1 Thessalonians 2 Cross References - WEB

¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain, ² but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict. ³ For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. ⁴ But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak: not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. ⁵ For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), ⁶ nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle 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. ¹⁰ You are witnesses with God how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe. ¹¹ As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, ¹² to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory. 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 the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and don’t please God, and are contrary to all men, ¹⁶ forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost. ¹⁷ But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and our joy.

¹⁶ She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear,

¹³ Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,

¹ A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

⁴ But I said, “I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength in vain for nothing; yet surely the justice due to me is with Yahweh, and my reward with my God.”

²³ They will not labor in vain nor give birth for calamity; for they are the offspring of Yahweh’s blessed and their descendants with them.

¹³ Behold, isn’t it of Yahweh of Armies that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

² by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

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

² I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

¹¹ I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.

¹⁶ holding up the word of life, that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.

³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. ⁴ We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, ⁵ and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything. ⁹ For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

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 the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

⁵ For this cause I also, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.

¹⁰ when he comes in that day to be glorified in his saints and to be admired among all those who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

¹ Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.

²⁰ for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

³¹ When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

⁴¹ They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. ¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

³ Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

¹ Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” ² Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

¹² and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.

²² The multitude rose up together against them and the magistrates tore their clothes from them, then commanded them to be beaten with rods. ²³ When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, ²⁴ who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.

³⁷ But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”

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.” ⁴ Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. ⁵ But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. ⁶ When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, ⁷ whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” ⁸ The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. ⁹ When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.

⁸ He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom.

¹⁹ on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

²⁷ Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News; ²⁸ and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ²⁹ Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf, ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

¹ For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

⁵ and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

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.

³⁶ Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—

² looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.

¹⁴ or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

³ Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

¹⁵ Moses was very angry, and said to Yahweh, “Don’t respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt one of them.”

³ Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.”

³³ I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

¹⁷ For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

² But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

⁵ For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,

² Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.

¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles.

¹⁶ Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. “But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.” ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you? ¹⁸ I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?

⁵ For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), ⁶ nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.

¹¹ As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,

¹ Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

⁷ For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

¹¹ Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;

¹⁶ For we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

¹⁶ “Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,

³⁹ then hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of all the children of men);

¹⁷ I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.

⁹ Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.

³ You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

²¹ won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

¹ For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me. ² You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.

³ The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

¹⁰ “I, Yahweh, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

¹⁹ great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of men, to give everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings;

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 times?

¹¹ If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

²⁴ But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, ²⁵ and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

²⁷ He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.

⁴ My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

¹ So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries. ² Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

²⁵ Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.

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.

¹¹ Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are revealed to God, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

¹⁶ Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.

¹⁰ For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.

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

⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

⁶ not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

²² Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

¹¹ according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. ¹² I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; ¹³ although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

²⁰ Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,

¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

² The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

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;

¹³ There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

²³ I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

⁵ He who denounces his friends for plunder, Even the eyes of his children will fail.

²¹ Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man. ²² For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.

² Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. ³ May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,

¹⁹ He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

²³ One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

¹⁰ who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits.

¹¹ Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

¹³ “For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

¹⁰ Therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to those who will possess them. For everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.

⁵ Yahweh says concerning the prophets who lead my people astray; for those who feed their teeth, they proclaim, “Peace!” and whoever doesn’t provide for their mouths, they prepare war against him:

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 Yahweh of Armies, “neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren’t partial to anyone.

¹³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

³³ I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.

⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,

¹ I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit

¹⁸ For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you?

²⁰ Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying.

¹⁰ You are witnesses with God how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.

³ not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

⁸ Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,

⁷ For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;

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

³ In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber.

¹⁴ having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing; ¹⁵ forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing;

¹⁸ For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;

¹¹ Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.

¹² merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple, silk, scarlet, all expensive wood, every vessel of ivory, every vessel made of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble; ¹³ and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, and people’s bodies and souls.

⁴ He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.

¹¹ Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

³⁰ The king spoke and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

⁴¹ I don’t receive glory from men.

⁴⁴ How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?

