Matthew 10 Cross References - LEB

¹ And summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could expel them* and could heal every* disease and every* sickness. ² Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James* the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, ³ Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, ⁴ Simon the Zealot,* and Judas Iscariot—the one who also betrayed him. ⁵ Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them saying, "Do not go on the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter into a city of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ⁷ And as you* are going, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near!' ⁸ Heal those who are sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, expel demons. Freely you have received; freely give. ⁹ Do not procure gold or silver or copper for your belts. ¹⁰ Do not take a traveler's bag for the road, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, for the worker is deserving of his provisions. ¹¹ And into whatever town or village you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there until you depart. ¹² And when you* enter into the house, greet it. ¹³ And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And whoever does not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you* are going out of that house or that* town. ¹⁵ Truly I say to you, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town! ¹⁶ "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. ¹⁷ But beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils, and they will flog you in their synagogues. ¹⁸ And you will be brought before both governors and kings because of me, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But whenever they hand you over, do not be anxious how to speak* or what you should say, for what you should say will be given to you at that hour. ²⁰ For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father who is speaking through you. 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, 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? ²⁶ "Therefore do not be afraid of them, because nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not become known. ²⁷ What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear in your ear, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul, but instead be afraid of the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?* And one of them will not fall to the ground _⌊without the knowledge and consent_⌋* of your Father. ³⁰ And even the hairs of your head are all numbered! ³¹ Therefore do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ³² "Therefore everyone who acknowledges me before people, I also will acknowledge him before my Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies me before people, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. ³⁴ "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth! I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ And the enemies of a man will be the members of his household.* ³⁷ The one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and the one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it. ⁴⁰ "The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me. ⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. ⁴² And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will never lose his reward."

¹³ And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.*

²⁸ And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that in the renewal of the world,* when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me—you also will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

²⁰ And when it* was evening, he was reclining at table with the twelve disciples.*

⁴⁷ And while* he was still speaking, behold, Judas—one of the twelve—arrived, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

¹⁸ And Jesus approached and* spoke to them, saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore, go* and* make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

¹³ And he went up on the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ And he appointed twelve,* so that they would be with him and so that he could send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to expel demons.

⁷ And he summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸ And he commanded them that they take along nothing for the journey except only a staff—no bread, no traveler's bag, no money in their* belts— ⁹ but to put on sandals and not to wear two tunics. ¹⁰ And he said to them, "Whenever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. ¹¹ And whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, as you* go out from there, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." ¹² And they went out and* proclaimed that people* should repent. ¹³ And they were expelling many demons and anointing many sick people with olive oil and healing them.*

¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues, ¹⁸ they will pick up* snakes.* And if they drink any deadly poison it will never hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and _⌊they will get_⌋* well."

¹³ And when day came, he summoned his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles:

¹ And summoning the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ And he said to them, "Take along nothing for the journey—neither a staff, nor a traveler's bag, nor bread, nor money, nor to have two tunics apiece. ⁴ And into whatever house you enter, stay there and depart from there. ⁵ And as for all those who do not welcome you—when you* depart from that town, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them." ⁶ So they departed and* went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

¹⁹ Behold, I have given you the authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will ever harm you.

¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict.

⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending out* what was promised by my Father upon you, but you stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

²⁷ John answered and said, "A man can receive not one thing unless it is granted to him from heaven!

³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

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

² just as you have given him authority over all flesh, in order that he would give eternal life to them—everyone whom you have given him.

²¹ So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you." ²² And when he* had said this, he breathed on them* and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins* of any, they are retained."

⁸ But you will receive power when* the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth."

¹⁵ And you killed the originator of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses! ¹⁶ And on the basis of faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

¹⁵ But the evil spirit answered and* said to them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?"

¹ And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun and with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars,

¹² It has* a great and high wall that has twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on the gates which are* of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel— ¹³ on the east, three gates, and on the north, three gates, and on the south, three gates, and on the west, three gates. ¹⁴ And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁸ Now as he* was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew, throwing a casting net into the sea (for they were fishermen).

²¹ And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them.

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and* said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" ¹⁷ And Jesus answered and* said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this* to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it!

¹ And after six days Jesus took along Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

²⁰ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and* kneeling down she asked* something from him.

³⁷ And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be distressed and troubled.

¹⁶ And as he* was passing by along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon's brother, casting a net* into the sea (for they were fishermen). ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "_⌊Follow_⌋* me and I will make you become fishers of people."

²⁹ And so then he departed from the synagogue and* came into the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.

¹⁶ And he appointed the twelve.* And to Simon he gave the name Peter, ¹⁷ and James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (and he gave to them the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"), ¹⁸ and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot,* ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

³ And as* he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were business partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid! From now on you will be catching people!"

¹³ And when day came, he summoned his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles: ¹⁴ Simon (whom he also named Peter) and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, ¹⁵ and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶ and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

¹⁰ And when they* returned, the apostles described to him all that they had done. And he took them along and* withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida.

⁴⁹ For this reason also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,'

⁸ And he sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and* prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.*

¹⁴ And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him.

⁴⁰ Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. ⁴¹ This one first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which is translated "Christ"). ⁴² He brought him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said, "You are Simon the son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is interpreted "Peter").

⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,

²² Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

²³ One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining _⌊close beside_⌋* Jesus.

² So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put him!"

² Simon Peter and Thomas (who was called Didymus)* and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples were together.

²⁰ Peter turned and* saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them* (who also leaned back on his chest at the dinner and said, "Lord, who is the one betraying you?")

²⁴ This is the disciple who is testifying about these things, and who has written down these things. And we know that his testimony is true.

¹³ And when they had entered, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying—Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James.

²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to serve* with the eleven apostles.

¹ Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

² So he executed James the brother of John with a sword.

⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

¹¹ And he himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers

¹ Therefore, holy brothers, sharers in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

¹ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen* who are residing temporarily in the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

¹ Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith equal in value to ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

³ what we have seen and heard, we announce to you also, in order that you also may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write, in order that our joy may be complete.

¹ The elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth—and not I alone, but also all those who know the truth—

¹ The elder, to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in the truth.

¹ The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves the things which must take place in a short time, and communicated it by* sending it through his angel to his slave John,

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.

²⁰ Rejoice over her, heaven and the saints and the apostles and the prophets, because God has pronounced your judgment on her!"

⁸ And I, John, am the one who heard and who saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these things to me.

⁹ And as* Jesus was going away from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth and said to him, "Follow me!" And he stood up and* followed him.

⁵⁶ among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

¹⁴ And as he* was passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me!" And he stood up and* followed him.

¹⁸ and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot,*

²⁷ And after these things, he went out and saw a tax collector _⌊named_⌋* Levi sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me!"

⁴³ On the next day he wanted to depart for Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me!" ⁴⁴ (Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.) ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets wrote about—Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth!" ⁴⁶ And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see!"

⁵ _⌊Then Jesus, when he looked up_⌋* * and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread so that these people can eat?" ⁶ (Now he said this to test him, because he knew what he was going to do.) ⁷ Philip replied to him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for them, in order that each one could receive a little."

¹⁶ Then Thomas (the one who is called Didymus)* said to his fellow disciples, "Let us go also, so that we may die with him."

²¹ So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and began asking him saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." ²² Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

⁹ Jesus said to him, "Am I with you so long a time and you have not known me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'

²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, why* is it that you are going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?"

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus,* was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!" ²⁶ And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Although* the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, "Peace to you." ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, "Place your finger here and see my hands, and place your hand and put it* into my side. And do not be unbelieving, but believing!" ²⁸ Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" ²⁹ Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

¹⁷ But motioning to them with his* hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and to the brothers," and he departed and* went to another place.

¹³ And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Men and brothers, listen to me!

¹⁸ And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

¹⁹ but I did not see any others of the apostles except James, the brother of the Lord.

⁹ and when James and Cephas and John—those thought to be pillars—acknowledged the grace given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, in order that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision.

¹ James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Greetings!

