2 Timothy 3 Cross References - LEB

¹ But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come, ² for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ hardhearted, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, savage, with no interest for what is good, ⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God, ⁵ maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people. ⁶ For from these are those who slip into houses and captivate foolish women loaded down with sins, led by various kinds of desires, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ And _⌊just as_⌋* Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, people corrupted in mind, disqualified concerning the faith. ⁹ But they will not progress to a greater extent, for their folly will be quite evident to everyone, as also the folly of those two was. ¹⁰ But you have faithfully followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra, what sort of persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from all of them. ¹² And indeed, all those who want to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and imposters will progress to the worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you continue in the things which you have learned and are convinced of, because you* know from whom you learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

¹ Then Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather together so that I can tell you what will happen with you in _⌊days to come_⌋.*

² And it shall happen in the future of the days the mountain of the house* of Yahweh shall be established; it will be among the highest* of the mountains, and it shall be raised from the hills. All of the nations shall travel to him;

⁴⁷ Yet I will restore the fortunes* of Moab in the last of the days," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh.
_⌊Thus far_⌋* is the judgment of Moab.

³⁹ '_⌊And then_⌋* in the last of the days I will restore the fortunes* of Elam,' _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh."

¹⁶ and you will advance against my people Israel like a cloud _⌊covering_⌋* the land; it will be* in the last days, and I will bring you against my land, so that the nations know me, _⌊when I show myself holy through you_⌋ before their eyes, O Gog!" '

⁸ I was considering the horns, and look, another little horn came up _⌊among_⌋* them, and three of the earlier horns _⌊were rooted out_⌋* from before it, and there were eyes like the eyes of a human* in this horn and also a mouth that was speaking boastfully.

²⁰ and concerning the horns that were on its head, and concerning the other horn that came up and _⌊before which three horns fell_⌋,* and this horn _⌊had eyes_⌋* and a mouth speaking _⌊boastfully_⌋,* and its appearance was larger than its companions. ²¹ _⌊I continued watching_⌋,* and this horn made war with the holy ones* and it prevailed over them, ²² until the Ancient of Days came and gave judgment to the holy ones* of the Most High; and the time arrived and the holy ones* took possession of the kingdom. ²³ "And he said, 'The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom that will be on the earth that will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and it will trample it and it will crush it. ²⁴ And as for the ten horns coming from it, from this kingdom* ten kings will arise, and another will arise after them. And he will be different from the earlier ones, and he will subdue three kings. ²⁵ And he will speak words against the Most High, and he will wear out the holy ones* of the Most High, and he will attempt to change times and law, and they will be given into his hand for a time and two times and half a time.

⁸ And the he-goat grew _⌊exceedingly great_⌋,* and _⌊at the height of its power_⌋* the great horn was broken, and four conspicuous horns* came up in place of it toward the four winds of heaven. ⁹ _⌊And from one of them_⌋* came forth a horn, _⌊a little one_⌋,* and it grew exceedingly* toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the beautiful land. ¹⁰ And it grew up to the host of heaven, and it threw down to the ground some of the host and some of the stars and trampled them. ¹¹ Even against the prince of the hosts it acted arrogantly and took away from him the regular burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. ¹² And on account of transgression, the host was given over to the horn in addition to the regular burnt offering. And it cast down truth to the ground, and it _⌊acted_⌋,* and it had success. ¹³ And I heard a certain holy one speaking, and a certain other holy one said to the specific one _⌊who was speaking_⌋,* "_⌊For how long_⌋* is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, and the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and the host to trampling?" ¹⁴ And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings, then the sanctuary will be restored."

¹⁴ And I have come* to instruct you about what* will happen to your people _⌊in the future_⌋,* for there is a further vision here _⌊for the future_⌋.*

³⁶ "Then the king will do _⌊as he pleases_⌋,* and he will exalt himself and will consider himself above any god, and he will speak horrendous things _⌊against_⌋* the God of gods, yet he will succeed until the period of anger is finished, for what is determined will be done.

⁷ And I heard the man who was clothed in linen who was above* the water of the stream,* and he raised his right hand and his left hand to heaven and he swore _⌊by the one who lives forever_⌋* that an appointed time, appointed times, and half an appointed time would pass when the shattering of _⌊the power of the holy people_⌋* _⌊would be completed_⌋;* then all these things will be accomplished.

¹¹ And from the time the regular burnt offering is removed and the abomination that causes desolation _⌊is set up_⌋* there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.

⁵ Afterward the children of Israel will return and seek Yahweh their God and David their king. They will come in fear to Yahweh and to his goodness at the end of days.

¹ And it will be that at the end of those days, the mountain of Yahweh will be established as the highest of the mountains, and it will be lifted up above the hills, and people will stream to it.

³ Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and who exalts himself over every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God. ⁵ Do you not remember that while* we were still with you, we were saying these things to you? ⁶ And you know that which restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is at work already; only the one who now restrains* will do so until he is out of the way,* ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth, and wipe out by the appearance of his coming, ⁹ whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved. ¹¹ And because of this, God sends them _⌊a powerful delusion_⌋* so that they will believe the lie, ¹² in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.

¹ Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² by the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience, ³ who forbid marrying and insist on abstaining from foods that God created for sharing in with thankfulness by those who believe and who know the truth,

³ For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, _⌊because they have an insatiable curiosity_⌋*,

³ above all knowing this, that in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, following according to their own desires

¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour, and just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, by which we know that it is the last hour.

¹⁷ But you, dear friends, remember the words proclaimed beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹ And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. ² And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. ³ And another angel who had a golden censer came and stood at the altar, and a large amount of incense was given to him, in order that he could offer the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne. ⁴ And the smoke of the incense went up before God with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel. ⁵ And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire from the altar and threw it to the earth, and there were thunders and sounds and lightnings and an earthquake. ⁶ And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves in order to blow them. ⁷ And the first blew the trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown to the earth, and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. ⁸ And the second angel blew the trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood, ⁹ and a third of the creatures in the sea—the ones which had life—died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. ¹⁰ And the third angel blew the trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ¹¹ And the name of the star was called Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters because they were made bitter. ¹² And the fourth angel blew the trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened, and the day did not shine with respect to a third of it, and the night likewise. ¹³ And I looked, and I heard one eagle flying _⌊directly overhead_⌋*, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who live on the earth, from the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow the trumpet!"

