Mark 13 Cross References - JMNT

¹ Later, while progressively making His way out of the temple grounds (or: courts), one of His disciples says to Him, "Teacher! See (or: Look) what kind of (may = what magnificent) stones and what sort of (may = what wonderful or great) buildings [these are]!" ² However, upon considering, Jesus said to him, "You continue looking at (or: Are you still seeing and observing... ?) these great buildings! Under no circumstances may be left here stone upon stone, which may not by all means be loosed down (dislodged and torn down)." ³ And then – [having come] into the Mountain of Olives – during His continued sitting with the temple complex in view, Peter, Jacob (James), John and Andrew began inquiring of Him, privately, ⁴ "Tell us, when will these things proceed in being? And further, what [is/will be] the sign whenever all these things may be about to be progressively brought together and ended (or: concluding; or: finished together and brought to their purposed goal – their intended end and destiny)?" ⁵ So Jesus, giving a decided response, began to be saying to them, "Be continuously observing, and see to it [that] no one can lead you folks astray (or: should at some point deceive you people). ⁶ "Many folks will continue coming [depending or basing their authority] upon My Name, repeatedly saying 'I myself am' (or: saying that, 'I, in contradistinction to others, am he [or: the one] ') – and they will successively be leading many folks astray (or: deceiving many). ⁷ "Yet, whenever you men may hear [the noise of] battles [nearby], as well as reports or rumors of wars [farther off], don't you folks be disturbed or alarmed, for it is necessary for it to happen, but nonetheless, [it is] not yet the end (the goal; the consummation; the closing act; the finished product). ⁸ "For ethnic group (or: nation) will proceed being raised (or: roused) up upon ethnic group (or: nation), and kingdom upon kingdom. There will successively be earthquakes (or: shakings) in one place after another. There will continue being famines and times of hunger. These things [are] a beginning of 'birth pains.' ⁹ "So as for you folks, continue looking to (or: after) yourselves, for people will repeatedly give you over unto sanhedrins (the ruling councils, or courts, in the Jewish culture of that time), as well as unto synagogues (local religious and cultural centers). [There] you folks will be repeatedly beaten and severely whipped (or: lashed). Also, you will continue being caused to make a stand upon [the demand] of governors (rulers) and kings, in consequence of involvement with Me, [leading] into a witness and testimony to, and evidence for, them. ¹⁰ "Further, it continues necessary for the good news (the message of goodness, ease and well-being) to be publicly proclaimed into the midst of all the ethnic multitudes (unto all the non-Jews and the nations), first. ¹¹ "Then, whenever they may repeatedly bring or progressively lead you folks, while in process of giving you over, do not continue anxious or filled with worry beforehand as to what you folks should be speaking. On the contrary, whatever may be given to and in you within that hour, continue speaking this. You see, you folks are not the ones then speaking, but rather, [it is] the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit; Sacred Attitude). ¹² "And so, a brother will proceed giving over [his] brother into death, and a father [his] child. Also, children will progressively rise up upon (or: repeatedly take a stand against) parents and even will proceed putting them to death. ¹³ "Furthermore, you will continue being people constantly hated and repeatedly regarded with ill-will by everyone (all folks) – because of My Name. Yet, the one enduring and remaining under [these situations] on into the conclusion [of these things] (or: unto the attainment of the goal; into the finished state of maturity; into the final act and end) will continue being kept safe (or: rescued; delivered; restored to health and wholeness; saved). ¹⁴ "Now whenever you folks may see 'the abomination of the desolation' (or: the detestable thing which results in a region becoming uninhabited, lonely and like a desert; or: the loathing and abhorrence which pertains to a wasted condition; [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11]) standing where it is binding not [to stand] (or: where it is not proper; where it must not) – let the one reading continue directing his mind and using his intellect [here] (= figure out what this means) – then let those within the midst of Judea progressively take flight, and continue fleeing into the mountains (or: hill country). ¹⁵ "But now for the one upon the housetop: let him not descend (step down), neither let him enter to pick up anything from out of his house. ¹⁶ "And for the one [having gone] into the field, let him not return (or: turn back) unto the things [remaining] behind to pick up his cloak (or: outer garment). ¹⁷ "Yet woe to (= it will be hard, perhaps even tragic, for) the pregnant women, as well as for those still nursing [babies] in the midst of those days! ¹⁸ "So you folks be continuously thinking and praying toward things going well, to the end that your flight (escape) may not occur (happen) in winter (or: in the rainy season), ¹⁹ "for those days will continue being pressure (constricted squeezing; tribulation; affliction; oppression) the sort of which, [even] such a kind as this, has not happened (occurred), and could in no way have come to be, from [the] beginning of [the] creation (= the bringing of order from out of chaos) which God framed and founded, until now! [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1; Lu. 21:22] ²⁰ "And now – except [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] cuts short (maims; curtails; lops off; discounts) the days – all flesh (= people) will not likely continue being kept safe or rescued. However, because of the chosen ones, whom He Himself picked out, He cuts short (curtails) the days. ²¹ "Then, at that time, if anyone of you folks should say, 'Look! Here [is] the Christ (the Anointed One; or: the Anointing)! Or See, there [He is]!' – be neither trusting nor believing [them]. ²² "You see, false 'Christs' (false anointed ones; counterfeit anointings) and false prophets will continue being roused and raised up (perhaps = come to prominence) and they will be repeatedly providing signs and miracles (wonders; portents) [aiming] toward the accomplishment of leading-astray – if [they are] able – the chosen ones (or: with a view to the situation for the selected and picked-out folks to wander off [the path] – since [it is] possible and [they are] having power). ²³ "So you people continue looking and keep on taking note (= be on your guard). I have foretold everything to you (or: I have declared all things for you beforehand). ²⁴ "But further, after that pressure (tribulation; stress; affliction) within those days, 'The sun will be progressively darkened, and the moon will not continue giving her radiance, ²⁵ 'then the stars will proceed falling, one after another, from out of the heaven (or: the sky), and those powers within the heavens (or: skies; atmospheres) will be repeatedly shaken.' [Isa. 13:10; 34:4; Ezk. 32:7; Joel 2:10; 3:4; 4:15; Hag. 2:6, 21] ²⁶ "Then, at that time, they will proceed seeing the Son of the Man (the son of the human; the Human Being) progressively coming within the midst of clouds, with much power (or: ability) and a manifestation which calls forth praise (glory). [Dan. 7:13-14] ²⁷ "Also, at that time, He will proceed to commission and send off (cause to function as representatives) His agents (with other MSS: the messengers; the folks with the message) and He will proceed completely gathering together (convening; fully leading together; or: assembling-upon) His chosen ones from out of the four winds – from the extremity of the Land (or: earth) to the extent of the extremity of [the] atmosphere (or: the edge of [the] sky; or: the high point of heaven). ²⁸ "Now, learn the parable (or: the illustration) from the fig tree: whenever its young branch (or: shoot) should become tender (soft and pliable) and should progressively grow and sprout out the leaves, by experience you normally know that the summer is near. ²⁹ "Thus also, whenever you folks, yourselves, should see these things progressively occurring (happening; coming into existence), you will continue knowing from experience that it (or: He) progresses to be near – upon (or: at) the gates (or: doors; entrances)! ³⁰ "Truly I am now saying to you folks that this generation may under no circumstances pass on by until which [time; situation] all these things should come to be (occur; happen; be birthed). ³¹ "The heaven and the earth (or: The sky and the land) will progressively pass on by, yet My words (or: thoughts and ideas; messages) will under no circumstances pass on by. ³² "Now about (concerning) that day or the hour, no one has seen, nor knows – neither the agents in the midst of [the] atmosphere (or: messengers within heaven; folks with the message, centered on the sky), nor the Son – except the Father. ³³ "Continue looking, observing, taking note – and be on your guard! Be constantly awake, watchful and alert! Be habitually thinking, speaking and acting with a view to goodness, ease and wellbeing (or: continuously praying)! You see, you folks have not seen and are thus unaware of when it is the appointed season (or: the fitting situation; the kairos; the fertile moment). ³⁴ "[It is] like a person (human), a traveler (one who journeys away from home and country), leaving his home and giving the authority to his slaves – to each one his work – and imparts a directed goal in the gatekeeper (or: to the doorkeeper; for the person in charge of the entry) that he should be constantly watchful and alert. ³⁵ "Therefore you people continue being watchful and alert, because you have not seen and thus you folks are unaware of when 'the Lord of the House' (or: the 'Owner of the house') is proceeding to come – whether [at] evening, or midnight, or [at] the crowing of the rooster, or early in the morning. ³⁶ "Coming suddenly and unexpectedly, may He not find you folks continuing (or: by habit) fast asleep! ³⁷ "Now what I am now saying to you people, I continue saying to everyone (to all), 'You folks continue being watchful and alert'!"

¹ Later, upon going out from the Temple courts, Jesus was proceeding on His way, and then His disciples approached to additionally point out and show to Him the buildings of the Temple complex. ² Yet He, giving a decided response, says to them, "You are not looking at all these things, are you (or: Do you not observe all this)? Truly (or: Count on it; or: Assuredly), I am now saying to you folks, there can under no circumstances be a stone left or allowed to be upon [another] stone which will not be progressively loosed down to bring utter destruction." ³ Now later, during His continued sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples approached Him, privately (in accord with His being in His own space and place), saying in turn, "Tell us, when will these things proceed in being, and what [is] the sign pertaining to Your presence, as well as (or: even) the combination of parts to one end (or: the bringing to one end together; the combined consummation; the joint, final act) of the age?" ⁴ Then making a discerning reply, Jesus says to them, "You men be constantly looking, seeing, and staying alert, [so that] nothing and no one can mislead or should deceive you folks. ⁵ "You see, many people will be coming, upon [association with; the basis of, or, the supposed authority of; on the reference to] My name, one after another saying, 'I, myself, am the anointed one (or: the Christ;),' and they will be leading astray and deceiving many people. ⁶ "Now, you men [= the disciples who had come to Him privately] will be at the point to be repeatedly hearing [the noise of] battles and wars, as well as news of battles and reports or rumors of wars – each time see to it that you men are not disturbed, thrown into disorder, or terrified by the commotion, outcries or uproar. You see, it remains necessary for such to be birthed and to occur. However, it is not yet the destined end – the closing act of the goal (the consummation; the final fruition, completion and perfection [of the plan]). ⁷ "For you see, [one] ethnic group (or: a nation) will be caused to progressively rise up upon [another] ethnic group (or: a nation) – even [one] kingdom upon [another] kingdom (or: a reign upon a reign) – and there will continue being famines [later MSS add: plagues (or: troublesome times)] and earthquakes down in [various] places (or: districts). ⁸ "Yet all these things [are but] a beginning of birth pangs [note: = travail to birth something {new}; also: = a time of distress]. ⁹ "At that time people will be repeatedly handing you men over into pressure (squeezing; tribulation; affliction), and then, they will, one after another, kill you. Further, you will continue being men that are repeatedly treated with ill-will, and constantly hated by all the ethnic multitudes (or: the nations) – because of My Name. ¹⁰ "Also at that time, many people will be repeatedly trapped by taking the bait of the snare, or tripping over the trap-stick, and so, they will proceed in turning one another over [to the authorities or enemies] and betray each other, as well as hating one another or treating each other with ill-will. ¹¹ "Also, many false prophets will proceed in being raised up and they will be progressively leading many folks astray, deceiving them and causing them to wander. ¹² "Then further, because the lawlessness is to be multiplied and increased, the majority of the people's love (or: the love of many folks; = acceptance from the masses) will be progressively caused to blow cold (or: will continue cooling off from the Breath blowing on it). ¹³ "Now [as to] the person remaining under [all this] and enduring unto [the] purposed goal (or: into a final, destined act), this one will be repeatedly rescued and delivered (or: continuously kept safe). ¹⁴ "Furthermore, this good news which pertains to the reign (or: this message of goodness, ease and wellness which belongs to and comes sovereign action and influence of the kingdom) will be progressively publicly proclaimed within the whole inhabited area (or: the Hellenistic world, as opposed to barbarian lands; or: = the Roman Empire) – [leading] into a witness and evidence for all the ethnic multitudes (or: unto a testimony among all the nations), and at that point the purposed goal will proceed having arrived and continue here (or: and at that time the final act will have progressively come, and its product will continue being here; or: and so then the destined end will be progressively arriving). ¹⁵ "Therefore, whenever you men can see (or: may perceive) ‘the effect of the loathing and nauseating [event; condition; thing; situation] from the desolation (or: the result from the abhorring abomination associated with, or which causes, the devastation and abandonment; or: the resulting effect of the desecration, which is an act of ruining, forsaking and leaving uninhabited like a desert),’ that was being spoken through Daniel the prophet, standing ‘within the midst of a set-apart place (or: [the] holy place) ’ [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11] – let the person presently reading continue to use his mind and intellect for the comprehension [of this] (= figure out what this means!) – ¹⁶ "at that time, let the people within the midst of Judea progressively escape (flee; take flight) into the hills and mountains. ¹⁷ "Let the person upon the housetop (roof) not descend (= go downstairs) to pick up or carry away the things (= his possessions) from out of his house, ¹⁸ "and let not the one in the midst of the field turn back behind to pick up his cloak (= to get a coat or outer garment). ¹⁹ "Now it will progressively be a difficult or tragic time for the pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! ²⁰ "So you folks be progressively taking thought toward having ease, speaking for well-being and take action to have goodness (or: be praying) – to the end that your escape (flight) may not happen (occur) in a winter or rainy season, nor yet on a sabbath. ²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1] ²² "Furthermore, if those days were not curtailed (or: except those days be cut short), no flesh (= people) [at] all would likely be rescued (delivered; kept safe). Yet, because of the picked out and chosen folks, those days will proceed being curtailed (cut short). ²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]. ²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks. ²⁵ "Look and remember – I have already said [this] before to you folks (or: Look, and consider – I have told you beforehand and have forewarned you people). ²⁶ "Therefore, if they should say to you folks, 'Look! He is within the desert (wilderness; desolate place),' you should not go out, [or], 'Look! [He is] within the inner chambers (interior rooms; storehouses; barns; closets),' you should not put your trust in [it] or believe [them]. ²⁷ "You see, just as the brightness (the brilliant beam; the bright shining) is habitually and progressively coming forth from [the] rising in the eastern parts [= a figure of the sunrise] and then is progressively and habitually shining and giving light as far as [the] western parts (or: until the [recurring] settings), in this way will proceed being the presence of the Son of the Man (the Son from humanity; = Adam's son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; the Human Being). ²⁸ "Wherever the carcass (corpse) may be, the vultures (or: eagles) will be progressively led together and gathered. ²⁹ "Now immediately after the pressure (constriction; tribulation) of those [particular] days, ‘the sun will be progressively made dark and the moon will not continue giving its (or: her) diffused radiance,’ [Isa. 13:10; Ezk. 32:7; Joel 2:10] and then the stars will, one after another, be falling from the sky (or: heaven) – ‘and so, the powers and abilities of the heavens will be progressively shaken (agitated; stirred up; made to rock so as to be ready to fall).’ [Isa. 34:4; Hag. 2:6, 21] ³⁰ "And at that time, the 'sign' which is the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the son who has the [true] character and qualities of humanity; or: = the expected Messianic figure; the Human Being) will be made progressively visible (be brought to light and made to shine), in union with heaven (or: within the midst of [the] atmosphere), and at that point ‘all the tribes of the land (or: earth) will continue beating themselves (= a figure of striking one's breast in grief and remorse; or: as when grain is being threshed; or: give themselves to wearisome toil; or: cut themselves off, as when harvesting grain),’ [Zech. 12:10, 14] and they will proceed in seeing for themselves ‘the Son of the Man progressively coming upon the clouds of the atmosphere (or: sky),’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and ability, as well as much glory (= many manifestations which call forth praise; an extensive good reputation). ³¹ "And then He will continue sending His agents (messengers; folks with the message) off on a mission ‘with a great trumpet (perhaps: = a large shofar; or: = a loud trumpet blast; [note: a figure of a publicly proclaimed message or instruction]),’ [Isa. 27:13] and they will progressively be fully (or: additionally) gathering together His picked out and chosen folks from out of the four winds – from [the] heavens' (or: atmospheres') extremities: until their farthest points (= from the four quarters of the land, from one end of the sky to the other)! ³² "Now learn the [point of the] illustration (parable) from the fig tree: Whenever its branch may already come to be tender (= in bud), and the leaves can progressively produce and sprout out, you normally know by experience that the summer [is] near. ³³ "You folks, yourselves, in this way – whenever you men may see and can perceive all these [aforementioned] things – be also then knowing that it is near (at hand, close enough to touch), [come] upon the gates (or: doors)! ³⁴ "It is true (Amen; Truly; Count on it), I now say to you folks, that this generation can by no means pass by until all these things can happen (should occur; may be come to be). ³⁵ "The heaven and the earth (or: The atmosphere and sky, as well as the land,) will pass on by, yet My thoughts and words (or: ideas and messages) can by no means pass on by. ³⁶ "Now concerning that day and hour, no one has seen or known – neither the folks with the message from the heavens (or: agents of the atmospheres; messengers who pertain to, or which are, the heavens), nor even the Son – only the Father [being] the exception. ³⁷ "For you see, even as [it was in] the days of Noah, thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the son who is human; = the eschatological Messianic figure). ³⁸ "For as people kept on being (or: habitually were) within those days – the ones before the down-wash (the deluge; the flood; the cataclysm) – habitually eating and drinking; by custom marrying and by habit giving (or: taking) in marriage, up to the day in which Noah entered into the ark; ³⁹ "and they did not know (were not aware; took no note of the situation) until the down-wash (deluge; flood; cataclysm) came and washed [the] whole population away (or: picked up all [the] people to sweep [them] away) – thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man! ⁴⁰ "At that time two folks will continue being within the midst of the field: one man is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one man is repeatedly left alone to flow on his way (or: continues on pardoned [with his debts] forgiven; or: is being sent away, allowed to continue relaxing while permitted to depart). ⁴¹ "Two women are continuing to grind grain into meal and flour, within the mill (or: in the midst [of working] the millstone): one woman is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one woman is repeatedly left alone to continue [in her work] (or: pardoned; sent away; forgiven; etc., as in vs. 40). ⁴² "Therefore, you folks stay constantly awake, be ever alert, and continue watchful, because you have not seen, nor do you thus know, in what sort of day your Owner (Lord) is in the habit of coming (or: for what kind of day your Master repeatedly comes). ⁴³ "Yet you are progressively coming to know that by experience (or, as an imperative: Now be personally knowing that, through normal experience), because if the householder had seen and known in what sort of watch (= which of the watches) [of the night] the thief is normally coming, he would have kept awake, remained alert and kept watchful, and then he would not let (permit) his house to be dug (or: tunneled) through. ⁴⁴ "Because of this, you yourselves progressively come to be ready and prepared as well, because at an hour for (= about) which you are not normally thinking (imagining; supposing; = expecting), the Son of the Man (= the eschatological Messiah figure; humanity's son) is normally (or: repeatedly) coming. ⁴⁵ "Who, consequently (or: really), is the faithful (trustworthy; loyal) and thoughtful (prudent; sensible; discreet; considerate) slave whom the owner (lord; master) set down upon (or: = places in full control over) his household servants (domestics) [with the directive] to give to them nourishment within a fitting situation (or: sustenance at the appointed time; food in season)? ⁴⁶ "That slave is happy and blessed whom his owner (lord; master), upon at some point coming, will proceed in finding [him or her] habitually doing thus. ⁴⁷ "Truly (Amen; It is so), I am now saying to you folks, that he will proceed in setting him down upon (or: = place him in full control over) all his possessions and things by which he normally subsists. ⁴⁸ "But if that worthless (ugly; bad quality) slave should say within his heart, 'My owner (master; lord) continually delays and fails [to come] for a long time,' ⁴⁹ "and then should start to repeatedly beat his fellow slaves, and may be eating and drinking with the people regularly getting drunk, ⁵⁰ "the owner (lord; master) of that slave will be arriving on a day in which he is not normally anticipating, and within an hour which he is not usually knowing, ⁵¹ "and so he will proceed to be cutting him in two [hyperbole for: severely punish; or, metaphor: cut him off from employment] and then he will proceed putting (placing; setting) his part with the perverse, opinionated scholars who have all the answers and are hyper-critical and overly judgmental [hupokrites; see 6:2, above]. The weeping, moaning and the grinding of the teeth will continue being in that place and situation.