¹ Jude,* a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, loved in God the Father and kept for* Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

³ Then when* Judas, the one who had betrayed him, saw that he had been condemned, he regretted what he had done* and* returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders,

¹⁰ And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.

⁴³ And immediately, while* he was still speaking, Judas—one of the twelve—arrived, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

³ And Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

⁴⁷ While* he was still speaking, behold, there came a crowd, and the one named Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. And he approached Jesus to kiss him.

⁷¹ (Now he was speaking about Judas son of Simon Iscariot, because this one—one of the twelve—was going to betray him.)

² And as* a dinner was taking place, when* the devil had already put into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot that he should betray him,

²⁶ Jesus replied, "It is he to whom I dip the piece of bread and give it* to him." Then after* dipping the piece of bread, he gave it** to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ And after the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you are doing, do quickly!" ²⁸ (Now no one of those reclining at table knew for what reason he said this to him. ²⁹ For some were thinking because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Purchase _⌊what we need_⌋* for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.) ³⁰ So after he* had taken the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.

² (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, also knew about the place, because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.) ³ So Judas, taking the cohort and officers from the chief priests and from the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴ Then Jesus, because he* knew all the things that were coming upon him, went out and said to them, "Who are you looking for?" ⁵ They replied to him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am he."* (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was also standing with them.)

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, ¹⁷ because he was counted among us and received a share in this ministry." ¹⁸ (Now this man acquired a field for the wages of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language* "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.") ²⁰ "For it is written in the book of Psalms,
'Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,'*
and,
'Let another person take his position.'*

²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to depart to his own place."

²⁴ The king of Assyria brought from Babylonia, from Cush, from Arva, from Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and he settled them in the cities of Samaria in place of the _⌊Israelites_⌋,* so they took possession of Samaria and lived in her cities. ²⁵ It happened that when they began living there, they did not fear Yahweh, so Yahweh sent lions among them, and they were killing them.* ²⁶ So they said to the king of Assyria, "The nations whom you deported and settled in the cities of Samaria do not know the customs of the God of the land, so he sent lions among them, and now they are killing them because they do not know the customs of the God of the land." ²⁷ Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Release one of the priests whom you deported from there, and let him go and settle there. Let him teach them the customs of the God of the land." ²⁸ So one of the priests went, whom they had deported from Samaria, and he settled in Bethel and was teaching them how they should fear Yahweh. ²⁹ Yet every nation was making their* gods, and they put them in the shrine of the high places that the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities in which they were living. ³⁰ The men of Babylonia made Succoth Benoth; the men of Cush made Nergal; the men of Hamath made Ashima. ³¹ The Arvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; the Sepharvites were burning their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. ³² Those who were fearing Yahweh made priests of the high places _⌊from among themselves_⌋,* and they were sacrificing for them in the shrines of the high places. ³³ Yahweh they were fearing, but their gods they were serving, according to the customs of the nations from which they were deported. ³⁴ Until this day they are doing according to their former customs; none of them are fearing Yahweh, and none of them are doing according to their statutes, to their decisions, to the law, or to the commands that Yahweh commanded the descendants* of Jacob to which he had given the name Israel. ³⁵ Yahweh had _⌊made_⌋* a covenant with them and commanded them, "You shall not fear other gods, nor shall you bow down to them, nor shall you serve them, nor shall you sacrifice to them. ³⁶ Rather, Yahweh, who brought you out from the land of Egypt with great strength and with an outstretched arm—him you shall fear, and to him you shall bow down, and to him you shall sacrifice. ³⁷ The statutes, the decisions, the law, and the commands that he wrote to you, you shall observe to do always, and you shall not fear other gods. ³⁸ The covenant that I have _⌊made_⌋* with you, you shall not forget, and you shall not fear other gods. ³⁹ But Yahweh your God you shall fear, and he will deliver you from the hand of all of your enemies." ⁴⁰ They did not listen but kept on doing according to their former customs. ⁴¹ So these nations were fearing Yahweh, but they were serving their idols, as were their children and their children's children; as their ancestors* did, they are doing until this day.

¹⁵ "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, _⌊toward the sea_⌋,* on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles*—

³ And he sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the wedding celebration, and they did not want to come.

² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

⁵² And he sent messengers before _⌊him_⌋,* and they went and* entered into a village of the Samaritans in order to prepare for him. ⁵³ And they did not welcome him because _⌊he was determined to go_⌋* to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ Now when* the disciples James and John saw it,* they said, "Lord, do you want us to call fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"

¹ And after these things, the Lord also* appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two before _⌊him_⌋* into every town and place where he was about to go.

³³ But a certain Samaritan who was traveling came up to him and, when he* saw him,* had compassion.

¹⁶ And he fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks to him. And he was a Samaritan.

⁵ Now he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

⁹ So the Samaritan woman said to him, "How do you, being a Jew, ask from me water* to drink, since I* am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people* say that in Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary to worship."

²² You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews. ²³ But an hour is coming—and now is here*—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for indeed the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers. ²⁴ God is spirit, and the ones who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

³⁹ Now from that town many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything that I have done." ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking* him to stay with them. And he stayed there two days.

³⁵ So the Jews said to one another, "Where is this one going to go, that we will not find him? He is not going to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks, is he?*

⁴⁸ The Jews answered and said to him, "Do we not correctly say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"

²¹ So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you."

¹ And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

⁵ And Philip came down to the city of Samaria and* began proclaiming* the Christ* to them. ⁶ And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard him* and saw the signs that he was performing. ⁷ For many of those who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them,* crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city. ⁹ Now a certain man _⌊named_⌋* Simon had been in the city practicing magic and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. ¹⁰ They were all paying attention to _⌊him_⌋,* from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called 'Great.'" ¹¹ And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astonished them with his* magic. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he* was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. ¹³ And Simon himself also believed, and after he* was baptized he was _⌊keeping close company with_⌋* Philip. And when he* saw the signs and great miracles that were taking place, he was astonished. ¹⁴ Now when* the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who went down and* prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ (For he had not yet fallen on any of them, _⌊but they had only been baptized_⌋* in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then they placed their* hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Now Simon, when he* saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, "Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my* hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!" ²⁰ But Peter said to him, "May your silver _⌊be destroyed along with you_⌋,* because you thought _⌊you could acquire_⌋* the gift of God by means of money! 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!" ²³ For I see you are in _⌊a state of bitter envy_⌋* and _⌊bound by unrighteousness_⌋."* ²⁴ But Simon answered and* said, "You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me." ²⁵ So when* they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

⁴⁵ And those believers from the circumcision who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,

²¹ And he said to me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!'" ²² Now they were listening to him until this word, and they raised their voices, saying, "Away with such a man from the earth! For it is not fitting for him to live!" ²³ And while* they were screaming and throwing off their* cloaks and throwing dust into the air,

⁸ For I say, Christ has become a servant of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers, ⁹ and that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, just as it is written,
"Because of this, I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to your name."*

¹⁶ hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles in order that they may be saved, so that they always fill up their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the end.*

¹⁷⁶ I have wandered like a lost sheep; seek your servant, because I do not forget your commands.

⁶ All of us have wandered about like sheep; we each have turned to his own way; and Yahweh let fall on him the iniquity of us all.

⁶ My people have become lost sheep, their shepherds have caused them to go astray. They led them away to the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone, they have forgotten their resting place.

¹⁷ Israel is a sheep scattered, lions drove them away. The first who devoured it was the king of Assyria, and now at the end Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, gnawed its bones."

⁶ My flock went astray upon all of the mountains and on every high hill, and so upon all the surface of the world* my flock were scattered, and _⌊there was no one seeking them_⌋,* and _⌊there was no one searching for them_⌋."*

⁸ "_⌊As I live_⌋,"* _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh, "_⌊Surely_⌋* because my flock have become as plunder, and my flock became as food to* all the animals* of the field, since there was not a shepherd, since my shepherds have not sought my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and they fed not my flock,'"

¹⁶ "I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the scattered, and I will bind up the one hurt, and I will strengthen the sick; and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed her with justice."

