1 Corinthians 9 Cross References - NHEB

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? ² If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my office of apostle in the Lord. ³ My defense to those who examine me is this. ⁴ Have we no right to eat and to drink? ⁵ Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? ⁶ Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work? ⁷ What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and does not drink from the flock's milk? ⁸ Do I say these things according to human authority? Or does not the Law also say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it for the oxen that God cares, ¹⁰ or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in the hope of having a share. ¹¹ If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things? ¹² If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar? ¹⁴ Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News. ¹⁵ But I have used none of these things, and I do not write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void. ¹⁶ For if I proclaim the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I do not proclaim the Good News. ¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That, when I proclaim the Good News, I may present the Good News without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News. ¹⁹ For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. ²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. ²² To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I may by all means save some. ²³ Now I do all things for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it. ²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. ²⁵ Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air, ²⁷ but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

³ As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.

⁵ And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

¹⁷ Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

² As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them."

⁴ But the population of the city was divided. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

¹⁴ But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the crowd, crying out,

¹⁷ She followed Paul and us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." ¹⁸ She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out at once.

⁸ Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized. ⁹ The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; ¹⁰ for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city." ¹¹ He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

⁶ It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' ⁸ I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazorean, whom you persecute.'

¹⁴ He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. ¹⁵ For you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' ¹⁷ "It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, ¹⁸ and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.' ¹⁹ I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. ²⁰ When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.' ²¹ "He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you out far from here to non-Jewish people.'"

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Cheer up, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome."

¹⁶ But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen me, and of the things which I will reveal to you; ¹⁷ delivering you from the people, and from the non-Jewish people, to whom I send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,

⁵ through whom we received grace and the office of apostle, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake;

¹³ For I speak to you who are the non-Jews. Since then as I am an apostle to the non-Jews, I glorify my ministry;

¹ Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

⁶ I planted. Apollos watered. But God made it grow.

¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.

² If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my office of apostle in the Lord. ³ My defense to those who examine me is this.

¹⁹ For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

⁸ and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

¹ Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,

⁵ For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles.

¹¹ I have become foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. ¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

¹ Paul, an apostle (not from humans, nor through humans, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

¹⁵ But when God, who had set me apart from my mother's womb and called me through his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son to me, that I might proclaim him among those who are not Jewish, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.

⁷ but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision ⁸ (for he who appointed Peter to be an apostle of the circumcision appointed me also to the non-Jews);

¹ Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

⁶ nor seeking glory from people (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. ⁷ to which I was appointed a proclaimer and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the non-Jews in faith and truth.

¹¹ For this, I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

¹ Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, ² in hope of everlasting life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began; ³ but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;

²⁷ Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him."

¹ Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? We do not need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you, do we? ² You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by everyone; ³ being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.

¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.

¹ "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you."

¹⁶ To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense against the charge.

³⁷ If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

⁷ Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also we are Christ's. ⁸ For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,

¹⁶ But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? ¹⁸ I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we walk in the same spirit? Did not we walk in the same steps? ¹⁹ Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ; and all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

³ seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.

⁵ Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or do you not know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

¹⁰ For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

⁷ It is even right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.

¹⁷ The former insincerely proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains.

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.

¹⁰ Take no bag for your journey, neither two tunics, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

⁷ Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

⁷ What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and does not drink from the flock's milk? ⁸ Do I say these things according to human authority? Or does not the Law also say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it for the oxen that God cares, ¹⁰ or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in the hope of having a share. ¹¹ If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things? ¹² If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar? ¹⁴ Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.

⁶ But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.

⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you; ⁹ not because we do not have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

⁹ You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck. ¹⁰ How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride. How much better is your love than wine. The fragrance of your perfumes than all manner of spices.

¹² A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain.

¹ I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, friends. Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved. ² I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: "Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night."

¹⁴ And when Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.

⁴⁶ While he was yet speaking to the crowds, look, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Then one said to him, "Look, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you." ⁴⁸ But he answered him who spoke to him, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" ⁴⁹ And he stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, "Look, my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother."

⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

³⁰ Now Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.

³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Josi, Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him.

¹⁵ and Matthew and Thomas; and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot;

⁴² He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated, Peter).

¹² After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother and brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.

¹⁴ All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

¹ I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae,

¹² Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."

⁷ Yet I wish that all people were like me. However each one has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.

¹⁵ Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called you to peace.

³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomever she desires, only in the Lord.

¹⁹ But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother.

² The overseer, therefore, must be beyond criticism, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

³ forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

² the older women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

⁶ if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior.

⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

³⁶ Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is translated, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus by birth,

²² And the report concerning them was heard by the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch,

¹ Now in the church that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them."