¹⁸ He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

⁴³ for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren’t you 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 apostleship in the Lord.

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?

¹² If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we didn’t use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ. ¹³ Don’t you 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 don’t 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 preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me if I don’t preach 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 preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.

⁹ for man wasn’t created for the woman, but woman for the man.

¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body.

¹ Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. ² Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.

¹⁰ For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.” ¹¹ Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

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.

²⁶ Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

¹³ For even they who receive circumcision don’t keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.

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 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God,

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

⁸ Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, ⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

¹³ Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds with me have their young, and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die. ¹⁴ Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir.”

¹² Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them out, that you should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?’

¹¹ He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.

²³ Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am Yahweh; and those who wait for me shall not be disappointed.”

¹³ As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

¹⁴ I will feed them with good pasture; and their fold will be on the mountains of the height of Israel. There they will lie down in a good fold. They will feed on fat pasture on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down,” says the Lord Yahweh. ¹⁶ “I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justice.”’

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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

¹⁸ For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.

³ I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

²² To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

¹ Now I Paul, myself, entreat you by the humility and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

⁴ For he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we will live with him through the power of God toward you.

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

²⁴ The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

¹⁵ Hear, and give ear. Don’t be proud, for Yahweh has spoken. ¹⁶ Give glory to Yahweh your God, before he causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you look for light, he turns it into the shadow of death, and makes it deep darkness. ¹⁷ But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eye will weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive.

² A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.

²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. ²⁴ But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; ¹² that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.

¹ I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit ² that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh

¹ Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved.

²⁹ I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.

¹¹ Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians. Our heart is enlarged. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. ¹³ Now in return, I speak as to my children: you also open your hearts.

¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

¹⁹ My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you—

⁸ For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

¹⁷ Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.

²⁰ For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.

²⁵ But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need, ²⁶ since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick.

¹ Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

⁷ even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf,

²⁸ We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

¹ Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

¹⁶ By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

¹⁵ But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.

¹⁸ Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people.

⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. Selah.

¹ A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Suffering of Affliction.” A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.

¹ Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

³⁷ and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.

⁷ Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?

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

²⁴ But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

³¹ Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

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.’”

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

¹⁶ that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

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

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 doesn’t eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn’t drink from the flock’s milk?

¹⁵ But I have used none of these things, and I don’t 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 preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.

⁵ in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

⁹ When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t 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.

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

¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.

³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

² but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.

⁶ nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.

¹⁰ night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, 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 don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.

¹¹ according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

⁵ Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

³ I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day

³ Here I am. Witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.” ⁴ They said, “You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from anyone’s hand.” ⁵ He said to them, “Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” They said, “He is witness.”

¹¹ For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me: ¹² Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him, ¹³ the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. ¹⁴ I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a diadem. ¹⁵ I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. ¹⁶ I was a father to the needy. I researched the cause of him whom I didn’t know. ¹⁷ I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.

¹ “I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman? ² For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high? ³ Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity? ⁴ Doesn’t he see my ways, and count all my steps? ⁵ “If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit ⁶ (let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity); ⁷ if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands, ⁸ then let me sow, and let another eat. Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out. ⁹ “If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door, ¹⁰ then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her. ¹¹ For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; ¹² for it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase. ¹³ “If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me, ¹⁴ what then will I do when God rises up? When he visits, what will I answer him? ¹⁵ Didn’t he who made me in the womb make him? Didn’t one fashion us in the womb? ¹⁶ “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, ¹⁷ or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it ¹⁸ (no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, I have guided her from my mother’s womb); ¹⁹ if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering; ²⁰ if his heart hasn’t blessed me, if he hasn’t been warmed with my sheep’s fleece; ²¹ if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate, ²² then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone. ²³ For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because of his majesty, I can do nothing. ²⁴ “If I have made gold my hope, and have said to the fine gold, ‘You are my confidence;’ ²⁵ If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much; ²⁶ if I have seen the sun when it shined, or the moon moving in splendor, ²⁷ and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, ²⁸ this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above. ²⁹ “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him ³⁰ (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse); ³¹ if the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?’ ³² (the foreigner has not camped in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler); ³³ if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my heart, ³⁴ because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and didn’t go out of the door— ³⁵ oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me! Let the accuser write my indictment! ³⁶ Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; and I would bind it to me as a crown. ³⁷ I would declare to him the number of my steps. as a prince would I go near to him. ³⁸ If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together; ³⁹ if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,

³ Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands, ⁴ if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary), ⁵ let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

²⁰ Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands, he has recompensed me. ²¹ For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God. ²² For all his ordinances were before me. I didn’t put away his statutes from me. ²³ I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity. ²⁴ Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

²⁰ Should evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.

¹⁸ When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,

²⁶ Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,

¹⁶ In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

¹² For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

³ We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed, 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; ⁶ in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love, ⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

¹¹ Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows.

³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forever more, knows that I don’t lie.

⁵ For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you,

¹² Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

¹⁰ But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

⁷ In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, ⁸ and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned, that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.

³ not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

¹⁶ They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, ¹⁷ ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

¹⁹ Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.

²⁸ But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.”

¹⁴ Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.” Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting.

¹¹ Now, my son, may Yahweh be with you and prosper you, and build the house of Yahweh your God, as he has spoken concerning you. ¹² May Yahweh give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel; that so you may keep the law of Yahweh your God. ¹³ Then you will prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Yahweh gave Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed.

⁹ You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh 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.

²⁰ David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed; for Yahweh God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of Yahweh’s house is finished.

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.

¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

¹⁵ My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path,

¹ My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you,

¹ My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:

¹ Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; ² for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law. ³ For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. ⁴ He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. ⁵ Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. ⁷ Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. ⁸ Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her. ⁹ She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.” ¹⁰ Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. ¹¹ I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. ¹² When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

¹ My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding, ² that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge.

¹ My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger,

¹ My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you.

²⁴ Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth.

¹ The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him. ² “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! ³ Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. ⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’ ⁵ lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. ⁶ Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul. ⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. ⁸ Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. ⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

² When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.

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

¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

¹ Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.

¹¹ Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

¹² Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

⁷ Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

²¹ I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

² Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

¹³ I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession,

¹⁷ Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;

¹ I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: ² preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.

⁶ Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.

⁹ Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting,

¹⁵ Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.

²² But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation; for I have written to you in few words.

²⁸ We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.

³⁰ Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.

²³ and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?

⁹ God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

¹ I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,

² Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

²⁷ Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

¹⁰ that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God,

⁶ As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,

¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.

¹¹ To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power, ¹² that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹³ But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, ¹⁴ to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,

¹⁵ but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”

⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

⁹ not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

⁶ he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

²⁸ The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?” says Yahweh. ²⁹ “Isn’t my word like fire?” says Yahweh; “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

¹⁶ “As for the word that you have spoken to us in Yahweh’s name, we will not listen to you.

¹³ If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.

²⁰ For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

⁴⁰ He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.

¹ Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.

¹¹ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

²¹ But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”

²⁸ But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”

³ You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

¹⁷ Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

¹⁹ For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

⁴¹ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

³³ Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”

⁴⁴ The next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. ⁴⁶ Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

⁴⁸ As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

¹⁴ A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul.

³⁰ brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. ³³ He took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. ³⁴ He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.

¹¹ Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

¹⁸ Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹ They took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which you are speaking about? ²⁰ For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.”

³² Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,

¹⁷ But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered. ¹⁸ Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.

¹⁷ So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

¹⁴ That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

⁶ which has come to you, even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth,

² We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

¹² For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

¹⁸ Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.

²⁵ but the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of Good News which was preached to you.

² as newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that with it you may grow,

¹⁶ For we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: ²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

² that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior: ³ Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

⁴ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. ⁵ Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

¹ Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.

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

¹ But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

¹³ But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.

³¹ So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.

¹ Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. ² He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. ³ When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

¹ Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 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.” ⁴ Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. ⁵ But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. ⁶ When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, ⁷ whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” ⁸ The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things.

¹³ But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.

¹⁷ Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.

¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, ² how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.

²² I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

⁴ For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:

⁴ so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.