²⁴ But he answered and* said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." ²⁵ But she came and* knelt down before him, saying, "Lord, help me!" ²⁶ And he answered and* said, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it* to the dogs!"

¹⁰ "See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven constantly see the face of my Father who is in heaven.*

³ So he told them this parable, saying, ⁴ "What man of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the grassland and go after the one that was lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he* has found it,* he places it* on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he* returns to his* home, he calls together his* friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!' ⁷ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. ⁸ Or what woman who has ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?* ⁹ And when she* has found it,* she calls together her* friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma that I had lost!' ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

⁴⁷ and repentance and the forgiveness* of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations,* beginning from Jerusalem.

²⁶ God, after he* had raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning each of you back from your wickedness!"

⁴⁶ Both Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and* said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you, since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life! Behold, we are turning to the Gentiles!

⁶ And when* they resisted and reviled him,* he shook out his* clothes and* said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am guiltless! From now on I will go to the Gentiles!"

²⁰ but to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem and all the region of Judea and to the Gentiles, I proclaimed that they should repent and turn to God, doing deeds worthy of repentance.

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, ²⁶ saying,
'Go to this people and say, "_⌊You will keep on hearing_⌋* and will never understand, and _⌊you will keep on seeing_⌋* and will never perceive. ²⁷ For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their* ears they hear with difficulty, and they have shut their eyes, lest they see with their* eyes, and hear with their* ears, and understand with their* heart, and turn, and I would heal them." '* ²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!"*

¹¹ I say then, they did not stumble so that they fell, did they?* May it never be! But by their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.* ¹² And if their trespass means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean? ¹³ Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Therefore, inasmuch as I am apostle to the Gentiles, I promote my ministry, ¹⁴ if somehow I may provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them. ¹⁵ For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean except life from the dead?

²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, but you have turned back now to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

¹ The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me, he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up _⌊the brokenhearted_⌋,* to _⌊proclaim_⌋* release to the captives and liberation to those who are bound,

² and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!"

¹⁷ From that time on, Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is near."

¹ And it happened that when Jesus had finished giving orders to his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and to preach in their towns.

¹¹ Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen one greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is treated violently, and the violent claim* it.

³¹ Which of the two did the will of his* father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going ahead of you into the kingdom of God!

⁴³ For this reason, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a people* who produce its fruits.

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.*

¹² And they went out and* proclaimed that people* should repent.

⁶ So they departed and* went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

⁶⁰ But he said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead! But you go and* proclaim the kingdom of God."

⁹ and heal the sick in it, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." ¹⁰ But into whatever town you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and* say, ¹¹ "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you! Nevertheless know this: that the kingdom of God has come near!"*

¹⁶ "The law and the prophets were until John; from that time on the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urgently pressed* into it.

² This man came to him at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are* a teacher who has come from God, for no one is able to perform these signs that you are performing unless God were with him."

² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

²⁵ So it happened that when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his* feet, and* worshiped him.*

³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

¹⁵ When he returned to the man of God, he and all of his army, he came and stood before him and said, "Please now, I know that there is no God in all of the world except in Israel. So then, please take a gift from your servant." ¹⁶ And he said, "_⌊As Yahweh lives_⌋,* before whom I stand, I surely will not take it." Still he urged him to take it, but he refused.

²⁰ But Gehazi the servant of Elisha, the man of God, thought, "Look, my master has refrained from taking what this Aramean Naaman brought from his hand. _⌊As Yahweh lives_⌋,* I will certainly run after him, and I will accept something from him." ²¹ So Gehazi pursued after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped off his chariot to meet him and asked him, "Is it peace?" ²² He said, "Peace. My master has sent me saying, 'Look, _⌊just now_⌋* two servants from the hill country of Ephraim came to me, from the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.'" ²³ Then Naaman said, "Be prepared to accept two talents." So he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing and gave it to two of his servants and they carried it before him. ²⁴ When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, then sent away the men so that they went. ²⁵ When he went and stood by his master, Elisha asked him, "From where have you come, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant has not gone _⌊anywhere_⌋."* ²⁶ Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you as the man turned from on his chariot to meet you? Is it time to take silver, clothes, olive orchards, vineyards, sheep, oxen, male slaves, and female slaves? ²⁷ The skin disease of Naaman shall cling to you and to your offspring forever." Then he went out from before him having a skin disease like the snow.

¹ And summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could expel them* and could heal every* disease and every* sickness.

¹⁸ they will pick up* snakes.* And if they drink any deadly poison it will never hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and _⌊they will get_⌋* well."

⁹ and heal the sick in it, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you."

⁶ But Peter said, "Silver and gold _⌊I do not possess_⌋,* but what I have, this I give to you—in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!"*

⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means* this man was healed— ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy!

³⁰ as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

¹² Now many signs and wonders were being performed among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all together* in Solomon's Portico. ¹³ And none of the rest dared to join them, but the people spoke highly of them. ¹⁴ And even more believers in the Lord* were being added, large numbers of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and put them* on cots and mats* so that when* Peter came by, at least his* shadow would fall on some of them.

¹⁸ Now Simon, when he* saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, "Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my* hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!" ²⁰ But Peter said to him, "May your silver _⌊be destroyed along with you_⌋,* because you thought _⌊you could acquire_⌋* the gift of God by means of money! 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!" ²³ For I see you are in _⌊a state of bitter envy_⌋* and _⌊bound by unrighteousness_⌋."*

³³ I have desired no one's silver or gold or clothing! ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands served to meet* my needs and the needs of* those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you with respect to all things that by* working hard in this way it is necessary to help those who are in need, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."*

⁸ And he commanded them that they take along nothing for the journey except only a staff—no bread, no traveler's bag, no money in their* belts— ⁹ but to put on sandals and not to wear two tunics. ¹⁰ And he said to them, "Whenever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. ¹¹ And whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, as you* go out from there, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them."

³ And he said to them, "Take along nothing for the journey—neither a staff, nor a traveler's bag, nor bread, nor money, nor to have two tunics apiece. ⁴ And into whatever house you enter, stay there and depart from there. ⁵ And as for all those who do not welcome you—when you* depart from that town, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

⁴ Do not carry a money bag or a traveler's bag or sandals, and greet no one along the road. ⁵ And into whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace be to this household!" ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking _⌊whatever they provide_⌋,* for the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not move from house to house. ⁸ And into whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat _⌊whatever is_⌋* set before you, ⁹ and heal the sick in it, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." ¹⁰ But into whatever town you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and* say, ¹¹ "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you! Nevertheless know this: that the kingdom of God has come near!"* ¹² I tell you that it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town!

³⁵ And he said to them, "When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler's bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?"* And they said, "Nothing."

⁷ Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Who* shepherds a flock and does not drink* from the milk of the flock? ⁸ I am not saying these things according to a human perspective. Or does the law not also say these things? ⁹ For in the law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox while it* is threshing."* It is not about oxen God is concerned, is it?* ¹⁰ Or doubtless does he speak _⌊for our sake_⌋*? For it is written _⌊for our sake_⌋*, because the one who plows ought to plow in hope and the one who threshes ought to do so in hope of a share. ¹¹ If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too great a thing if we reap material things from you? ¹² If others share this right over you, do we not do so even more? Yet we have not made use of this right, but we endure all things, in order that we may not cause any hindrance to the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those performing the holy services eat the things from the temple, and those attending to the altar have a share with the altar? ¹⁴ In the same way also the Lord ordered those who proclaim the gospel to live from the gospel. ¹⁵ But I have not made use of any of these rights. And I am not writing these things in order that it may be thus with me. For it would be better to me rather to die than for anyone to deprive me of my reason for boasting. ¹⁶ For if I proclaim the gospel, it is not to me a reason for boasting, for necessity is imposed on me. For woe is to me if I do not proclaim the gospel. ¹⁷ For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward, but if I do so unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That when I* proclaim the gospel, I may offer the gospel free of charge, in order not to make full use of my right in the gospel. ¹⁹ For although I* am free from all people, I have enslaved myself to all, in order that I may gain more. ²⁰ I have become like a Jew to the Jews, in order that I may gain the Jews. To those under the law I became as under the law (although I* myself am not under the law) in order that I may gain those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as outside the law (although I* am not outside the law of God, but subject to the law of Christ) in order that I may gain those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, in order that I may gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, in order that by all means I may save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, in order that I may become a participant with it. ²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵ And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Thus those do so in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. ²⁶ Therefore I run in this way, not as running aimlessly; I box in this way, not as beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and subjugate it, lest somehow after* preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified.