³ for the wicked boasts about the desire of his _⌊heart_⌋,* and the one greedy for gain curses and treats Yahweh with contempt.

⁶ those who trust their wealth and boast about the abundance of their riches?

¹ For the music director. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite came and informed Saul. And he said to him, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech."*
Why do you boast about evil, O mighty man? The loyal love of God endures _⌊continually_⌋.*

¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁵ Does the ax boast against the one who cuts with it, or the saw magnify itself against the one who moves it to and fro? _⌊As if a rod should move the one who lifts it_⌋!* _⌊As if a staff should lift up that which is not wood_⌋!*

²⁵ And he will speak words against the Most High, and he will wear out the holy ones* of the Most High, and he will attempt to change times and law, and they will be given into his hand for a time and two times and half a time.

³⁶ "Then the king will do _⌊as he pleases_⌋,* and he will exalt himself and will consider himself above any god, and he will speak horrendous things _⌊against_⌋* the God of gods, yet he will succeed until the period of anger is finished, for what is determined will be done.

⁶ need not honor his father,'* and you make void the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

¹¹ But you say, 'If a man says to his* father or to his* mother, "Whatever _⌊benefit you would have received_⌋* from me is corban"* (that is, a gift to God), ¹² you no longer permit him to do anything for his* father or his* mother,

¹⁵ And he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance _⌊does_⌋* his life consist of his possessions."

¹⁴ Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

³⁶ For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined _⌊him_⌋.* _⌊He_⌋* was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.

²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greediness, malice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malevolence. They are gossipers, ³⁰ slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boasters, contrivers of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ senseless, faithless, unfeeling, unmerciful,

¹⁸ do not boast against the branches. But if you boast against them, you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

¹ But we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each one of us please his neighbor for his good, for the purpose of edification. ³ For even Christ did not please himself, but just as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."*

¹⁵ And he died for all, in order that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

²¹ For they all seek _⌊their own interests_⌋*, not those of Jesus Christ.

⁵ Therefore put to death _⌊what is earthly in you_⌋*: sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustful passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry,

⁴ who opposes and who exalts himself over every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God.

²⁰ among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, in order that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

³ not addicted to wine, not a violent person, but gentle, peaceable, not loving money,

⁴ he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a morbid interest concerning controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions,

¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they* desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God,

⁸ However, if you carry out the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"* you are doing well.

⁶ But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says,
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."*

¹⁶ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

⁵ In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders, and all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

³ And in greediness they will exploit you with false words, whose condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

¹² But these persons, like irrational animals born only with natural instincts for capture and killing, blaspheming _⌊about things_⌋* they do not understand, in their destruction will also be destroyed,

¹⁴ having eyes full of desire for an adulteress and unceasing from sin, enticing unstable persons, and* having hearts trained for greediness. Accursed children! ¹⁵ By* leaving the straight path, they have gone astray, because they* followed the way of Balaam the son of Bosor,* who loved the wages of unrighteousness,

¹⁸ _⌊For by speaking high-sounding but empty words_⌋*, they entice with desires of the flesh and with licentiousness those who are scarcely escaping from those who live in error,

¹⁰ But these persons blaspheme all that they do not understand, and all that they understand by instinct like the irrational animals, by these things they are being destroyed. ¹¹ Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain, and have given themselves up to the error of Balaam for gain, and have perished* in the rebellion of Korah.

¹⁶ These people are grumblers, discontented, proceeding according to their* desires, and their mouths speaking pompous words, _⌊showing partiality to gain an advantage_⌋*.

¹ And I saw coming up out of the sea a beast that had ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns ten royal headbands,* and on its heads a blasphemous name.*

⁵ And a mouth was given to him speaking great things and blasphemies, and authority to act was given to him for forty-two months. ⁶ And he opened his mouth for blasphemies toward God, to blaspheme his name and his dwelling, those who live in heaven.

⁹ And people were burned up by the great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has the authority over these plagues, and they did not repent to give him glory.

¹¹ And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pain and because of their sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.

²¹ And large hailstones, weighing about a hundred pounds,* came down from the sky upon people, and the people blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, because the plague of it was very great.

¹² cargo of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple cloth and silk and scarlet cloth and all kinds of scented wood and all kinds of ivory goods and all kinds of goods of precious wood and bronze and iron and marble ¹³ and cinnamon and amomum* and incense and ointment and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine wheat flour and wheat and domesticated animals and sheep and horses and carriages and _⌊slaves_⌋* and human lives.

⁷ Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and I will scatter them in Israel.

¹ There was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David _⌊inquired of Yahweh_⌋,* and Yahweh said, "The bloodguilt is on Saul and on his household, because he killed the Gibeonites." ² So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not from the _⌊Israelites_⌋;* they were from the remainder of the Amorites. Now the _⌊Israelites_⌋* had sworn to them,* but Saul tried to wipe them out in his zeal for the _⌊Israelites_⌋* and Judah. ³ So David asked the Gibeonites, "What can I do for you, and with what can I make amends that you may bless the inheritance of Yahweh?"

⁴ In his eyes a rejected one is contemptible, but he honors those who respect Yahweh. He takes an oath to his own injury and does not retract it.

⁶ But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by humankind and despised by people.

³ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering, and acquainted with* sickness, and like _⌊one from whom others hide their faces_⌋,* he was despised, and we did not hold him in high regard.

¹⁴ And the children of those who oppressed you shall come to you bending low, and all those who treated you disrespectfully shall bow down at the soles of your feet. And they shall call you the city of Yahweh, Zion of the holy one of Israel.

¹⁵ But he rebelled against him by sending his messengers to Egypt to give to him horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Will he escape doing these things, and can he break the covenant and escape? ¹⁶ _⌊As I live_⌋,'* _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh, '_⌊surely_⌋* in the place of the king _⌊who made_⌋* him king, who despised his oath and who broke his covenant with him—in the midst of Babylon he will die. ¹⁷ And not with a great army and with a great crowd will Pharaoh work* with him in the war, at the pouring out of a siege ramp and the building of siege works to destroy many lives. ¹⁸ And he despised the oath to break covenant. And, look, he gave his hand in pledge, and yet he did all of these things. He will not escape.' ¹⁹ Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: '_⌊As I live_⌋,* _⌊surely_⌋* my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke I will return upon his head.