⁵⁰ But the Jews stirred up the devout women of prominence and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.

¹² They called Barnabas "Jupiter," and Paul "Mercury," because he was the chief speaker.

³⁶ After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing." ³⁷ Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.

³ and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.

³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me. ³⁵ In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

¹¹ Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place. ¹² We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we did not behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

⁶ What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use its fruit.

¹⁸ Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.

²⁷ There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

¹² My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon; two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

²² and it shall happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for everyone will eat butter and honey that is left in the midst of the land.

² Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed my people: "You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; look, I will visit on you the evil of your doings," says the LORD. ³ "I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply.

¹⁵ So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

²⁸ Watch out for yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood.

⁶ I planted. Apollos watered. But God made it grow. ⁷ So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who makes it grow. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty in God for the tearing down of strongholds, ⁵ throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;

¹⁸ This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;

¹² Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the everlasting life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

³ You therefore must share in hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, as God wants; not for dishonest gain, but willingly;

²⁰ Turn to the law and to the testimony. If they do not speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.

³¹ Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not. No, we establish the law.

¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as slaves to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

⁴⁰ But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit.

³⁴ let the women keep silent in the churches, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the Law also says.

¹³ For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as a human word, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

⁸ Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

²⁸ And God opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" ²⁹ Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you." ³⁰ The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?" He said, "No." ³¹ Then God opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of God standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. ³² The angel of God said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I have come forth as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me: ³³ and the donkey saw me, and turned aside before me these three times. Unless she had turned aside from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive." ³⁴ Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned; for I did not know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again." ³⁵ The angel of God said to Balaam, "Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak to you, that you shall speak." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

¹⁴ but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you must not do any work, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, your ox, nor your donkey, nor your livestock, your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

¹ You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely bring them again to your brother. ² If your brother isn't near to you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall be with you until your brother seek after it, and you shall restore it to him. ³ So you shall do with his donkey; and so you shall do with his garment; and so you shall do with every lost thing of your brother's, which he has lost, and you have found: you may not hide yourself. ⁴ You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them: you shall surely help him to lift them up again.

⁴ You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.

²⁷ All of them look to you to give them their food at the proper time.

¹⁵ The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season. ¹⁶ You yourself open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

⁸ who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains. ⁹ He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call.

¹¹ Shouldn't I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred twenty thousand persons who can't discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much livestock?"

²⁶ See the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much more value than they? ²⁷ "And which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to his height? ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not toil, neither do they spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

²⁴ Consider the ravens: they do not sow, they do not reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds. ²⁵ Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? ²⁶ If then you are not able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow. They do not toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?

¹⁸ For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

²² Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.

⁷ But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down at the table'? ⁸ But will he not say to him, 'Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink, and afterward you can eat and drink'?

³⁵ Do you not say, 'There are yet four months until the harvest?' Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see the fields, that they are white for harvest already. ³⁶ He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to everlasting life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. ³⁷ For in this the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' ³⁸ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

²³ Now it was not written that it was credited to him for his sake alone, ²⁴ but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our instruction, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

⁹ For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

⁶ The farmers who labor must be the first to get a share of the crops.

¹³ His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had asked you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean?'"

⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation.

²⁷ Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the non-Jewish people have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.

¹⁵ It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

⁵⁶ He said to them, "Do not hinder me, seeing that he has prospered my journey. Send me away that I may go to my master."

⁸ and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion in it.

⁵² Woe to you Law scholars. For you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered."

³¹ Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. ³² Now I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

²² Therefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,

⁷ Actually, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits among yourselves. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

² If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my office of apostle in the Lord.

¹⁵ But I have used none of these things, and I do not write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.

¹⁸ What then is my reward? That, when I proclaim the Good News, I may present the Good News without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.

³ We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,

⁷ Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God's Good News free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages from them that I might serve you. ⁹ When I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

¹² But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.

²⁰ For you put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone exalts himself, if someone strikes you on the face.

¹³ For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong. ¹⁴ Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

⁶ nor seeking glory from people (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were like little children among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.

¹⁶ That which is left of it Aaron and his sons shall eat. It shall be eaten without yeast in a holy place. They shall eat it in the court of the Tent of Meeting ¹⁷ It shall not be baked with yeast. I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire. It is most holy, as the sin offering, and as the trespass offering. ¹⁸ Every male among the descendants of Aaron shall eat of it, as their portion forever throughout your generations, from the offerings of the LORD made by fire. Whoever touches them shall be holy.'"

²⁶ The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. It shall be eaten in a holy place, in the court of the Tent of Meeting.

