Romans 12 Cross References - WEB

¹ Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. ² Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. ³ For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. ⁴ For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another, ⁶ having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; ⁷ or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. ⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. ¹⁰ In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” ²¹ Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.

¹³ Will I eat the meat of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? ¹⁴ Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.

³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. ³¹ It will please Yahweh better than an ox, or a bull that has horns and hoofs.

¹² What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?

⁷ I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

²⁰ To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”

² Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good: so we offer our lips like bulls.

⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

⁴ Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

¹³ Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

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

²³ and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,

³⁰ For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, ³¹ even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.

² Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

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

³⁰ Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

¹⁰ Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

⁷ Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place. ⁸ Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

¹³ “Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,” but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power. ¹⁵ Don’t you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! ¹⁶ Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” ¹⁷ But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. ¹⁸ Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

¹ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.

¹⁶ Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

¹⁴ For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. ¹⁵ He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

²⁰ We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

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

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

⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; ⁸ for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, that no one would boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

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

¹⁰ proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

¹ If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, ² make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; ³ doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; ⁴ each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. ⁵ Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,

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

¹⁸ But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.

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

¹⁰ for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;

¹² But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; ⁷ that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;

²⁰ by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, ²¹ and having a great priest over God’s house, ²² let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,

¹⁵ Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. ¹⁶ But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

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

⁵ You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. ¹¹ Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

²⁰ For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.

² “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice.

²⁹ “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. ³⁰ Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Yahweh your God.’”

⁹ When you have come into the land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations. ¹⁰ There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, ¹¹ or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ¹² For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh. Because of these abominations, Yahweh your God drives them out from before you. ¹³ You shall be blameless with Yahweh your God. ¹⁴ For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you so to do.

⁷ Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple. ⁸ Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. ⁹ The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward.

⁸ Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

⁴⁷ I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them. ⁴⁸ I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.

⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

⁹⁷ MEM How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.

¹⁰³ How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

¹²⁸ Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

¹⁷⁴ I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.

¹ My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments: ² for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace. ³ Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. ¹⁴ For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. ¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

³¹ Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?

²⁶ I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

⁷ The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.

³⁰ I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.

¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

¹⁴ I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹² Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.

²² For I delight in God’s law after the inward man,

¹ Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”

⁴ in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

¹⁴ Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.

⁴ who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—

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

¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience.

¹⁷ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But you didn’t learn Christ that way,

²² that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, ²³ and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

⁹ for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, ¹⁰ proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

¹⁷ Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

²¹ You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, ²² yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him,

¹⁰ and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

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

³ For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,

¹⁶ Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

⁵ not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

⁴ You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

¹⁴ as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,

¹⁸ knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,

³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

² that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

²⁰ For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

¹⁵ Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. ¹⁷ The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

¹³ Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. ⁵ They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

¹⁹ We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

⁹ The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

⁸ All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

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

¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

¹ In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” ² Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them, ³ and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

³⁴ For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.

⁵ through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;

²⁰ True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;

²⁵ For I don’t desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won’t be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,

⁶ having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; ⁷ or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.

¹⁵ But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God, ¹⁶ that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.

⁷ For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? ⁸ You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

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

⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. ⁸ For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; ¹⁰ and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. ¹¹ But the one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

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

⁷ By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.

¹³ For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.

⁸ for he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles— ⁹ and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

³ For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

² if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you,

⁴ by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,

⁷ of which I was made a servant according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. ⁸ To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

⁷ But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.” ⁹ Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. ¹¹ He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; ¹² for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

¹⁶ from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

³ doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; ⁴ each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. ⁵ Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.

²⁹ for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

¹³ You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

¹⁴ The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

⁹ In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing,

¹⁵ but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.

² that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance:

⁴ that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,

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

¹² instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;

⁶ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

¹³ Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ—

⁷ But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

⁵ Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

⁸ Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

⁹ I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

⁴ Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

¹² For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling,

¹⁵ but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, ¹⁶ from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

⁴ For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,

¹⁷ Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

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

²⁰ But now they are many members, but one body.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ²⁸ God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

²⁵ Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.

²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.

³⁰ because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly,

¹⁹ and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God’s growth.

³⁴ Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;

⁴⁹ Therefore also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute,

¹⁷ ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.

²⁷ Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.

¹ Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

³² Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.

²⁴ Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures. ²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ²⁷ When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

⁹ Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;

³ For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

⁵ that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge; ⁶ even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: ⁷ so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;

⁶ Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another. ⁷ For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

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

⁴ Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. ⁶ There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.

²⁸ God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

² If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.

¹ Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. ⁴ He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. ⁵ Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

²⁹ Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.

³¹ For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. ³² The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

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

⁵ which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit,

¹¹ He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.

²⁰ Don’t despise prophecies.

¹⁰ As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁰ They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law. They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offering on your altar.