⁵ Later, while certain folks were in the midst of remarking about the Temple complex – how that it had been arranged and stands adorned with fine, beautiful stones and stonework, as well as the effects of things set up (possibly: dedicated objects; votive offerings; memorial decorations) – ⁶ He said, "These things at which you folks continue gazing with attentive interest – days will progress in coming in which a stone will not continue being left here upon a stone, which will not be progressively loosed down in complete destruction." ⁷ So folks continued asking Him, "Teacher, when, therefore, will these things progress in being – and what [will be] the sign, whenever these things should progressively be about to continue happening?" ⁸ Now He replied, "Continue looking. You should not at any point be deceived or led astray. You see, many people will continue coming – on the [basis of] My name (i.e., claiming to be My representative and have My authority) – one after another saying, 'I am (or: I, myself, am [he; the one])!' and 'The appointed season (or: fitting situation) has drawn near and is now present!' You folks should not at any point go from place to place behind them. ⁹ "So when you happen to hear of wars and unsettled conditions (instability; unrest; turmoil; insurrections), you people should not be terrified or caused to panic with alarm. You see, it continues necessary, even binding, for these things to happen (occur; come to be) first, but still the end (or: the final act; the finished condition) [is] not immediately." ¹⁰ At that time He went on to say to them, "Nation (or: Ethnic group) will be progressively raised up upon nation (or: ethnic group), and kingdom (or: empire) upon kingdom (empire). (or: = A swarm will be progressively roused upon [the] nation [= the Jewish nation]; even [the] Empire upon [the Jews'] kingdom.) ¹¹ "Also, there will continue being major earthquakes (or: great shakings), and in one place after another, there will proceed being pestilences (or: epidemics; plagues) and famines, besides fearful sights and dreadful events, as well as there being great signs from [the] sky (or: atmosphere; heaven). [cf Ex. 7-11; Rev. 15-16] ¹² "Yet before all these things, people will continue laying their hands on you folks, and they will be repeatedly chasing and persecuting [you], handing over one after another unto the synagogues (places of worship and fellowship) and [into] jails and prisons, while you are repeatedly being led off, up before kings and governors – on account of My Name. ¹³ "Yet it will continue going away for (or: stepping off among) you folks, [leading] into a witness and a testimony (= an opportunity for giving your evidence). ¹⁴ "Therefore, you people put [it] in your hearts not to be habitually premeditating or rehearsing beforehand to make [your] defenses. ¹⁵ "You see, I Myself will continue giving to you people a mouth (= ability and an opportunity to speak) as well as wisdom, to which all your opponents, who are repeatedly lying in ambush against you, will not continue being able to at any point stand in opposition to or resist, nor to speak against or contradict. ¹⁶ "Now you people will even proceed in being turned in (or: handed over) by parents and brothers and relatives and friends – and folks will keep on putting some of you to death. ¹⁷ "Furthermore, you folks will continue being ones being constantly regarded and treated with ill will, and even hated, by all – because of My Name (= because of your association with Me, or, because you bear and proclaim My Name). ¹⁸ "And yet, not a hair from out of your head can by any means be lost (or: should by no means be loosed-away or destroyed). ¹⁹ "Within the midst of your persistent, supportive remaining-under (or: In union with your patient endurance), be progressively gaining possession of your souls (or: continue acquiring your inner life; make it a habit to procure and possess yourself; [with other MSS: you folks will repeatedly gain and progressively acquire your lives/selves]). ²⁰ "Now later, when you folks see Jerusalem being continuously surrounded by encamped armies, at that time realize and know from that experience that her desolation has drawn near and is now present. ²¹ "At that point, let the people in Judea progressively flee into the hill country and mountains; then let the people within the midst of her [i.e., Jerusalem] proceed departing out of that place, and don't let (or: let not) the folks in the country or the district continue coming (or: going) into her, ²² "because these are days of executing justice – of bringing about what is fair and right and of establishing what accords with the Way pointed out – with a view to have fulfilled all the things having been written (or: for all that is written to be fulfilled)! ²³ "Tragic will be the situation for the women then being pregnant, and for the ones still nursing [babies] in those days. You see there will progressively be a great compressive force upon the Land, and inherent fervor bringing internal swelling emotion on this People. ²⁴ "And so, folks will keep on falling by [the] mouth of a sword, and [others] will proceed being led captive into all the nations (or: into the midst to unite with every ethnic group) – and Jerusalem will continue being progressively trampled by and under pagans (non-Jews; those of the nations) until where they can (or: should) be fulfilled. And then there will progress being seasons of the ethnic multitudes (or: fitting situations pertaining to the nations; or: occasions which have the qualities and characteristics of the pagans; or: fertile moments with regard to non-Jews). [cf Rev. 11] ²⁵ "Also, there will keep on being signs: in sun and moon and stars [comment: a figure of a disruption of father, mother and brothers, i.e., social organization and leadership – Gen. 37:9-10], and upon the Land [comment: of Israel?] (or: earth; ground; soil): a constraint from [the] non-Jews (or: with a character pagans; which is nations) in the midst of a perplexity in which there seems no way out – [like being in the] roar and surging of a sea – ²⁶ "pertaining to humans progressively breathing away and cooling off (= fainting, or dying) from fear and apprehension (thoughts about what is going to happen) pertaining to the things progressively coming upon the homeland (the place being inhabited) – for you see, ‘the abilities of the heavens (or: the powers of the sky and atmosphere; [note: may = folks normally in charge of things]) will be progressively shaken.’ [Hag. 2:6, 21] ²⁷ "And at that point (or: time), they will keep on seeing (or: perceiving) ‘the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the Human Being; = the eschatological messianic figure) progressively coming within the midst of a cloud,’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and much glory (or: with ability and a profound reputation; or: along with power and a manifestation which calls forth praise). ²⁸ "Now as these things are beginning to be progressively happening, at once bend back up (or: stand tall and erect), and then lift up your heads (= hold your heads high), because your setting free – which came by the payment of a ransom – (the loosing-away of you folks; your redemption) is progressively drawing near!" ²⁹ And then (or: Later; With that) He spoke an illustration to them (or: told them a parable): "Look at and perceive the fig tree – as well as all the trees. ³⁰ "Whenever they may be already budding (or: shooting forth sprouts), in consistently seeing (or: observing) [this] for yourselves, you normally know from experience that the summer is already near. ³¹ "In this same way, then (or: also), you yourselves: whenever you folks may see (or: perceive) these things progressively coming to be (occurring; happening; being birthed), be progressively knowing from experience that God's reigning and activity of sovereignty (or: the kingdom and royal rule of God) is (or: exist being) close at hand – near enough to touch (= has arrived and is accessible)! It is true (or: Amen; Count on it). ³² "I now proceed telling you that this very generation can under no circumstances pass on by (or: may by no means pass along) until all these things can happen (or: should occur). ³³ "The sky and the land (or: This heaven and earth) will be progressively passing on by, yet My words (thoughts and ideas; or: messages) will under no circumstances proceed to be passing on by. ³⁴ "So you people make it a habit to hold your attention to yourselves, and hold to each other, lest at some time your hearts may be weighed down or burdened – in the midst of a hangover (or: headache nausea or giddiness from an overindulgence in wine), and in drunkenness (intoxication) – as well as by anxiety (or: care; concern; worry) in the daily matters pertaining to living, and then that day take its stand upon you folks unforeseen (with unexpected suddenness), as a trap (a snare; a net; something that will catch and hold). ³⁵ "You see, it will continue coming in upon (or: enter on) all the people normally sitting (= presently dwelling) upon [the] face (= surface) of the entire Land (or: all the earth). ³⁶ "So you people be constantly staying awake, alert and watchful – in each season and every situation (or: in union with every fertile moment and on every occasion) – repeatedly asking with urgency, or begging, so that you can be fully strong to flee out and escape all these things being presently and progressively about to be happening, and then to be placed (or: cause to stand) in front of the Son of the Man (the Human Being; = Adam's Son; = the eschatological messianic figure)."

² Yet He, giving a decided response, says to them, "You are not looking at all these things, are you (or: Do you not observe all this)? Truly (or: Count on it; or: Assuredly), I am now saying to you folks, there can under no circumstances be a stone left or allowed to be upon [another] stone which will not be progressively loosed down to bring utter destruction."

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

⁶ He said, "These things at which you folks continue gazing with attentive interest – days will progress in coming in which a stone will not continue being left here upon a stone, which will not be progressively loosed down in complete destruction."

¹⁴ "For instance, we have heard him repeatedly saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy (demolish; dismantle) this place and he will change the customs which Moses handed down to (and: for) us."

² "And the court (unroofed enclosure; [used of the sheepfold in Jn. 10:1, 16]), the one outside the temple, you must cast outside (throw, or expel, out of doors), and you may not measure her because it was given to the multitudes (ethnic groups; nations), and they will proceed treading (advance by setting the foot upon) the set-apart city (or: the Holy City) forty-two months.

¹⁰ Then, approaching, the disciples said to Him, "Why (Through what [purpose; motive]) are you continuing to speak to them in parables (here: = illustrative riddles; = Hebrew masal)?"

³⁶ At that time, after leaving the crowds, He went into the house. And then His disciples approached Him, one after another saying, "Make the parable (illustration) of the weeds (darnel) of the field thoroughly clear and distinct for (or: to) us (= explain it so that we can plainly understand it)."

¹ Then after six days, Jesus proceeds to take along (or: at His side) Peter, Jacob (James) and John, his brother, and progressively leads them up into a high mountain, privately, and to be in accord with what was His own.

¹ Later, when they got close to [the] Jerusalem [area], after they went into Bethphage, [then on] into the Mount of Olives, Jesus at that time sent off two disciples on a mission,

³ Now later, during His continued sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples approached Him, privately (in accord with His being in His own space and place), saying in turn, "Tell us, when will these things proceed in being, and what [is] the sign pertaining to Your presence, as well as (or: even) the combination of parts to one end (or: the bringing to one end together; the combined consummation; the joint, final act) of the age?"

¹⁶ And while passing along beside (= walking alongside) the Sea of (or: Lake) Galilee, He saw and perceived Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon, repeatedly envelope-casting [their] purse net (a large, circular fishing net) in the sea, for they were fishermen (those who earned their living by catching fish). ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Hither, you [two] come on behind Me (= follow after Me and join Me), and I will proceed making you to become fishers of human beings (of people)!" ¹⁸ So at once, abandoning the fishing nets, they followed Him (walked the same path with Him). ¹⁹ Next, upon stepping forward a little, he saw Jacob (= James), the [son] of Zebedee, and John, his brother, and perceived them while [at work] within the boat, putting the nets in order (i.e., mending, adjusting, cleaning and folding them – making ready for the next use in fishing),

³⁴ Now apart from a parable (illustrative comparison) He was not in the habit of speaking to them. Yet privately and in accord to a person's own [ability] He was routinely loosening all things upon (or: habitually releasing all for; so: explaining and interpreting everything to) His own disciples (students; learners; apprentices).

³⁷ Now He did not allow anyone to follow together with Him, except Peter, Jacob (James) and John, the brother of Jacob.

² And then, after six days, Jesus proceeds in taking along Peter, Jacob (James) and John, and continues leading (or: bringing) them up into a high mountain – privately [and] alone (= by themselves). And He was transformed in front of them

³⁵ Then at one point Jacob (= James) and John – the two sons of Zebedee – by habit continue to make their way toward Him [and] proceed to be laying out their thoughts to Him, saying, "Teacher, we continue wanting (desiring; willing; intending) that You would do for us whatever we should request of You."

³³ Then He proceeded in taking Peter, Jacob (James) and John aside (or: along) with Him and He began to be increasingly affected from out of a stunning sense of extreme awe and terrifying astonishment, and to be progressively depressed and sorely troubled with distress.

⁴⁰ Now Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two hearing at John’s side, and following Him. ⁴¹ This one [i.e., Andrew] is first finding his own brother, Simon, and is saying to him, "We have found the Messiah [and so now know Who and where He is]!" – which is presently being translated with explanation, 'Christ ([the] Anointed One)' – "so we now know Who and where He is!"

⁷ So folks continued asking Him, "Teacher, when, therefore, will these things progress in being – and what [will be] the sign, whenever these things should progressively be about to continue happening?"

²¹ Peter, therefore, seeing and perceiving this one, says to Jesus, "Lord (Master), now what [of] this man?" ²² Jesus then says to him, "If I am intending (willing; purposing) him to continue remaining until I am progressively coming, what [is it; effect comes] toward you? As for you, you be habitually following Me!"

⁶ So then these folks, having come together, indeed kept on asking Him, one after another saying, "Lord (or: Master), are You in this time progressively moving the kingdom away from where it has been put down (or: off its established position and away from the current situation and condition) and now restoring the sovereignty in (or: the reign to and for) Israel?" ⁷ So He said to them, "At this point it is not yours (or: it does not pertain to you) to personally know times or seasons (or: periods or situations) which the Father put within His own authority (or: places in His own jurisdiction and privilege).

⁴ Then making a discerning reply, Jesus says to them, "You men be constantly looking, seeing, and staying alert, [so that] nothing and no one can mislead or should deceive you folks. ⁵ "You see, many people will be coming, upon [association with; the basis of, or, the supposed authority of; on the reference to] My name, one after another saying, 'I, myself, am the anointed one (or: the Christ;),' and they will be leading astray and deceiving many people.

⁸ Now He replied, "Continue looking. You should not at any point be deceived or led astray. You see, many people will continue coming – on the [basis of] My name (i.e., claiming to be My representative and have My authority) – one after another saying, 'I am (or: I, myself, am [he; the one])!' and 'The appointed season (or: fitting situation) has drawn near and is now present!' You folks should not at any point go from place to place behind them.

³³ Stop being led astray (or: Do not continue being deceived and caused to wander)! “Worthless associations, conversations or interminglings in a crowd (or: Companionships of corrupt quality [note: this can refer to sexual encounters]; Bad company or communication) habitually and progressively corrupt, decay, spoil and ruin useful habits, kind customs and profitable characters.” [note: a quote from a play by the poet Menander]

⁶ Let no one keep on deceiving (or: seducing) you by empty words (or: messages; reasons; thoughts; ideas), for because of these things, God's inherent fervor (natural impulse and disposition; intrinsic teeming desire and swelling passion; or: anger; indignation) is continuously coming upon [note: cf John 3:36] the sons of The Disobedience (the incompliance; or: = folks having the quality of not being convinced or being disobedient and stubborn).

⁸ Keep watching out for and beware that someone will not be the one progressively (or: repeatedly) carrying you off captive (after stripping you of arms and seizing your goods, proceed in kidnapping you as booty or a prey) through the philosophy and empty seduction (or: a deceitful trick having no content) being handed down from and being in line with the tradition of the people (or: corresponding to the thing handed along from humans), down from (or: in line with and corresponding to) the elementary principles (or: rudimentary teachings and fundamental assumptions) of the organized System (the world of culture, religion, government, secular society or economy), and not down from Christ (or: in accord with the sphere of, and in line with, Christ; corresponding to an Anointing),

³ May no one at any point beguile or seduce you folks from a deception – not even down from one turn (or: not according to one method; not in the sphere of a manner or disposition) – because should not the standing away from (the departure; the setting away; or: the rebellion; the revolt) come first, and thus the human from the lawlessness – the person of failure (some MSS: the Man who missed the mark – sinned; the human being with the qualities and character of error and mistake; [other MSS: the person owned by lawlessness or associated with illegal acts]) – be uncovered (unveiled; revealed; disclosed): the son of the loss (= the person having the qualities of, or the character resulting from, the destruction),

¹ Beloved ones, stop believing (or: you must not continually believe or put trust in; being loyal or pledging allegiance to) every spirit (or: expression of some influence; breath-effect; attitude), but rather, you folks must constantly examine, test and prove the spirits (influences; attitudes) to assay (or: prove) if they are existing from out of God, because many false prophets have gone (or: come) out into the ordered System (world of societal culture, government, economy and religion) and continue there.

⁷ Then, when the thousand years may be ended [other MSS: after the thousand years], the adversary (satan) will proceed being loosed from out of its prison (his place of being watched and guarded), ⁸ and it (or: he) will continue going forth (or: come out) to deceive (lead astray) those [other MSS: all the] nations (multitudes; ethnic groups) within the four corners of the Land (or: earth) – "Gog and Magog" [Ezk 38:2] – to gather them together into the battle (or: war): their number [being] as the sand of the sea.

⁵ "You see, many people will be coming, upon [association with; the basis of, or, the supposed authority of; on the reference to] My name, one after another saying, 'I, myself, am the anointed one (or: the Christ;),' and they will be leading astray and deceiving many people.

¹¹ "Also, many false prophets will proceed in being raised up and they will be progressively leading many folks astray, deceiving them and causing them to wander.

²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]. ²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks.

²² "You see, false 'Christs' (false anointed ones; counterfeit anointings) and false prophets will continue being roused and raised up (perhaps = come to prominence) and they will be repeatedly providing signs and miracles (wonders; portents) [aiming] toward the accomplishment of leading-astray – if [they are] able – the chosen ones (or: with a view to the situation for the selected and picked-out folks to wander off [the path] – since [it is] possible and [they are] having power).

⁴³ "Now I Myself have come within my Father’s Name, and you folks are not proceeding to receive Me; if another one may come within his own name, you will proceed to receive that one.

²⁴ "Therefore I said to you that you will progressively die and decay within your errors (failures; sins; times of falling short or to the side of the target), for, unless you come to trust and believe that I, Myself, am (or: that, as for Me, I exist and continue being; or; that I am Myself Existence and Being), you folks will progressively die and rot within your failures (sins; etc.)!"

³⁶ "You see, before these days Theudas (or: Todah) arose, repeatedly saying of himself to be somebody [D adds: great (= important; significant)] – to whom men numbering about four hundred were inclined (= rallied in support) – who was "taken up" (= hauled off to be killed – [perhaps by hanging or crucifixion]) and everyone, whoever was loyally submitting to him and obeyed him, were at once disbanded and dispersed, and so it came to be nothing (or: unto nothing did it occur). ³⁷ "After this, Judah (or: Judas) the Galilean, in the days of the registration (or: census; the enrollment for the Roman tax), also established a people of behind him (= got some people to defect to him). That one also destroyed himself – then all [p45 & D omit: all], whoever was loyally submitted to him and obeyed him, were fully dispersed and are scattered abroad. ³⁸ "And so, [with] the present [circumstances and events] (or: = in this instance), I am now telling you men, Stand away from these men and leave them alone (or: let them go off; divorce [yourselves] from them; allow them; [D adds: {do} not {be} staining {your} hands]), because if this counsel or this work should be from humans (or: have people as its source or origin) it well be utterly undone and demolished. ³⁹ "Yet if it is from out of God, you folks will not be able or have power to dismantle or demolish them [D adds: neither we nor kings nor tyrants. Therefore, hold yourselves away from these men] – and [D* omits: and] may you not at some point be found [to be] fighters [against] God!" And so they were persuaded by him.

⁷ "What tragedy [exists] in the System (controlling world of culture, religion, economics and government) [which comes] from bait-laden traps and snares. You see, it continues being a compulsory necessity for the traps with their bait and snares to come, nevertheless, [it is] a tragedy for (or: to; in) the person through whom the traps and snares continue coming [i.e., the person constantly setting the traps].

⁶ "Now, you men [= the disciples who had come to Him privately] will be at the point to be repeatedly hearing [the noise of] battles and wars, as well as news of battles and reports or rumors of wars – each time see to it that you men are not disturbed, thrown into disorder, or terrified by the commotion, outcries or uproar. You see, it remains necessary for such to be birthed and to occur. However, it is not yet the destined end – the closing act of the goal (the consummation; the final fruition, completion and perfection [of the plan]). ⁷ "For you see, [one] ethnic group (or: a nation) will be caused to progressively rise up upon [another] ethnic group (or: a nation) – even [one] kingdom upon [another] kingdom (or: a reign upon a reign) – and there will continue being famines [later MSS add: plagues (or: troublesome times)] and earthquakes down in [various] places (or: districts).

⁹ "So when you happen to hear of wars and unsettled conditions (instability; unrest; turmoil; insurrections), you people should not be terrified or caused to panic with alarm. You see, it continues necessary, even binding, for these things to happen (occur; come to be) first, but still the end (or: the final act; the finished condition) [is] not immediately." ¹⁰ At that time He went on to say to them, "Nation (or: Ethnic group) will be progressively raised up upon nation (or: ethnic group), and kingdom (or: empire) upon kingdom (empire). (or: = A swarm will be progressively roused upon [the] nation [= the Jewish nation]; even [the] Empire upon [the Jews'] kingdom.) ¹¹ "Also, there will continue being major earthquakes (or: great shakings), and in one place after another, there will proceed being pestilences (or: epidemics; plagues) and famines, besides fearful sights and dreadful events, as well as there being great signs from [the] sky (or: atmosphere; heaven). [cf Ex. 7-11; Rev. 15-16]

¹ "You folks are constantly trusting and continue believing, on into God; you are also progressively trusting and believing on into Me (or, as an imperative: Keep on believing and putting faith into the midst of God, and also keep on putting your trust, confidence and loyalty into Me).

²⁷ "I am continuously sending off (releasing away; hurling off) peace to (or: for; by; in; with) you people. My peace I am constantly giving to you (or: in, by, for you folks). I Myself am not giving [it] to you the way (or: according as) the System (the world of religion, politics and culture) continually gives [it]. Do not let your heart be constantly shaken, disturbed or agitated, neither let it be habitually timid (shrinking, as with palpitations; responding cowardly). [compare Deut. 31:8; Josh. 1:9]

³ thoroughly and progressively opening [them] up and repeatedly placing [them] side-by-side (= explaining and setting forth proofs) that it had continued binding and necessary for the Anointed One (the Christ) to experience, and at some point to suffer, but then to rise (stand back up again) from out of the midst of dead folks – and [saying] that "This Jesus, Whom I myself am now fully announcing to (or: progressively publishing down among) you folks, is the Anointed One (the Christ)."

⁸ "Yet all these things [are but] a beginning of birth pangs [note: = travail to birth something {new}; also: = a time of distress].

²⁸ And now one from among them, named Agabus, upon rising and taking a stand, through means of the Breath-effect (or: Spirit) began indicating by signs and symbols [that] a great famine is to be progressively impending, [which] is going to birth itself into existence upon the whole inhabited land (= the whole Roman empire) – something which occurred upon [the reign] of Claudius.

³ So whenever they may be repeatedly saying, "Peace and security from falling (or: safety; stability), " then (at that time) sudden and unexpected ruin (or: a surprise of destruction) is presently standing upon them, just as the birth-pang for the pregnant woman (or: to the one having [a child] in the womb), and they may by no means flee out or make an escape.

⁴ And so another horse, fiery (fiery-red; of the character or color of fire), came forth (or: went out), and to the One continually sitting upon it, to Him it was given to take the peace out of the Land (or: earth; territory; ground) so that they would slaughter (kill) each other. And a great sword was given to Him.

¹⁷ "So constantly hold your attention toward protecting yourself from humanity. You see, they will periodically be giving you folks over (turning you in) unto [their] local city councils and courts, and then they will proceed scourging you with lashes and whips. ¹⁸ "Yet you men will also, on My account, be from time to time led (or: brought) before (or: on [the stand to speak to]) governors and kings, with a view to being a witness to them and providing evidence for them – as well as to and for and among the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the non-Israelites; = the pagans).

³⁴ "Because of this – look and consider! – I, Myself, am continuing in commissioning and sending off to you people prophets, wise people and scholars (scribes; theologians of the Law). Of them, [some] you folks will proceed to be killing, and [some] you will proceed to crucify (put to death on stakes). Further, of them [some] you people will continue severely whipping (scourge; lash) within your synagogues, and then you, yourselves, will continue pursuing and persecuting [them] from city to city (or: town to town), ³⁵ "so that upon you, yourselves, can (or: should) come all [the] just (equitable; rightwised) blood being continuously poured out (or: spilled) upon the Land – from the blood of rightwised (just; fair; in-right-relationship) Abel, until the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah (or: Baruch), whom you people murdered between the Temple and the altar. ³⁶ "Assuredly, I am now saying to you people, it will progressively move toward this point, and then arrive – all these things! – upon this generation! ³⁷ "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The one repeatedly killing the prophets, and habitually stoning the people sent off with a mission to her. How many times (or: How often) I wanted (intended; purposed; longed) to progressively gather your children together upon [Myself] in the manner in which a hen normally gathers her chicks together under [her] wings – and you did not want [it] (or: you do not intend [it]).

⁹ "At that time people will be repeatedly handing you men over into pressure (squeezing; tribulation; affliction), and then, they will, one after another, kill you. Further, you will continue being men that are repeatedly treated with ill-will, and constantly hated by all the ethnic multitudes (or: the nations) – because of My Name. ¹⁰ "Also at that time, many people will be repeatedly trapped by taking the bait of the snare, or tripping over the trap-stick, and so, they will proceed in turning one another over [to the authorities or enemies] and betray each other, as well as hating one another or treating each other with ill-will.

⁴⁴ and continues by saying to him, "See [the situation]. You should tell nothing to anyone [at all], but rather, begin to withdraw, then continuing to go off, show (display; exhibit) yourself to the priest, and bear forward the offering of the things which Moses set forth in order (arranged and gave forth instruction; directed) – concerning your cleansing – [directed] into a testimony for and witness to them."

¹¹ "But whatever place may not welcome (receive and embrace) you folks nor should even listen to you or hear what you folks possess, on progressively journeying from out of that place, shake out (or: off) the dust from underneath your feet – into [it being] a witness to them (a testimony for them; evidence in them) [see note in Matt. 10:14; A and other MSS add: It is true (Count on it; Amen), I am now saying to you, it will be more endurable (bearable; tolerable) for Sodom or Gomorrah within a day of sifting and decision (a separating in judging) than for that city]."

⁵ So Jesus, giving a decided response, began to be saying to them, "Be continuously observing, and see to it [that] no one can lead you folks astray (or: should at some point deceive you people).

⁵ "And yet, as many people as may perhaps not continue welcoming and receiving you folks, when going out from that town be continuously shaking off the dust from your feet – [pointing] unto evidence (proof; or: [leading] into a testimony and a witness) upon them. [note: Hospitality in those times and countries involved having a servant wash the feet of their guests; further: Jews did this when they left a Gentile country, so this would indicate that this town was being regarded as polluted and unholy, and in the same category as the Gentiles]

¹⁶ "Now you people will even proceed in being turned in (or: handed over) by parents and brothers and relatives and friends – and folks will keep on putting some of you to death. ¹⁷ "Furthermore, you folks will continue being ones being constantly regarded and treated with ill will, and even hated, by all – because of My Name (= because of your association with Me, or, because you bear and proclaim My Name). ¹⁸ "And yet, not a hair from out of your head can by any means be lost (or: should by no means be loosed-away or destroyed).

