedom in speaking associated with citizenship; complete outspoken bluntness) and may not feel or receive shame (disgrace; dishonor; humiliation) from Him, within His presence (or: may not be shamed away from Him in the midst of His presence).

¹ You people at once consider (or: look and perceive) what kind of (what sort of; what unusual, foreign or exotic) love (or: acceptance) the Father has given to (or: in; for) us [other MSS: you], which we now have as a gift, to the end that we can (may; should; would) be called (or: named) God's children (born-ones; bairns)! And we are! Because of this (On account of this; Therefore) the System (the world; the realm of the secular and religious; the ordered arrangement of culture, religion, economy and government) is not habitually having experiential or intimate knowledge of us (does not know or have insight into us [other MSS: you]), because it did not know (or: it does not have an intimate, experiential knowledge of) Him.

¹ You people at once consider (or: look and perceive) what kind of (what sort of; what unusual, foreign or exotic) love (or: acceptance) the Father has given to (or: in; for) us [other MSS: you], which we now have as a gift, to the end that we can (may; should; would) be called (or: named) God's children (born-ones; bairns)! And we are! Because of this (On account of this; Therefore) the System (the world; the realm of the secular and religious; the ordered arrangement of culture, religion, economy and government) is not habitually having experiential or intimate knowledge of us (does not know or have insight into us [other MSS: you]), because it did not know (or: it does not have an intimate, experiential knowledge of) Him. ² Beloved ones, now (at the present time) we continuously exist being God's children (born-ones; bairns from the standpoint of origin), and it has not yet been made visible (or: it is not yet apparent or manifested) what we will proceed in being. We have perceived, and thus know (or: are aware) that if it (or: He) should be (or: whenever it {or: He} may be) made visible, apparent and manifested, [then] folks like to Him (like-ones to Him; ones like Him; people resembling Him) we will be existing, because we will continue seeing and will be progressively perceiving Him just as (according and exactly as; in the manner that) He constantly exists (or: He is).

² Beloved ones, now (at the present time) we continuously exist being God's children (born-ones; bairns from the standpoint of origin), and it has not yet been made visible (or: it is not yet apparent or manifested) what we will proceed in being. We have perceived, and thus know (or: are aware) that if it (or: He) should be (or: whenever it {or: He} may be) made visible, apparent and manifested, [then] folks like to Him (like-ones to Him; ones like Him; people resembling Him) we will be existing, because we will continue seeing and will be progressively perceiving Him just as (according and exactly as; in the manner that) He constantly exists (or: He is). ³ So everyone who continuously has (or: habitually holds) this expectation (or: expectant hope) [placed; resting] upon Him is [by this] constantly (repeatedly; progressively) purifying himself, just as (according as; in the way that) That One is (or: exists being) pure.

¹⁹ And within this we shall come to know by our own experience that we continuously exist (or: are) from out of the midst of the Truth (Reality), and so before Him (in front of Him; in His very presence) we shall progressively persuade (prevail upon; convince; win over; reassure; set at ease; render tranquil) our hearts, ²⁰ because, even if our heart may continually condemn (censure; know-down by experience), God is constantly greater than our heart, and He knows all mankind, (all people; or: everything; all things) by intimate experience. ²¹ Beloved ones [other MSS: Brothers], if our heart should not be constantly condemning or censuring (or: would not repeatedly experience negative insights or habitually have knowledge which leads [some MSS add: us] down), we constantly have confident freedom in speaking (boldness from our citizenship) toward and face to face with God,

⁹ Since (or: If) we are habitually receiving the testimony (the witness; the evidence) of humans (or: from people), the evidence of God (God's witness; testimony from God; or: the testimony and evidence which is God) is (or: exists being) greater, because it is God's testimony (or: the witness which is God) that He has testified (given as evidence; witnessed) and it now exists available as evidence (or: testimony), concerning His Son (or: round about the Son which is Him; about the Son Who originates from Him). ¹⁰ The person continuously and progressively believing (or: keeping confidence and habitually putting trust) into the midst of God's Son constantly holds (or: has; possesses) the testimony (witness; evidence) [p74 & A add: of God] within himself; the one not believing in God [A reads: the Son] has made Him out to be (or: has construed Him) a liar, because he has not believed or put trust into the evidence (testimony; witness) which God has attested and affirmed concerning His Son (or: shown as proof round about the Son from, and which is, Him). ¹¹ And so this is the evidence (or: exists being the testimony, witness and attested affirmation): that God gives (or: gave; grants) Life pertaining to, and having the quality of the Age (life whose source is the Age [of Messiah]; eonian life; Life of, for and on through the ages) to, for and in us, and this very Life continuously exists within His Son (or: is in union with the Son which is Him)! ¹² The one continually holding (or: constantly having; progressively possessing) the Son continuously holds (constantly has; progressively possesses) the Life. The person not continuously holding (constantly having) God's Son does not now have (or: hold) the Life. [comment: it seems that the Son is the Life]

²⁰ yet we have seen and thus know that God's Son has arrived and is continuously here, and He has given thorough understanding (comprehension; faculty of thought; intelligence; intellectual capacity; input throughout the mind) to the end that we would constantly know [other MSS: so that we do constantly know] by experience the True One (or: the true, the real and the genuine), and we constantly exist within and in union with the True One (or: in the real [situation]; in the midst of Reality): within His Son, Jesus Christ. This One is the True (Real; Genuine) God, and Life pertaining to and having the qualities of the Age (or: life having its source in the Age [of Messiah]; eonian life; Life of, for and on through, the ages).