²³ And at the end of their kingdom, when the transgressions are completed, a king will arise, fierce in countenance and skilled in riddles.

¹ Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil,

²¹ "And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his children, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death,

¹⁶ The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me. But the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

⁷⁰ Jesus replied to them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is the devil?"

³¹ senseless, faithless, unfeeling, unmerciful,

⁵ Do not defraud one another, except perhaps by agreement, for a time, in order that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and then you should be _⌊together_⌋* again, lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control.

⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

⁸ Therefore the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

¹¹ The wives* likewise must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all things.

⁸ but hospitable, loving what is good, prudent, just, devout, self-controlled,

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderous, not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

⁶ But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich exploiting you and they themselves dragging you into the courts?

¹⁴ having eyes full of desire for an adulteress and unceasing from sin, enticing unstable persons, and* having hearts trained for greediness. Accursed children!

¹⁹ promising them freedom although they* themselves are slaves of depravity. For to whatever someone succumbs, by this he is also* enslaved.

¹⁸ for they said to you,* "In the end time there will be scoffers following according to their own ungodly desires."

¹⁵ And it was given to him to put breath into the image of the beast, in order that the image of the beast both spoke and caused that all those, unless they worshiped the image of the beast, should be killed.

¹⁷ and that no one was able to buy or to sell except the one who had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of his name.

⁶ because they have poured out the blood of the saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink; they are deserving!"

⁶ And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses to Jesus.
And _⌊I was greatly astonished when I saw her_⌋*.

²⁰ Well said! They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand firm because of faith. Do not think arrogant thoughts, but be afraid.

¹⁸ For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own stomach, and by smooth speech and flattery they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

¹⁸ For many live, of whom I spoke about to you many times, but now speak about even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ, ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose God is the stomach, and whose glory is in their shame, the ones who think on earthly things.

⁶ not newly converted, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

⁶ But the one who lives for sensual pleasure is dead even though she* lives.

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present age not to be proud and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who provides us all things richly for enjoyment,

¹⁰ and especially those who go after the flesh in defiling lust* and who despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, they do not tremble in awe as they* blaspheme majestic beings, ¹¹ whereas angels, who are greater in strength and power, do not bring against them a demeaning judgment.* ¹² But these persons, like irrational animals born only with natural instincts for capture and killing, blaspheming _⌊about things_⌋* they do not understand, in their destruction will also be destroyed, ¹³ being harmed as the wages of unrighteousness. Considering reveling in the daytime a pleasure, they are stains and blemishes, carousing in their deceitful pleasures when they* feast together with you, ¹⁴ having eyes full of desire for an adulteress and unceasing from sin, enticing unstable persons, and* having hearts trained for greediness. Accursed children! ¹⁵ By* leaving the straight path, they have gone astray, because they* followed the way of Balaam the son of Bosor,* who loved the wages of unrighteousness, ¹⁶ but received a rebuke for his own lawlessness: a speechless donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained _⌊the prophet's madness_⌋*. ¹⁷ These people are waterless springs and mists driven by a hurricane, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ _⌊For by speaking high-sounding but empty words_⌋*, they entice with desires of the flesh and with licentiousness those who are scarcely escaping from those who live in error, ¹⁹ promising them freedom although they* themselves are slaves of depravity. For to whatever someone succumbs, by this he is also* enslaved. ²⁰ For if, after they* have escaped from the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord* and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again entangled in these things and succumb to them, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them. ²² The statement of the true proverb has happened to them, "A dog returns to its own vomit,"* and "A sow, after* washing herself, returns* to wallowing in the mud."*

⁴ For certain men* have slipped in stealthily, who were designated long ago for this condemnation, ungodly ones, who change the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.

⁸ Despite that, in the same way also these men, because of their* dreams, defile the flesh and reject authority and blaspheme majestic beings. ⁹ But Michael the archangel, when he argued with the devil, disputing concerning the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly, not having the Spirit.

¹³ And the Lord said,
"Because this people draw near with its mouth, and with its lips it honors me, and its heart is far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men that has been taught,

¹ Hear this, house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel and came out from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of Yahweh, and _⌊invoke_⌋* the God of Israel, but not in truth and not in righteousness. ² For they call themselves _⌊after the holy city_⌋,* and they lean on the God of Israel— Yahweh of hosts is his name.

¹ "Call with the throat; you must not keep back! lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare* to my people their rebellion, and to the house of Jacob their sins. ² Yet* they seek me day by day, and they desire the knowledge of my ways like a nation that _⌊practiced_⌋* righteousness, and had not forsaken the judgment of its God; they ask me for _⌊righteous judgments_⌋,* they desire the closeness of God. ³ 'Why do we fast, and you do not see it? We humiliate our soul, and you do not notice it?' Look! You find delight on the day of your fast, and you oppress all your workers!

³⁰ "And you, son of man,* _⌊your people_⌋,* the ones talking together concerning you beside the walls and in the doorways of the houses, each one with his brother _⌊saying_⌋,* 'Please come and hear what is the word _⌊that is going out from Yahweh_⌋.'* ³¹ And they come to you _⌊as people do_⌋,* and they sit _⌊before you_⌋,* and my people hear your words, and they do not do them, for they are showing* passion in their mouth, but their heart is going after ill-gotten gain. ³² Now, look! You are to them like _⌊a sensual song_⌋,* beautiful of voice and _⌊played well on an instrument_⌋,* and they hear your words, _⌊but they are not doing them_⌋.*

¹⁵ "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside are ravenous wolves.

²⁷ "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean! ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you also appear righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law. ²¹ Therefore, the one who teaches someone else, do you not teach yourself? The one who preaches not to steal, do you steal? ²² The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who abhors idols, do you rob temples? ²³ Who boast in the law, by the transgression of the law you dishonor God!* ²⁴ For just as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."*

¹⁷ Now I exhort you, brothers, to look out for those who cause dissensions and temptations contrary to the teaching which you learned, and stay away from them. ¹⁸ For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own stomach, and by smooth speech and flattery they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

¹⁴ so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit.