²⁰ "Continually bear in mind (or: Keep on remembering) the word (the Logos; the thought; the idea; the message) which I Myself said to you. A slave is not greater than (does not exist being superior to) his owner (lord; master). Since they pursue and persecute Me, they will also continue pursuing and persecuting you folks. If they keep (or: observed and cared for) My word (idea; message), they will also proceed to be keeping (observing and caring for) yours.

² "They will continue making you outcasts – ones turned away from the synagogues (= they will continue cutting you off from the rights and privileges of the Jewish society). But further, an hour is progressively coming with the result that everyone in the process of killing you folks off may imagine (suppose; hold the opinion of; think) [himself] to be proceeding in presenting (bearing forward) an offering of sacred service to God,

¹ Now during their continued speaking to the people, the chief (or: ranking) priests, the officer of the Temple guard (= the Controller of the Temple), and the Sadducees stood near them, in opposition, and at last took a stand upon [the scene], ² being progressively annoyed, exasperated, vexed through and through, and in a thoroughly worthless and knavish attitude because of their continuing to teach the people, and to be bringing down the announcement and be fully proclaiming in [the case of] Jesus (or: in union with Jesus; in the sphere [or: authority] of Jesus) the resurrection from out of the midst of dead folks. ³ And so they thrust [their] hands on them and they were placed into custody (in ward) overnight, since it was already evening. ⁴ However, many of the folks presently hearing the word (message) trusted and believed, and so the number of the adult men came to be about five thousand. ⁵ Now it happened on the next day [that] their rulers and the elders, along with the Torah scholars (scribes; theologians; doctors of the Law) were to be gathered together in Jerusalem. ⁶ And Annas, the chief (or: ranking) priest, as well as Caiaphas, John, Alexander and as many folks who were of the chief priest's family (kinsfolk) [were also present]. ⁷ So then, standing [Peter and John] in their midst [note: the Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle], they began by inquiry to investigate and ascertain: "Within, or in union with, what sort of power or ability – or in what kind of name (= in whose authority or invoking whose power) – did you people do this?" ⁸ At that point Peter – being filled full of [the] Set-apart Breath-effect (or: a holy spirit and a separated attitude; [the] Holy Spirit) – said toward them, "Rulers (or: Chiefs; Leaders) of the People, and elders! ⁹ "Since (or: If) we ourselves are in the process of being investigated and thoroughly examined on [the matter of] a good deed (a beneficial act of well-being) pertaining to a weak and disabled person – within Whom and in union with what this man has been healed, and now stands made whole (or: saved) – ¹⁰ "let it be now progressively known to all you men and to all the people of Israel, that in (within and in union with) the Name of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] anointed Jesus), the Nazarene, Whom you yourselves executed on a stake (crucified), Whom God raised up from out of the midst of dead folks – within and in union with this Man (or: [Name]), this man has stood near and now stands sound and healthy at the side, in your sight and presence! ¹¹ "This One is the Stone – the One being treated as nothing (or: with scorn and contempt) and being disregarded by and under you folks, the builders (or: the 'architects'); the One coming into [the position of] being 'Head of [the] corner (or: Source of [the] angle; = the Corner Foundation Stone from which the walls are built; or: = Headstone, or, Keystone; = the Summit of the building)!' [Ps. 118:22] ¹² "And thus, the rescue and deliverance – the restoration to health and wholeness, the safety and salvation, and the return to our original state and condition – is in absolutely no other person! For neither is there a different name under the [dome of the] sky (or: heaven) that has been given, and now exists as a gift, among mankind (or: in the midst of humanity) within which it continues binding and necessary for us to be saved (restored to health and wholeness; delivered and kept safe; returned to our original state and condition)!" ¹³ Now as they continued watching and observing the bold confidence and outspoken freedom of speech of Peter and John – and grasping that they were uneducated (= without the effects of technical training in the professional rabbinical schools of Hillel or Shammai) and untrained people (= laymen; common laborers or folks of some trade, or, of the peasant class) – they began marveling and continued filled with wonder, and they began to fully realize (or: recognize) [about] them, that they had been (or: used to be) with Jesus. ¹⁴ Besides, while continuing to observe the man who had been cured standing with them, they were having nothing to say in rebuttal or in contradiction. ¹⁵ So after ordering them to go forth outside of the Sanhedrin [hall], they began tossing [their thoughts and ideas] together (= conferring and consulting) with one another, ¹⁶ one to another saying, "What can or should we do to or with these men? For, in fact, a known and noteworthy sign has occurred through them – one that [is] apparent (obvious and manifest) to all the folks presently inhabiting Jerusalem – and we are unable to continue denying [it]. ¹⁷ "Nevertheless, so that it may not all the more be disseminated and spread abroad, on into the People [at large], let us make threats to them [that they] no longer are to continue speaking on (= about, or, on the authority and basis of) this Name to even one individual of humanity!" ¹⁸ And so, after calling them, they ordered [them] to cease making any utterance at all, as well as to terminate teaching anywhere, on [the authority or basis of] the Name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John, giving a decided reply, said to them, "You men judge and decide whether it is right (in accord with the Way pointed out) in God's sight to continue listening to (and thus: obeying) you rather than God. ²⁰ "For you see, we ourselves are not able not to be constantly speaking [about] the things which we saw and heard." ²¹ So, after projecting menace and adding threats, they released them – continuing to find nothing [to solve] "the how" (= the means) [so that] they could curb them (= cut back their activities) – on account of the people, because they were all continuing in glorifying God (enhancing God's reputation) [based] on the thing (= the healing) having occurred (having come to be).

¹⁷ Now having arisen, the chief (ranking) priest and all those together with him – the existing sect of the Sadducees – were filled with jealousy (or: with boiling zeal), ¹⁸ and they thrust [their] hand upon (= arrested) the sent-forth folks (the emissaries) and put them in [the] public [place] of custody and observation. ¹⁹ But during [the] night, an agent of [the] Lord (= Christ's or Yahweh's messenger) opened the gates (or: doors) of the prison (or: jail; place of being under guard). Then, after leading them out, he said, ²⁰ "You folks be going your way, then later, upon taking a stand within the Temple courts (or: grounds), continue speaking to the people all the gush-effects of and results of the flow from (or: sayings and declarations) this Life." ²¹ So after hearing [this], they entered into the Temple complex under the [light of] daybreak (or: the early dawn) and began (or: continued) teaching. Now later, after arriving (or: coming along), the chief (ranking) priest and those with him called together the Sanhedrin (the Jewish High Council; the governing body) and all the assembly of the older men (persons of age and influence invited to sit with the Sanhedrin; = the senate) of the sons of Israel (= Israel as a tribe or nation), and they sent forth [men] unto the prison (jail; place for bound folks) to have them brought. ²² But upon arriving [D adds: and opening up the prison], the subordinate officers did not find them in the jail (or: prison). So after returning, they gave a report, saying, ²³ "We found the prison (or: jail) shut in all security, having been firmly barred and locked, and the guards standing at the doors – yet upon opening [them] up, we found no one inside." ²⁴ Now as they heard these words, both the captain of the Temple complex and the head (chief; ranking) priests became utterly perplexed about them and continued bewildered as to whatever this might come to be (or: what would come of this). ²⁵ But then someone just arriving reported to them, "Look, and consider (or: Hey)! The men whom you folks put in the prison are presently within the Temple courts (or: grounds), standing and continuing in teaching the people!" ²⁶ At that point the captain, after going off with the subordinate officers, proceeded in leading them, [bringing them] without force or violence – for they were fearing the people, lest they could (or: should; would) be stoned. ²⁷ So after leading them, they had [them] stand in the Sanhedrin [hall], and then the chief (head; ranking) priests questioned them, saying, ²⁸ "We commanded to you men, with a direct order, not to keep on teaching upon the [authority and basis of] this Name – and look! – you folks have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and now you continue purposed and determined to bring upon us (= hold us responsible for) the blood of this man!" ²⁹ So Peter, along with the sent-forth folks, in giving a decisive reply, said, "It continues binding and necessary to with persuaded faithfulness habitually obey and yield to God as the Ruler, rather than humans (people)! ³⁰ "The God of our fathers (= ancestors) raised up Jesus – Whom you men yourselves intensely manhandled with intent to kill, hanging [Him] on a wooden pole (or: suspending [Him] upon a tree). ³¹ "God exalted and lifted up high this Originator (or: Beginning Leader; Inaugurator; Founder; Chief Agent; Prince) and Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Restorer of health and wholeness; Returner to the original sphere and state of being) to (or: by; with) His right hand (= power and authority; [D reads: glory]) – to give (or: grant) a change of mind and way of thinking [which results in a return to Yahweh] to (or: for; in) Israel, and a sending away of mistakes and deviations (a divorcing of failures; an abandoning of sinning; a flowing away of the results from times of missing the target; a forgiveness of errors; [D adds: within {or: among} them])! ³² "And we ourselves are evidences and witnesses of these gush-effects and results of the flow (or: saying and declarations; spoken words) – as well as the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit; consecrated attitude) which (or: Whom) God gave (or: gives) to (or: in; for; among) the folks who in persuaded loyalty are continually obeying and yielding to Him as the Ruler." ³³ Now the people hearing [this] began being divided in two by a saw (sawn through; = cut and torn apart emotionally so as to be enraged) and began intending (wanting and purposing) to "lift them up" (= haul them off and kill them). ³⁴ But, after standing up, a certain man in [other MSS: belonging to] the Sanhedrin – a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a Law professor (a respected teacher of the Torah; [note: the grandson of Hillel]), one esteemed and honored by all the People – gave an order to put the men outside for a little while (or: briefly). ³⁵ And then he said to them [D reads: to the leaders (rulers) of the Sanhedrin], "Men! Israelites! (or: Men of Israel!) Hold [this matter] to yourselves [in your mind] and put your attention upon these men, being careful as to what you are presently about to be committing or performing (= doing to them). ³⁶ "You see, before these days Theudas (or: Todah) arose, repeatedly saying of himself to be somebody [D adds: great (= important; significant)] – to whom men numbering about four hundred were inclined (= rallied in support) – who was "taken up" (= hauled off to be killed – [perhaps by hanging or crucifixion]) and everyone, whoever was loyally submitting to him and obeyed him, were at once disbanded and dispersed, and so it came to be nothing (or: unto nothing did it occur). ³⁷ "After this, Judah (or: Judas) the Galilean, in the days of the registration (or: census; the enrollment for the Roman tax), also established a people of behind him (= got some people to defect to him). That one also destroyed himself – then all [p45 & D omit: all], whoever was loyally submitted to him and obeyed him, were fully dispersed and are scattered abroad. ³⁸ "And so, [with] the present [circumstances and events] (or: = in this instance), I am now telling you men, Stand away from these men and leave them alone (or: let them go off; divorce [yourselves] from them; allow them; [D adds: {do} not {be} staining {your} hands]), because if this counsel or this work should be from humans (or: have people as its source or origin) it well be utterly undone and demolished. ³⁹ "Yet if it is from out of God, you folks will not be able or have power to dismantle or demolish them [D adds: neither we nor kings nor tyrants. Therefore, hold yourselves away from these men] – and [D* omits: and] may you not at some point be found [to be] fighters [against] God!" And so they were persuaded by him. ⁴⁰ Next, upon calling the sent-forth folks to their presence, after severely lashing (flogging; whipping) [them], they gave orders not to continue speaking upon the [authority and basis of the] Name of Jesus. Then they released them.

¹¹ At that point they underhandedly and secretly induced men to be saying, one after another, "We have heard him repeatedly speaking blasphemous (or: slanderous; defaming; harmful; abusive; light-hindering; villainous) gush-effects (or: declarations) unto Moses and God (or: directed into [the Law with its religion and culture, which is represented by] Moses, and [into] God)." ¹² And so they stirred up (agitated; moved and shook together like an earthquake) the people – as well as the elders and the scholars (scribes; theologians of the Law) – and so, having been standing near upon [him], they, as a group, suddenly took him by force (gripped, seized and snatched him) then led [him] unto the Sanhedrin (High Council). ¹³ Here they set up (or: put on the stand) false witnesses, one after another saying, "This man is not ceasing from continually speaking gush-effects (or: declarations) down against this set-apart (or: holy; sacred) place and the Law. ¹⁴ "For instance, we have heard him repeatedly saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy (demolish; dismantle) this place and he will change the customs which Moses handed down to (and: for) us." ¹⁵ Then, staring intently at him (or: into [Stephen]), all the men presently sitting in the Sanhedrin (High Council) saw his face (and: countenance) as if [it were the] face of an "agent" (or: countenance and presence of [God's] messenger).

⁵⁴ Well now, while progressively hearing these things, they were being progressively sawn in two in their hearts (= emotionally ripped and cut to the core so as to be filled with rage), and so they began and continued to grind and gnash [their] teeth on him (= at his words) with noises as of a wild animal eating greedily.

¹ Now Saul, still continuously inhaling and breathing (or: in-spiriting and blowing [out]; animated with the spirit of) threatening and murder (or: slaughter) into the midst of the Lord's [= Yahweh's or Christ's] disciples (or: students; learners), after going to the head (chief; ranking) priest, ² requested from him letters [to take] into Damascus – to the synagogues – so that if he should be finding anyone being [a part] of (or: belonging to) the Way (or: the Path; the Road), he could lead [them] – both men and women – bound, into Jerusalem.

¹³ But Ananias discerningly answered, "O Lord! I hear (or: heard) from many people about this adult man... how many vile and bad (worthless and evil; ugly and malicious) things he did to Your set-apart folks (Your saints) in Jerusalem! ¹⁴ "And here in this place he is presently having (or: holding) authority from the chief (head; ranking) priests to bind all those habitually calling upon Your Name!"

¹⁶ "For you see, I Myself will proceed underlining and pointing out (or: plainly showing) to him how many things it continues being binding and necessary for him to experience and be suffering – over [the situation of] (or: for; on behalf of) My Name."

¹ Now down through that season and during that particular situation, Herod the king [had his subordinates] thrust [their] hands on (= arrest) certain of the folks from the called-out community (or: the [local Messianic] communit[ies]; [D adds: in Judea]) to mistreat [them]. ² And so he took up Jacob (or: James), the brother of John, and assassinated [him] with a (or: by [the]) sword. ³ Now upon seeing that [this] was pleasing to the Judeans (= the Jewish leadership and their sympathizers), he set himself with a focus to seize (take together with the hands) Peter, also – now [these] were the days of unleavened bread [= during the Feast of Passover],

²⁰ And so, after leading them forward to the civil magistrates, they said, "These men, being (or: belonging to; making a beginning as) Jews, continue completely stirring up (or: are repeatedly bringing forth a disturbance [in]) our city! ²¹ "Furthermore, they are habitually bringing down an announcement of customs which are not normal, right or allowed for us to habitually accept and embrace at our sides, nor to continue doing or practicing, [we] being Romans." ²² Then the crowd rose up together, [with D: taking a stand in attack] against them [with D: repeatedly crying out against them], and the civil magistrates, after stripping (or: ripping) off the cloaks and outer garments from them, began giving orders to proceed beating [them] with rods. ²³ Besides imposing (inflicting) on them many blows (or: stripes), they threw them into jail (or: prison), passing along instructions to the jailer (or: prison guard) to continue keeping them guarded securely, ²⁴ who, upon receiving such an order, cast them into the more interior prison (or: jail), and then fastened their feet into the wooden stocks.

¹¹ and then, after coming to us and picking up Paul's girding attire (sash or leather belt; girdle with which he wraps himself) [and] upon binding his own feet and hands, he said, "Thus is the Set-apart Breath-effect now saying (or: Now the Holy Spirit is progressively laying out these things), 'In this way will the Jews in Jerusalem proceed binding the man who owns this girding attire – and they will continue in turning [him] over into [the] hands of [the] ethnic multitudes (or: nations; people groups that are non-Jewish)!'"

³¹ And then, while [they were] seeking to kill him, a report that [the] whole of Jerusalem was being progressively poured together in turmoil reached the commander (or: tribune) of the battalion (or: squadron – normally 600 Roman soldiers), ³² who from that same moment ran (or: rushed) down upon them, taking along soldiers and centurions (officers in charge of 100 men). Now upon seeing the commander and the soldiers, they at once stopped beating Paul. ³³ At that point the commander (or: tribune), drawing near, took hold of him (= arrested him). Then he gave orders [for him] to be bound with two chains, and began inquiring who he might be and what it is he had done. ³⁴ Now some within the mob began shouting out one thing, other folks something else. So with his not being able to know the certainty [of the matter] because of the uproar and tumult, he gave orders for him to be led into the barracks (or: fortress). ³⁵ But when he came to be upon the stairs, the situation presented the need for him to proceed by being picked up and carried by the soldiers – because of the violence of the crowd, ³⁶ for you see, the great mass of the people kept following, repeatedly crying out, "Take him up and be doing away with (= killing) him!" ³⁷ But just as he is about to be led into the barracks, Paul proceeds in saying to the commander, "Is it alright (or: allowable) for me to say something to you?" So he affirmed, "You know Greek! ³⁸ "Consequently, you are certainly not the Egyptian – the one who was stirring up a revolt and then leading the four thousand 'men of the dagger' (= assassins or terrorists) into the desert some time ago (or: before these days)." ³⁹ So Paul said, "I myself am in fact a Jew, a man from (= a native of; [D adds: having been born in]) Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of a distinguished and illustrious (or: no insignificant) city. So please, will you permit me to speak to the people?" ⁴⁰ Now after his giving permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, gestures – motioning down with [his] hand – to the people. Then, with it becoming perfectly quiet, he shouted to [them] in the Hebrew [p74 & A read: in his own] language (or: dialect), saying:

¹⁹ "And so I myself said, 'Lord, they themselves continue being well-versed and understand that in one synagogue after another I myself was repeatedly imprisoning and flaying (flogging) the folks trusting and believing upon You. ²⁰ "'Then when the blood of Stephen, Your witness, was being progressively poured out, I myself was also standing by and continuing in consenting (approving; endorsing) as well as guarding the outer garments of those in the process of assassinating (murdering) him.'

¹ So Paul, looking intently (riveting his gaze) at the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Council) said, "Men! Brothers (= Fellow Jews)! I myself have lived and behaved as a citizen in all good conscience to and for God (or: with a completely clear joint-knowledge and with virtuous shared-sight, I have conducted my citizenship in God and managed the affairs of [His] city for God), up to this day!" ² But Ananias [note: son of Nebedaeus], the chief priest [note: nominated as high priest by Herod, King of Chalcis in A.D. 48], placed a directive upon those standing beside him to proceed in striking his mouth.

¹ Now after five days, Ananias the chief (or: ruling) priest came down (or: descended; or: walked down) with a group of older men (or: elders) and Tertullus, a certain forensic orator (or: lawyer; barrister; advocate), who as a group brought things to light (or: gave information; = gave evidence and presented their case) against Paul to the governor. ² So, at his [i.e., Paul's] being called, Tertullus began to proceed in making accusation, by saying, "Happening upon and continuing to experience (or: enjoy) much peace and tranquility through you, as well as [the] effects of reforms (the results of the setting-right of situations and conditions) continually taking place in and for this nation through your forethought – both in every [way] (or: at all [times]) and in all places – ³ "we continue receiving from [this] and welcomingly accept [it] with all thankfulness and the goodness of favor, O most strong and mighty Felix! ⁴ "Now, so that I should not cut-in on or interrupt you any further (or: detain you any longer), I am now entreating you, in your abundant reasonableness, to listen to us briefly. ⁵ "You see, [we have been] finding this man [to be] a plague and a pest – also repeatedly putting insurrections in motion among the Jews down through the inhabited land (= the Empire), besides [being] a spearhead (or: ringleader; one standing in the first rank) of the sect (or: party; or: heresy) of the Nazarenes, ⁶ "who also tried to profane (ritually defile; desecrate) the Temple, whom also we seized. ⁷ [note: 6b through 8a not found in early MSS and omitted by most texts; found in TR; bracketed by Griesbach; represented only by E and later MSS which add: "and intended to judge according to our Law. But Lysias, the commander, upon arriving with a great force, led {him} away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come and appear before you] ⁸ "from whose [i.e., Paul's] presence at your side, you yourself, by examining and again judging, will be able to fully come to know in person about all of these things of which we ourselves continue accusing him." ⁹ With that, the Jews also joined together in the attack (or: the charge; the indictment), continuing in alleging these things to continue holding thus (= to be true).

¹ Then Festus, having stepped up to assume the governorship of the province, after three days went up from Caesarea into Jerusalem. ² Along with this, the chief (ruling; ranking) priests and the leading (or: foremost) men of the Jews brought things to light (or: gave information; = gave evidence and presented their case) against Paul and began entreating him, ³ repeatedly asking for themselves a favor in regard to him, so that he would himself send after [Paul], [to bring] him into Jerusalem – all the while [themselves] laying an ambush to assassinate him along the road. ⁴ Nonetheless, Festus gave a discerning reply, [that] Paul is to continue being kept and observed in Caesarea and that he himself is now soon about to be departing on his way quickly (in haste; = without delay). ⁵ "Therefore, let those in power among you," he affirmed, "after coming down together, continue making accusations of him – if there is anything out of place in the man." ⁶ Now after spending no more than eight or ten days among them, then descending into Caesarea, on the next day, when sitting upon the elevated platform in the public court area, he gave orders for Paul to be brought [to him]. ⁷ So at his coming to be present, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him progressively bringing down many and weighty reasons for accusations and results of charges against [him] – which they were having no strength of argument to demonstrate or prove, ⁸ with Paul's presently refuting in defense, that "Neither unto the Law (= Torah) of the Jews, nor unto the Temple, nor unto Caesar did I commit any sin or do anything in error or failure, nor commit any wrong to offend!" ⁹ Now Festus, presently desiring and intending to lay up favor with the Jews, in making a calculated response to Paul, said, "Are you now willing to be going up into Jerusalem, to be judged there before me concerning these matters?" ¹⁰ But Paul said, "I am taking a stand (or: I am presently standing) before the court of Caesar, in which place it is binding for me to be judged (or: where I must stand trial)! I have done not even one thing wrong [to the] Jews, as you yourself are now fully coming to find out in finer fashion (or: are presently more ideally recognizing). ¹¹ "If, then on the one hand, I am habitually doing wrong (committing injury, injustice or unfairness) and have practiced anything worthy of death, I am not now seeking to be excused from dying (or: presently refusing to die). But since (or: Yet if), on the other hand, there exists not even one thing of which these men continue accusing me, no one has power (or: is able) to hand me over (or: surrender me) to them as a favor. I am now calling upon (or: appealing to) Caesar!" ¹² At that point Festus, after conferring with the gathered council, answered decidedly, "You yourself have called upon (or: appealed to) Caesar; before Caesar you will proceed in going!" ¹³ Now with the elapsing of some days, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived in Caesarea, paying their respects to Festus. ¹⁴ So, as they were spending more days there, Festus submitted the matters regarding Paul to the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix ¹⁵ "concerning whom, at my coming to be in Jerusalem, the chief (or: ranking) priests and the older men (or: elders) of the Jews brought to light information, while repeatedly asking a decision (or: judgment) of condemnation against him. ¹⁶ "– to which men I made the decided reply that it is not [the] custom for Romans to hand over any person as a favor before the one being accused might have the accusers face to face, as well as receive a place for (= have opportunity to make) a defense concerning the indictment (or: charge). ¹⁷ "Therefore, with their coming together in this place, on the following [day] – making not one postponement or delay – while sitting on the dais (raised platform in the public hearing area) to convene court, I gave command for the man to be brought [in], ¹⁸ "concerning whom, at their being made to take the stand, the accusers were not bringing even one cause for accusation (or: ground for a charge) of [the] bad things (= serious crimes) of which I myself had been supposing (or: suspecting; surmising), ¹⁹ "but instead they continued holding (or: having) certain questions aimed at him concerning [their] own reverencing of the animistic powers (or: fear of demons [Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence] and unseen powers) and about a certain Jesus – a person having died – whom Paul keeps on alleging to be alive (or: was continuing in claiming to be living now). ²⁰ "So, I myself being perplexed concerning these questions and disputes, proceeded to ask if he might be willing to be journeying into Jerusalem and there to be judged (= stand trial) concerning these [matters]. ²¹ "But at Paul's personally calling upon (or: making an appeal) to be kept and reserved unto the investigation and determination (= judicial hearing) by the August One (or: Venerable One; = the Emperor), I gave orders for him to be kept and observed until which [time, or, situation] I can (or: would) send him up to Caesar." ²² And so Agrippa said to Festus, "I myself was also wanting and intending to listen to (or: hear) this person." "Tomorrow," [Festus] affirms, "you will (or, as an aorist subjunctive: may; can; should) proceed to be hearing him." ²³ Therefore, on the next day, at [the] coming of Agrippa, as well as Bernice – with much pageantry for making an "appearance" – and their entering into the audience hall, together with both military commanders (tribunes) and the prominent men of the city, and then with Festus giving the command, Paul was led [in]. ²⁴ Then Festus affirms, "King Agrippa, and all you men being present with us, you are now looking at this person about whom the entire multitude of the Jews interceded (or: petitioned) to me, both in Jerusalem and in this place, repeatedly shouting [that] by all means it continues necessary and binding for him to continue living no longer. ²⁵ "Now as for myself, I grasped (caught; = found out about) him to have committed nothing worthy (or: deserving) of death, yet when this man himself was calling upon (= making an appeal to) the August One (= the Emperor), I decided to proceed in sending [him] – ²⁶ "concerning whom I continue having nothing certain to write to [my] Lord (= the Sovereign; or: [our] Owner). On this account I bring him forth before you people – and most of all, before you, King Agrippa – so that with the examination having taken place, I would have something to write.