⁷ So Saul said to his servant, "Look, we may go, but what should we bring to the man? For the bread is gone from our bags, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have with us?"

⁴⁰ Then he took his staff in his hand, picked out for himself five smooth stones from the wadi,* and he put them in his shepherd's bag, in the pouch. And with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.

¹¹ And he answered and* said to them, "The one who has two tunics must share with the one who does not have one,* and the one who has food must do likewise."

⁴ Do we not have the right to eat and drink? ⁵ Do we not have the right to take along a sister as wife, like the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? ⁶ Or do only I and Barnabas not have the right _⌊to refrain from working_⌋*? ⁷ Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Who* shepherds a flock and does not drink* from the milk of the flock? ⁸ I am not saying these things according to a human perspective. Or does the law not also say these things? ⁹ For in the law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox while it* is threshing."* It is not about oxen God is concerned, is it?* ¹⁰ Or doubtless does he speak _⌊for our sake_⌋*? For it is written _⌊for our sake_⌋*, because the one who plows ought to plow in hope and the one who threshes ought to do so in hope of a share. ¹¹ If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too great a thing if we reap material things from you? ¹² If others share this right over you, do we not do so even more? Yet we have not made use of this right, but we endure all things, in order that we may not cause any hindrance to the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those performing the holy services eat the things from the temple, and those attending to the altar have a share with the altar? ¹⁴ In the same way also the Lord ordered those who proclaim the gospel to live from the gospel.

⁶ Now the one who is taught the word must share in all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked, for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap,

¹⁷ The elders who lead well must be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor by speaking and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says, "You must not muzzle an ox while it* is threshing,"* and "The worker is worthy of his wages."*

¹³ When you* come, bring the cloak that I left behind in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments.

¹ And the two angels came to Sodom in the evening. And Lot was sitting in the gateway of Sodom. Then Lot saw them and stood up to meet them. And he bowed down with his face to the ground. ² And he said, "Behold, my lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you can rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the square." ³ But _⌊he urged them strongly_⌋,* and they turned aside with him and came into his house. And he made a meal for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

¹⁶ Then behold, an old man was coming from his work from the field in the evening, and the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was dwelling as a foreigner* in Gibeah. (The people of the place were descendants* of Benjamin.) ¹⁷ And the old man raised his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city, and he said, "Where are you going, and from where do you come?" ¹⁸ And he said to him, "We are crossing over from Bethlehem in Judah up to the remote areas of the hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, but now I am going to Yahweh's house,* but no one _⌊took me in to spend the night_⌋.* ¹⁹ There is both straw and fodder for our donkeys, and also bread and wine for me, for your servant,* and for the young man who is with your servant; there is no lack of anything." ²⁰ And the old man said, "Peace to you. I will take care of your needs; however, you must not spend the night in the open square." ²¹ So he brought him to his house, and he fed the donkeys; they washed their feet, ate, and drank.

⁹ "Get up and go to Zarephath which belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman there, a widow, to sustain you." ¹⁰ So he arose and went to Zarephath and came to the gate of the city. There was a widow woman gathering wood, so he called to her, and he said, "Please bring a little water for me in a vessel so that I can drink." ¹¹ She went to fetch it, and he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." ¹² She said, "_⌊As Yahweh your God lives_⌋,* surely I do not have a cake, _⌊but only a handful of flour_⌋* in the jar and a little olive oil in the jug. Here I am gathering a few pieces of wood, and I will go and prepare it for me and my son, that we might eat it and die." ¹³ Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go and do according to your word; only make for me a small bread cake from it first, and bring it out to me. Make it for yourself and for your son afterward. ¹⁴ For thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: 'The jar of flour will not be emptied and the jug of olive oil will not run out until the day Yahweh gives rain on the surface of the earth.'" ¹⁵ So she went and did according to the word of Elijah; then both she and he ate with her household for many days. ¹⁶ The jar of flour was not emptied and the jug of olive oil did not run out, according to the word of Yahweh which he spoke by the hand of Elijah. ¹⁷ It happened after these things that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill; and his illness was very severe until there was no breath left in him. ¹⁸ She said to Elijah, "_⌊What do you have against me_⌋,* O man of God, that you have come to me to make known my guilt and to cause my son to die?" ¹⁹ Then he said to her, "Give me your son." He took him from her lap and carried him up to the upper room where he was staying, and he laid him on his bed. ²⁰ Then he called to Yahweh and said, "O Yahweh my God, are you also causing evil to come upon the widow with whom I am dwelling as an alien by causing her son to die?" ²¹ He stretched himself out on the child three times and called to Yahweh and said, "O Yahweh my God, please let the life of this child return within him." ²² Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned within him, and he lived. ²³ Elijah then took the child and brought him down from the upper room to the house and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, "Look, your son is alive." ²⁴ Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now this I know, that you are a man of God and the word of Yahweh in your mouth is truth."

³² An alien has not lodged in the street; I have opened my door to the traveler.

¹⁰ And he said to them, "Whenever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there.

⁴ And into whatever house you enter, stay there and depart from there.

⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking _⌊whatever they provide_⌋,* for the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not move from house to house. ⁸ And into whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat _⌊whatever is_⌋* set before you,

³⁸ Now as they traveled along, he entered into a certain village. And a certain woman _⌊named_⌋* Martha welcomed him.* ³⁹ And _⌊she had_⌋* a sister named Mary, who also sat at the feet of Jesus* and* was listening to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much preparation, so she approached and* said, "Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me alone to make preparations? Then tell her that she should help me!" ⁴¹ But the Lord answered and* said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things! ⁴² But few things are necessary, or only one thing,* for Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

⁷ And when they* saw it,* they all began to complain,* saying, "He has gone in to find lodging with a man who is a sinner!"

¹⁵ And after she was baptized, and her household, she urged us,* saying, "If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come to my house and* stay." And she prevailed upon us.

¹ After these things he departed from Athens and* went to Corinth. ² And he found a certain Jew _⌊named_⌋* Aquila, _⌊a native_⌋* of Pontus who had arrived recently from Italy _⌊along with_⌋* Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome, and* he went to them. ³ And because he was practicing the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

⁷ For they have gone out on behalf of the name, accepting nothing from the pagans.* ⁸ Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become fellow workers with the truth.

⁶ Then you must say to him, 'Long life to you, and _⌊may it go well with you, with your house, and with all that is yours_⌋.*

⁵ And into whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace be to this household!" ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you.

³⁶ As for* the message that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—this one is Lord of all—

²⁰ Therefore we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as if* God were imploring you through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

¹⁴ But I hope to see you right away, and to speak _⌊face to face_⌋*.

¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I weakened my soul with fasting, and my prayer _⌊returned to me unanswered_⌋.*

⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you.

¹⁶ to those on the one hand an odor from death to death, and to those on the other hand a fragrance from life to life. And who is qualified for these things?

¹³ I also shook out my garment and said, "This is how God will shake out everyone from his house who will not keep this promise. So this is how his possessions will be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said, "Amen!" And they praised Yahweh, and the people kept this promise.

⁴⁰ "The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me. ⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward.

⁵ and whoever welcomes one child such as this in my name welcomes me.

¹¹ And whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, as you* go out from there, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them."

³⁷ "Whoever welcomes one of the young children such as these in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me."