⁶ But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who lives irresponsibly and not according to the tradition that they received from us.

¹⁴ But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note not to associate with him, in order that he may be put to shame.

⁸ But if someone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially the members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁵ constant wrangling by people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who consider godliness to be a means of gain.

¹⁶ But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness,

²³ But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, because you* know that they produce quarrels.

¹⁶ They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny him, because they* are detestable and disobedient, and unfit for every good deed.

¹⁰ Reject a divisive person after a first and second admonition,

¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not speak a greeting to him, ¹¹ because the one who speaks a greeting to him shares in his evil deeds. ¹² Although* I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so by means of paper and ink, but I hope to be with you and to speak _⌊face to face_⌋*, so that your* joy may be complete.

⁴ For my iniquities have passed over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

⁴ Ah, sinful nation, a people heavy with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly. They have forsaken Yahweh; they have despised the holy one of Israel. They are estranged and gone backward.

²⁸ Come to me, all of you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

¹³ "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you shut the kingdom of heaven before people! For you do not enter, nor permit those wanting to go in* to enter.*

¹⁹ and the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and* choke the word and it becomes unproductive.

² You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the speechless idols, however you were led.

⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction.

¹¹ whom it is necessary to silence, whoever are ruining whole families by* teaching things which must not be taught for the sake of dishonest gain.

³ For we also were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to various desires and pleasures, spending our lives in wickedness and envy, despicable, hating one another.

¹⁷ Therefore, dear friends, because you* know this beforehand, guard yourselves so that you do not lose your own safe position because you* have been led away by the error of lawless persons.

⁴ But Yahweh has not given to you a heart to understand, or eyes to see, or ears to hear, even _⌊to this day_⌋.*

⁶ A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none, but knowledge _⌊comes easily to him who understands_⌋.*

¹⁰ who say to those who do see, "You must not see!" and to the seers, "You must not see truth for us; speak smooth things to us, see illusions, ¹¹ turn aside from the way, turn aside from the path, put an end to the holy one of Israel from our face."

⁴ Therefore speak with them, and you must say to them, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "Every person from the house of Israel who brings up his idols into his heart and _⌊places before himself_⌋* a stumbling block of his guilt* and yet he comes to the prophet, I Yahweh, I will respond to him through this act* with respect to the multitude* of his idols, ⁵ so that I may take hold of the house of Israel by their heart, those who are estranged from me, all of them, through their idols.' ⁶ Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "Return,* and turn away from your idols and from all of your detestable things! Turn away your faces!" ' ⁷ For _⌊each person_⌋* from the house of Israel, and from the alien who dwells as an alien in Israel, who separates himself _⌊from following me_⌋* and brings up his idols into his heart and _⌊places before himself_⌋* a stumbling block of his guilt*, and yet he comes to the prophet to consult him concerning me, I Yahweh will answer* him myself. ⁸ And I will set my face against that person, and I will make him to* be a sign and make him into* the subject of proverbs; and I will cut him off from the midst of my people, and you will know I am Yahweh. ⁹ And the prophet, if he is deceived and he speaks a word, I Yahweh, I have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him, and I will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. ¹⁰ And they will bear their guilt, like* the guilt of the inquirer so* the guilt of the prophet will be,

¹¹ And he answered and* said to them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to those people it has not been granted.

²⁰ For everyone who practices evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed. ²¹ But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, in order that his deeds may be revealed, that they are done in God.

⁴⁴ How are you able to believe, if you* accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?

⁴² Yet despite that, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it,* so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue. ⁴³ For they loved the praise of men more than praise from God.

¹ And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to fleshly people, as to infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to eat it. But now you are still not able, ³ for you are still fleshly. For where there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and do you not live like unregenerate people?* ⁴ For whenever anyone says, "I am with Paul," and another, "I am with Apollos," are you not merely human?

⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

²⁵ correcting those who are opposed with gentleness, seeing whether perhaps God may grant them repentance to a knowledge of the truth,

³ For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, _⌊because they have an insatiable curiosity_⌋*, ⁴ and they will turn away from the hearing of the truth, but will turn to myths.

¹¹ Concerning this* _⌊we have much to say and it is difficult to explain_⌋*, since you have become sluggish in hearing.

¹¹ And Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did likewise with their secret arts.

²² And the magicians of Egypt did likewise with their secret arts, and Pharaoh's heart was hard, and he did not listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.

⁷ And the magicians did likewise with their secret arts, and they brought up frogs over the land of Egypt.

¹⁸ And the magicians did so with their secret arts to bring out the gnats, but they were not able, and the gnats were on the humans and on the animals.

²² He said, 'I will go out and I will be a false spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he* said, 'You shall entice and succeed, go out and do so.' ²³ So then, see that Yahweh has placed a false spirit in the mouth of all of these your prophets, and Yahweh has spoken disaster concerning you." ²⁴ Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah came near and slapped Micaiah on the cheek and said, "When did the Spirit of Yahweh pass from me to speak with you?"