⁹ Indeed, it continues seeming to me that (or: I regularly suppose that; I am presently thinking and imagining that) God shows us off (exhibits us) – the last ones sent off with a mission (or: the emissaries and representatives put on display last) – as men condemned to die in the public arena [e.g., as gladiators, or as thrown to the lions], because we were made to be a theater for the world (or: to the organized and controlling System of culture, religion, economy and politics; or: in the secular society), as well as for agents (or: to and among messengers), and even for humanity (or: to mankind; among people). ¹⁰ We [are] stupid folks (fools; ones led by nonsense) because of Christ, yet you folks [are] sensible and intelligent ones (ones with understanding) within and in union with Christ; we [are] weak ones, yet you people [are] strong ones; you [are] folks in glory and illustrious reputation, yet we [are] dishonored and unvalued ones. ¹¹ Until the present hour (or: Up to now – this very minute), we also continue being hungry, constantly thirsty, habitually naked (= scantily clothed), repeatedly being struck on the ear with a fist (= treated roughly) and are continuously unsettled (= homeless and wanderers). ¹² Further, we continue toiling (laboring) to weariness – habitually active in work with our own hands [note: the Greek culture despised manual labor]. Being constantly insulted (reviled; cursed; verbally abused), we are repeatedly speaking words of goodness (or: blessing); being habitually pursued and persecuted, we are continuously holding up (or: holding back [i.e., from retaliation]); ¹³ being incessantly defamed (slandered; plied with ill-rumors; other MSS: blasphemed), we regularly called them to our sides (normally entreated and offered assistance). We were made to be as that which comes from cleaning all around (as the off-scouring results; as the filthy refuses) of the world (from the organized System of culture, religion, economy and government) – wiped-off filth and scum of all things and all people – until right now!

²³ Are they Christ's attending servants? – I am speaking as one being beside himself (or: insane) – I [am] over and above [them] (or: I, more so; = I surpass [them])! In toilsome labors and weariness more exceedingly; in prisons and jails more often; in blows (stripes or beatings) surpassingly; in deaths many times (= in near-death situations often). ²⁴ Five times by Jews I received forty [stripes; lashes], less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked – I have done night and day within the midst of the depth [of the sea], even hitting bottom; ²⁶ on journeys often (many times); in dangers (perils) of rivers (or: floods); in dangers of robbers (perils of plunderers); in dangers from out of [my] race (kindred); in dangers from out of the multitudes of ethnic groups ([the] nations); in dangers within city; in dangers within a desolate place (wilderness); in dangers at sea; in dangers among false-brothers (= pseudo-believers; or: = Family members who lie and deal falsely); ²⁷ in exhaustive labor and wearisome toil; in lack of sleep (or: sleeplessness; or: vigils) often; in hunger (or: scarcity of food; or: famine) and in thirst – in situations of deprivation or need of food (or: in fastings), many times; in cold and in lack of sufficient clothing (or: nakedness);

²⁹ because to you folks it is given by grace (or: He graciously was given in you people, as a favor for you people), over the [issue] of, and on behalf of, Christ, not only to be progressively believing and habitually trusting into Him, but further, also, to be repeatedly having sensible experiences over Him (or: to constantly experience feelings and impressions on behalf of Him; to habitually suffer and be ill used for His sake; to be continuously affected on account of the things pertaining to Him) –

⁵ [This is] a display-effect (result of pointing-out; demonstration) of God's fair and equitable (just; in accord with the Way pointed out) deciding (separating for an evaluation or a judging), [leading] unto your being accounted worthy (deemed of equal value) of God's kingdom (or: the sovereign reign which is God), over (or: on behalf of) which you are also constantly having sensible experiences (or: normally feeling emotions; or: repeatedly suffering),

⁹ I, John, your brother and joint-participant (or: sharer of common-being/partnered-existence) within the pressure (squeezing; affliction; tribulation; oppression) and kingdom (or: reign; sovereign rule and activity) and persistent remaining-under (steadfast, humble and supportive endurance), in union with (or: within; [Griesbach and other MSS: of; originating in; pertaining to]) Jesus Christ (= [the] Messiah),

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

¹³ I have seen, and thus know (am aware of) where you are continually dwelling (settling down for an abode) – where satan’s seat (or: the adversary's throne and place of power) [is]! – and yet you are constantly strong in (or: getting into your power) My Name, and did not deny (disown) My Faith in the days in which Antipas, My faithful witness (or: martyr), who was killed alongside you folks: where satan dwells (where the adversary continuously has his abode).

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

¹⁴ "Furthermore, this good news which pertains to the reign (or: this message of goodness, ease and wellness which belongs to and comes sovereign action and influence of the kingdom) will be progressively publicly proclaimed within the whole inhabited area (or: the Hellenistic world, as opposed to barbarian lands; or: = the Roman Empire) – [leading] into a witness and evidence for all the ethnic multitudes (or: unto a testimony among all the nations), and at that point the purposed goal will proceed having arrived and continue here (or: and at that time the final act will have progressively come, and its product will continue being here; or: and so then the destined end will be progressively arriving).

¹⁸ And so, after approaching, Jesus, [breaking the silence], suddenly spoke to them, by saying, "All authority (or: Every right and privilege from out of Being) is (or: was at once) given to Me within heaven and upon the earth (or: in sky and atmosphere, as well as on land)! ¹⁹ "Therefore, while going on your way, instruct and make disciples (at some point enlist students and apprentices) of all the ethnic multitudes (the pagans; the Gentiles; the nations; the non-Israelites), habitually immersing them [i.e., the people (masculine pronoun)] (or: one-after-another [B & D read: at some point] baptizing them to the point of infusion and saturation) into the Name which has reference to, belongs to, has its origin and character in, and which represents, the Father and the Son, as well as the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Name from the Father, as well as from the Son, and even which is the Holy Spirit; or: the Name of the Father and of the Son – even of the Holy Spirit; or: the Father's Name, even the Son's, and which pertains to the Sacred Breath; or: the Name belonging to the Father and the Son, and which is the Sacred Attitude; or: the Name of the Father, and then of the Son, and which comes from the se-apart Spirit; or: the Name which represents the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; or: the Name which comes from the Father, belongs to the Son, and corresponds to the Holy result of the Breath), [note: Eusebius gives this as "Go and make disciples of all the nations in my name." – Eusebius: The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine, translated by G. A. Williamson, Barnes & Noble Books, 1995, p 111. Williamson footnotes: "Matt. 28:19, in a simpler, perhaps a more primitive form." comment: this may have been a paraphrase; it may come from a lost MS tradition; it may represent an interpretation of this verse in the early AD 300's; cf Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5]

¹⁵ Then He said to them, "As you are journeying on your way (or: As you are traveling) into all the ordered system (the world of religion, culture and government; secular society), you men make a public proclamation of the good news (or: herald the good message of ease and wellness) to the entire creation (or: in all the founded and civilized area that has been reclaimed from the wild).

⁸ First, indeed, I am constantly giving thanks to my God (or: expressing the well-being and goodness in the grace and favor by my God) – through Jesus Christ – about (with reference to; concerning) all of you folks, because (or: that) your faith and trust are being repeatedly proclaimed (or: announced) down within (= throughout the midst of) the whole ordered System (world of culture, economy, government and religion; or: = the Roman Empire).

¹⁸ But, I ask, isn't it rather that they didn't pay attention or hear? On the contrary! (or: However, I am saying, do they fail to hear? Most certainly!): "Their clear, distinct sound (as vibrations of a musical string; = their voice; = their utterance) comes out into all the earth (or: went out into the entire land), and their gush-effects (results of the flow; or: sayings; the things spoken by them; their declarations) into the boundaries (limits; extremities) of the inhabited area." [Ps. 19:4]

¹⁹ with a view for (in the purpose for) me to have filled [the region] from Jerusalem even, around in a circuit, as far as Illyricum [with] the good news of, from, and concerning the Anointed One (or: the message of goodness, ease and well-being – which is Christ).

⁶ This [Word; Logos] is being continuously present alongside [and proceeding] into you folks, just as it is also continuously existing within all the ordered System (within the entire world of culture, secular society, religion, economics and government; or: in the entire universe; or: = the entire Roman Empire), repeatedly bearing fruit of itself and constantly being grown and caused to be increasing, just as also within you folks, from [the] day in which you heard and at once fully experienced – in intimate knowing and accurate realization – the grace of God, within Truth (or: God's favor resident within [the] truth; God's grace in the midst of reality; or: the favor which, in reality, is God).

²³ since in fact (or: inasmuch as) you folks are continually remaining on (or: are constantly persisting) by trust, in the faith and for loyalty, being ones having been provided with a foundation so as to continue grounded, even seated so as to be settled ones, and not people being repeatedly moved elsewhere (shifted; removed; or, as a middle: shifting yourselves) away from the expectation (or: expectant hope) pertaining to, belonging to and having its source in the message of ease, goodness and well-being of which you hear (or: heard): the [message] being heralded (announced; publicly proclaimed and preached) within all creation which is under the sky (or: heaven) – of which I, Paul, am myself come to be a herald, an emissary, and an attending servant (or: a dispenser).

⁶ Next I saw an agent (or: messenger; [other MSS: another agent/messenger]) continuously flying within mid-heaven, having eonian good news (or: a message of goodness and well-being pertaining to the ages and having the character and quality of the Age), to proclaim the good news upon those situated (or: habitually sitting down) upon the Land (or: earth), and upon every multitude (nation; ethnic group), tribe, tongue, and people,

¹⁷ "So constantly hold your attention toward protecting yourself from humanity. You see, they will periodically be giving you folks over (turning you in) unto [their] local city councils and courts, and then they will proceed scourging you with lashes and whips.

¹⁹ "However, whenever they may hand you folks over (turn you in), you should not be anxious or overly concerned about how or what you should be speaking, for, what you should say will continue being given to you men – within that hour! ²⁰ "You see, you, yourselves, are not the ones then speaking, but rather, [it is] the Spirit (Breath-effect; Attitude) of your Father repeatedly speaking within you. ²¹ "So brother will continue giving over (turn in) brother unto death – and a father, a child – and children will continue standing up upon (or: rising up against or attacking) parents and will from time to time murder them, or cause them to be put to death.

⁹ "So as for you folks, continue looking to (or: after) yourselves, for people will repeatedly give you over unto sanhedrins (the ruling councils, or courts, in the Jewish culture of that time), as well as unto synagogues (local religious and cultural centers). [There] you folks will be repeatedly beaten and severely whipped (or: lashed). Also, you will continue being caused to make a stand upon [the demand] of governors (rulers) and kings, in consequence of involvement with Me, [leading] into a witness and testimony to, and evidence for, them.

¹¹ "Now whenever they may bring you folks into the midst, upon [some charge before] the synagogues (or: public assemblies), or [haul you up before] the government officials (rulers) and the authorities, you should not be anxious or overly concerned about how or what you should speak in your defense, nor what you should say. ¹² "You see, the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: Holy Spirit; Sacred Breath and Attitude) will continue teaching you within that very hour what things it is necessary to say."

¹⁴ "Therefore, you people put [it] in your hearts not to be habitually premeditating or rehearsing beforehand to make [your] defenses. ¹⁵ "You see, I Myself will continue giving to you people a mouth (= ability and an opportunity to speak) as well as wisdom, to which all your opponents, who are repeatedly lying in ambush against you, will not continue being able to at any point stand in opposition to or resist, nor to speak against or contradict.

²⁷ John deliberated in reply and says, "Man continues without ability (or: remains unable) to be receiving anything, unless it may have been existing being having been given to him from out of the heaven (or: A man is continually powerless to lay hold of and take anything, unless he was possibly being one having been given [ability] from out of the atmosphere and heaven in him).

⁴ And then they all were filled with [the] Consecrated Breath-effect (or: [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart attitude), and they started (or: began) to continuously (or: repeatedly) speak in different tongues (= languages) – accordingly and correspondingly as the Breath-effect (or: the Spirit; the Attitude) kept on giving (or: granting) to them to be continuously (or: intermittently) uttering loudly and clearly.

¹³ "The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob – the God of our fathers – brought glory (a manifestation which calls forth praise) and a good reputation to His Servant (or: Boy) Jesus, Whom indeed you folks turned over (gave aside; [D adds: unto judgment]) and renounced (or: disown; denied) before Pilate's face – [he] having decided to be releasing that One!

⁸ At that point Peter – being filled full of [the] Set-apart Breath-effect (or: a holy spirit and a separated attitude; [the] Holy Spirit) – said toward them, "Rulers (or: Chiefs; Leaders) of the People, and elders! ⁹ "Since (or: If) we ourselves are in the process of being investigated and thoroughly examined on [the matter of] a good deed (a beneficial act of well-being) pertaining to a weak and disabled person – within Whom and in union with what this man has been healed, and now stands made whole (or: saved) – ¹⁰ "let it be now progressively known to all you men and to all the people of Israel, that in (within and in union with) the Name of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] anointed Jesus), the Nazarene, Whom you yourselves executed on a stake (crucified), Whom God raised up from out of the midst of dead folks – within and in union with this Man (or: [Name]), this man has stood near and now stands sound and healthy at the side, in your sight and presence! ¹¹ "This One is the Stone – the One being treated as nothing (or: with scorn and contempt) and being disregarded by and under you folks, the builders (or: the 'architects'); the One coming into [the position of] being 'Head of [the] corner (or: Source of [the] angle; = the Corner Foundation Stone from which the walls are built; or: = Headstone, or, Keystone; = the Summit of the building)!' [Ps. 118:22] ¹² "And thus, the rescue and deliverance – the restoration to health and wholeness, the safety and salvation, and the return to our original state and condition – is in absolutely no other person! For neither is there a different name under the [dome of the] sky (or: heaven) that has been given, and now exists as a gift, among mankind (or: in the midst of humanity) within which it continues binding and necessary for us to be saved (restored to health and wholeness; delivered and kept safe; returned to our original state and condition)!" ¹³ Now as they continued watching and observing the bold confidence and outspoken freedom of speech of Peter and John – and grasping that they were uneducated (= without the effects of technical training in the professional rabbinical schools of Hillel or Shammai) and untrained people (= laymen; common laborers or folks of some trade, or, of the peasant class) – they began marveling and continued filled with wonder, and they began to fully realize (or: recognize) [about] them, that they had been (or: used to be) with Jesus. ¹⁴ Besides, while continuing to observe the man who had been cured standing with them, they were having nothing to say in rebuttal or in contradiction. ¹⁵ So after ordering them to go forth outside of the Sanhedrin [hall], they began tossing [their thoughts and ideas] together (= conferring and consulting) with one another, ¹⁶ one to another saying, "What can or should we do to or with these men? For, in fact, a known and noteworthy sign has occurred through them – one that [is] apparent (obvious and manifest) to all the folks presently inhabiting Jerusalem – and we are unable to continue denying [it]. ¹⁷ "Nevertheless, so that it may not all the more be disseminated and spread abroad, on into the People [at large], let us make threats to them [that they] no longer are to continue speaking on (= about, or, on the authority and basis of) this Name to even one individual of humanity!" ¹⁸ And so, after calling them, they ordered [them] to cease making any utterance at all, as well as to terminate teaching anywhere, on [the authority or basis of] the Name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John, giving a decided reply, said to them, "You men judge and decide whether it is right (in accord with the Way pointed out) in God's sight to continue listening to (and thus: obeying) you rather than God. ²⁰ "For you see, we ourselves are not able not to be constantly speaking [about] the things which we saw and heard." ²¹ So, after projecting menace and adding threats, they released them – continuing to find nothing [to solve] "the how" (= the means) [so that] they could curb them (= cut back their activities) – on account of the people, because they were all continuing in glorifying God (enhancing God's reputation) [based] on the thing (= the healing) having occurred (having come to be). ²² You see, the man upon whom this sign had occurred was more than forty years [old].

³¹ Then, after their urgently making their needs known in [this] prayer (or: while they are still presenting their earnest requests in prayer), the place – within which they were continuing assembled, having been gathered together – was suddenly shaken (moved to and fro, vibrated and then put into a state of moving in a wave), and then they were all filled full of the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit; or: with the consecrated attitude). Later they began speaking God's message (the Word, thought and idea of God) with the right of complete freedom from constraint, and with all boldness being publicly open and frank.

¹⁰ and yet they were not continuing strong [enough] to withstand (= hold their own position against) the wisdom and the spirit in which (or: with which; or: the Breath-effect or Spirit by which) he continued speaking.

¹⁵ Then, staring intently at him (or: into [Stephen]), all the men presently sitting in the Sanhedrin (High Council) saw his face (and: countenance) as if [it were the] face of an "agent" (or: countenance and presence of [God's] messenger).

⁵⁵ Yet he, continuing in being inherently full of set-apart Breath-effect (or: of [the] Holy Spirit; or: filled with a consecrated attitude), gazing intently into the atmosphere and sky (or: heaven) saw God's glory, and Jesus [D adds: the Master (or: Lord)], standing at God's right [hand, or, side] (or: fixing his eyes into the heaven, sees a manifestation of God which calls forth praise – even Jesus, having taken a stand from out of the midst of God's place of honor and power),

¹³ which things we are also habitually speaking – not in words taught by human wisdom (or: not centered in learned thoughts, ideas or messages from human wisdom; or: not among those taught in, by or with words and reasons from human wisdom), but rather in those [words] taught by spirit (or: in union with and among those folks taught from [the] Spirit – from the effect of a Breath and an Attitude), habitually evaluating, deciding, combining or contrasting spiritual [matters] together by spiritual [means] and with qualities inherent in the Breath-effect (or: constantly matching or comparing/contrasting things pertaining to attitude with things in spirit, or of [the] Spirit; or: progressively making collective assessments of pneumatic [concepts] to and for pneumatic people).

⁵ which to other generations (or: for births of a different kind; in different generations of another nature) was not made known to the sons of mankind (humanity; the humans) as it is now (at the present time) uncovered (unveiled; revealed) in spirit (or: within a Breath-effect; or: in union with [the] Spirit) by (or: to; among) His set-apart emissaries (or: consecrated folks that are sent forth from Him as spokesmen) and prophets (folks having light ahead of time),

¹⁹ and further, in behalf of me, so that to me a word (or: message; thought; idea; logos) would be given, in the midst of opening my mouth in freedom of speaking openly in public and with the boldness and rights of a citizen, to make known the secret (or: mystery) of the good news (or: which is the message of goodness, ease and well-being), ²⁰ over which I am an old man in a manacle (or: on behalf of which I continue performing the duties of an elder and an ambassador in a chain!) to the end that within Him (or: it) I may speak freely (or: in public, boldly as a citizen), as it is necessary for me to speak.

⁵ So, if any one of you is continually left behind (or: lacking) in regard to wisdom, he must keep on asking (requesting) from the side (= immediate presence) of the God [Who is] continuously giving to everyone singly (one at a time; or: simply; or: = generously) and is not constantly reproaching or demeaning, and it will proceed being given to him.

¹² to which folks (or: in which ones) it was unveiled (revealed; disclosed) that not to or for themselves, but to and for you people, they had been progressively dispensing and serving them – which things are now announced (or: which tidings were brought back) to you through those announcing (proclaiming; bringing and communicating) the message of well-being and goodness (or: good news) to you within [or, with other MSS: by] a set-apart Breath-effect (or: [the] Holy Spirit; or: sacred spirit) being sent forth from [the] atmosphere (or: heaven) – into which things agents (or: messengers; folks that had the message) are habitually and earnestly desiring (are constantly in full passion and craving) to stoop down beside and look (or: peer; peek) inside, so as to obtain a clearer and more accurate view.

²¹ "So brother will continue giving over (turn in) brother unto death – and a father, a child – and children will continue standing up upon (or: rising up against or attacking) parents and will from time to time murder them, or cause them to be put to death.

¹⁰ "Also at that time, many people will be repeatedly trapped by taking the bait of the snare, or tripping over the trap-stick, and so, they will proceed in turning one another over [to the authorities or enemies] and betray each other, as well as hating one another or treating each other with ill-will.

⁵² "You see, from now on, within one house there will proceed in being five people that are existing having been completely divided: three on (= against, or, from) two, and two on (= against, or, from) three. ⁵³ "A father will continue being thoroughly divided on (= from; or: about; against; or: on [decisions, issues or perspectives in regard to]) a son, and ‘a son on a father;’ a mother on a daughter, and ‘a daughter on a mother;’ a mother-in-law on her daughter-in-law, and ‘a daughter-in-law on the mother-in-law.’" [Micah 4:6]

¹⁶ "Now you people will even proceed in being turned in (or: handed over) by parents and brothers and relatives and friends – and folks will keep on putting some of you to death.

¹¹ "You folks are and continue to be happy (and: blessed) people! Now whenever people may denounce, reproach, heap insults on and persecute or chase you folks, and while continuously lying, may even say every bad thing (spreading malicious gossip; [other MSS: every misery-gushed utterance]) down against you – for the sake of Me, ¹² be continuously rejoicing and repeatedly express extreme exultation, because your wage (compensation; reward) [is] much (large; great), within the heavens (or: atmospheres [that surround you])! You see, they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

²² "And further, you folks will continue being hated and regarded with ill-will by everyone – because of My Name. Yet the one remaining under [these conditions] and patiently enduring into a conclusion (or: into an ending [of these events]; unto [the] final act) – this one will habitually be rescued (delivered; saved; restored to health and wholeness).