⁶ Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy. ⁷ "'As is the sin offering, so is the trespass offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with them shall have it. ⁸ The priest who offers any man's burnt offering, even the priest shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has offered.

⁹ Every heave offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they present to the priest, shall be his. ¹⁰ Every man's holy things shall be his: whatever any man gives the priest, it shall be his."

⁸ The LORD spoke to Aaron, "I, look, I have given you the command of my wave offerings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel; to you have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to your sons, as a portion forever. ⁹ This shall be yours of the most holy things from the fire: every offering of theirs, even every meal offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render to me, shall be most holy for you and for your sons. ¹⁰ You shall eat of it like the most holy things. Every male shall eat of it. It shall be holy to you. ¹¹ "This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it. ¹² "All the best of the oil, and all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to the LORD, to you have I given them. ¹³ The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours; everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it. ¹⁴ "Everything devoted in Israel shall be yours. ¹⁵ Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to the LORD, both of man and animal shall be yours: nevertheless you shall surely redeem the firstborn of man, and you shall redeem the firstborn of unclean animals. ¹⁶ You shall redeem those who are to be redeemed of them from a month old, according to your estimation, for five shekels of money, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. ¹⁷ "But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to the LORD. ¹⁸ Their flesh shall be yours, as the wave offering breast and as the right thigh, it shall be yours. ¹⁹ All the wave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the LORD, have I given you, and your sons and your daughters with you, as a portion forever: it is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD to you and to your descendants with you." ²⁰ The LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.

⁹ Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD your God spoke to him.)

¹ The priests the Levites, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. ² They shall have no inheritance among their brothers: the LORD is their inheritance, as he has spoken to them. ³ This shall be the priests' due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. ⁴ The first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you shall give him. ⁵ For the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.

²⁸ And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me. And I gave to the house of your father all the offerings by fire of the children of Israel as food.

¹⁸ Consider Israel according to the flesh. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

⁴ Have we no right to eat and to drink?

⁶ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.

³ But Saul ravaged the church, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.

²⁴ But I make my life an account of nothing precious to myself, so that I may finish my race, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

¹² We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

¹² If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.

⁹ When I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows. ¹² But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.

¹³ For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong. ¹⁴ Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not what is yours, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? ¹⁶ But be it so, I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception. ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by anyone of them whom I have sent to you? ¹⁸ I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Did not we walk in the same spirit? Did not we walk in the same steps?

²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I do not make known what I will choose. ²³ But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;

⁵ Then I said, "Woe is me. For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

¹⁷ "You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them.

⁷ LORD, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded. You are stronger than I am, and have prevailed. I have become a laughing-stock all day long; everyone mocks me.

⁹ If I say, "I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name," then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I can't contain it.

⁸ The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken. Who can but prophesy?

¹⁵ and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'

⁶² But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

²⁰ for we cannot help telling the things which we saw and heard."

⁶ But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

¹⁶ But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen me, and of the things which I will reveal to you; ¹⁷ delivering you from the people, and from the non-Jewish people, to whom I send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' ¹⁹ "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰ but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the non-Jews, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

¹⁴ I have an obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

² For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

¹⁷ I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have been given in the Lord."

¹³ He said, "Oh, Lord, please send someone else." ¹⁴ The anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, "What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, look, he comes forth to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

⁹ You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

⁵ of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans. Who then offers willingly to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?"

⁹ Then the people rejoiced, because they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

¹⁴ But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

² The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

⁸ I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me."

¹⁴ So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the anger of my spirit; and the hand of the LORD was strong on me.

³ But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

¹ But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. ² He prayed to the LORD, and said, "Please, LORD, wasn't this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm. ³ Therefore now, LORD, take, I beg you, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live."

¹⁰ "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain. I have no pleasure in you," says the LORD of hosts, "neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. The one who receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.

²⁵ "See, I have told you beforehand.

⁴² The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right time?

⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

¹⁴ If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.

¹ So a person should consider us as Christ's servants, and stewards of God's mysteries.

¹⁶ For if I proclaim the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I do not proclaim the Good News.

¹² For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you do not have.

⁷ but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision

² if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; ³ how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, ⁴ by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to people, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; ⁶ that the non-Jews are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, ⁷ of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. ⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to proclaim to the non-Jews the unsearchable riches of Christ,

¹⁶ The latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. ¹⁷ The former insincerely proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains.

²⁵ of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,

⁴ But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing people, but God, who tests our hearts.

¹¹ according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. ¹² And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; ¹³ although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, as God wants; not for dishonest gain, but willingly; ³ neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. ⁴ When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

¹⁵ Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

³¹ and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the form of this world is passing away.

⁹ But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.