¹ And it was in that same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, the king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that Hananiah, the son of Azzur, the prophet who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of Yahweh before the eyes of the priests and all the people, _⌊saying_⌋,* ² "Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, _⌊saying_⌋,* 'I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. ³ _⌊Within two years_⌋* I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the house of Yahweh which Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took away from this place and brought to Babylon. ⁴ And Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, and all the exiles* from Judah who went to Babylon, I will bring back to this place,' _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, 'For I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'" ⁵ Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet before the eyes of the priests and before the eyes of all the people who were standing in the house of Yahweh, ⁶ and Jeremiah the prophet said, "Amen! May Yahweh do so; may Yahweh fulfill your words that you have prophesied, to bring back the vessels of the house of Yahweh and all the exiles* from Babylon to this place. ⁷ Nevertheless listen please to this word that I am speaking in your _⌊hearing_⌋* and in the _⌊hearing_⌋* of all the people, ⁸ The prophets who were _⌊before_⌋* me and _⌊before_⌋* you from ancient times prophesied against many countries and against great kingdoms of war, and of disaster, and of plague. ⁹ The prophet who prophesies peace, at the coming of the word of the prophet, will become known as the prophet that Yahweh has _⌊truly_⌋* sent." ¹⁰ Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it. ¹¹ Then Hananiah said before the eyes of all the people, _⌊saying_⌋,* "Thus says Yahweh, 'This is how I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, _⌊within two years_⌋,* from the neck of all the nations.'" And Jeremiah the prophet went on his way. ¹² And the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet broke the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, _⌊saying_⌋,* ¹³ "Go, and you must say to Hananiah, _⌊saying_⌋,* 'Thus says Yahweh, "You have broken yoke bars of wood, but you have made in place of them yoke bars of iron." ¹⁴ For thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, "I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and they will serve him, and I have even given the animals* of the open field to him." '" ¹⁵ Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, "Please listen, Hananiah, Yahweh has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. ¹⁶ _⌊Therefore_⌋* thus says Yahweh, 'Look, I am going to send you from the face of the earth. This year you will die because you have spoken rebellion against Yahweh.'" ¹⁷ And Hananiah the prophet died in that same year in the seventh month.

²¹ _⌊You have no_⌋* part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!"

⁸ But Elymas the magician (for his name is translated in this way) opposed them, attempting to turn the proconsul away from the faith. ⁹ But Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him ¹⁰ and* said, "O you who are full of all deceit and of all unscrupulousness, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness! Will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord! ¹¹ And now behold, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun _⌊for a while_⌋.* And immediately mist and darkness fell over him, and he was going around looking for people* to lead him* by the hand.

²⁴ Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and* have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your _⌊minds_⌋,*

²⁸ And just as they did not see fit _⌊to recognize God_⌋*, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do the things that are not proper,

¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is not a great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

⁵ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are unqualified? ⁶ And I hope that you will recognize that we are not unqualified!

⁷ not that there is a different gospel, except there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim a gospel to you contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let him be accursed! ⁹ As we said before, and now I say again, if anyone is proclaiming a gospel to you contrary to what you have received, let him be accursed!

⁴ Now this was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they might enslave us, ⁵ to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, in order that the truth of the gospel might remain continually with you.

⁹ whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with every unrighteous deception against those who are perishing, in place of which they did not accept the love of the truth, so that they would be saved. ¹¹ And because of this, God sends them _⌊a powerful delusion_⌋* so that they will believe the lie,

¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience, which some, because they* have rejected these, have suffered shipwreck concerning their faith,

² by the hypocrisy of liars, who are seared in their own conscience,

¹⁵ against whom you also be on guard, because he vehemently opposed our words.

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

¹ But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will bring in _⌊destructive heresies_⌋*, even denying the Master who bought them, thus* bringing on themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their licentious ways, because of whom the way of truth will be reviled. ³ And in greediness they will exploit you with false words, whose condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

¹ Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

¹⁸ for they said to you,* "In the end time there will be scoffers following according to their own ungodly desires." ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly, not having the Spirit.

⁶ But you do have this: that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, things which I also hate.

¹⁴ But I have a few things against you: that you have there those who hold fast to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. ¹⁵ So likewise you also have those who hold fast to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

²⁰ But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and deceives my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

¹² Each threw down his staff, and they became snakes, and Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs.

¹⁸ And the magicians did so with their secret arts to bring out the gnats, but they were not able, and the gnats were on the humans and on the animals. ¹⁹ And the magicians said to Pharaoh, "It is the finger of God." But the heart of Pharaoh was hard, and he did not listen to them, as Yahweh had spoken.

¹¹ And the magicians were not able to stand before Moses because of the skin sores, for the skin sores were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians.

²⁵ Then Micaiah said, "Behold, you are about to see on that day when you go _⌊from room to room_⌋* to hide."

¹⁰ For the anger of humankind will praise you. You will put on the remnant of anger.*

²¹ Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab, the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah, the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you in my name a lie, 'Look, I am going to give them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and he will strike them before your eyes. ²² And a curse will be taken up because of them by all the exiles* of Judah who are in Babylon, _⌊saying_⌋,* "May Yahweh make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire," ²³ because they have done a disgraceful thing in Israel, and they have committed adultery with the wives of their neighbors, and they have spoken words* in my name, lies* that I have not commanded them, and I am he who knows, and I am a witness,' _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh."

³¹ "Send to all the exiles,* _⌊saying_⌋,* 'Thus says Yahweh concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: "Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I have not sent him, and he has made you trust in a lie," ³² _⌊therefore_⌋* thus says Yahweh, "Look, I am going to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his offspring. There will not be for him a man who lives in the midst of this people, and he will not see the good that I am going to do to my people," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "For he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh." '"

¹⁹ And where are your prophets who prophesied to you, _⌊saying_⌋,* 'The king of Babylon will not come against you and against this land'?

¹¹ And now behold, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun _⌊for a while_⌋.* And immediately mist and darkness fell over him, and he was going around looking for people* to lead him* by the hand.

¹⁵ But the evil spirit answered and* said to them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?" ¹⁶ And the man _⌊who had the evil spirit_⌋* leaped on them, subdued all of them, and* prevailed against them, so that they ran away from that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ And this became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted.

⁸ And _⌊just as_⌋* Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these oppose the truth, people corrupted in mind, disqualified concerning the faith.

⁸ Now _⌊Daniel resolved_⌋* that he would not defile himself with the fine food of the king, and with _⌊the wine that he drank_⌋,* and so he requested from the commander of the court officials permission so that he would not defile himself.

³ it seemed best to me also—because I* have followed all things carefully from the beginning—to write them* down in orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,

⁴² And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.

²³ who, when he* arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with _⌊devoted hearts_⌋,*

¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them, "You know from the first day on which I set foot in Asia* how I was the whole time with you—

⁴ "Now all the Jews know my manner of life from my youth, that had taken place from the beginning among my own people* and in Jerusalem,

¹⁷ Now I exhort you, brothers, to look out for those who cause dissensions and temptations contrary to the teaching which you learned, and stay away from them.