⁹ "At that time people will be repeatedly handing you men over into pressure (squeezing; tribulation; affliction), and then, they will, one after another, kill you. Further, you will continue being men that are repeatedly treated with ill-will, and constantly hated by all the ethnic multitudes (or: the nations) – because of My Name.

¹³ "Now [as to] the person remaining under [all this] and enduring unto [the] purposed goal (or: into a final, destined act), this one will be repeatedly rescued and delivered (or: continuously kept safe).

²² "You people continue existing being happy and blessed whenever mankind (people; humanity) may hate you or treat you with ill-will, and whenever they may mark you off by boundaries, so as to separate you, and may even insult or denounce [you], or defame [your] character and reputation, and then may even throw out your (collective, or, individual) name as worthless, harmful or wicked – on account of the Son of the Man (= the eschatological Messianic figure; or: = Adam's son; the Son of mankind).

¹⁷ "Furthermore, you folks will continue being ones being constantly regarded and treated with ill will, and even hated, by all – because of My Name (= because of your association with Me, or, because you bear and proclaim My Name).

¹⁸ "Since (or: If) the System (world; controlling ordered arrangement of the political and religious culture) is constantly regarding you folks with ill-will (or: hating you), you continue knowing by experience (or, as an imperative: be now knowing) that it has hated and yet regards Me with ill-will first – before you people. ¹⁹ "If you had been and yet had your being from out of the System (or: controlling world of culture, religion and politics) as a source, the System (world with its control by religion and politics) would have been being friendly toward and fond of its own production and possession. Yet now, because you do not exist from out of the System (world) as a source – but to the contrary I have selected (or: chosen) and picked you out from the midst of the System (from the world's culture, religion and politics) – on account of this, the System (world; institutional religion; society; political government) continues treating you with ill-will (or: habitually hates you).

²¹ "But to the contrary, they will proceed doing (accomplishing; making; performing; producing) all these things unto you and bringing them forth into the midst of you folks, on account of My Name, because they have not seen nor do they know the One sending Me.

¹⁴ "I Myself have given Your word (Logos; thought; idea; message) to them, and the System (world of society; institutional religion) hates them (treats and regards them with ill will), because they do not exist from out of the System as their source (= are not being a product of the world), correspondingly as I, Myself, am not from out of the System, as My origin (or: just as, in Myself, I do not exist [springing up] from the midst of the world of religious or governmental dominance).

⁷ in those (to those; for those), on the one hand, in accord with [the] patient endurance (humbly remaining under for persistent support) of a good work (or: virtuous action) [who] are constantly seeking glory (a good reputation; a manifestation of that which calls forth praise) and honor (value; worth) and incorruptibility (or: incorruption) – life which belongs to, is connected with, and is proper to the Age (or: eonian life; the life of and for the ages).

⁹ So – not being people [who are] let loose out from (or: set free from out of) [the laboring] (or: not being made unstrung or exhausted so as to be relaxing [from laboring]) – we should not in worthlessness be remiss (or: act badly by failing; be despondent; in bad quality, give up) in habitually doing (making; constructing; producing) the beautiful (the fine; the ideal; the noble), for in our own appropriate situation (or: in our own appointed season; or: to or by our own fitness and proportion) we will progressively gather in a harvest (or: will continue reaping).

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

³⁹ Yet we ourselves do not relate to or exist from a lowering of the sails and a shrinking back into a state of being lost, nor into destruction, but rather [we exist] from faith and confident trust, [leading] into an encompassing which is from [the] soul and defines soul (or: unto creating a secure surrounding pertaining to life and breath; unto establishing a perimeter around [our] person; into a forming-around which originates in feelings, desires, instinct, emotions, will, and expressions of life which are the soul).

¹² Happy and blessed is the adult male [A and other MSS: person] who is continuously remaining under a proving (a putting to the proof; or: a trial; an ordeal), because upon being birthed approved (or: growing and becoming proved and accepted) he will continue laying hold of the circle of the life (or: life's crown; life's encirclement; the encirclement from this living existence; or: the wreath which is the Life) which He [some MSS: the Lord (= Yahweh or Christ)] Himself promised to those continuously loving Him.

¹³ Stop marveling (Cease wondering; Quit being astonished), brothers, if (or: since) the ordered System (world of culture and religion; or: the estranged secular system of governmental control) is constantly hating you (habitually regarding you with ill-will).

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

⁵¹ "Do you folks understand all these things? Were you able to make them all flow together?" They were then saying to Him, "Yes."

¹⁵ "Therefore, whenever you men can see (or: may perceive) ‘the effect of the loathing and nauseating [event; condition; thing; situation] from the desolation (or: the result from the abhorring abomination associated with, or which causes, the devastation and abandonment; or: the resulting effect of the desecration, which is an act of ruining, forsaking and leaving uninhabited like a desert),’ that was being spoken through Daniel the prophet, standing ‘within the midst of a set-apart place (or: [the] holy place) ’ [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11] – let the person presently reading continue to use his mind and intellect for the comprehension [of this] (= figure out what this means!) – ¹⁶ "at that time, let the people within the midst of Judea progressively escape (flee; take flight) into the hills and mountains. ¹⁷ "Let the person upon the housetop (roof) not descend (= go downstairs) to pick up or carry away the things (= his possessions) from out of his house, ¹⁸ "and let not the one in the midst of the field turn back behind to pick up his cloak (= to get a coat or outer garment). ¹⁹ "Now it will progressively be a difficult or tragic time for the pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! ²⁰ "So you folks be progressively taking thought toward having ease, speaking for well-being and take action to have goodness (or: be praying) – to the end that your escape (flight) may not happen (occur) in a winter or rainy season, nor yet on a sabbath. ²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1] ²² "Furthermore, if those days were not curtailed (or: except those days be cut short), no flesh (= people) [at] all would likely be rescued (delivered; kept safe). Yet, because of the picked out and chosen folks, those days will proceed being curtailed (cut short). ²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]. ²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks. ²⁵ "Look and remember – I have already said [this] before to you folks (or: Look, and consider – I have told you beforehand and have forewarned you people). ²⁶ "Therefore, if they should say to you folks, 'Look! He is within the desert (wilderness; desolate place),' you should not go out, [or], 'Look! [He is] within the inner chambers (interior rooms; storehouses; barns; closets),' you should not put your trust in [it] or believe [them]. ²⁷ "You see, just as the brightness (the brilliant beam; the bright shining) is habitually and progressively coming forth from [the] rising in the eastern parts [= a figure of the sunrise] and then is progressively and habitually shining and giving light as far as [the] western parts (or: until the [recurring] settings), in this way will proceed being the presence of the Son of the Man (the Son from humanity; = Adam's son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; the Human Being). ²⁸ "Wherever the carcass (corpse) may be, the vultures (or: eagles) will be progressively led together and gathered.

²⁰ "Now later, when you folks see Jerusalem being continuously surrounded by encamped armies, at that time realize and know from that experience that her desolation has drawn near and is now present. ²¹ "At that point, let the people in Judea progressively flee into the hill country and mountains; then let the people within the midst of her [i.e., Jerusalem] proceed departing out of that place, and don't let (or: let not) the folks in the country or the district continue coming (or: going) into her, ²² "because these are days of executing justice – of bringing about what is fair and right and of establishing what accords with the Way pointed out – with a view to have fulfilled all the things having been written (or: for all that is written to be fulfilled)! ²³ "Tragic will be the situation for the women then being pregnant, and for the ones still nursing [babies] in those days. You see there will progressively be a great compressive force upon the Land, and inherent fervor bringing internal swelling emotion on this People. ²⁴ "And so, folks will keep on falling by [the] mouth of a sword, and [others] will proceed being led captive into all the nations (or: into the midst to unite with every ethnic group) – and Jerusalem will continue being progressively trampled by and under pagans (non-Jews; those of the nations) until where they can (or: should) be fulfilled. And then there will progress being seasons of the ethnic multitudes (or: fitting situations pertaining to the nations; or: occasions which have the qualities and characteristics of the pagans; or: fertile moments with regard to non-Jews). [cf Rev. 11]

³⁰ So upon running up to [it], Philip heard his reading aloud [of] Isaiah the prophet, and then he said, "Are you presently recognizing and progressively understanding [the] things which you are now reading?" ³¹ But he replied, "Actually, how would I likely be presently able [to], unless someone will progressively lead and guide me on the path?" And so he asked Philip to assist [him], after climbing up to sit with him.

⁷ Likewise, [with] the inanimate (soulless; = lifeless) things [which] are normally giving a sound – whether a flute or lyre (or: a wind instrument or a stringed instrument): how will it proceed being known [what] is being played on the flute or on the lyre unless it should give a distinction in the tones (a set order throughout with a difference made through divisions in the arrangement or the sending of the sounds apart)? ⁸ For also, if a military trumpet should give an indistinct (uncertain; dubious) sound, who will proceed to prepare and make himself ready for battle or war?

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

³ Happy and blessed is the person constantly reading [it] aloud (or: retrieving knowledge from [it in the midst of an assembly]), and those constantly hearing (or: listening and paying attention to; = observing and obeying) the words of the prophecy (or: the messages contained in the light and understanding seen ahead of time) and habitually keeping watch over (guarding; observing) the things having been written within it, for the situation is close at hand (or: for you see, the season, fertile moment and appointed occasion is near – close enough to touch).

¹⁸ Here is Wisdom! The one having a mind must calculate (compute by pebbles) the number of the little animal, for it is man's number (or: [the] number of mankind; a number pertaining to humanity; a man's number): his number [is] 666.

¹⁶ "at that time, let the people within the midst of Judea progressively escape (flee; take flight) into the hills and mountains. ¹⁷ "Let the person upon the housetop (roof) not descend (= go downstairs) to pick up or carry away the things (= his possessions) from out of his house, ¹⁸ "and let not the one in the midst of the field turn back behind to pick up his cloak (= to get a coat or outer garment).

³¹ "On (or: Within; During) that Day, [for] the person upon the housetop – even though his moveable belongings (utensils, vessels, gear, possessions) [are] within the house – let him not walk down (or: descend) to pick them up. Likewise [for] the person in a field – let him not return unto the things [left] behind. ³² "Continue remembering Lot's wife! [comment: a reference to God's judgment] ³³ "Whoever may endeavor to build an encompassing protection (a perimeter of defense; or: make a form or a structure to encircle; or: set boundaries or lines of demarcation) around his soul-life (his inner being with its will, desires, emotions, appetites, affections, passions; or: himself) will be progressively loosing it away and destroying it. Yet whoever may be loosing it away (or: destroying it) will continue bringing it forth as a living creature (will engender it to be a living being; will produce it alive as a child or offspring). (or: = “Folks who try to make their lives secure will lose them, but in contrast, a person who can free it will give it life.)

¹⁸ Yet with our continuing in being violently tossed and battered by the storm, on the following [day] they began throwing [things] overboard (jettisoned [first nonessentials, later, the cargo, to lighten the ship]), ¹⁹ then on the third [day] they hurled out the ship's equipment (gear; furnishings; tackle) overboard, with their own hands.

³⁸ and upon being satisfied with food (or: nourishment; = having eating their fill), they began lightening the ship by progressively throwing the grain (= the cargo) out into the sea.

⁷ But to the contrary, whatever things (or: things which) were being gains (advantages; assets) to, for or in me, these things I have esteemed and now consider (or: regard) as a loss (a penalty; a forfeit; disadvantage; a bad bargain; a detriment) because of the Christ (or: on account of the Anointed One [= the Messiah]). ⁸ But further – indeed, then, as a matter of fact – I even am habitually considering (or: regarding) all things (all; everything) to be a loss (a disadvantage; a bad bargain; damage; a forfeit; a penalty) because of (on account of; for the sake of) the thing that is constantly holding things above and thus having all-surpassing value and superiority: that which pertains to and comes from the experience of the intimate knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ (or: of Christ Jesus, my Owner) – on account of and for the sake of Whom I undergo loss of (experience the forfeit of; receive as a disadvantage) all things (everything; the whole life-experience, environment and possessions) and I continue considering (or: regarding) them to be [either] a lot of refuse and filth (pieces of dung; a pile of manure) [or] things that are cast away from the table to the dogs (garbage), to the end that I may have the advantage of Christ (or: could maintain the gain of the Anointing; enjoy the assets of or make a profit from [Messiah]),

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

¹⁹ "Now it will progressively be a difficult or tragic time for the pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! ²⁰ "So you folks be progressively taking thought toward having ease, speaking for well-being and take action to have goodness (or: be praying) – to the end that your escape (flight) may not happen (occur) in a winter or rainy season, nor yet on a sabbath. ²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1]

²³ "Tragic will be the situation for the women then being pregnant, and for the ones still nursing [babies] in those days. You see there will progressively be a great compressive force upon the Land, and inherent fervor bringing internal swelling emotion on this People.

²⁹ "because – look and consider! – days are progressively coming in which they will proceed declaring, 'Happy [are] the sterile and barren women, and the wombs which do not give birth, and breasts which do not nourish!'

²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1]

⁶ "however, from [the] beginning of creation 'He made them (or: forms and constructs them) male, and female.' [Gen.1:27; 5:2]

²² "Furthermore, if those days were not curtailed (or: except those days be cut short), no flesh (= people) [at] all would likely be rescued (delivered; kept safe). Yet, because of the picked out and chosen folks, those days will proceed being curtailed (cut short).

⁵ Thus then, also, within the present season (or: In this way, therefore, even in the current appropriate situation and in union with the present fertile moment) a destitute remainder (or: a forsaken minority under the effect of lack; a left-behind surviving group; a worn-smooth, plain, inferior, unsculptured, unembossed part; a remnant) has been birthed (has come to be and exists) down from a selection of grace (in accord with an election which is grace and a choosing-out for favor). ⁶ Now since (or: if) [it is] by grace (in a gift of favor), [it is] no longer from out of works (deeds; actions)! Otherwise grace (the joyous gift of favor) comes to be no longer grace (or: Else grace is no longer birthed, or comes to be, grace; [some MSS add: but if from out of works, it is no longer grace, otherwise the work is no longer work]). ⁷ What, then? That which Israel is constantly searching for (or: seeking out), this it did not encounter (or: did not hit upon the mark, and thus, obtain), yet The Selected One (the Picked-out and Chosen One; or: the choice collection; the elect – that which is chosen out) hit upon the mark, encountered and obtained it. But the rest (the folks remaining) were petrified (were turned into stone; were made calloused and were hardened),

²³ Now they also, if they should not persistently remain in the lack of faith and trust (or: unbelief), they will proceed in being grafted in, for God is able (capable; is constantly powerful) to graft them back in again! ²⁴ For since (or: if) you yourself were cut out of the olive tree [which is] wild (of the field or forest) by nature, and then to the side of nature (perhaps: = outside of, or contrary to, nature) you are (or: were at one point) grafted in – into a fine (beautiful; cultivated; garden) olive tree – to how much greater an extent (or: for how much rather) will these, the ones in accord with nature, proceed in being engrafted into their own olive tree!

²⁸ Corresponding to (With respect to; In accord with; Down from) the Good News (the message of goodness and well-being), on the one hand, [they were] enemies (hostile ones; ones regarded as enemies) because of (or: through; with a view to) you folks; on the other hand, according to (in accord with; down from; corresponding to) the selection (the choosing out; the election) [they are] loved ones, because of (with a view to) the fathers (= ancestors), ²⁹ for the grace-effects and the calling of God (or: for you see, the results of God's joyous favor and invitation) [are] void of regret and without change in purpose (or: unregretted; not to be regretted afterward; are not subject to recall; = are never taken back). ³⁰ For just as you folks were once (or: at one time) incompliant to God (or: unconvinced, disobedient, unwilling to be persuaded and stubborn by God), yet now (at the present time) you folks are (or: were) mercied (made the recipients of mercy) by (or: in; with) the incompliance (disobedience; stubbornness; lack of being convinced) of these folks. ³¹ Thus, also, these now (at the present time) are incompliant (stubborn; disobedient; unconvinced) by (or: for; to) your mercy, to the end that they also may now be mercied (would be the recipients of mercy). ³² For you see, God encloses, shuts up and locks all mankind (everyone; the entire lot of folks) into incompliance (disobedience; stubbornness; lack of being convinced), to the end that He could (or: would; should) mercy all mankind (may make everyone, the all, recipients of mercy)!

²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]. ²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks. ²⁵ "Look and remember – I have already said [this] before to you folks (or: Look, and consider – I have told you beforehand and have forewarned you people).

²³ "And folks will be saying to you, 'Look there!' or, 'See here!' You should not go off, neither should you follow after or pursue [it]. ²⁴ "You see, even as the brightness (the brilliant beam; the bright shining; or: = lightning) progressively lightening and with luster shining forth from under the sky (or: atmosphere; heaven; = the clouds) continues giving light unto the under-sky (= the lower heaven and atmosphere which is under the clouds), in this way (or: thus; so) will the Son of the Man proceed being (or: will the Son of Mankind continue existing).

¹⁵ "Constantly apply yourselves to holding off the false prophets – whatsoever ones that are habitually coming to you folks in clothing belonging to sheep (= disguised as sheep; pretending to have the covering or appearance of sheep), yet inside they are ravenous, savage wolves.

²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks.

⁶ "Many folks will continue coming [depending or basing their authority] upon My Name, repeatedly saying 'I myself am' (or: saying that, 'I, in contradistinction to others, am he [or: the one] ') – and they will successively be leading many folks astray (or: deceiving many).

⁴⁸ However, Jesus says to him, "Unless you folks see miraculous signs and unusual events (wonders; portents; omens), you people can in no way (or: would under no circumstances) trust, have confidence or believe."

²⁷ "because My sheep are constantly hearing and listening to [implying: obeying] My voice, and I Myself am progressively (or: continuously) knowing them by intimate experience, and they are progressively (or: habitually) following Me, ²⁸ "and I Myself am continuously giving eonian life (age-enduring life; life having the qualities and characteristics of the Age [of Messiah]; a life from, of and for the ages) to and in them and so by no means (or: under no circumstances) can they at any point be lost or destroyed, or even cause themselves to perish; and further, no one will be snatching them (or: taking them by force) from out of My hand.

⁸ And then (at that time) the lawless person (the unlawful one; the one without law; the man who violates the Law; the person being contrary to custom) will be uncovered (unveiled; disclosed), whom the Lord Jesus will take back up again (or: lift up; reading 'anaireo' with Nestle, Tasker & Concordant texts; Griesbach & other MSS read 'analisko': consume, use up, expend) by the Spirit (Breath-effect) of His mouth, and will deactivate (render inoperative and useless; make inert) by the manifestation (the bringing of light upon and setting in full and clear view, causing an appearance) of his (or: its; or: His) presence – ⁹ whose presence is continuously existing in correspondence to (or: in line with; in the sphere of; on the level of) the adversary's (opponent's; or: satan's) in-working activity (or: is constantly in accordance with the operation of the “adversary” or satan), in all power (or: within all ability) as well as signs and wonders of falsehood (or: which are a lie), ¹⁰ and within every deception (delusion; seduction) of the injustice (wrong; thing that is not the way pointed out and which is not right) within the folks continuously or repeatedly being lost (or: by the folks progressively destroying themselves) in return for which (or: in the place of which) they do (or: did) not take unto themselves and welcomely receive the love of, and from, the truth (or: Truth's love; the Love which is Truth and Reality; or: an appreciation of and affection for reality), into the [situation for] them at some point to be suddenly delivered (restored to health and wholeness; rescued; saved; restored to the original state and condition). ¹¹ And so, because of this, God is continuously sending to (or: in) them an in-working (or: operation) of wandering (or: which is the source of being caused to stray; which has the character of error and deception) into the [situation for] them to believe, and to trust, the lie, ¹² to the end that all those not believing the Truth (or: having conviction of or trusting the reality), but rather approving and delighting in injustice (inequity; the thing that is not right), may (or: can; would) at some point be sifted, separated and decided about (or: judged). ¹³ However we, ourselves, are presently indebted (or: continuously owing) to be constantly expressing gratitude to God (or: speaking of the goodness of grace and the well-being of the favor in God) always, concerning you: brothers (= fellow believers) having been loved continuing to be unambiguously accepted by the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] because God chose you for Himself, from [the] beginning, unto deliverance, [other MSS: God selected and took you in preference {to be} a firstfruit into a restoration to the original state and condition (or: into the midst of health and wholeness; {leading you} unto rescue and salvation)], in a setting-apart of spirit and faith which has the character of truth (or: a making sacred from Breath-effect and trust from reality; or: in union with Spirit's differencing and Truth's faith), ¹⁴ on into which, through our message of goodness, ease and well-being, He also called you folks [other MSS: us] into an encompassing (or: forming an encirclement; establishing a perimeter; creating a surrounding, and thus a procuring) of the glory (or: which is the glory; from the manifestation which calls forth praise) of our Lord, Jesus Christ (or: [the] Anointed).

¹⁹ Nevertheless (or: However), God's firm and solid deposit which is placed down (a deposit of money; treasure; or: a foundation; basis) stands, continuing to hold (or: have) this seal: " [The] Lord [= Yahweh] knows (or: knew) by intimate experience those being of Him (or: the ones that belong to Him; those having Him as their source), " [Num. 16:5; Nah. 1:7] and: "Let everyone repeatedly naming the Name of [the] Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] (or: by habit using the Lord's name) stand away from (withdraw from; keep away from) injustice (that which is unfair and inequitable, which negates relationship and does not correspond to the Way pointed out).” [Num. 16:26]

¹⁹ They came (or: come; go; or: went) out from us, but they were not existing out of us (or: they were not [a part] of us), for if they were out of us, they would have remained (dwelt; abided) with us; but [this was] to the end that they may be manifested (caused to appear) that they are not all out of us or from us.

²⁶ I write these things [other MSS: But I wrote these things] to you about the folks constantly trying to lead you astray (or: periodically causing you to wander; repeatedly deceiving you),

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

¹³ And it is continually making (doing; constructing; performing; producing) great signs (wonders; miracles; marks; inscriptions), to the end that it may even repeatedly make (a) fire to continuously (or: repeatedly) descend from out of the atmosphere (or: sky; or: heaven) into the Land (or: earth) within the presence of (in sight of) the people (or: humans). ¹⁴ It also continually leads astray (causes to wander; deceives) those [other MSS read: Mine] who are continuously dwelling upon the Land (or: earth), because of the signs which it was (or: is) given to it to perform (or: allowed to do, make or construct) in the presence of (before; in sight of) the [first] little animal (little creature or wild beast). [It is] constantly saying – to those habitually dwelling upon the Land (or: earth) – to make (or: construct) an image (likeness; resemblance; an icon) to (or: for) the little animal (little wild beast) which continuously has the blow (wound; stripe) of the sword, yet lives.

⁸ "The little wild animal (beast) which you saw was existing, and does not exist (is not), and is about to repeatedly climb up (ascend) out of the Deep, and to repeatedly lead under (or: go away) into loss (destruction; state of being lost). And those continually dwelling down upon the Land (earth) – whose names have not been written upon the little Scroll of THE LIFE from [the] casting-down (foundation) of [the] world (ordered system) – will continue wondering (marvel), continually observing (beholding) the little wild animal, that it was continuously existing (it was), and it does not exist (is not), and it will proceed being present (exist alongside).

³³ "Continue looking, observing, taking note – and be on your guard! Be constantly awake, watchful and alert! Be habitually thinking, speaking and acting with a view to goodness, ease and wellbeing (or: continuously praying)! You see, you folks have not seen and are thus unaware of when it is the appointed season (or: the fitting situation; the kairos; the fertile moment).