⁷ He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, ⁸ though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

³³ partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. ³⁴ For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.

⁸ Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different from other people’s. They don’t keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain.

¹² Amaziah also said to Amos, “You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

¹² Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

³⁵ The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶ Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they treated them the same way. ³⁷ But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ³⁸ But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and seize his inheritance.’ ³⁹ So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

³¹ Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets. ³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. ³³ You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna? ³⁴ Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city; ³⁵ that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.

³⁷ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!

²⁵ All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”

⁴⁸ So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs. ⁴⁹ Therefore also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute, ⁵⁰ that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. ⁵² Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.” ⁵³ As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out of him;

³³ Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can’t be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.’ ³⁴ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!

²⁰ and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

²³ him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;

¹⁵ and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses.

¹⁰ may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.

³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree.

⁵² Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.

³ When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

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, consenting to his death, 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 the Gentiles.’”

⁵ However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

¹⁶ In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”

²² “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

³⁰ I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. ³¹ The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.

⁶ I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the ephah basket that is appearing.” He said moreover, “This is their appearance in all the land ⁷ (and behold, a talent of lead was lifted up); and this is a woman sitting in the middle of the ephah basket.” ⁸ He said, “This is Wickedness;” and he threw her down into the middle of the ephah basket; and he threw the weight of lead on its mouth.

¹ “For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble; and the day that comes will burn them up,” says Yahweh of Armies, “that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

⁵ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! ⁹ Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. ¹⁰ “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

⁴⁵ Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”

⁴¹ They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season.” ⁴² Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’ ⁴³ “Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation producing its fruit. ⁴⁴ He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust.”

⁶ and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. ⁷ When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

³² Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.

⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.

¹⁴ This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

²¹ for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 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.

¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

⁵⁰ that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.

⁴² saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, ⁴⁴ and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”

²⁰ “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. ²² For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. ²³ Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. ²⁴ They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

¹² There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”

² When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, ³ saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”

¹⁷ If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?” ¹⁸ When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”

⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

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

² But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.

⁵ When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,

¹⁹ But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

⁵ But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. ⁶ When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,

¹² But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, ¹³ saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

⁹ But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

²⁷ When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, ²⁸ crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!” ²⁹ For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. ³⁰ All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut. ³¹ As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

²¹ “He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’” ²² They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!”

¹³ For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ¹⁴ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”

¹¹ But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.

¹³ Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

¹⁰ and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

⁴ who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

⁸ but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me;” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

¹ Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you. ² Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and your silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days. ⁴ Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies. ⁵ You have lived in luxury on the earth, and taken your pleasure. You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and you have murdered the righteous one. He doesn’t resist you.

¹¹ He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.”

³⁰ Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father’s house, but why have you stolen my gods?”

²⁸ Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

¹¹ Israel said to Joseph, “I didn’t think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.”

³⁹ King David longed to go out to Absalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.

²⁶ He said to him, “Didn’t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?

¹ A Psalm by David, when he was in the desert of Judah. God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

¹⁵ He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,

¹⁰ The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

¹³ Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

²³ but now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,

³ For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.

²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose. ²³ But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ²⁴ Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵ Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

⁵ For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

⁶ But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you,

¹⁰ night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? ¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

¹⁴ For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.

¹ He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Yahweh’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. ² Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”

¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”

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

²¹ This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.

¹² But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from those who desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.

¹⁸ The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

¹⁷ The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.

⁹ yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, 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 to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

⁹ The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ¹⁰ I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. ¹¹ They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”

⁹ She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”

⁴ A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

⁶ Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

³ You will also be a crown of beauty in Yahweh‘s hand, and a royal diadem in your God’s hand.

²⁷ For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.

¹⁶ that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. ¹⁸ For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, ¹⁹ in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;

⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.

²³ But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming.

¹⁴ as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

²⁰ For you are our glory and our joy.

¹³ to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

¹⁵ For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.

²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,

¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

¹³ looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

⁴ When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.

²⁸ Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

²⁴ Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,

⁷ Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.

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, ¹¹ “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”

¹² “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

⁷ For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.