¹⁷ Therefore, when I* was wanting to do this, perhaps then was I making use of vacillation? Or was I deciding what I was deciding according to the flesh, in order that with me my "yes" may be "yes" and my "no" may be "no" at the same time?*

⁴ but commending ourselves as servants of God in every way, in much endurance, in afflictions, in distresses, in difficulties, ⁵ in beatings, in prisons, in disturbances, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in going hungry, ⁶ in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love without hypocrisy, ⁷ in the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and left hand, ⁸ through glory and dishonor, through slander and good repute, regarded as deceivers and yet truthful, ⁹ as unknown and yet known completely, as dying, and behold, we go on living, as disciplined, and yet not put to death, ¹⁰ as grieving, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and possessing everything.

²² But you know his proven character, that like a child with a father he served with me for the gospel.

⁵ because our gospel did not come to you with word only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, just as you know what sort of people we became among you for your sake.

³ Just as I urged you when I* traveled to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus, so that you may instruct certain people not to teach other doctrine,

⁶ By* teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed faithfully.

¹² Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, pay attention to the public reading,* to exhortation, to teaching.

¹¹ But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, gentleness.

²² But flee from youthful desires, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in company with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

¹⁶ All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

⁷ concerning everything showing yourself to be an example of good deeds, in your teaching demonstrating soundness, dignity,

⁹ Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods by which those who participate have not benefited.

⁵ and for this same reason, and by* applying all diligence, supply with your faith excellence of character, and with excellence of character, knowledge, ⁶ and with knowledge, self-control, and with self-control, patient endurance, and with patient endurance, godliness, ⁷ and with godliness, brotherly love, and with brotherly love, love.

¹¹ Because* all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of people must you be in holy behavior and godliness,

⁹ Everyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in the teaching—this person has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not speak a greeting to him,

¹⁶ The angel who redeemed me from all evil, may he bless the boys. And through them let my name be perpetuated,* and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac. And let them multiply into many in the midst of the earth.

¹ Then David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song,* on the day Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

⁴⁹ He brings me out from my enemies, and from those who rose up against me you lift me up, and from men of violence you rescue me.

¹⁹ _⌊From_⌋* six troubles he will deliver you, and in seven evil shall not touch you. ²⁰ In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the _⌊power of_⌋* the sword.

¹⁹ Many are the distresses of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.

⁴⁰ And Yahweh helps them and he rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

² I will say to Yahweh, "You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." ³ For he will deliver* you from the snare of the fowler, from the plague of destruction. ⁴ With his feathers he will cover you, and under his wings you can take refuge. His faithfulness will be a shield and a buckler.* ⁵ You need not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, ⁶ or the plague that spreads in the darkness, or the destruction that devastates at noon.

¹⁴ Because he loves me, therefore I will deliver him; I will protect* him because he knows my name.

¹⁰ You must not fear, for I am with you; you must not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, indeed I will help you, indeed I will take hold of you with the right hand of my salvation.

¹⁴ You must not fear, O worm of Jacob; people of Israel, I myself, I will help you," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "and your redeemer is the holy one of Israel.

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not flow over you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not scorch* you.

¹⁹ And they will fight against you but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "to deliver you."

²⁷ He is rescuing, delivering, and working signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the _⌊power_⌋* of the lions."

¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

²³ And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted to do away with him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul, and they were also watching the gates both day and night so that they could do away with him. ²⁵ But his disciples took him* at night and* let him down through the wall by* lowering him* in a basket.

¹⁴ And they went on from Perga and* arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And they entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and* sat down.

⁴⁵ But when* the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting what was being said by Paul by* reviling him.*

⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the devout women of high social standing and the most prominent men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out of their district. ⁵¹ So after* shaking off the dust from their feet against them, they went to Iconium.

¹ Now it happened that in Iconium they entered _⌊together_⌋* into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up and _⌊poisoned the minds_⌋* of the Gentiles against the brothers.

⁵ So when an inclination took place on the part of both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to mistreat them* and to stone them, ⁶ they became aware of it* and* fled to the Lycaonian cities—Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region.

¹⁹ But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and when they* had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him* outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after* the disciples surrounded him, he got up and* went into the city. And on the next day he departed with Barnabas for Derbe. ²¹ And after they* had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews—

²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in town after town, saying that bonds and persecutions await me. ²⁴ But I consider my* life as worth _⌊nothing_⌋* to myself, in order to finish my mission and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

³² _⌊He_⌋* immediately took along soldiers and centurions and* ran down to them. And when* they saw the military tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the military tribune came up and* arrested him and ordered him* to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what it was that he had done.

¹⁰ And when* the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring him* into the barracks.*

¹² And when it* was day, the Jews made a conspiracy and* bound themselves under a curse, saying they would* neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ Now there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy, ¹⁴ who went to the chief priests and the elders and* said, "We have bound ourselves under a curse to partake of nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near." ¹⁶ But when* the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks* and* reported it* to Paul. ¹⁷ So Paul called one of the centurions and* said, "Bring this young man to the military tribune, because he has something to report to him." ¹⁸ So he took him and* brought him* to the military tribune and said, "The prisoner Paul called me and* asked me* to bring this young man to you because he* has something to tell you." ¹⁹ And the military tribune, taking hold of his hand and withdrawing privately, asked, "What is it that you have to report to me?" ²⁰ And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. ²¹ You therefore do not be persuaded by them, because more than forty men of _⌊their number_⌋* are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have done away with him. And now they are ready, waiting for _⌊you to agree_⌋."* ²² So the military tribune sent the young man away, directing him,* "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." ²³ And he summoned two of the centurions and* said, "Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen,* in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea. ²⁴ And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them and* bring him* safely to Felix the governor."

³ asking for a favor against him, that he summon him to Jerusalem, because they* were preparing an ambush to do away with him along the way. ⁴ Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself was about to go there* in a short time.

¹⁷ rescuing you from the people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you,

²² Therefore I have experienced help from God until this day, and* I stand here testifying to both small and great, saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses have said were going to happen,

³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or hunger or lack of sufficient clothing or danger or the sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written,
"On account of you we are being put to death the whole day long; we are considered as sheep for slaughter."* ³⁷ No, but in all these things we prevail completely through the one who loved us.