³⁴ "So you people make it a habit to hold your attention to yourselves, and hold to each other, lest at some time your hearts may be weighed down or burdened – in the midst of a hangover (or: headache nausea or giddiness from an overindulgence in wine), and in drunkenness (intoxication) – as well as by anxiety (or: care; concern; worry) in the daily matters pertaining to living, and then that day take its stand upon you folks unforeseen (with unexpected suddenness), as a trap (a snare; a net; something that will catch and hold).

²⁹ "And now (at the present time) I have told you (declared [it] to you) before it comes to be (is birthed; occurs), so that whenever it would come to be (or: should occur) you people would trust, and can believe.

¹ "I have spoken these things to you so that you men would (could; may; should) not at any point be caught in a snare by surprise, or be made to stumble. ² "They will continue making you outcasts – ones turned away from the synagogues (= they will continue cutting you off from the rights and privileges of the Jewish society). But further, an hour is progressively coming with the result that everyone in the process of killing you folks off may imagine (suppose; hold the opinion of; think) [himself] to be proceeding in presenting (bearing forward) an offering of sacred service to God, ³ "and they will do (or: perform) these things because they do not personally (intimately or experientially) know or recognize the Father, nor even Me. ⁴ "Nevertheless, I have spoken these things to you so that whenever their hour may (or: should) come, you folks can call them to mind (or: would remember them), that I Myself told you. Now I did not tell you these things originally (from out of [the] beginning; = at the first), because I was being with you.

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

²⁹ "Now immediately after the pressure (constriction; tribulation) of those [particular] days, ‘the sun will be progressively made dark and the moon will not continue giving its (or: her) diffused radiance,’ [Isa. 13:10; Ezk. 32:7; Joel 2:10] and then the stars will, one after another, be falling from the sky (or: heaven) – ‘and so, the powers and abilities of the heavens will be progressively shaken (agitated; stirred up; made to rock so as to be ready to fall).’ [Isa. 34:4; Hag. 2:6, 21] ³⁰ "And at that time, the 'sign' which is the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the son who has the [true] character and qualities of humanity; or: = the expected Messianic figure; the Human Being) will be made progressively visible (be brought to light and made to shine), in union with heaven (or: within the midst of [the] atmosphere), and at that point ‘all the tribes of the land (or: earth) will continue beating themselves (= a figure of striking one's breast in grief and remorse; or: as when grain is being threshed; or: give themselves to wearisome toil; or: cut themselves off, as when harvesting grain),’ [Zech. 12:10, 14] and they will proceed in seeing for themselves ‘the Son of the Man progressively coming upon the clouds of the atmosphere (or: sky),’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and ability, as well as much glory (= many manifestations which call forth praise; an extensive good reputation). ³¹ "And then He will continue sending His agents (messengers; folks with the message) off on a mission ‘with a great trumpet (perhaps: = a large shofar; or: = a loud trumpet blast; [note: a figure of a publicly proclaimed message or instruction]),’ [Isa. 27:13] and they will progressively be fully (or: additionally) gathering together His picked out and chosen folks from out of the four winds – from [the] heavens' (or: atmospheres') extremities: until their farthest points (= from the four quarters of the land, from one end of the sky to the other)!

²⁵ "Also, there will keep on being signs: in sun and moon and stars [comment: a figure of a disruption of father, mother and brothers, i.e., social organization and leadership – Gen. 37:9-10], and upon the Land [comment: of Israel?] (or: earth; ground; soil): a constraint from [the] non-Jews (or: with a character pagans; which is nations) in the midst of a perplexity in which there seems no way out – [like being in the] roar and surging of a sea – ²⁶ "pertaining to humans progressively breathing away and cooling off (= fainting, or dying) from fear and apprehension (thoughts about what is going to happen) pertaining to the things progressively coming upon the homeland (the place being inhabited) – for you see, ‘the abilities of the heavens (or: the powers of the sky and atmosphere; [note: may = folks normally in charge of things]) will be progressively shaken.’ [Hag. 2:6, 21] ²⁷ "And at that point (or: time), they will keep on seeing (or: perceiving) ‘the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the Human Being; = the eschatological messianic figure) progressively coming within the midst of a cloud,’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and much glory (or: with ability and a profound reputation; or: along with power and a manifestation which calls forth praise).

¹⁹ 'Later I will keep on giving miracles (wonders; omens; portents) within the sky (or: atmosphere; heaven) above, and signs upon the Land (or: earth) below – blood and fire and vapor [pillars] of smoke (or: a mist composed of smoke; [note: these three are a figure to illustrate bloodshed and destruction on earth, specifically referring to their Land]); ²⁰ 'the sun will proceed being converted into darkness (or: twisted with [itself, and move] into gloomy dimness and obscure shadowiness) and the moon into blood – before the great and fully-apparent day of [the] Lord [= Yahweh] is to come in full and clear light.

¹⁰ So the day of the Lord [= Yahweh] will proceed in arriving as a thief [i.e., suddenly and without notice], in which [day] the heavens (or: atmospheres; or: skies) will proceed passing by with the noise of sudden movement, but yet rudimentary, elementary principles (or: basic component and parts of a system arranged in rows, or a grid; e.g., the elements and assumptions of a religious or intellectual system), being progressively heated as with a burning fever, will be progressively loosed (unfastened; unbound; or: nullified; destroyed). And then land (or: soil; ground; earth; or: = a territory) – along with the things produced (or: actions; deeds; workmanships; accomplishments) [note: God's and/or man's] within the midst of it – will continue being found (or: discovered; found out) [p72 adds: being progressively loosed (or: destroyed); A reads: will be burned up]!

¹² – while constantly being receptive toward and progressively hastening after the presence of God's Day (or: the presence, which is God's day; or: the presence of the day which has the quality and character of God and which is God), through which heavens (or: skies; atmospheres) – being continuously on fire – will be loosed (or: untied)! And so [the body of] elements (rudimentary principles and assumptions; component parts of the system), now being continuously intensely hot and burning, [are] presently being progressively melted down (or: liquefied).

¹² Next I saw when He opened the sixth seal, and there came to be a great shaking. And the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair. And the whole moon became as blood. ¹³ And the stars of the sky (or: heaven) fell into the Land (or: earth), as a fig tree is casting her winter (i.e., unseasonable) figs, while being continuously shaken by a great wind. ¹⁴ And then the sky (or: atmosphere; heaven) was parted away, as a little scroll being progressively rolled up, and every mountain (or: hill) and [every] island were moved out of their places.

¹¹ Next I saw a great bright, white throne, and the One continuously sitting upon it from Whose face the earth (or: ground; Land) and the atmosphere (or: sky; heaven) flee (or: at once fled). And a place is not found for them (or: And then no position was discovered by them or found in them).

¹³ And the stars of the sky (or: heaven) fell into the Land (or: earth), as a fig tree is casting her winter (i.e., unseasonable) figs, while being continuously shaken by a great wind.

¹⁷ So Jesus, making a considered response, said to him, "You continue being a happy and blessed person, Simon, son of Jonah, because 'flesh and blood' (= the human nature or intellect; or: = people; or: = the old covenant system) did not uncover [this] for you, nor disclose [this] so as to reveal [it] to you (or: = you did not come up with this revelation yourself, nor uncover it in yourself, nor disclose it by or for yourself). To the contrary, [it was] My Father – the One within the heavens (or: in the atmospheres)!

²⁷ You see, the Son of the Man (or: mankind's son; or: = the Son of Adam; or: [the eschatological Messianic figure]; or: the Human Being) is presently about to continue progressively coming within the glory (the manifestation which calls forth praise) of His Father, with His agents (messengers). And at that time, He will proceed giving back (or: repaying; recompensing) to each one in corresponding accord with his practice, behavior and operation of business.

³⁰ "And at that time, the 'sign' which is the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the son who has the [true] character and qualities of humanity; or: = the expected Messianic figure; the Human Being) will be made progressively visible (be brought to light and made to shine), in union with heaven (or: within the midst of [the] atmosphere), and at that point ‘all the tribes of the land (or: earth) will continue beating themselves (= a figure of striking one's breast in grief and remorse; or: as when grain is being threshed; or: give themselves to wearisome toil; or: cut themselves off, as when harvesting grain),’ [Zech. 12:10, 14] and they will proceed in seeing for themselves ‘the Son of the Man progressively coming upon the clouds of the atmosphere (or: sky),’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and ability, as well as much glory (= many manifestations which call forth praise; an extensive good reputation).

³¹ "Now whenever the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the eschatological messianic figure; = the representative human) may come within His manifestation which calls forth praise (His glory; His good reputation) – as well as all the [other MSS add: set-apart (holy)] agents (folks with the message; messengers) with Him – at that time He will proceed sitting down upon a throne which has the quality and character of His praise-inducing manifestation (or: which has His glory as its source; or: which is His glory; or: which pertains to His good reputation).

³⁸ "Furthermore, whosoever may be ashamed of or embarrassed because of Me and My messages (Words; Thoughts; Ideas) within the midst of this adulterous and erring (failing; mis-shooting; sinful; deviating) generation, the Son of the Man (or: the son of mankind; the Human Son) will also continue being ashamed of and embarrassed because of him – whenever (at the time that) He may come within the midst of His Father's glory (or: in a manifestation which calls forth praise for His Father) along with the set-apart agents (or: holy messengers; sacred folks with the message)."

⁶² Now Jesus said, "I am (or: I, Myself, am [He]) [some later MSS and quotes by Origen, read: You are saying that I am])! And furthermore, you men will proceed seeing the Son of the Man (the human's son; the Human Being) by habit (or: continue) sitting at (or: forth from the midst of) [the] right [hand; section] of the Power, and progressively (or: repeatedly; as by habit) coming (or: coming and going) with the clouds of the atmosphere (or: the sky; the heaven)." [Dan. 7:13; Ps. 110:1]

¹¹ who also said, "Men! Galileans! Why do you stand continuously looking into the sky (or: the atmosphere; heaven)? This Jesus – the One being taken (or: received; taken in hand) back up away from you folks into the atmosphere (or: the sky; heaven) – will thus be periodically coming and going, [in the] manner [in] which you gaze at Him progressively going His way into the atmosphere (or: will in this way be continuing to go, [by] which [in] turning, you watched Him continue journeying into the heaven)."

¹⁶ because the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] Himself will continue habitually descending (or: repeatedly descend) from [the] atmosphere (or: heaven) within the midst of (or: in union with) a shout of command, within the midst of [the] Chief Agent's (or: in union with an original messenger's or a chief and ruling agent’s) voice, and within the midst of (or: in union with) God’s trumpet [note: figure of a message or a directive for action], and the dead people within Christ (or: in union with [the] Anointed One) will continue raising themselves up first (or: will one-after-another be standing up again in [the or their] first place).

⁷ and to (or: for; in) you – the folks being continuously pressed – relaxation (ease; a relaxing of a state of constriction; relief), together with us, within the midst of the uncovering (the unveiling; the laying bare; the revelation; the disclosure) of the Lord Jesus from [the] atmosphere (or: sky; heaven), along with agents of His power (or: with His agents of ability) – ⁸ within a fire, of flame [with other MSS: in union with a blaze of fire] continuously giving justice (or: repeatedly imparting the effects of fair and equitable dealings from out of the way pointed out, and the maintaining of right) among (or: for; in; with; to) those not knowing (or: perceiving) God, even among (or: for; in; with; to) those not continuously listening to or paying attention and obeying the message of goodness and well-being, which is our Lord, Jesus (or: which comes from and pertains to our Master and Owner: Jesus). ⁹ These certain folks who will proceed paying the thing that is right (incur justice, fairness and equity): ruin pertaining to the Age [of Messiah] (or: an unspecified period of ruin or destruction; or: ruin for an age; eonian destruction having the character of the Age) [coming] from the Lord's face [= the Christ's or Yahweh’s presence], even from the glory of His strength (or: spreading from the manifestation which calls forth praise regarding, and having the character of, His strength) – ¹⁰ whenever He may come and go, to be made glorious within (to be glorified in union with; to have a reputation within) His set-apart folks (holy and sacred people), and to be wondered at (marveled at; admired) within all the folks believing in that day, seeing that our testimony (or: evidence), [being placed] on you, was believed (received with faith) and is trusted.

⁷ Consider (or: Look; Behold)! He is continuously (or: presently; repeatedly; habitually; progressively) coming with the clouds, and every eye will repeatedly see Him, even which ever of you folks pierce (or: pierced) Him. And all the tribes (people-groups) of the Land (or: territory; earth) shall beat themselves (strike their breasts in grief, mourning or repentance) upon (= because of) Him. Yes! It is so (Amen)! [Dan. 7:13; Zech. 12:10, 12, 14]

⁴² " [The] queen of [the] south will proceed to be aroused and raised up in the separating and deciding (the judging) with this generation, and she will progressively make a corresponding decision about (or: condemn) it, because she came from out of the extremities of the land to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and take note of this, something more than Solomon [is] here!

⁴¹ "The Son of the Man will progressively send off His agents (messengers; folks with the message) as emissaries, and they will continue gathering together out of His kingdom (collect and cull out of His reign) all the snares and things which entrap, as well as the folks habitually producing (or: doing; constructing; practicing; creating) the lawlessness.

⁴⁹ "It will be the same way within the destined conclusion (the combined final act; the joining of all parts and aspects to one purposed end and goal) of the (or: = this) age: the agents (messengers) will be constantly going forth and will be progressively marking off boundaries for (limiting off, thus separating) the worthless and disadvantageous folks or circumstances (those people or situations who/which bring pain and misery through hard works; the wicked people or evil conditions) from out of the midst of the fair and equitable folks or situations (those having been placed within the Way of right relationships, rightwised behavior and justice)

³¹ "And then He will continue sending His agents (messengers; folks with the message) off on a mission ‘with a great trumpet (perhaps: = a large shofar; or: = a loud trumpet blast; [note: a figure of a publicly proclaimed message or instruction]),’ [Isa. 27:13] and they will progressively be fully (or: additionally) gathering together His picked out and chosen folks from out of the four winds – from [the] heavens' (or: atmospheres') extremities: until their farthest points (= from the four quarters of the land, from one end of the sky to the other)!

³¹ "Now whenever the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the eschatological messianic figure; = the representative human) may come within His manifestation which calls forth praise (His glory; His good reputation) – as well as all the [other MSS add: set-apart (holy)] agents (folks with the message; messengers) with Him – at that time He will proceed sitting down upon a throne which has the quality and character of His praise-inducing manifestation (or: which has His glory as its source; or: which is His glory; or: which pertains to His good reputation). ³² "And next, all the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; people groups) will be progressively collected and gathered together in front of Him, and then He will continue marking off boundaries and separating them from one another, just as the shepherd is habitually separating [as in separate pens or groups] the sheep away from the kids (the immature goats). [note: this is something habitually done; both groups are clean animals, were used in sacrifices, and are a part of the shepherd's herd]

²⁰ "And now – except [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] cuts short (maims; curtails; lops off; discounts) the days – all flesh (= people) will not likely continue being kept safe or rescued. However, because of the chosen ones, whom He Himself picked out, He cuts short (curtails) the days.

²² "Now at one point it came to be [for] the destitute man to die off and for him to be carried away by the agents (or: messengers) into Abraham's place of safety and intimacy (bosom; breast; chest; folds of a garment; inlet or bay; [note: a figure of Paradise]). Now the rich man also died, and he was buried (or: – he also was entombed).

⁷ "Now [think about it]! Would (or: Should) not God by all means make the situation right (or: do that which will bring the fairness, equity and justice) for His picked out and chosen people – those constantly crying, or calling, out to Him day and night – and will He continue long in rushing with passion upon them (= will he continue to delay acting and keep them waiting)? (or: and He will be continuing with forbearance and patient endurance on them).

¹⁶ "And I constantly have (hold; possess) other sheep which do not exist (or: are not) from out of this fold (or: sheep pen), and it is binding (or: necessary) for Me to progressively lead those also, and they will continue listening to (will habitually hear and pay attention to [implying: obey]) My voice, and they [other MSS: it; there] will progressively become One Flock, One Shepherd.

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

³³ Who will bring charges down on (institute proceedings against) God’s selected and chosen ones (the folks picked out by God; the ones gathered out and laid in order, who belong to God)? God [is] the One continually and progressively rightwising [them] (or: constantly turning them in the right direction, repeatedly placing [them] in the Way pointed out and keeping them in right relationships, = now freeing [them] from guilt and including [them] in covenant).

¹² Therefore, as God's chosen, set-apart and beloved ones (or: God’s sacred, loved and chosen people; or: as elect... ones from God), clothe yourselves with (or: enter within) bowels (internal organs; = the tender parts; seat of deep feelings) of compassion, kindness (adaptable usefulness), humility (the minding and disposition of things of lowness or of low station), gentleness (meekness; mildness), waiting long before rushing with emotions (even-temperedness; long-suffering; = putting up with people and situations for a long time),

¹⁴ For you see, since (or: if) we habitually believe that Jesus died and then arose (or: stood up again), thus (in this manner) also, through Jesus, God will continue (or: be repeatedly and progressively) leading together with Him the folks being made to sleep. ¹⁵ For this we are continuously saying to you in a word of the Lord (or: in the Lord's Word; in a message which is [the] Lord; or: in union with an idea from [our] Owner), that we, the presently living (or: the ones continuing to live) – the folks presently continuing to be left around unto the presence of the Lord (or: into the midst of the Lord's [= Christ's or Yahweh's] presence) – can by no means advance before (precede; have advantage over; outstrip) the folks being made to sleep, ¹⁶ because the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] Himself will continue habitually descending (or: repeatedly descend) from [the] atmosphere (or: heaven) within the midst of (or: in union with) a shout of command, within the midst of [the] Chief Agent's (or: in union with an original messenger's or a chief and ruling agent’s) voice, and within the midst of (or: in union with) God’s trumpet [note: figure of a message or a directive for action], and the dead people within Christ (or: in union with [the] Anointed One) will continue raising themselves up first (or: will one-after-another be standing up again in [the or their] first place). ¹⁷ Thereupon (or: After that; As a next step) we, the presently living folks, the ones presently continuing to be left around, will – at the same time, together with them – proceed being seized and snatched away within clouds (or: carried off by force, in union with clouds,) into the midst of [the] air (the air that we breathe in; the mist; the haze; the atmosphere around us; [note: this would be in the earth's lower atmosphere, the place where there is air]) – into the Lord's meeting ([Christ’s or Yahweh’s] encounter; an encountering which is the Lord). And thus (in this way and such a manner) shall we always continue being (or: continue existing at all times) together with [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh].

¹ Now we are asking (or: requesting) you, brothers (= believers), over [the subject of] the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ (or: concerning our Master, Jesus Christ, [being] present), and our being gathered together (or: being fully led together and assembling) upon Him:

¹⁰ Because of this [fact], I continue remaining under to support all people and to patiently endure all [situations], on account of (= for the sake of) the selected and picked-out folks (the chosen-out people; the elect group; the choice ones), to the end that they, also, may hit the target of deliverance (rescue; health and wholeness; salvation) – that [which is] within Christ Jesus (or: the one pertaining to Jesus, resident within Christ: inherent in the Anointing) – together with glory (or: an appearance; an opinion; an imagination; a manifestation which calls forth praise) which has the characteristics and qualities of the Age (or: eonian glory; an age-lasting reputation).

² – to folks gathered, laid-out and chosen in accord with and down from Father God's foreknowledge (or: corresponding to a previous experiential and intimate knowledge possessed by God, who is a Father), within a setting-apart of spirit (or: in union with the process of being set apart from common condition and use by [the] Spirit; or: in the midst of a sacred differencing which is a Breath-effect) [leading] into an obedient hearing (or: [focused] to being centered in a listening and paying attention with compliance) and a sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood (or: a sprinkling of blood, which is Jesus Christ): May grace (or: favor) and peace [= shalom] be multiplied into fullness (or: be brought to fullness) in and among you folks (or: to you folks; for you folks)!

¹ After this I saw (or: perceived) four agents (or: messengers; folks with the message) standing upon the four corners of the Land (or: earth), continuously holding in their power (or: restraining) the four winds of the Land (or: earth), so that wind may not be blowing upon the Land (or: earth; soil), nor upon the sea, nor upon any tree (or: all tree and shrub). ² And then I saw (or: perceived) another agent (or: messenger; person with a message) progressively ascending (stepping up) from [a; the] rising of the sun [i.e., from the dawn or the east], continually holding a seal (or: signet ring; [Vatican MS 1160: seals]) of the continuously-living God. And he uttered a cry with (or: by) a great (= loud) voice – to the four agents (or: messengers), to whom it was (or: is) given for them (to them; in them; by them) to act unjustly to ( to violate, injure, wrong or hurt) the Land (earth; soil) and the sea – ³ repeatedly saying, "You may not act unjustly to (hurt; injure; wrong; violate) the Land (earth; soil), nor the sea, nor the trees, until we may seal (impress with a signet ring) the slaves of our God upon their foreheads."

⁵ Out of Judah’s tribe: twelve thousand sealed (imprinted) Out of Reuben’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Gad’s tribe: twelve thousand ⁶ Out of Asher’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Naphtali’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Manasseh’s tribe: twelve thousand ⁷ Out of Simeon’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Levi’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Issachar’s tribe: twelve thousand ⁸ Out of Zebulon’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Joseph’s tribe: twelve thousand Out of Benjamin’s tribe: twelve thousand sealed (imprinted). ⁹ After these things I saw (or: perceived), and consider! A vast crowd (great multitude), which no one was able to number, from out of every ethnic group (or: nation) – even of tribes and of peoples and of tongues (languages) – standing before (in the sight of) the throne, and before (in the sight of) the little Lamb, having been clothed with bright white robes (or: equipment; uniforms), and palm trees (or: branches) [are] within their hands.

⁶ and the seven agents – those continuously holding the seven plagues (smitings) – came out of the Temple, being clothed with bright, clean (unsoiled, pure) linen [other MSS: liqon, stone], and having been bound with a girdle around the breasts [with] golden girdles. ⁷ Then one out of the four living ones gave (or: gives) to the seven agents seven golden bowls (or: shallow cups) continuously brimming (being full) of the strong passion (rushing emotion; or: fury; anger) of the God Who is continuously living on into the ages of the ages (or: from God, the One continuously living [and proceeding] into the [most significant] eons of [all of] the eons).

³² "Now learn the [point of the] illustration (parable) from the fig tree: Whenever its branch may already come to be tender (= in bud), and the leaves can progressively produce and sprout out, you normally know by experience that the summer [is] near. ³³ "You folks, yourselves, in this way – whenever you men may see and can perceive all these [aforementioned] things – be also then knowing that it is near (at hand, close enough to touch), [come] upon the gates (or: doors)!

²⁹ And then (or: Later; With that) He spoke an illustration to them (or: told them a parable): "Look at and perceive the fig tree – as well as all the trees. ³⁰ "Whenever they may be already budding (or: shooting forth sprouts), in consistently seeing (or: observing) [this] for yourselves, you normally know from experience that the summer is already near. ³¹ "In this same way, then (or: also), you yourselves: whenever you folks may see (or: perceive) these things progressively coming to be (occurring; happening; being birthed), be progressively knowing from experience that God's reigning and activity of sovereignty (or: the kingdom and royal rule of God) is (or: exist being) close at hand – near enough to touch (= has arrived and is accessible)! It is true (or: Amen; Count on it).