⁶ Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work? ⁷ What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and does not drink from the flock's milk?

³³ even as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.

⁷ Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God's Good News free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages from them that I might serve you. ⁹ When I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who plucks that life is wise.

¹⁵ "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.

²⁶ It will not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave, ²⁸ even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

¹⁴ If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

¹⁴ if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.

² Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.

¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. ²² To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I may by all means save some.

¹³ For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only do not use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

¹⁶ Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones' sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with everlasting glory.

¹⁹ My brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.

¹ In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any do not obey the word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;

³ Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

² Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."

¹⁸ Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.

²⁰ They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law. ²¹ They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the non-Jews to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. ²² What then? The multitude must certainly meet. They will hear that you have come. ²³ Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. ²⁴ Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the Law. ²⁵ But concerning the non-Jewish who believe, we have written our decision that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality." ²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.

¹⁴ For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. ¹⁵ What then? Should we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Absolutely not.

⁵ that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

²¹ Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

³² I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.

¹⁷ "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or part of a letter will disappear from the Law, until all things are accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever will break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever will do and teach them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the kingdom of heaven.

²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

⁴ As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

²⁵ But concerning the non-Jewish who believe, we have written our decision that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality."

¹² For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

¹⁴ For when the non-Jews who do not have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,

²² For I delight in God's law in my inner being,

²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So then with the mind, I myself serve God's law, but with the flesh, the sin's law.

⁴ so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁸ Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not give false testimony," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You are to love your neighbor as yourself." ¹⁰ Love does not harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. ²⁰ Let each person stay in that calling in which he was called. ²¹ Were you called being a slave? Do not let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. ²² For he who was called in the Lord being a slave is the Lord's free person. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's slave.

³ But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. ⁴ This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;

¹² For before some people came from James, he ate with those who were not Jewish. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. ¹³ And the rest of the Jewish believers joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the non-Jews do, and not as the Jews do, how can you compel the non-Jews to live as the Jews do?

² I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

¹³ For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only do not use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You are to love your neighbor as yourself."

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise: ³ "that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the land."

¹ Finally then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, even as you are living, that you excel more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

² that older men should be sober-minded, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: ³ and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; ⁴ that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. ⁶ Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; ⁷ in all things showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, ⁸ and a sound message that cannot be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. ⁹ Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; ¹⁰ not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, ¹² instructing us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;

¹⁰ "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days," says the Lord; "I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

¹ Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

¹³ Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I do not cause my brother to stumble.

²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

¹ Brothers, even if someone is caught in some wrongdoing, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also are not tempted.

³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

²⁵ Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air, ²⁷ but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

⁴ For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you. ⁵ to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

¹ Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus;

¹⁴ For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end:

¹ Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.

³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

⁵ which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.

¹¹ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

⁵ "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?

¹⁰ I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

²⁶ I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air,

² I went up by revelation, and I explained to them the Good News which I proclaim among those who are not Jewish, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

⁷ You were running well. Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?

¹⁶ holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁸ Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. ⁸ From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

¹ Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which he promised to those who love him.

¹¹ I am coming quickly. Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.

⁵⁴ But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God; ¹⁸ with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

⁵ Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he has competed by the rules.

⁸ but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled;

² that older men should be sober-minded, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in patience:

⁴ You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your struggle against sin;

²⁸ So since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, through which we may offer service pleasing to God, with reverence and awe,

⁴ to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,

⁴ When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

⁶ and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;

¹⁰ Do not be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

⁴ Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads.

¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying,

¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

²⁴ "Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able.

⁹ So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.

¹ For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, everlasting, in the heavens.

⁸ We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

¹² For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

²⁹ for which I also labor, struggling according to his power, which works in me mightily.

¹² For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.

¹ Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.

¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.

¹⁶ But to the wicked God says, "What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,

³⁰ Men will call them 'rejected silver,' because the LORD has rejected them."

²¹ Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did not we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' ²³ And then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'

²⁵ For what does it profit a person if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?

⁴⁵ But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunk, ⁴⁶ then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not expecting him, and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. ⁴⁷ That servant, who knew his lord's will, and did not prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,

²⁶ Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' ²⁷ But he will reply, 'I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.'

²⁵ to take part in this ministry and office of apostle from which Judas turned away to go to his own place."

¹⁸ Being made free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as slaves to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

¹³ For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

¹² "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything. ¹³ "Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods," but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

²⁵ Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

¹ If I speak with the tongues of humans and of angels, but do not have love, I have become sounding bronze, or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, ⁵ in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

²⁷ in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.

⁵ Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or do you not know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. ⁶ But I hope that you will know that we are not disqualified.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever is worldly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

²² Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and temporary residents, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

¹⁵ Forsaking the right way they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.