⁴ For you see, some people came in unobserved, from the side – those having been previously written of old into this judgment (or: people having from long ago been written into the effects and result of this decision): [to exist being] impious ones, people continuously changing the grace and favor of God into licentiousness, as well as repeatedly denying and disowning our only Sovereign and Lord (or: Supreme Ruler and Owner), Jesus Christ [= Messiah].

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]).

¹⁸ "even The Living One (or: and now, the One continuously living), I also brought Myself to be (or: birthed Myself) [to be] a dead one (or: I also came by Myself to be dead), and now, Look and consider! I am living on into the ages of the ages (or: the unspecified and indefinite time periods of the eons), and I constantly hold (or: have; possess) the keys of Death and of the Unseen (Greek: hades)."

¹⁴ And then the four living ones say (or: said), "It is so (Amen)!" And the elders fall (or: the older people fell [forward]) and worship (or: worshiped; kissed the hand toward [the throne] and paid homage).

⁹ Then when He opened the fifth seal, I saw, down under the altar of burnt-offering, the souls of the folks having been slaughtered [as in sacrifice] because of the Word of God (or: God’s message), and because of the witness (testimony; evidence) which they were holding (or: continued to have). ¹⁰ And they uttered a cry with a great (or: by a loud) voice, repeatedly saying, "Until when (How long), O Absolute Owner (Sovereign Lord; Master), the Set-apart (Holy) and True One, are You not deciding (separating and judging) and maintaining right for (operating out of the way pointed out for; or: avenging) our blood, out of those habitually having an abode (dwelling) upon the Land (earth)?" ¹¹ And a brilliant white robe was given to each of them, and it was declared to them that they may rest themselves (permit themselves to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover strength) a little time longer (yet a short time) while (or; until) also [the number of] their fellow-slaves, even their brothers – those continually being about to be killed, even as they [were] – may be fulfilled (filled up; made full).

¹⁶ repeatedly saying to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall upon us and hide us [Hos. 10:8] from the Face of the One continuously sitting upon the throne, and from the inherent fervor (natural impulse and propensity; internal swelling and teeming passion of desire; or: anger, wrath and indignation) of the little Lamb." ¹⁷ Because the great Day of their [other MSS: His] inherent fervor (internal swelling emotion, teeming and passionate desire; impulse; or: anger, wrath and indignation; or: natural bent) comes (or: came), and who (which one) is continuously able (or: continues having power) to be made to stand (or: to be established)?

³ "And I will continue giving to My two witnesses (or: I will progressively supply for My two witnesses), and they will proceed prophesying (functioning as prophets) a thousand two hundred sixty days, being clothed (or: cast around) [in; with] sackcloth."

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! ⁴ "O Lord [= O Yahweh], who may by no means (or: who may in no way) fear You and glorify (bring good reputation to) Your Name? Because [You] only (alone; without accompaniment) [are] appropriately pious, sanctioned, and benign [Vat. 2066 reads: Set-apart (Holy)]. Because the multitudes (nations: ethnic groups) WILL continue arriving, and they WILL continue worshiping in Your presence (in Your sight; before You). Because the results of Your righteousness (effects of Your fairness and equity, just decrees and decisions; actions according to the Way pointed out, results of justification, actualization of justice and rightwising of relationships) are manifested (or: were brought to light; were made to appear)."

⁷ Then I heard the Altar saying, "Yes indeed, O Lord [= O Yahweh], the All-Strong (Omnipotent; Almighty) God, Your decisions (separations; judgings) are true and real ones, and fair (equitable; just; right) ones."

¹⁴ "These will proceed waging war (or: do battle) with the little Lamb, and the little Lamb will progressively overcome (subdue; conquer) them because He is LORD of lords and KING of kings, and the ones with Him are CALLED ONES and CHOSEN ONES and FAITHFUL ONES (or: trusting folks; people filled with faith; loyal ones)."

⁹ And then he is saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed (Happy) ones [are] the folks having been called (the summoned ones; those being invited) into the wedding supper (meal) of the little Lamb.'" He also is saying to me, "These are the true Words of (or: real thoughts and messages from) God!"

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).

¹⁶ "I, Jesus, sent (or: send) My agent to bear witness to you people [concerning] these things [being imposed] upon the called-out communities (or: to testify these things to, by or in you, over the [situation of the] summoned-forth assemblies). I am (I continuously exist being) the Root and the Offspring (Race; Genus) of David, The Bright (Radiant) Morning Star.

²⁰ The One continuously testifying these things is saying, "Yes, I am continuously (or: habitually; repeatedly; or: presently) coming quickly (swiftly; promptly)!" Amen (So be it; It is so; Count on it). Be continuously coming (or: repeatedly coming and going), Lord Jesus!