²⁵ not repeatedly abandoning (leaving down within; leaving helpless) the leading of ourselves together upon [someone or some occasion] (or: the added gathering together of ourselves), according to a custom for (or: by; among) certain folks, but rather and to the contrary, continuously calling [them] to the side for aid, relief and encouragement (or: to receive the service of a paraclete), even to so much greater a frequency, for, as much as you folks are presently seeing (continuously looking at and observing), the Day progressively drawing near! ²⁶ For you see, [at] our deliberately (voluntarily; willfully from one's being) making mistakes (entering into error; failing; shooting off-target; sinning) as a habitual way of life, after taking hold of (or: receiving; obtaining) the full, experiential knowledge and insight of the Truth and Reality, there is no longer a sacrifice concerned with sins (failures; etc.) repeatedly (or: continuously) left behind [D* reads: left around; = available for us], [comment: the sacrificial system of the old covenant no longer exists for a believer] ²⁷ but instead, [there is] a certain fearful taking (or: receiving) in hand from out of a separation for a decision, leading to a judging, and a zeal of Fire being about to be continuously and progressively eating (or: consuming) the hostile folks (the ones under the circumstance of being in an opposing position). [comment: see ch. 6:4-8; both there and here, correction is a necessary] ²⁸ Someone displacing (setting aside; violating) a custom of Moses (or: Moses' Law) dies, apart from compassions, upon [evidence or testimony of] two or three witnesses. ²⁹ By how much worse punishment (= heavier the sentence) do you suppose he will be thought worthy and counted deserving: the one trampling down the Son of God, and considering the blood of the arrangement (or: covenant) common (= profane) – within which he was set-apart (made sacred and holy) – even insulting the Breath-effect of joyous favor (or: Spirit of Grace)? ³⁰ For we have perceived, and thus know, the One saying, "Execution of right in fairness out of the Way pointed out [is] by Me. I will continue giving back (repay) in its place," says the Lord [= Yahweh], and again, "The Lord [= Yahweh] will continue separating and making a decision about (or: judging) His people." [Ex. 32:35-36] [comment: this paragraph, and its judgments, pertains to God's people] ³¹ [It is] fearful (a fear-inspiring [experience]) to suddenly fall-in – into hands of a continuously living God! ³² Yet be remembering the first (or: former) days in which, being enlightened (illuminated), you at one point remained under (patiently endured while giving support in) a great conflict (contest or athletic combat) of the effects of sense-experiences (results of emotions, passions, sufferings and things that happened to you), ³³ partly both by reproaches and by pressures; partly being birthed (coming to be) folks of common being and existence (partners; participants; sharers) of those thus conducting themselves (turning themselves step-by-step), being constantly exposed and gazed upon as a public spectacle, as in a theater. ³⁴ For you even feel with (experience with; sympathize with) those bound or in prison [other MSS: with me in my bonds], and you at one point received to yourselves (accepted) the seizure (plunder; confiscation) of your possessions (properties; things having their origin below) with gracious joy, knowing and realizing to have for yourselves a superior (stronger and better) and continuously remaining (or: dwelling; or: abiding; = permanent and lasting) possession (or: property) [later MSS add: within the heavens (or: atmospheres)]. ³⁵ Therefore may you not cast away your freedom and openness in speaking (boldness and confidence which comes from being a citizen) which continuously has a great discharge of wages. ³⁶ For you continuously have need (necessity of the use) of persistent patient endurance (steadfast remaining under for support), so that doing (or: performing) the will (intent; purpose) of God you may carry away for yourselves – in order to provide and care for – the Promise. ³⁷ For you see, "Yet a very, very little while, [and] the One repeatedly coming will by habit be arriving, and He will not be late (or: continue delaying or taking time).

⁹ Brothers, do not be groaning down against (or: sighing in relation to; or, may = complaining about or blaming) one another, so that you may not be separated and have a decision made (or: be put asunder, scrutinized and judged). Consider! The Decider (the Separator, Evaluator and Judge) has taken a stand, and now continues standing before the doors.

¹⁷ because [it is; this is; now is] the [other MSS: a] fitting situation and fertile moment of the appointed season for the result of the judgment (the effect of the separating for evaluation and decision) to begin (to start) from God's house. Now if first from us, what [will be] the closing act (the final stage; the end; the consummation; the outcome; the finished product) pertaining to those continuing unpersuaded and unconvinced by (or: uncompliant to; disobedient to; stubborn in) God's message of goodness and well-being (or: good news)? ¹⁸ "And if the rightwised one (the fair and just person in right relationships in accord to the Way pointed out) is repeatedly delivered (rescued; brought to safety; made healthy and whole) with difficult labor, then where will the irreverent (the person without pious awe) and the failure (the one who makes mistakes and cannot hit the target; the sinner; the outcast) proceed in making an appearance?" [Prov. 11:31]

²⁸ It is so (or: Truly; Amen), I am now telling you men, that there are some (or: certain ones) of the folks presently standing here who under no circumstances can (or: may) taste (= partake of, or, experience) death, until they can (or: should) perceive and see the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = the eschatological Messianic figure; = Adam's Son) progressively coming in His reign (or: within His kingdom; joined to His sovereign activities)."

³⁶ "Assuredly, I am now saying to you people, it will progressively move toward this point, and then arrive – all these things! – upon this generation!

³⁴ "It is true (Amen; Truly; Count on it), I now say to you folks, that this generation can by no means pass by until all these things can happen (should occur; may be come to be).

¹ Then He continued saying to them, "Truly (or: Assuredly; Amen; Verily), I am now saying to you folks that there are certain ones (or: some) of those standing here who under no circumstances can taste (may test by sipping; = experience; partake) of death until they can (should; may) see God's kingdom (God's reign and influence as King; the sovereign activity which is God) being present, having already come within the midst of power and ability."

³² "I now proceed telling you that this very generation can under no circumstances pass on by (or: may by no means pass along) until all these things can happen (or: should occur).

¹⁸ "for assuredly (or: amen; it is so), I am here saying to you people, until the heaven and the earth (or: the sky and the land) could ever go by and pass away, one iota (the smallest Greek letter) or one horn-like projection (diacritical mark, such as an accent or breathing mark, or part of a Heb. letter; a serif; = the smallest detail) can by any means pass away from the Law [= Torah] – UNTIL all things can birth themselves (or: should occur; may happen)!

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

³³ "The sky and the land (or: This heaven and earth) will be progressively passing on by, yet My words (thoughts and ideas; or: messages) will under no circumstances proceed to be passing on by.

¹³ [Yet] if we are habitually faithless (or: unfaithful; untrustworthy; disloyal; without trust or faith), That One is constantly remaining faithful (or: [Now] if we are repeatedly disbelieving or distrustful, That One continuously remains full of faith, trust, belief and reliance – That One constantly remains loyal and reliable), for to deny (disown; renounce; not consent to) Himself, it continues that He cannot (He is not able; He has no power)! (or: = You see, He cannot turn His back on Himself!)

² [based; standing] upon an expectation (or: hope) of and from eonian life (life having the quality and characteristics of, and its source in, the Age [of Messiah]; life for and throughout the ages) which the non-lying God (the God without falseness) promised – before eonian times (prior to the times belonging to the ages).

¹⁰ And further, "O Lord [= Yahweh], down from beginnings (or: in accord with ruling [principle] s), You founded (or: laid the foundations of) the earth (or: land), and the works of Your hands are the heavens (or: skies; atmospheres). ¹¹ "They shall progressively destroy themselves (or: ruin, or lose, themselves) – but You continue remaining throughout. ¹² "And all people, as a garment, shall progressively be made (or: grow) old. Then like that which is thrown around [as a cloak], You will roll or wrap them up as a garment, and so they (or: the same people) will progressively be made another (be altered; be changed; be transformed), yet You are the same, and Your years will not fail." [Ps. 102:25-28]

¹⁰ So the day of the Lord [= Yahweh] will proceed in arriving as a thief [i.e., suddenly and without notice], in which [day] the heavens (or: atmospheres; or: skies) will proceed passing by with the noise of sudden movement, but yet rudimentary, elementary principles (or: basic component and parts of a system arranged in rows, or a grid; e.g., the elements and assumptions of a religious or intellectual system), being progressively heated as with a burning fever, will be progressively loosed (unfastened; unbound; or: nullified; destroyed). And then land (or: soil; ground; earth; or: = a territory) – along with the things produced (or: actions; deeds; workmanships; accomplishments) [note: God's and/or man's] within the midst of it – will continue being found (or: discovered; found out) [p72 adds: being progressively loosed (or: destroyed); A reads: will be burned up]! ¹¹ With all these people thus, then, being presently loosed, one after another (or: being in the process of being progressively unbound; or: with all these things being continuously dissolved in this way), in what sort of way is it continuously necessary and binding for you folks [other MSS: us; other MSS have no personal pronoun here] to constantly subsist (or: humbly rule or supportively possess)? Within set-apart (or: holy; sacred), upturned modes of behavior and [lives of] reverence (devout ease, virtuous conduct and goodness from relationship with God)! ¹² – while constantly being receptive toward and progressively hastening after the presence of God's Day (or: the presence, which is God's day; or: the presence of the day which has the quality and character of God and which is God), through which heavens (or: skies; atmospheres) – being continuously on fire – will be loosed (or: untied)! And so [the body of] elements (rudimentary principles and assumptions; component parts of the system), now being continuously intensely hot and burning, [are] presently being progressively melted down (or: liquefied).

³⁶ "Now concerning that day and hour, no one has seen or known – neither the folks with the message from the heavens (or: agents of the atmospheres; messengers who pertain to, or which are, the heavens), nor even the Son – only the Father [being] the exception. ³⁷ "For you see, even as [it was in] the days of Noah, thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the son who is human; = the eschatological Messianic figure). ³⁸ "For as people kept on being (or: habitually were) within those days – the ones before the down-wash (the deluge; the flood; the cataclysm) – habitually eating and drinking; by custom marrying and by habit giving (or: taking) in marriage, up to the day in which Noah entered into the ark; ³⁹ "and they did not know (were not aware; took no note of the situation) until the down-wash (deluge; flood; cataclysm) came and washed [the] whole population away (or: picked up all [the] people to sweep [them] away) – thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man! ⁴⁰ "At that time two folks will continue being within the midst of the field: one man is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one man is repeatedly left alone to flow on his way (or: continues on pardoned [with his debts] forgiven; or: is being sent away, allowed to continue relaxing while permitted to depart). ⁴¹ "Two women are continuing to grind grain into meal and flour, within the mill (or: in the midst [of working] the millstone): one woman is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one woman is repeatedly left alone to continue [in her work] (or: pardoned; sent away; forgiven; etc., as in vs. 40). ⁴² "Therefore, you folks stay constantly awake, be ever alert, and continue watchful, because you have not seen, nor do you thus know, in what sort of day your Owner (Lord) is in the habit of coming (or: for what kind of day your Master repeatedly comes).

⁶ "So, in the middle of [the] night, a shout had occurred, 'Look! The bridegroom! Be proceeding to now go forth into [the] meeting [other MSS: his meeting]!'

¹³ "Therefore, stay awake and be constantly alert and watchful, because you people have not seen or known [either] the day, nor yet the hour!

¹⁹ "Now after much time [had passed], the owner (master; lord) of those slaves proceeds in coming, and then takes up a joint discussion with them, proceeding to settle the accounting.

²⁶ "Then, at that time, they will proceed seeing the Son of the Man (the son of the human; the Human Being) progressively coming within the midst of clouds, with much power (or: ability) and a manifestation which calls forth praise (glory). [Dan. 7:13-14] ²⁷ "Also, at that time, He will proceed to commission and send off (cause to function as representatives) His agents (with other MSS: the messengers; the folks with the message) and He will proceed completely gathering together (convening; fully leading together; or: assembling-upon) His chosen ones from out of the four winds – from the extremity of the Land (or: earth) to the extent of the extremity of [the] atmosphere (or: the edge of [the] sky; or: the high point of heaven).

⁷ So He said to them, "At this point it is not yours (or: it does not pertain to you) to personally know times or seasons (or: periods or situations) which the Father put within His own authority (or: places in His own jurisdiction and privilege).

¹ But concerning the times and the fitting situations (or: specific seasons or occasions; fertile periods; mature moments), brothers (= fellow believers), you have no need [for it] to be continually written to you, ² for you yourselves are accurately aware (know exactly from having seen) that a day of, from and which is the Lord [= Yahweh] thus continually comes (is habitually and repeatedly coming and going; is presently coming) as a thief in a night (or: within [the] night). [comment: the day of Yahweh was a term that figured a time of judging and hard times, in the Old Testament; e.g., cf Joel 1:15 and 2:1-2; Jer. 30:7; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:14-18]

¹ An unveiling of, and which is, Jesus Christ (or: A disclosure from Jesus [the] Anointed; A revelation which pertains to Jesus [the Messiah]) which God gave by Him (in Him; for Him; to Him) to point out to His slaves that which continues necessary to come to be (or: to be birthed) in swiftness (= speedily) [note: this phrase means either the manner in which events will happen, or that it is quickly going to happen]. And sending [Him] as an emissary (or: representative), through means of His agent (or: messenger) He indicated [it] by signs (or: symbols) to (or: in; for) His slave John,

³ Remember, then, how you have received (or: taken with the hand) and heard! Continuously keep watch (or: Guard [it]) and change your way of thinking, [and turn to God]. If ever, then, you should not be watching, I will proceed arriving (or: may arrive) upon you as a thief, and under no circumstances would you know what hour I will (or: may) be arriving upon you.

⁴² "Therefore, you folks stay constantly awake, be ever alert, and continue watchful, because you have not seen, nor do you thus know, in what sort of day your Owner (Lord) is in the habit of coming (or: for what kind of day your Master repeatedly comes). ⁴³ "Yet you are progressively coming to know that by experience (or, as an imperative: Now be personally knowing that, through normal experience), because if the householder had seen and known in what sort of watch (= which of the watches) [of the night] the thief is normally coming, he would have kept awake, remained alert and kept watchful, and then he would not let (permit) his house to be dug (or: tunneled) through. ⁴⁴ "Because of this, you yourselves progressively come to be ready and prepared as well, because at an hour for (= about) which you are not normally thinking (imagining; supposing; = expecting), the Son of the Man (= the eschatological Messiah figure; humanity's son) is normally (or: repeatedly) coming.

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

²³ "So you people continue looking and keep on taking note (= be on your guard). I have foretold everything to you (or: I have declared all things for you beforehand).

³⁵ "Therefore you people continue being watchful and alert, because you have not seen and thus you folks are unaware of when 'the Lord of the House' (or: the 'Owner of the house') is proceeding to come – whether [at] evening, or midnight, or [at] the crowing of the rooster, or early in the morning. ³⁶ "Coming suddenly and unexpectedly, may He not find you folks continuing (or: by habit) fast asleep! ³⁷ "Now what I am now saying to you people, I continue saying to everyone (to all), 'You folks continue being watchful and alert'!"

³⁷ Later He proceeds coming and is then finding them down continuing fast asleep, so He then says to Peter, "Simon, are you continuing down fast asleep? Do you not have strength to continue staying alert and watchful [for] one hour? ³⁸ "You men be constantly alert and watchful, and continue praying with a view toward having things go well – to the end that you folks will not continue coming (or: going) into a test (or: a trial; an ordeal). Indeed, the spirit (the Breath-effect; or: the attitude) [is] eager (rushing ahead with passion), yet the flesh (= the estranged human nature; the alienated self; the person who has been molded and dominated by the System) [is] weak (without strength and powerless; feeble and infirm)."

⁴⁰ "And so you folks, yourselves, therefore progressively come to be ready and prepared – because in an hour in which you folks are not normally supposing (or: in the habit of assuming or imagining), the Son of Mankind (or: the Son of the Human Being; = Adam's Son; = the anticipated eschatological messianic figure) is then coming (or: normally comes)."

¹¹ This also – being folks having seen and thus knowing the season (the fit of the situation; the appointed fertile moment) – that [it is] by this time (or: already) an hour to be aroused (or: awakened) out of sleep, for now our rescue (our deliverance; our wholeness, health and salvation) [is] closer than when we came to trust (or: we believed with faith and conviction). ¹² The night advances, and the day has approached and is presently near. We should put, then, the acts of the Darkness (works from the realm of the shadows; actions that belong to dimness and obscurity) away from ourselves (or: take off and put away the deeds pertaining to darkness; = ignorance; that which was before the light arrived), and clothe ourselves with the instruments (tools; weapons; implements; [some MSS: works; deeds]) of Light (or: The Light).

¹⁴ but rather, you folks must clothe yourselves with (or: enter within and put on) the Lord, Jesus Christ, and stop (or: do not continue) making forethought (constructing provision; planning ahead; performing provident care) into excessive desires of the flesh (= into rushing upon emotions which pertain to the inner self or the estranged humanity; = into the setting of feelings and longings upon something of the human nature that is oriented to the System).

¹³ You folks be habitually awake and constantly watching (= be alert and with your wits about you)! Continue standing fast in union with trust, and within the midst of The Faith (or: Constantly stand firm, centered in loyalty and confidence)! Repeatedly behave as adult males (or: = Be progressively made courageous)! Continue being strengthened.

¹⁸ By means of all thought, desire or imparted message toward having things be well (or: Through every prayer) and request (or: declaration) regarding need, [be] folks continuously thinking, speaking and acting toward goodness and well-being (or: praying) within every season (in union with every fitting situation; on every occasion; in the midst of every fertile moment) within and in union with [the] Spirit (Breath-effect; Attitude), while maintaining a constant alertness (or: in spirit being constantly vigilant and abstaining from sleep), also, to that end, in all focus to unremitting and stout continuance (or: in union with every view to resolute, potent perseverance which brings control) and request regarding need concerning (or: surrounding) all of the set-apart folks (holy ones; saints; sacredly different people),

⁵ for you see, you all are (or: exist being) sons of (= associated with and having the qualities of) Light and sons of (= associated with and having qualities of) Day! We are not (or: do not exist) of night, nor of darkness (or: we do not belong to or have the characteristics of night, nor to or of dim obscurity from shadows and gloom). ⁶ Consequently, then, we may not continuously fall asleep [into death? in awareness?] even as the rest (= as other folks), but rather, we can and should continuously be aroused and stirred up from sleep [comment: thus, awake to be alertly watchful; also a figure for being alive] and sober (or: clear-headed). ⁷ You see, the folks continuously falling asleep (or: drowsing) are sleeping at (or: from [the]) night, and the ones continuously being made drunk are becoming drunk at (or: from [the]) night. ⁸ We, on the other hand, being of Day (belonging to and having characteristics of [the] Day; having [the] Day as our source), can and should continuously be sober (clear-headed), putting on (or: clothing ourselves with; enveloping ourselves in; entering within) a breastplate (or: thorax) of faith and love (or: which is and is composed of faith and love; = have trust & love as body armor) and, as a helmet, an expectation (or: expectant hope) of deliverance (health and wholeness; rescue and salvation; restoration to our original state and condition),

¹⁵ while overseeing (looking diligently and carefully watching upon and seeing to it) [that] no one be lacking (be falling short; be living behind or in the rear; = misses out), [by wandering] away from God's grace and joyous favor; [that] not any "root of bitterness" [Deut. 29:18], progressively sprouting upward, would be crowding in to cause disturbance like the spirit of a mob, and then, through means of it, many folks may be stained (polluted; defiled; = the whole community could be contaminated).

⁷ Now the Goal (or: the end; the final act; or: the finished Product; or: the completion of the plan) of all people (and: pertaining to and affecting all things) has approached and is now near at hand and [He] is close enough to touch (= has arrived)! Therefore, you folks keep a healthy and sound frame of mind (be sane and sensible) and be sober (be unintoxicated; i.e., be functional and with your wits about you) into [a state, condition or realm] with a view toward having goodness and well-being (or: into the midst of prayers).

⁸ Be sober (or: clear headed)! Be awake, alert and watch! Your barrier in the Way pointed out (your road hazard; your opponent at court; the one "in your face" opposing your fairness and equity), one who casts or thrusts something through the midst of folks (e.g., like a soldier casting a javelin or thrusting a sword through someone, or a person throwing an issue through the midst of a group, causing division; or: a slanderer), as a constantly roaring lion, is continuously walking about, incessantly seeking to drink something or someone down (or: searching to gulp and swallow someone down), [comment: this path-hazard and road barrier may have been local religions, cultural or political opposition, or a spirit of contrariness]

² Come to be (Be birthed) awake ones (watchful people) and establish (set fast) the remaining things which were about to die (or: rot), for I have not found your works (acts; deeds) being fulfilled (being made full) in front of and in the sight of My God (or: before God – which is Me).

¹⁵ Consider! I continually (or: repeatedly) am coming as a thief! The one continually watching (or: in wakeful vigilance) and keeping guard upon his garments [is; will be] blessed (or: a happy person), to the end that he may not be continually walking about (or: roaming; = living his life) naked so that they may continually see (or: observe) his indecency (condition of being without proper form, shape or character; shame; ungracefulness). [note: see 1 Thes. 5:2; Matt. 24:43; 2 Pet. 3:10; 2 Cor. 5:3]

¹⁹ "I will continue giving to you the keys [note: = means of locking or unlocking] which have their origin and source in the reign and activities of the heavens (or: which pertain to and have the characteristics of the kingdom of the heavens; or: which belong to the sovereignty from the atmospheres; or, as a genitive of apposition: the keys which are the sovereign reign of the heavens). And so, whatever you can (or: may; should) bind upon the earth will continue being [something] having been bound, and still remaining bound, within the midst of the heavens (or: in the atmospheres). Also, whatever you can (or: may; should) loose upon the earth will continue being [something] having been loosed (unbound; untied), and remaining free of bonds, within the midst of the heavens (or: in the atmospheres)."

⁴⁵ "Who, consequently (or: really), is the faithful (trustworthy; loyal) and thoughtful (prudent; sensible; discreet; considerate) slave whom the owner (lord; master) set down upon (or: = places in full control over) his household servants (domestics) [with the directive] to give to them nourishment within a fitting situation (or: sustenance at the appointed time; food in season)? ⁴⁶ "That slave is happy and blessed whom his owner (lord; master), upon at some point coming, will proceed in finding [him or her] habitually doing thus. ⁴⁷ "Truly (Amen; It is so), I am now saying to you folks, that he will proceed in setting him down upon (or: = place him in full control over) all his possessions and things by which he normally subsists.