⁵ And as for all those who do not welcome you—when you* depart from that town, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

⁴⁸ and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all—this one is great."

²⁰ Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me."

⁵¹ So after* shaking off the dust from their feet against them, they went to Iconium.

²⁶ Therefore I testify to you on this very day that I am guiltless of the blood of all of you,* ²⁷ for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole purpose of God.

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

⁴⁸ _⌊As surely as I live_⌋,'* _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh, 'surely your sister Sodom and her daughters did not do as* you and your daughters did. ⁴⁹ Look! This was the iniquity of Sodom, your sister: Pride, abundance of food, and _⌊prosperous ease_⌋* was to her and to her daughters, and _⌊she did not sustain the needy and the poor_⌋.* ⁵⁰ And they were proud, and they did a detestable thing _⌊before me_⌋,* and I removed them _⌊because_⌋* I saw it. ⁵¹ And Samaria did not sin _⌊according to even half of your sins_⌋,* and you caused your detestable things to increase more than they, and you made your sister righteous in comparison with all of your detestable things that you did.* ⁵² Also,* you bear your disgrace, by which you furnished justification to your sisters* through your sins by which you acted more abominably than they; they were more righteous than you, and also,* you be ashamed and bear your disgrace through your making your sister righteous. ⁵³ And I will restore their fortune, the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters, and even the fortunes of your captivity in the midst of them, ⁵⁴ in order that you may bear your disgrace and you may be put to shame because of all that you did at your consoling them. ⁵⁵ And as for your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, they will return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters, they will return to their former state, and you and your daughters will return to your former state. ⁵⁶ And was not Sodom, your sister, a byword in your mouth in the day of your pride

¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one tiny letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all takes place.

²² Nevertheless I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and for Sidon on the day of judgment than for you! ²³ And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today. ²⁴ Nevertheless I tell you that it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you!"

³⁶ But I tell you that every worthless word that they speak, people will give an account for it on the day of judgment!

³⁴ Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all these things take place! ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they do not have a valid excuse for their sin. ²³ The one who hates me hates my Father also. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

⁶ and condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes, having appointed them as an example for those who are going to be ungodly,

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,

⁷ But by the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.

¹⁷ By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as that one is, so also are we in this world.

¹ Now the serpent was more crafty than any other _⌊wild animal_⌋* which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God indeed say, 'You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

¹³ Then* Yahweh God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

³ Go! Behold, I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves!

²⁹ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

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. ¹⁹ For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, and I want you to be wise toward what is good, but innocent toward what is evil.

²⁰ Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature.

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.

²⁰ We are trying to avoid this, lest anyone should find fault with us in this abundant gift that is being administered by us.

³ But I am afraid lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds may be led astray from the sincerity and the purity of devotion to Christ.

¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.

¹⁵ Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of the time because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Because of this do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

¹⁵ in order that you may become blameless and innocent, children of God without fault* in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine as stars in the world,*

⁹ Because of this also we, from the day we heard about it,* did not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual insight,

⁵ Live with wisdom toward those outside, making the most of the time.

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we became to you who believe,

²² Abstain from every form of evil.

² then it will happen if the guilty one _⌊deserves beating_⌋,* then the judge shall make him lie, and he shall beat him _⌊before him_⌋,* _⌊according to_⌋* _⌊the prescribed number of lashes proportionate to the offense_⌋.* ³ He may beat him with forty lashes, and he shall not do more than these, so that he will not beat more in addition to these many blows,* and your countryman* would be* degraded before your eyes.

⁵ Do not put faith in a friend; put no trust in a close friend. Guard the doorways of your mouth from the one who lies in your lap.

²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Stupid fool!'* will be subject to the council, and whoever says, 'Obstinate fool!'* will be subject to fiery hell.

¹⁹ and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock him* and flog him* and crucify him,* and on the third day he will be raised."

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,

⁹ "Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations* because of my name. ¹⁰ And then many will be led into sin and will betray one another and will hate one another,

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order that they could put him to death.

⁹ "But you, watch out for yourselves! They will hand you over to councils and you will be beaten in the synagogues and will have to stand before governors and kings because of me, for a witness to them.

¹² And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his* child, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

¹¹ But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say,

¹² "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you,* handing you* over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before* kings and governors because of my name. ¹³ This will turn out to you for a time of witness.

⁴⁷ So the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin and said, "What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs!

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.

⁶ and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest's family. ⁷ And they made them stand in their* midst and* began to ask,* "By what power or by what name did you do this?" ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means* this man was healed— ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy! ¹¹ This one* is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become _⌊the cornerstone_⌋.* ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved." ¹³ Now when they* saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And because they* saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. ¹⁵ But after they* had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin,* they began to confer* with one another, ¹⁶ saying, "What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them is evident to all those who live in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it!* ¹⁷ But in order that it may not spread much further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name _⌊to anyone at all_⌋."* ¹⁸ And they called them back and* commanded them* not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and* said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! ²⁰ For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard." ²¹ So after* threatening them* further, they released them, finding no way to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and* brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them).* ²⁷ And when they* had brought them, they made them* stand in the Sanhedrin,* and the high priest put a question to them, ²⁸ saying, "_⌊We strictly commanded_⌋* you* not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!" ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered and* said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men! ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by* hanging him* on a tree. ³¹ This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are witnesses of these things, and so is* the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." ³³ Now when* they heard this,* they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. ³⁴ But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin,* a Pharisee _⌊named_⌋* Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, and* gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵ And he said to them, "Men and Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! 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. ³⁷ After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and _⌊caused people to follow him in revolt_⌋.* And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.* ³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him. ⁴⁰ And they summoned the apostles, beat them,* commanded them* not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.* ⁴¹ So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin* rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. ⁴² Every day, both in the temple courts* and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ* was Jesus.

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.

¹⁴ So then the brothers sent Paul away at once to go to the sea, and both Silas and Timothy remained there.

¹⁹ And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that from synagogue to synagogue I was imprisoning and beating those who believed in you.

¹ And looking intently at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Men and brothers, I have lived my life in all good conscience before God to this day." ² So the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike his mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And are you sitting there judging me according to the law, and acting contrary to the law do you order me to be struck?" ⁴ And those who stood nearby said, "Are you reviling the high priest of God?" ⁵ And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, 'You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"* ⁶ Now when* Paul realized that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he shouted out in the Sanhedrin, "Men and brothers! I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees! I am being judged concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead!" ⁷ And when* he said this, a dispute developed between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) ⁹ And there was loud shouting, and some of the scribes from the party of the Pharisees stood up and* contended sharply, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man! But what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 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.* ¹¹ And the next night the Lord stood by him and* said, "Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." 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."

¹¹ And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often and* tried to force* them* to blaspheme, and because I* was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing them* even as far as to foreign cities.

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,

² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation.*

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

³⁶ And others _⌊experienced mocking and flogging_⌋*, and in addition bonds and imprisonment.

¹ Why are nations in tumult, and countries plotting* in vain?* ² The kings of the earth establish themselves, and the rulers conspire* together against Yahweh and his anointed: ³ "Let us tear off their bonds, and cast their cords from us!" ⁴ He who sits enthroned in the heavens laughs. The Lord derides them. ⁵ Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and in his fury he terrifies them: ⁶ "But as for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy mountain."

⁴ And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them."

²⁵ But someone came and* reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple courts* and teaching the people!" ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and* brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them).* ²⁷ And when they* had brought them, they made them* stand in the Sanhedrin,* and the high priest put a question to them,

¹ Now at that time, Herod the king laid hands on some of those from the church to harm them.* ² So he executed James the brother of John with a sword. ³ And when he* saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (_⌊Now this was during the feast_⌋* of Unleavened Bread.) ⁴ After he* had arrested _⌊him_⌋,* he also put him* in prison, handing him* over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him _⌊out for public trial_⌋* after the Passover.