⁹ For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world and to angels and to people. ¹⁰ We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ Until the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty and poorly clothed and roughly treated and homeless,

⁸ For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning our affliction that happened in the province of Asia,* that we were burdened to an extraordinary degree, beyond our strength, so that we were in despair even of living. ⁹ But we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not be putting confidence in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead, ¹⁰ who delivered us from so great a risk of death, and will deliver us, in whom we have put our hope that he will also deliver us again,

⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying around the death of Jesus in our body, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are continually being handed over to death because of Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.

²³ Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as though I were beside myself—I am more so, with far greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with beatings to a much greater degree, in danger of death many times. ²⁴ Five times I received at the hands of the Jews forty lashes less one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. A day and a night I have spent in the deep water. ²⁶ I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own people, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers because of false brothers, ²⁷ with toil and hardship, often in sleepless nights, with hunger and thirst, often going hungry, in cold and poorly clothed. ²⁸ Apart from these external things, there is the pressure on me every day of the anxiety about all the churches.

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith.

¹⁷ But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued me from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory _⌊forever and ever_⌋*. Amen.

³³ sometimes being publicly exposed both to insults and to afflictions, and sometimes becoming sharers with those who were treated in this way. ³⁴ For you both sympathized with the prisoners and put up with the seizure of your belongings with joy because you* knew that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.

⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to reserve the unrighteous to be punished at* the day of judgment,

¹⁴ The descendants* of Joseph spoke with Joshua, saying, "Why have you given us* one allotment and one share as an inheritance? We are many people, which Yahweh has blessed."

¹² The wicked plans evil against the righteous, and gnashes at him with his teeth. ¹³ The Lord laughs at him, for he sees that his day is coming. ¹⁴ The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow to throw down the poor and the needy, to kill those upright in their way. ¹⁵ Their sword will enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

²² and you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end—this one will be saved. ²³ And whenever they persecute you in this town, flee to another, for truly I say to you, you will never finish going through the towns of Israel until the Son of Man comes. ²⁴ "A disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor a slave superior to his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household?

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

³⁴ For this reason, behold, I am sending to you prophets and wise men and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and will pursue from town to town,

³⁰ _⌊who will not_⌋* receive a hundred times as much now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, together with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

²⁶ "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and furthermore, even his own life, _⌊he cannot be_⌋* my disciple. ²⁷ Whoever does not carry his own cross and _⌊follow_⌋* me _⌊cannot be_⌋* my disciple.

¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you: 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.

² _⌊They will expel you from the synagogue_⌋,* but an hour is coming that everyone who kills you will think they are offering service to God.

³³ I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world."

¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world.

²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them* to continue in the faith and saying,* "Through many persecutions* it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God."

¹⁹ If _⌊we have put our hope_⌋* in Christ in this life only, we are of all people most pitiable.

¹² For our reason for boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness* and purity of motive from God, not* in merely human wisdom, but by the grace of God.

³ so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this, ⁴ for indeed when we were with you we told you beforehand that we were about to be afflicted, just as indeed it happened, and you know.

² on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

¹⁶ And most certainly, great is the mystery of godliness:
Who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated by* the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the Gentiles*, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

³ If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,

¹ Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of the chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth that is according to godliness,

¹² training us in order that, denying impiety and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled and righteously and godly in the present age,

³² And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel and the prophets, ³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, accomplished justice, obtained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ extinguished the effectiveness of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong from weakness, became mighty in battle, put to flight enemy battle lines. ³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection. But others were tortured, not accepting release, in order that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶ And others _⌊experienced mocking and flogging_⌋*, and in addition bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by murder with a sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, impoverished, afflicted, mistreated, ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy, wandering about on deserts and mountains and in caves and in holes in the ground.

²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you* sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if you endure when you* do good and suffer for it, this finds favor with God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps,

¹⁴ But even if you might suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their intimidation or be disturbed,*

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, when it* takes place to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice and be glad. ¹⁴ If you are reviled on account of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ By all means do not let anyone of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ But if someone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but must glorify God with this name.

⁹ _⌊Resist him_⌋*, steadfast in your* faith, because you* know the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished by your community of believers in the world. ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,* after you* have suffered for a short time, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

⁹ I, John, your brother and co-sharer in the affliction and kingdom and steadfastness in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. ¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great sound like a trumpet

¹⁴ And I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me,
"These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

⁴ And his tail swept away a third of the stars from heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, in order that whenever she gave birth to her child he could devour it.

⁷ And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels _⌊fought against_⌋* the dragon, and the dragon and his angels _⌊fought back_⌋*. ⁸ And they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,
"Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

¹⁶ "Strength and sound wisdom are with him; the deceived and the deceiver are his.*

²⁰ He feeds on ashes; a _⌊deceived mind_⌋* misleads him. And he cannot save _⌊himself_⌋,* and he cannot say, "Is this not an illusion in my right hand?"

⁶ And you know that which restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is at work already; only the one who now restrains* will do so until he is out of the way,* ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth, and wipe out by the appearance of his coming,

¹ Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

¹⁶ But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their message _⌊will spread_⌋* like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

²⁰ For if, after they* have escaped from the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord* and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again entangled in these things and succumb to them, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

¹⁴ And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that it has been granted to him to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who has the wound of the sword and yet lived.

²³ And the light of a lamp will never shine in you again! And the sound of a bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again! For your merchants were the most important people of the earth, because with your sorcery they deceived all the nations.

³¹ because he has set a day on which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man who he has appointed, having provided proof to everyone by* raising him from the dead."

⁵ One person* prefers one day over another day, and another person regards every day alike. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind.

² so that their hearts may be encouraged, united in love and into all the wealth of the full assurance of insight into the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,

¹³ And because of this we also give thanks to God constantly, that when you* received God's word _⌊that you heard_⌋* from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.

¹⁶ Fix your attention on yourself and on your teaching. Continue in them, for by* doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

¹³ Hold fast to the pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

² and the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful people who will be competent to teach others also.

¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

¹¹ And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end,

²² let us approach with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

¹⁸ Now Samuel was serving before Yahweh, as a boy wearing a linen ephod.

³ In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to seek the God of David his ancestor.* And in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherahs, the idols, and the images.