¹⁴ "You know, [it is] just as a person [who is] periodically (or: presently about to be) traveling abroad calls (or: summoned) his own slaves and turns over to them his possessions (or: and then gave over to them [control of] the goods and property normally being his subsistence). ¹⁵ "He also, on the one hand, gave to one five talents [= thirty thousand silver coins (denarii); = one hundred years' wages], yet to another, two [talents], and then to another, one [talent; = six thousand denarii] – to each one according to his own ability. And then he traveled abroad. ¹⁶ "Now the one receiving the five talents, immediately proceeding on his way, puts them to work in trading and gains (or: made a profit of) another five talents (= doubled his investments). ¹⁷ "And similarly, the person [being given] the two, further gains (or: made a profit of) another two. ¹⁸ "Yet the one receiving the one [talent], upon going off (or: coming away), digs a hole in the ground and hides his owner's silver [coins]. ¹⁹ "Now after much time [had passed], the owner (master; lord) of those slaves proceeds in coming, and then takes up a joint discussion with them, proceeding to settle the accounting. ²⁰ "And thus, upon approaching, the person receiving the five talents brought to [him] five other talents, then saying, 'Master, you turned over (committed) to me five talents. Look! I gained five other talents by them!' ²¹ "The owner affirms to him, 'Well [done] (or: Excellent)! [You are] a good and trustworthy (loyal; faithful) slave. You were faithful and trustworthy (or: full of faith and trust) upon [the matter of] a few things; I will proceed to place you (set you down; appoint you) upon (= with responsibility for) many things. Enter at once into your owner's (master's) joy (or: into the state of the joy of your lord; = Come to my celebration)!' ²² "Now also coming forward, the person receiving the two talents said, 'Master, you turned over (committed) to me two talents. Look! I gained two other talents by them!' ²³ "The owner affirms to him, 'Excellent (Well [done])! [You are] a good and trusting (or: loyal; faithful) slave. You were full of faith and trust (or: faithful and trustworthy) upon [the matter of] a few things; I will proceed to place you (set you down; appoint you) upon (= give you responsibility for) many things. Enter at once into your owner's joy!' ²⁴ "Now also approaching, the one having received the one talent said, 'O master, I knew by experience that you are a hard (rough; = tough and stern) man, constantly harvesting (habitually reaping) where you do (or: did) not sow seed, and repeatedly collecting and gathering together from places where you do (or: did) not fully scatter and disperse [the chaff] (= winnow). ²⁵ "'And so, being fearful (or: made afraid), upon going off I hid your talent (= silver) within the ground (earth; or: the Land). Look! You continue having what is yours!' ²⁶ "Yet, giving a decisive reply, his owner said to him, '[You] worthless (incompetent) and hesitating (slothful; sluggish) slave! Had you seen, so as to be aware, that I am constantly harvesting where I do not sow, and repeatedly collecting and gathering together from places where I do not fully scatter (= winnow)? ²⁷ "'It was therefore binding (necessary) for you to at once deposit my silver (= money) with the bankers (or: money-changers!) – and then upon coming I, myself, could likely recover that which is my own together with offspring (a birthed yield; = interest). ²⁸ "'Therefore, you men at once take the talent away from him, and then give [it] to the one now holding (presently having) the ten talents.' ²⁹ "– You see, to everyone habitually possessing (having and holding), it will continue being given, and, he will continue being made to superabound (be surrounded with excess); yet from the person not habitually possessing (having or holding), even that which he is currently holding will proceed in being taken away from him – ³⁰ "'And now, you men at once throw the useless slave out into the darkness (dim obscurity and gloominess) which is farther outside. In that place there will continue being the weeping (or: lamenting) and the grinding of the teeth.'

³⁶ "and you, yourselves, [be] like people habitually focused toward anticipating, welcoming and receiving their own master (lord; owner) – whenever he can loosen up [his involvement] and break away to return from the midst of the marriage banquet – so that, upon coming and knocking, they might immediately open up to (or: for) him. ³⁷ "Those slaves [are] happy and fortunate whom the master (lord; owner) – upon coming – will proceed to find being continuously awake, alert and watchful. Truly (or: Amen; It is so; Count on it)! I say to you folks that he will proceed to gird himself about (as with an apron) and will continue in causing them to recline [at a meal]. Then, coming alongside, he will give attending service to them! (or, as a question: In truth, I am now asking you: Will he proceed to tie an apron around himself then have them lie back for dinner and then serve them?) ³⁸ "And should he arrive in the second watch (= just before midnight) – or even during the third (= past midnight or in the early hours of the morning) – and might find [them, or, the situation] thus, happy and fortunate are those slaves! ³⁹ "Now you normally know this by personal experience (or, as an imperative: But be coming to experientially know this), that if the householder had seen, or by foresight had perceived so as to be aware, at what hour the thief is proceeding in coming, he would stay awake and be watchful – and thus not allow his house [wall] to be dug through (= let his house be broken into). ⁴⁰ "And so you folks, yourselves, therefore progressively come to be ready and prepared – because in an hour in which you folks are not normally supposing (or: in the habit of assuming or imagining), the Son of Mankind (or: the Son of the Human Being; = Adam's Son; = the anticipated eschatological messianic figure) is then coming (or: normally comes)."

¹² Therefore He said, "A certain man of noble birth traveled into a far off country (a distant land) to take possession for himself (or: to receive to himself) a kingdom and its reign, and then to at once return. ¹³ "Now [before leaving], upon calling ten slaves to himself, he gave to them (or: distributed among them) ten minas [a silver coin = about three months' wages; the sixtieth part of a talent] then said to them, 'Do business (or: Engage in trade) while I continue going.' ¹⁴ "Now (or: However) his fellow citizens began hating (or: continued with ill-will against) him, and so they sent off a delegation (a body of ambassadors) after him [note: presumably to the one who was to make him a king], as a group [to be] saying, 'We continue not wanting or intending this man to reign as king upon (or: over) us.' ¹⁵ "Later, after receiving and taking (or: obtaining) the kingdom and its reign, it occurred within the [situation for] him to come back that he spoke [a directive for] these slaves – to whom he had given the silver coins – to be summoned to him so that he might personally come to know what they gained by trading and conducting business. ¹⁶ "So the first one happened along, saying, 'Master (or: Sir), your mina worked itself and earned ten more minas!' ¹⁷ "Then he said to him, 'Well done, [you are] an excellent slave! Because you came to be faithful and trustworthy in a least thing (= a small matter), be constantly holding (or: having) top authority over ten towns (or: cities).'

³ "The doorkeeper (the one who takes care of the gate and has charge of the sheep in the fold at night) is regularly opening up to (or: for) him, and the sheep are constantly hearing and listening to his voice, and he habitually summons (or: calls out to) his sheep, [each] by its own name, and is constantly leading them forth (or: out).

²⁹ "Now I myself have seen and am aware that, after (or: with) my spreading forth as dust and ashes (= going away, so as to be out of reach), heavy (= burdensome and oppressive) wolves will enter into the midst of you folks – folks by habit not sparing (or: treating with tenderness or forbearance) the flock, ³⁰ "and men from among you yourselves (= from your own community) will of themselves proceed standing up, repeatedly speaking things having been thoroughly turned and twisted (things that are distorted and not straight), to progressively drag (or: draw; [D & p41 read: turn]) away the disciples behind (thus: after) themselves. ³¹ "Therefore, constantly keep your wits about you (be continuously awake, alert and watchful) while continuously bearing in mind through remembrance that three-year period [when] night and day I did not cease – with tears – repeatedly and progressively placing [thoughts; ideas; information; admonition] in the minds of each one [D & E add: of you folks].

⁴ For you see, just as (or: according to what is encompassed) in one body we continuously have (constantly hold and possess) many members, yet all the members do not have the same mode of acting (do not constantly hold the same function), ⁵ thus we, the many, are and continue to exist being one body within Christ (in union with [the] Anointed), yet individually (or: the situation being in accord with one), members of one another (or: but still, [being] on one level, [are] members whose source is, and who belong to, each other). ⁶ Now constantly holding (having; possessing) excelling grace-effects (or: gracious results of favor that carry-through), down from, in accord with and to the level of the grace and joyous favor being given to us, in us and for us, whether prophecy – [let it be] down from and in line with the above-word of the faith (or: in accord with the analogy of the loyalty; according to the proportion of trust; following the pattern of the corresponding relationship that pertains to the Faith; down along the upward-thought of faith or the up-message of the belief; in accordance with conformability from the faithfulness; on the level of the correspondence and ratio of confidence); ⁷ or whether serving (thoroughly dispensing in attendance on a duty) – [let us be, or live] in the service (the attendance to the duty; the arrangement for provision; the aid through dispensing); or whether the one constantly teaching – [let the person continue] in the teaching (the instructing or training); ⁸ or whether the person normally performing as a paraclete (one habitually calling alongside to aid, admonish, encourage, exhort and give relief) – [let the person flourish] in the calling alongside to give relief and aid, as well as for admonition, encouragement and exhortation; the one habitually sharing (imparting; giving together) – in simplicity (singleness; or: = with generosity); the one constantly setting himself before [a situation] or being a caregiver (or: standing in front and presiding; or: being in charge of giving care or aid) – in diligent haste (= eagerly); the one continuously mercying (applying mercy) – in cheerfulness (pleasantness; gleeful abandon).

⁶ For you see, because of this you folks continually fulfill the obligation by paying tribute-taxes brought on by a foreign ruler – for they are God's public servants (officials; officers), men constantly attending to (staying by and persisting at) this very thing [i.e., duties].

⁵ What, then (or: So then, what), is Apollos? And what is Paul? [They are] attending servants and dispensers of [spiritual] provisions, through whom you folks came to believe and trust – even as the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] gave (or: gives) to and in each one. ⁶ I myself plant (or: planted), Apollos irrigated (or: waters; caused [you] to drink), but then God was causing [it/you] to progressively grow up and increase (be augmented). ⁷ So that neither is the one habitually planting anything [special] (anyone [of importance]), nor the one habitually irrigating (watering; giving drink), but rather God: the One habitually and progressively causing growth and increase. ⁸ Now the one continually planting and the one continually irrigating are one (exist being a unit), yet each one will receive his own wage (pay; compensation) corresponding to his own labor (toil). ⁹ For we are God's fellow-workers (or: we are co-workers of and from God; we exist being co-workers who belong to God). You folks are God's farm (or: field under cultivation), God's building (or: construction project; structure, or act of building). ¹⁰ Corresponding to, in accord with and to the level of God's grace and favor [which are] being given to (or: by) me, as a skillful master-carpenter (a wise chief-builder; a clever head-artisan; [the] learned and insightful leading-builder; wise architect, engineer or foreman; a wise originating begetter) I lay [other MSS: have laid] a foundation (or: laid a foundation [Stone]), yet another is progressively building a house upon [it]. Now let each one continue watching to observe (= take care) how he keeps on building the house upon [it] (or: upon the house),

⁴ Now there continue being different distributions (divided-out apportionments) of the effects of favor and the results of grace, yet the same Spirit (Breath-effect; Attitude), ⁵ and there are different distributions of attending services (divided-out apportionments of dispensings), and yet the same Lord (or: Owner; Master; [= Christ or Yahweh]); ⁶ also there continue being different distributions of the results of inner workings and the effects of inward operations, and still, the same God – the One continuously working inwardly and progressively activating all things within and in union with all people (or: constantly energizing and operating the whole within the midst of all things). ⁷ Yet in, to, for and with each person the manifestation (clear display in light) of the Breath-effect (or: from the Spirit) is continuously being given [with a view] to and [leading] toward progressively bringing [folks or things] together, face-to-face with the constant mutual bearing-together for benefit, advantage, expedience and the common good [of all]. ⁸ For you see, on the one hand, in (or: to; for; with; by) one person a word (a thought, message or expression; [the] reason) of wisdom (or: a wise idea) is repeatedly or from time-to-time or progressively being given. In (or: To; For; With; By) another person, on the other hand, [is given] a word (thought; message; expression; [the] reason) of intimate, experiential knowledge, insight or realization (gnosis) – in accord with (or: down from; in the sphere of; in line with) the same Breath (or: Spirit). ⁹ In (To; For; With; By) a different person [is given] faith (trust; loyalty; belief; conviction; trustworthiness), within and in union with the same effect of the Breath (or: Spirit; Attitude); yet in (to; for; by; with) another the effects of grace, and the results of joyous favor, which result in healings – within and in union with the one Breath-effect (or: Spirit; Attitude). ¹⁰ Yet in (to; for) another person [is given] the effects and results of inner workings and operations of abilities, powers and influences; still in (to; for; by) another [is given] a prophecy (or: light ahead of time), and in (to; for; by) another [is given] thorough discernings, distinguishings or discriminations pertaining to spirits (or: separations from spirits throughout [oneself]; [the] siftings and complete separations which lead to a thorough decision or judgment of spirits or attitudes). Yet, in (to; for; by) a different person [are given] races and species (families and classes) of languages (or: tongues), then in (to; for; by) another one [are given] translations and interpretations of languages (tongues). ¹¹ Now the one and the same Spirit (or: Breath-effect; Attitude) is habitually working within (energizing, activating and operating) all these things, constantly dividing, apportioning and distributing in (to; for) each person his own [effect of grace], correspondingly as He progressively intends (is habitually willing; continuously purposes). ¹² You see, correspondingly as the [human] body is one [body] and continuously has (possesses; holds) many members (body parts), and all the members of the one body – being many – are one body, in this way, also, [is] the Christ (or: even thus [is] the Anointed One and the Anointing). ¹³ For we, ourselves – within the midst of one Spirit (or: in union with one Breath-effect and Attitude) – are all submerged into one body (or: were all immersed into, so as to be enveloped by, one body) – whether Jews or Greeks (or: Hellenists), whether slaves or free folks – and we all are (or: were) made (or: caused) to drink one Spirit (or: spirit; Breath-effect; Attitude). ¹⁴ You see then, the body is not one member (or: part), but to the contrary, [it is] many. ¹⁵ In case the foot should ever say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not from out of the midst of (= a part of) the body," not for this reason is it not from out of the midst of the body (or: = it is not from this statement that it does not exist with the body being its source and that it is not a part of the body)! ¹⁶ And if the ear should ever say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not forth from (= a part of) the body," not alongside of this (= not for this reason) is it not forth from (= a part of) the body! ¹⁷ If the whole body [were] an eye, where [would be] the hearing (or: the ability to hear)? If [the] whole [were] hearing (the ability to hear), where [would be] the sense of smell? ¹⁸ Yet, at this present time (or: = But as things are), God, for Himself, places (or: at once set in Himself) the members (or: parts) – each one of them – within the midst of and in union with the body, just as He intends (purposed; wills). ¹⁹ Now if the whole (or: all) were one member, where [would be] the body? ²⁰ But, at this present time (now) [there are], indeed, many members (or: parts), yet one body. ²¹ Now the eye continues unable (habitually has no power) to say to the hand, "I continue having no need of you," or, again, the head [can not say] to the feet, "I continue having no need of you [two]." ²² On the contrary, much rather, the members of the body habitually seeming or appearing to be inherently weaker are (or: exist being) pressingly necessary and indispensable, ²³ and ones which we habitually presume (or: suppose; deem; think) to be less valuable and less honorable [parts] of the body, we are constantly surrounding these with more abundant honor (or: habitually place [things] of exceeding value around these), and so our unattractive (deformed; indecent; unfashionable) [members] are constantly having (habitually holding) more exceeding and abundant good form (or: presentability; respectability; modesty; good appearance). ²⁴ Now our well-formed (or: respectable; presentable; profitably fashioned) [members] continue having no need, but God mixed and blended the body together, giving more abundant value and honor to those habitually or repeatedly being left behind in the rear (or: being made defective, deficient, or below standard), ²⁵ to the end that there should be no tearing split-effect, causing division, within the body, but rather that the members should constantly show the same care over, and have the same concern about, the welfare of one another. ²⁶ And further, whether one member is continuing to experience the effect of something, or constantly undergoes suffering, all the members continually experience the effect or the suffering together with [it]; or if a member is being constantly glorified or is progressively receiving a good reputation, all the members are continuously rejoicing together with [it]. ²⁷ Now you folks yourselves are, and continuously exist being, Christ's body (or: a body which is Anointed; or: a body whose source and character is Christ) – and individually [you are] members of a part [of it] – ²⁸ whom also God Himself, indeed, placed within and in union with the called-out community. [Now He] first [set] those sent off on a mission (emissaries; envoys; representatives); second [He placed] folks who have light ahead of time and speak it before others publicly [on behalf of God] (spokesmen [for God]; prophets); third [He set] people who teach. Then after that [He gave] abilities and powers, adding then effects of grace which result in cures and healings. [He also gave] folks who take [things] in hand, in place of another, and grasp with their mind and apprehend the replaced [situation] and exchange (or: those who lay hold of the other side of something in order to aid and assist; or: occasions of receiving in turn or in exchange; or: = helpful services; supports given in turn) [and provided] situations and skills for steering the course (or: abilities to guide and direct action; acts of pilotage; helmsman abilities and services; wise counsel and guidance; = administrative and managerial skills). [He then gave] species (or: families; races; kinds) of languages (or: tongues). ²⁹ [So you see that] not all [are] folks sent off on a mission (representatives; envoys; emissaries). Not all [are] those who have light ahead of time and speak it before others in public (prophets). Not all [are] people who teach (teachers; instructors). Not all [have] abilities or powers. ³⁰ Not all constantly hold (habitually have or possess) effects of grace which result in cures and healings. Not all habitually speak in multiple languages (or: are constantly speaking by tongues; or: normally talk to tongues [figure of people groups of other cultures]). Not all are continually interpreting (or: habitually translating). ³¹ Yet, you folks be constantly boiling with fervor (habitually fervent in zeal) [for; seeking; supporting; in devotion to] the greater effects of grace and favor! And still, I am now progressively pointing out and showing you folks a path ([the] Way) corresponding to transcendence (or: a road which accords with a casting-something-over [someone] on their behalf; a pathway in the sphere of excess and extravagance; = an incomparable way):

⁵⁸ Consequently, my beloved brothers, progressively come to be seated and settled folks – immovable and unswerving people – continuing to always be surrounded by more than enough (or: superabounding) within the midst of the Lord's work (= [Yahweh's or Christ's] deed or act), having seen and now knowing that your fatiguing labor (or: toil) does not exist without contents (is not empty) within and in union with [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh].

²⁴ having seen, and thus, knowing that you folks will receive back from the Lord [Yahweh or Christ] and take away the corresponding compensation of, from and which consists in the enjoyment of the allotted inheritance. Be constantly slaving for Christ, the Owner (Lord; Master) [or, with other MSS, and as an indicative: For you are constantly performing as a slave in (or: by; with) the Lord, in {the} Anointed One].

¹ Owners (Masters; Lords), continuously hold at your side and present the right (the just; the fair; the equitable) and the equal (what is the same as something else) to and for [your] slaves – [from] having seen, and thus knowing, that you folks also continuously have an Owner (Master; Lord) within heaven (or: [the] atmosphere; [other MSS: {the} heavens {or: atmospheres}]).

⁷ "And so to the agent and message-bearer of the called-out community in Philadelphia, write: 'The Set-apart One (The Holy One; The Saint), the True One, the One having (continuously holding) David’s Key, the One habitually opening – and no one keeps on shutting (or: locking) – and He is repeatedly shutting (locking) – and no one keeps on opening – [Isa. 22:22] He, is presently saying these things,

⁴² "Therefore, you folks stay constantly awake, be ever alert, and continue watchful, because you have not seen, nor do you thus know, in what sort of day your Owner (Lord) is in the habit of coming (or: for what kind of day your Master repeatedly comes).

⁴⁴ "Because of this, you yourselves progressively come to be ready and prepared as well, because at an hour for (= about) which you are not normally thinking (imagining; supposing; = expecting), the Son of the Man (= the eschatological Messiah figure; humanity's son) is normally (or: repeatedly) coming.

⁴⁸ And seeing them being continuously tested (having the touchstone applied; being distressed; or, as a middle: = exerting themselves) within the midst of the constant driving [of the storm] and the need to be continuously rowing – for the wind continued being hostile and contrary, blowing in the opposite direction against them – He proceeded to come towards them, at about [the] fourth watch of the night (between three and six A.M.), progressively walking along upon the sea (or: lake). Now He had been intending to go past them (or: to pass them by; to go by alongside of them),

³⁰ So Jesus then says to him, "Truly, I am now saying to you that today – in this night, before a rooster (cock) crows twice – you, yourself, from a stance of refusal will proceed utterly denying, disowning and renouncing Me, three times."

⁵ "Now with the continued passing of time during [the; a] delaying of the bridegroom, they all became drowsy, nodded off, and then continued fast asleep.

³⁷ Later He proceeds coming and is then finding them down continuing fast asleep, so He then says to Peter, "Simon, are you continuing down fast asleep? Do you not have strength to continue staying alert and watchful [for] one hour?

⁴⁰ Then, coming again, He found them down continuing fast asleep, for their eyes continued in being weighed down. And they did not know what reasoned response to give to Him.

⁴⁵ Later, rising from the expression of having ease and goodness (or: the prayer) and going toward the disciples, He found them continuing outstretched in slumber, from the distress (or: pain of sorrow).

¹¹ This also – being folks having seen and thus knowing the season (the fit of the situation; the appointed fertile moment) – that [it is] by this time (or: already) an hour to be aroused (or: awakened) out of sleep, for now our rescue (our deliverance; our wholeness, health and salvation) [is] closer than when we came to trust (or: we believed with faith and conviction). ¹² The night advances, and the day has approached and is presently near. We should put, then, the acts of the Darkness (works from the realm of the shadows; actions that belong to dimness and obscurity) away from ourselves (or: take off and put away the deeds pertaining to darkness; = ignorance; that which was before the light arrived), and clothe ourselves with the instruments (tools; weapons; implements; [some MSS: works; deeds]) of Light (or: The Light). ¹³ As within [the] Day, we should (may; can) walk about (= live our lives) respectably (reputably; decently; with good form; mannerly; pleasing to look upon; presentably) – not in festive processions (or: orgies; revelries; excessive feastings; carousing) and collective drunkenness (intoxications); nor in beds (i.e., sexual interludes) and outrageous behaviors (vice; loose conduct; indecencies); not in strife (or: contentious disposition) and in jealousy (or: envy) – ¹⁴ but rather, you folks must clothe yourselves with (or: enter within and put on) the Lord, Jesus Christ, and stop (or: do not continue) making forethought (constructing provision; planning ahead; performing provident care) into excessive desires of the flesh (= into rushing upon emotions which pertain to the inner self or the estranged humanity; = into the setting of feelings and longings upon something of the human nature that is oriented to the System).

¹⁴ for you see, all that is continuously being manifested (clearly displayed, made apparent and is progressively shown for what it is) is, and continually exists being, light.Wherefore Heis now saying, "Let the sleeper (the person continuously down and being fast asleep) be waking up, continue rousing, and then stand up (arise) from out of the midst of the dead ones, and the Christ will continue shining upon you (enlightening you)!"

⁶ Consequently, then, we may not continuously fall asleep [into death? in awareness?] even as the rest (= as other folks), but rather, we can and should continuously be aroused and stirred up from sleep [comment: thus, awake to be alertly watchful; also a figure for being alive] and sober (or: clear-headed). ⁷ You see, the folks continuously falling asleep (or: drowsing) are sleeping at (or: from [the]) night, and the ones continuously being made drunk are becoming drunk at (or: from [the]) night.

³⁵ "Therefore you people continue being watchful and alert, because you have not seen and thus you folks are unaware of when 'the Lord of the House' (or: the 'Owner of the house') is proceeding to come – whether [at] evening, or midnight, or [at] the crowing of the rooster, or early in the morning.

⁴¹ So Peter said, "Lord (Master), are you presently saying this illustration (parable) [aimed] toward us, or also, toward all?" ⁴² Then the Lord said, "Who, consequently (or: really), is the faithful (trustworthy; reliable) house manager (steward; administrator who also enforces the laws of the house) – the thoughtful (sensible; considerate; prudent; discreet) one – whom the lord (master; owner) will proceed to appoint and place down upon and over his household staff (the group in charge of care, attending treatment and curing) to keep on (or: to repeatedly be) giving [to them their] measure of grain (= food allowance) when it is due, and in the fitting situation? ⁴³ "That slave [is] happy and fortunate whom his lord (master; owner), upon coming, will continue to be finding habitually operating in this way (or: constantly doing thus). ⁴⁴ "I am now saying to you folks that truly (or: certainly) he will proceed in appointing and placing him down upon and over all his possessions and those things which sustain him. ⁴⁵ "Yet, if that slave should ever say within his heart, 'My lord (master; owner) continues taking a long time and delays [his] coming,' and then should begin both to habitually beat the boys and the maids (= the male and female servants) and to be constantly eating and drinking – even to be repeatedly getting drunk, ⁴⁶ "the owner (lord; master) of that slave will proceed in arriving on a day in which he continues not anticipating or suspecting [it], and in an hour in which he continues having no personal knowledge [of it]. Then he will proceed to cut him in two (figurative: = severely punish him; perhaps: = sever him from his position after lashing him with a whip) and next will proceed putting his part (or: setting his position) with the unfaithful and unreliable [slaves].