³³ _⌊The horsemen_⌋,* when they* came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. ³⁴ So after* reading the letter* and asking what province he was from, and learning that he was from Cilicia,

¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor. ² And when* he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,* saying, "We have experienced* much* peace through you, and reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight. ³ Both in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this,* most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. ⁴ But so that I may not impose on you for longer, I implore you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. ⁵ For we have found* this man to be a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire* and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ⁶ who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we arrested _⌊him*_⌋.*

⁸ When* you yourself examine him* you will be able to find out from _⌊him_⌋* about all these things of which we are accusing him." ⁹ And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting these things were so. ¹⁰ And when* the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I* know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself. ¹¹ You can ascertain that _⌊it has not been more than_⌋* twelve days _⌊since_⌋* I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or making a crowd develop in the temple courts* nor in the synagogues nor throughout the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove the things* to you concerning which they are now accusing me. ¹⁴ But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets, ¹⁵ having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶ _⌊For this reason_⌋* also I myself _⌊always_⌋* do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and people. ¹⁷ So after many years, I came to practice charitable giving and offerings to my people,* ¹⁸ in which they found me purified in the temple courts,* not with a crowd or with a disturbance. ¹⁹ But there are some Jews from Asia* who ought to be present before you and bring charges against me,* if they have anything against me, ²⁰ or these men themselves should say what crime they found when* I stood before the Sanhedrin,* ²¹ other than concerning this one declaration that I shouted while* standing there before them: 'I am being judged before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead!'" ²² But Felix, because he* understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide _⌊your case_⌋."* ²³ He ordered* the centurion for him to be guarded and to have some freedom, and in no way to prevent any of his own people* from serving him. ²⁴ And after some days, when* Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And while* he was discussing about righteousness and self control and the judgment that is to come, Felix became afraid and* replied, "Go away for the present, and when I* have an opportunity, I will summon you." ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and* talked with him.

⁸ Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor me his prisoner, but suffer along with me for the gospel, according to the power of God,

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 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.

⁹ And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the testimony which they had,

⁷ And when they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war with them and will conquer them and will kill them.

¹² So then go, and I myself will be with your mouth, and I will teach you what you must speak."

¹⁵ And you will speak to him, and you will put words in his mouth, and I myself will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you must do.

⁷ But Yahweh said to me, "You must not say, 'I am a youth,'* for to _⌊whomever_⌋* I send you, you will go, and _⌊whatever_⌋* I command you, you will speak.

⁹ Then Yahweh stretched out his hand and he touched my mouth, and Yahweh said to me,
"Look, I have put my words in your mouth.

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king, Nebuchadnezzar, "We have no need on this matter _⌊to present a defense to you_⌋.* ¹⁷ _⌊If it is so_⌋,* our God, whom we serve, is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire. And from your hand, O king, let him rescue us. ¹⁸ And if not, let it be known to you, O king, that _⌊we will not serve your gods_⌋,* and the statue of gold* that you have set up we will not worship."

²⁵ "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, what you will eat,* and not for your body, what you will wear. Is your life not more than food and your body more than clothing?

³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?,'

³⁴ Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, because tomorrow will be anxious for itself. _⌊Each day has enough trouble of its own._⌋*

¹¹ And when they arrest you and* hand you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you should say, but whatever is given to you at that hour, say this. For you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit. ¹² And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his* child, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. ¹³ And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end—this one will be saved.

¹² "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you,* handing you* over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before* kings and governors because of my name. ¹³ This will turn out to you for a time of witness. ¹⁴ _⌊Therefore make up your minds_⌋* not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ And you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death some of you. ¹⁷ And you will be hated by all because of my name.

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means* this man was healed— ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy! ¹¹ This one* is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become _⌊the cornerstone_⌋.* ¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved." ¹³ Now when they* saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And because they* saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return.

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered and* said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men! ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by* hanging him* on a tree. ³¹ This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are witnesses of these things, and so is* the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." ³³ Now when* they heard this,* they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

² "Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that before you I am about to defend myself today, ³ because* you are especially acquainted with both all the customs and controversial questions with respect to the Jews. Therefore I beg you* to listen to me with patience. 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, ⁵ having known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that in accordance with the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now I stand here on trial on the basis of hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, ⁷ to which our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve him* night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king! ⁸ Why is it thought incredible by you people* that God raises the dead? ⁹ Indeed, I myself thought it was necessary to do many things opposed to the name of Jesus the Nazarene, ¹⁰ which I also did in Jerusalem, and not only did I lock up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when* they were being executed, I cast my vote* against them.* ¹¹ And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often and* tried to force* them* to blaspheme, and because I* was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing them* even as far as to foreign cities.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

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.

⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.

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

³² for the pagans seek after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

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." '*

¹³ Therefore if you, although you* are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say."

³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need these things. ³¹ But seek his kingdom and these things will be added to you. ³² "Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages* as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out.

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,

⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and* saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

⁹ But Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

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,

³ since you are demanding proof that Christ, who is not weak toward you, but is powerful among you, is speaking in me.

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.

²¹ for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

¹¹ David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son who came out of my loins* is seeking my life. Now _⌊as far as_⌋* this Benjaminite, leave him alone and let him curse, for Yahweh has spoken to him.

¹ Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Please let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out and pursue after David _⌊tonight_⌋.* ² I will come upon him while he is weary and _⌊weak_⌋.* I will startle him, and all of the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king while he is alone. ³ Then I will return all the people to you; when all have returned, the man whom you are seeking will be dead,* but all the people will be safe." ⁴ The word was right in the eyes of Absalom and in the eyes of all the elders of Israel.

¹⁹ All _⌊my intimate friends_⌋* abhor me, and these whom I have loved have turned against me.

⁵ Do not put faith in a friend; put no trust in a close friend. Guard the doorways of your mouth from the one who lies in your lap. ⁶ For a son treats a father with contempt; a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; the enemies of a man are the men of his own house.

³ _⌊And then_⌋,* if anyone prophesies again, his father and his mother who bore him will say to him, "You shall not live, because you have spoken a lie in the name of Yahweh!" And his father and his mother who bore him will pierce him through when he prophesies.

³⁴ "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth! I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. ³⁶ And the enemies of a man will be the members of his household.*

¹⁰ And then many will be led into sin and will betray one another and will hate one another,

⁵¹ Do you think that I have come to grant peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! ⁵² For from now on there will be five in one household, divided three against two and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

⁵ Hear the word of Yahweh, you who are frightened at his word:
Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for my name's sake have said, "Let Yahweh be honored so that* we may see your joy!" But* they themselves shall be ashamed. ⁶ A voice, an uproar from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of Yahweh _⌊paying back_⌋* his enemies!

¹² Happy is the one who is persevering, and attains to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. ¹³ But you, go on to the end and rest, and you will arise for your allotted inheritance at the end of the days."

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.

³⁹ The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it.

⁹ "Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations* because of my name.

¹³ But the one who endures to the end—this person will be saved.

¹³ And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end—this one will be saved.

²² Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.

¹⁵ But the seed on the good soil—these are the ones who, after* hearing the word, hold fast to it* with a noble and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I am testifying about it, that its deeds are evil.

¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated* you. 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.

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.

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

⁷ to those who, by perseverance in good work, seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life,

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.

⁹ And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we* do not give up.

¹⁴ For we have become partners of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of our commitment steadfast until the end,

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

¹² Blessed is the person* who endures testing, because when he* is approved he will receive the crown of life that he* has promised to those who love him.

¹³ Do not marvel,* brothers, if the world hates you.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, by* building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by* praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

³ And you have patient endurance, and have endured many things because of my name, and have not become weary.

⁷ The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.'

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

¹⁷ The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give to him some of the hidden manna, and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

²⁶ And the one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, I will give him authority over the nations,

²¹ The one who conquers, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also have conquered and have sat down with my Father on his throne.

¹³ Now after they had gone away, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying, "Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to seek the child to destroy him."

¹² Now when he* heard that John _⌊had been arrested_⌋,* he withdrew into Galilee.

¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out _⌊and plotted_⌋* against him in order that they could destroy him. ¹⁵ Now Jesus, when he* learned of it,* withdrew from there, and many* followed him, and he healed them all.

²⁸ Truly I say to you, that there are some of those standing here who will never experience death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

²⁷ For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.

³⁰ And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,* and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven* with power and great glory.

⁴⁸ But if that evil slave should say _⌊to himself_⌋,* 'My master is staying away for a long time,'

¹³ Therefore be on the alert, because you do not know the day or the hour!

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, "You have said it.* But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power* and coming on the clouds of heaven."

²⁶ And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in the clouds with great power and glory.

²⁹ And they stood up and* forced him out of the town and brought him up to the edge of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. ³⁰ But he passed through their midst and* went on his way. ³¹ And he came down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath.

⁸ I tell you that _⌊he will see to it that justice is done_⌋* for them soon! Nevertheless, when* the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?"

²⁷ And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud* with power and great glory.

¹ And after these things Jesus was going about in Galilee. For he did not want to go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.

³⁹ So they were seeking again to seize him, and he departed out of their hand. ⁴⁰ And he went away again on the other side of the Jordan, to the place where John was baptizing at an earlier time, and he stayed there. ⁴¹ And many came to him and began to say,* "John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true!" ⁴² And many believed in him there.

⁵³ So from that day they resolved that they should kill him. ⁵⁴ So Jesus was no longer walking openly among the Jews, but went away from there to the region near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.

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.

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.

⁶ they became aware of it* and* fled to the Lycaonian cities—Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. ⁷ And there they were continuing to proclaim the good news.

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.

¹⁰ Now the brothers sent away both Paul and Silas at once, during the night, to Berea. _⌊They_⌋* went into the synagogue of the Jews when they* arrived.

¹ Now after the turmoil had ceased, Paul summoned* the disciples, and after* encouraging them,* he said farewell and* departed to travel to Macedonia.

¹¹ Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are living in the booths; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping on the surface of the open field; and I, shall I go to my house to eat and to drink and to sleep with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I surely will not do this thing."

⁴⁰ A disciple is not superior to his* teacher, but everyone, when he* is fully trained, will be like his teacher.

¹⁶ Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

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.

² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider the one who endured such hostility by sinners against himself,* so that you will not grow weary in your souls and give up. ⁴ You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your* blood as you* struggle against sin.

³⁴ But the Pharisees were saying,* "By the ruler of demons he expels the demons!"

²⁴ But the Pharisees, when they* heard it,* said, "This man does not expel demons except by Beelzebul the ruler of demons!"

²² And the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul!" and "By the ruler of the demons he expels the demons!"

¹⁵ But some of them said, "By Beelzebul the ruler of demons he expels demons!"

²⁰ The crowd replied, "You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?"

⁵² The Jews* said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham and the prophets died, and you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death _⌊forever_⌋.'*

²⁰ And many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind! Why do you listen to him?"

¹ The wicked flee, but no one pursues, but the righteous is bold like a lion.

²⁵ The fear of a person will lay a snare, but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.

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.

¹ But now thus says Yahweh,
he who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel: "You must not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; _⌊you are mine_⌋.* 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.

⁷ Listen to me, you who know righteousness, people who have my teaching in their heart; you must not fear the reproach of men, or be terrified because of their abuse. ⁸ For a moth will eat them like garments; a moth will devour* them like wool, but* my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation for _⌊generation after generation_⌋.*"

¹² "I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that* you are afraid of man? He dies! And of the son of humankind? He is _⌊sacrificed_⌋* as grass! ¹³ And you have forgotten Yahweh, your maker, who stretched out the heavens, and founded the earth. And you tremble continually, all day, because of the wrath of the oppressor when he _⌊takes aim_⌋* to destroy. But* where is the wrath of the oppressor?

⁸ _⌊Do not be afraid of them_⌋,* for I am with you to deliver you," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh.

¹⁷ But you, you must gird your loins, and stand, and speak to them all that I command you. _⌊Do not be afraid of them_⌋,* or I will shatter you _⌊before_⌋* them. ¹⁸ Now look, I have made you _⌊today_⌋* as a fortified city and as an iron pillar and a bronze wall* against all the land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land.

⁶ And you, son of man,* you must not be afraid of them, and you must not be afraid of their words, because* briers and thorns are with you, and you are sitting among scorpions. You must not be afraid of their words, and you must not be dismayed because of their _⌊looks_⌋,* for they are a rebellious house.

²⁸ And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul, but instead be afraid of the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

²² For nothing is secret except so that it may be revealed, nor has become hidden except so that it will come to light.

¹⁷ For nothing is secret that will not become evident, and nothing hidden that will never be known and come to light.

² But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known. ³ Therefore everything that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what _⌊you have whispered_⌋* in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. ⁴ "And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you* into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. ⁷ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ⁸ "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, ⁹ but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God.

¹³ Now when they* saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus.

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and* said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide!

⁵ Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord should come, who will both enlighten the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of hearts, and then praise will come to each one from God.

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,*

²⁰ Wisdom calls out in the streets, in the squares she raises her voice. ²¹ On a _⌊busy corner_⌋* she cries out, at the entrances of the gates in the city, she speaks her sayings: ²² "_⌊How long_⌋,* O simple ones, will you love simplicity? And how long will scoffers delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge? ²³ May you turn to my argument!* Behold, I shall pour out my spirit upon you; I will make my words known to you.

¹ Does not wisdom call, and understanding raise its voice? ² _⌊Atop the heights_⌋* beside the road, at the crossroads she stands. ³ Beside gates, before towns, at the entrance of doors, she cries out: ⁴ "To you, O _⌊people_⌋,* I call, and my cry is to the children of humankind. ⁵ Learn prudence, O simple ones; fools, learn _⌊intelligence_⌋.*

¹ On that day Jesus went out of the house and* was sitting by the sea.* ² And large crowds gathered close around him, so that he got into a boat to sit down, and all the crowd was standing on the shore. ³ And he spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow, ⁴ and while he was sowing, _⌊some seed_⌋* fell on the side of the path, and the birds came and* devoured it. ⁵ And other seed fell on the rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up at once because it did not have any depth of soil. ⁶ But when* the sun rose it was scorched, and because it did not have enough root, it withered. ⁷ And other seed fell among the thorn plants, and the thorn plants came up and choked it. ⁸ But other seed fell on the good soil and produced grain,* this one a hundred times as much and this one sixty and this one thirty. ⁹ The one who has ears, let him hear!" ¹⁰ And the disciples came up and* said to him, "_⌊Why_⌋* do you speak to them in parables?" 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. ¹² For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ¹³ For this reason I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand, ¹⁴ and with reference to them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says,
"_⌊You will listen carefully_⌋* and will never understand, and _⌊you will look closely_⌋* and will never perceive. ¹⁵ For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they hear with difficulty, and they have shut their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them."* ¹⁶ But your eyes are blessed because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it,* and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it!*

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables, and he was saying nothing to them without a parable, ³⁵ in order that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled, who said,
"I will open my mouth in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden since the creation."**

¹⁰ And he said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are in parables, so that
'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'*

¹ "I have said these things to you so that you will not fall away.

¹³ But when he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come.

²⁵ "I have said these things to you in figurative sayings. An hour is coming when I will speak to you in figurative sayings no longer, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.

²⁹ His disciples said, "Behold, now you are speaking _⌊plainly_⌋* and are telling us* no figurative saying!

²⁰ "Go and stand in the temple courts* and* proclaim to the people all the words of this life."

²⁸ saying, "_⌊We strictly commanded_⌋* you* not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!"

¹⁷ So he was discussing in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles,* and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

¹² Therefore, because we* have such a hope, we use much boldness,

¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

⁷ For with many dreams come vanities and numerous words. Therefore, fear God!