⁷ The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life.* The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple.

¹⁷ O God, you have taught me from my youth, and up to now I have proclaimed your wonderful deeds.

⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, because they* are ever with me. ⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁷ I love _⌊those who love me_⌋,* and those who seek me diligently shall find me.

⁶ Train the child _⌊concerning his way_⌋;* even when he is old, he will not stray from it.

¹ Remember your Creator in the days of your youth— before the days of trouble come and the years draw near when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them!"

²¹ However, I will tell you _⌊what is inscribed_⌋* in the book of truth, and there is not one who contends with me against these beings _⌊except_⌋* Michael, your prince."

²⁹ But Jesus answered and* said to them, "You are mistaken, because* you do not know the scriptures or the power of God!

¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he must never drink wine or beer, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while he is* still in his mother's womb.

⁴⁰ And the child was growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

²⁷ And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures.

³² And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?"

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,

³⁹ You search* the scriptures because you think that you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me. ⁴⁰ And you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.

⁴³ To this one all the prophets testify, that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins."

²⁹ And when they had carried out all the things that were written about him, they took him* down from the tree and* placed him* in a tomb.

³⁸ "Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, ³⁹ by this one everyone who believes is justified!

² _⌊And as was his custom_⌋,* Paul went in to them and on three Sabbath days he discussed with them from the scriptures,

² which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy scriptures,

³ For I passed on to you _⌊as of first importance_⌋* what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, ⁴ and that he was buried, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the scriptures,

⁵ _⌊remembering the_⌋* sincere faith in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that is in you also,

¹⁰ Concerning this* salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace meant for you sought and made careful inquiry, ¹¹ investigating for what person or which time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he* testified beforehand to the sufferings with reference to Christ and the glories after these things, ¹² to whom it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you with reference to the same things which now have been announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, _⌊things into which_⌋* angels desire to look.

²⁰ recognizing this above all, that every prophecy of scripture does not come about from one's own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

¹⁶ as he does also in all his** letters, speaking in them about these things, in which there are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, as they also do the rest of the scriptures.

¹¹ And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

¹⁰ And I fell down before his feet to worship him, and he said to me, "_⌊Do not do that!_⌋* I am a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

³⁶ From heaven he made you hear his voice to teach you, and on the earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from the midst of the fire.

² "The spirit of Yahweh speaks through me, and his word is upon my tongue.

²⁰ And you gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.

⁷ The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life.* The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple. ⁸ The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice. The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. ⁹ The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether, ¹⁰ more desirable than gold, even much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, even honey in the comb. ¹¹ Moreover, your servant is warned* by them; in keeping them is great reward.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed according to your word.

¹¹ In my heart I have hidden your word,* so that I may not sin against you.

⁹⁷ How I love your law! The whole day it is my meditation. ⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, because they* are ever with me. ⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the elders, for I keep your precepts. ¹⁰¹ I have restrained my feet from every evil way, so that I may heed your word. ¹⁰² I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me. ¹⁰³ How smooth* are your words* to my palate, more than honey in my mouth. ¹⁰⁴ From your precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way.

¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light, giving understanding to the simple.

²³ For like a lamp is a commandment, and instruction is light, and the way of life* is the reproof of discipline,

¹⁰ Severe discipline belongs to him who forsakes the way; he who hates a rebuke will die.

³¹ The ear of him who listens to admonitions of life, in the midst of the wise it will lodge.

⁷ Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the patience* of Yahweh shortened? Are these his deeds? Are my words not pleasing to him who walks upright?

⁵² And he said to them, "For this reason every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of the house who brings out of his storeroom new things and old things."

⁴² Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures,
'The stone which the builders rejected, this has become _⌊the cornerstone_⌋.* This came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?*

³¹ Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, who said, ³² "I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob"?* He is not the God of the dead, but of the living!"

⁴³ He said to them, "How then does David, by the Spirit, call him 'Lord,' saying,

⁵⁴ How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen in this way?"

⁵⁶ But all this has happened in order that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled." Then the disciples all abandoned him and* fled.

²⁴ Jesus said to them, "Are you not deceived because of this, because you* do not know the scriptures or the power of God?

³⁶ David himself said by the Holy Spirit,
'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet." '*

²⁰ For everyone who practices evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds be exposed.

³⁵ If he called them 'gods' to whom the word of God came—and the scripture cannot be broken—

¹⁶ "Men and brothers, it was necessary that the scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit proclaimed beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus,

²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being enthusiastic in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus, although he* knew only the baptism of John.

²⁰ how I did not shrink from proclaiming to you anything that would be profitable, and from teaching you in public and from house to house,

²⁷ for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole purpose of God.

²⁵ So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after* Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,

²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

² Much in every way. For first, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

²³ But it was not written for the sake of him alone that it was credited to him,

⁴ For whatever was written beforehand was written for our instruction, in order that through patient endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.

⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is beneficial to all.

⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news in advance to Abraham: "In you all the nations* will be blessed."*

¹¹ And he himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers ¹² for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.

¹¹ And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak about the things being done by them in secret, ¹³ but all things exposed by the light are made visible,

² preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and instruction.

⁷ Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,
"Today, if you hear his voice,

¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and able to judge the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

¹ Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen.

¹⁹ and we possess as more reliable the prophetic word, to which you do well if you* pay attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

¹⁸ I told them of the good hand of my God that was upon me and surely the words of the king that were spoken to me. And they said, "Let us arise and build!" And they strengthened their hands for this good work.

⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, because they* are ever with me. ⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the elders, for I keep your precepts.

³⁶ Now in Joppa there was a certain female disciple _⌊named_⌋* Tabitha (which translated means "Dorcas").* She was full of good deeds and charitable giving which she was constantly doing.*

⁸ And God is able to cause all grace to abound to you, so that in everything at all times, because you* have enough of everything, you may overflow in every good work.

¹⁰ For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we may walk in them.

²¹ Therefore, if someone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

¹⁴ who gave himself for us, in order that he might redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good deeds.

¹ Remind them to be subject to the rulers and to the authorities, to obey, to be prepared for every good work,

²⁴ And let us think about _⌊how to stir one another up to love_⌋* and good works,