¹² Although the sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will be good for those who fear God—because they fear _⌊his presence_⌋.* ¹³ But it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not prolong their days, like the shadow; because there is no fearing _⌊God's presence_⌋.*

¹² "You must not call conspiracy everything that this people calls conspiracy, and you must not _⌊share its fear_⌋,* and you must not be in dread. ¹³ You shall regard Yahweh of hosts as holy, and he is your* fear, and he is your dread.

⁷ Listen to me, you who know righteousness, people who have my teaching in their heart; you must not fear the reproach of men, or be terrified because of their abuse.

¹² "I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that* you are afraid of man? He dies! And of the son of humankind? He is _⌊sacrificed_⌋* as grass!

² And my hand has made all these things, and all these _⌊came to be_⌋,"*
_⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "but* I look to this one:
to the humble and the contrite of spirit and the one frightened at my word.

²² Do you not revere me?" _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "Do you not tremble _⌊before me_⌋?* For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, _⌊as an everlasting limit_⌋,* and it cannot pass over it, and they rise and fall loudly, but they cannot prevail, and its waves roar, but they cannot pass over it.

¹⁰ You, O king, have made a decree that _⌊everyone_⌋* who hears the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the trigon, the harp and the drum and all kinds of music, he shall fall down and shall worship the statue of gold.* ¹¹ _⌊And whoever_⌋* _⌊does not fall down_⌋* and worship shall be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. ¹² However there are Judean men whom you have appointed* over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—these men, O king, _⌊pay you no heed_⌋* and were not serving your god, and the statue of gold* that you set up they are not worshiping." ¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar said in rage and anger to bring in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; then they brought in these men before the king. ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you are not serving my god, and you are not worshiping the statue of gold* that I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready so that _⌊when_⌋* you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the trigon, the harp and the drum and all kinds of music, you fall down and you worship the statue that I have made, that will be good. But if you do not worship it, _⌊immediately_⌋* you will be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire, and _⌊who is the god_⌋* who* will rescue you from my hands?"

²⁶ "Therefore do not be afraid of them, because nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing secret that will not become known.

⁴⁶ And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

⁴³ And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than, having two hands, to go into hell—into the unquenchable fire!*

⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life lame than, having two feet, to be thrown into hell!*

⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out! It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than, having two eyes, to be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished.'*

⁴ "And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you* into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one!

²² Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to _⌊Abraham's side_⌋.* And the rich man also died and was buried. ²³ And in Hades he lifted up his eyes as he* was in torment and* saw Abraham from a distance, and Lazarus _⌊at his side_⌋.* ²⁴ And he called out and* said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!' ²⁵ But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you received your good things during your life, and Lazarus likewise bad things. But now he is comforted here, but you are suffering pain. ²⁶ And in addition to all these things, a great chasm has been established between us and you, so that those who want to cross over from here to you are not able to do so,* nor can they cross over from there to us.'

²⁹ and they will come out—those who have done good things to a resurrection of life, but those who have practiced evil things to a resurrection of judgment.

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.

¹³ Then Paul replied, "What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!"

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. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

⁸ with burning flame* giving punishment to those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, ⁹ who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength, ¹⁰ whenever he should come to be glorified on that day by his saints and to be marveled at by all who believe, because our testimony was believed among you,

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is imminent. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³⁵ Women received back their dead by resurrection. But others were tortured, not accepting release, in order that they might gain a better resurrection.

²⁸ Therefore, since we* are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be thankful, through which let us serve God acceptably, with awe and reverence. ²⁹ For indeed our God is a consuming fire.

¹² There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your* neighbor?

¹⁰ And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet also are, and they will be tormented day and night _⌊forever and ever_⌋*. ¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the one who was seated on it, _⌊from whose presence_⌋* earth and heaven fled, and a place was not found for them. ¹² And I saw the dead—the great and the small—standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and each one was judged according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. ¹⁵ And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

²⁷ They all wait for you to give them their food _⌊at the proper time_⌋.* ²⁸ You give to them; they gather it. You open your hand, they are filled with what is good. ²⁹ You hide your face, they are terrified. You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. ³⁰ You send forth your Spirit,* they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. ⁷ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

⁴⁵ But the army said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not a hair from his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the army ransomed Jonathan and he did not die.

¹¹ Then she said, "Please may the king remember Yahweh your God, _⌊to prevent the increase of blood avengers who kill_⌋,* so that they not wipe out my son." He said, "_⌊As Yahweh lives_⌋,* surely not one hair shall fall from your son to the ground."

⁵² Solomon said, "If he is a son of noble character, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, but if evil is found in him, then he will die."

⁷ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

¹⁸ Even a hair of your head will never perish!

³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take some food, for this is necessary for your preservation. For not a hair from your head will be lost."

⁵ And you made him a little lower than heavenly beings,* and with glory and with majesty you crowned him.

²⁶ Consider the birds of the sky, that they do not sow or reap or gather produce into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?

¹¹ But he said to them, "What man will there be among you who will have one sheep and if this one fell into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it* out? ¹² Then to what degree is a man worth more than a sheep? So then, it is permitted to do good on the Sabbath."

²⁴ Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; to them there is neither storeroom nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you worth than the birds?

⁹ For in the law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox while it* is threshing."* It is not about oxen God is concerned, is it?* ¹⁰ Or doubtless does he speak _⌊for our sake_⌋*? For it is written _⌊for our sake_⌋*, because the one who plows ought to plow in hope and the one who threshes ought to do so in hope of a share.

³⁰ Therefore,' _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh the God of Israel, 'though I solemnly said that your house and the house of your ancestor* would walk before me forever, but now,' _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, 'far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me, I will treat with contempt!

⁴⁶ And I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.

³⁴ Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!

²² (His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already decided that if anyone should confess him to be Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue.

⁹ that* if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

¹² Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I command you, in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God.

¹³ 'I know where you live, where the throne of Satan is. And you hold fast to my name and did not deny your* faith in me, even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan lives.

⁵ The one who conquers in this way will be dressed in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, and I will declare his name before my Father and before his angels.

⁷⁰ But he denied it* in the presence of them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean!" ⁷¹ And when he* went out to the gateway, another female slave* saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." ⁷² And again he denied it* with an oath, "I do not know the man!" ⁷³ And after a little while those who were standing there came up and* said to Peter, "You really are one of them also, because even your accent _⌊reveals who you are_⌋."* ⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and to swear with an oath, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the statement Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times," and he went outside and* wept bitterly.

³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

³⁰ And Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that today—this night—before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times!"

⁷² And immediately a rooster crowed for the second time. And Peter remembered the statement, how Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times," and throwing himself down, he began to weep.*

²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of this person when he comes in his glory and the glory* of the Father and of the holy angels.

⁹ but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God.

¹² if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

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.

²³ Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.

¹⁰ Woe to me, O my mother, that you gave birth to me, a man of contention and quarreling _⌊to the whole land_⌋.* I have not lent out and _⌊I have not borrowed_⌋.* All of them are cursing me.

⁴⁹ "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish that it had been kindled already! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is accomplished!

⁴⁰ Then, when they* heard these words, some from the crowd began to say,* "This man is truly the Prophet!" ⁴¹ Others were saying, "This man is the Christ!" But others were saying, "No, for the Christ does not come from Galilee, does he?* ⁴² Has not the scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" ⁴³ So there was a division in the crowd because of him. ⁴⁴ And some of them were wanting to seize him, but no one laid hands on him. ⁴⁵ So the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees. And they said to them, "_⌊Why_⌋* did you not bring him?" ⁴⁶ The officers replied, "Never has a man spoken like this!" ⁴⁷ Then the Pharisees replied to them, "You have not also been deceived, have you?* ⁴⁸ _⌊None_⌋* of the rulers or of the Pharisees have believed in him, have they?* ⁴⁹ But this crowd who does not know the law is accursed!" ⁵⁰ Nicodemus, the one who came to him previously—who was one of them—said to them, ⁵¹ "Our law does not condemn a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?"* ⁵² They answered and said to him, "You are not also from Galilee, are you?* Investigate and see that a prophet does not arise from Galilee!"