²³ Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

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

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you.

⁹ Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

⁸ He cried like a lion: “Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime, and every night I stay at my post.

¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me. ¹⁸ When I tell the wicked, ‘You will surely die;’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; that wicked man will die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand. ¹⁹ Yet if you warn the wicked, and he doesn’t turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” ²⁰ “Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he will die. Because you have not given him warning, he will die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered; but I will require his blood at your hand. ²¹ Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous not sin, and he does not sin, he will surely live, because he took warning; and you have delivered your soul.”

⁷ “So you, son of man: I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and give them warnings from me. ⁸ When I tell the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you don’t speak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man will die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at your hand. ⁹ Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he doesn’t turn from his way; he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. ⁴⁷ Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.

¹⁹ Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

⁴² The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. ⁴⁴ Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has.

² The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”

¹ Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

²⁰ how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,

²⁸ Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

²⁸ God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

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

²⁸ We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; ²⁹ for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

⁷ to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

² The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

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

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

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

²⁴ The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,

² preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching.

¹ Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; ³ not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. ⁴ When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.

¹⁹ For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”

⁸ but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. ⁹ Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you. ¹⁰ You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. ¹¹ For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.

¹⁴ You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.

¹¹ You shall rejoice before Yahweh your God: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there.

¹⁴ You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates. ¹⁵ You shall keep a feast to Yahweh your God seven days in the place which Yahweh chooses, because Yahweh your God will bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be altogether joyful.

¹⁶ “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, ¹⁷ or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it ¹⁸ (no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, I have guided her from my mother’s womb); ¹⁹ if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering; ²⁰ if his heart hasn’t blessed me, if he hasn’t been warmed with my sheep’s fleece;

²¹ The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.

¹ A Psalm by David. I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises. ² I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart. ³ I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me. ⁴ A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil. ⁵ I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won’t tolerate one who is arrogant and conceited. ⁶ My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will serve me. ⁷ He who practices deceit won’t dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won’t be established before my eyes. ⁸ Morning by morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to cut off all the workers of iniquity from Yahweh’s city.

⁹ He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.

⁹ He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.

¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.

¹ Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days. ² Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.

⁶ In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don’t withhold your hand; for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.

⁵ The fool will no longer be called noble, nor the scoundrel be highly respected.

⁸ But the noble devises noble things; and he will continue in noble things.

⁷ Isn’t it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh? ⁸ Then your light will break out as the morning, and your healing will appear quickly; then your righteousness shall go before you, and Yahweh’s glory will be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you will call, and Yahweh will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away from among you the yoke, finger pointing, and speaking wickedly; ¹⁰ and if you pour out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will rise in darkness, and your obscurity will be as the noonday; ¹¹ and Yahweh will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong. You will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters don’t fail.

⁵ You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?

² Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, ⁴ so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

⁴⁰ “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

¹ He looked up and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. ² He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins. ³ He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, ⁴ for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”

⁴⁴ All who believed were together, and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. ⁴⁶ Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

³³ With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. ³⁴ For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, ³⁵ and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

²⁸ One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. ²⁹ As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea; ³⁰ which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

¹² Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

¹⁵ After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”

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

¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

⁶ For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

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

¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, ² how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. ³ For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, ⁴ begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. ⁵ This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. ⁶ So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. ⁷ But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace. ⁸ I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

⁷ Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

¹¹ you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.

¹³ seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all,

³ But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

⁵ Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,

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

³ For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.

⁸ Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.

¹² But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, ¹³ and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all.

⁴ one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; ⁵ (but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?)

¹³ Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.

²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

⁷ Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith.

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

²⁴ Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; ³ not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.

⁹ Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰ But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn’t strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.

¹⁴ Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

⁴ He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn’t abhor evil.

⁷ You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

²¹ His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

¹⁰ You who love Yahweh, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

³ I will set no vile thing before my eyes. I hate the deeds of faithless men. They will not cling to me.

¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

¹³ The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

²⁵ When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

³¹ They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.

¹⁵ Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts. It may be that Yahweh, the God of Armies, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

⁴⁹ Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁶ Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.

²³ who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.

⁶ in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,

⁸ I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

¹⁵ See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.

²¹ Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.

⁵ but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith,

⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”

¹⁴ Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,

¹⁵ And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?

²² Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,

¹⁰ For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. ¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

⁸ And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

¹⁸ My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. ¹⁹ And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, ²⁰ because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

⁹ Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

⁴ His sons went and held a feast in the house of each one on his birthday; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

¹ A Song of Ascents. By David. See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

²⁶ It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

¹⁰ But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

¹⁷ “I command these things to you, that you may love one another.

²¹ that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.

³² The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

⁷ Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

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

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

¹ I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

³ doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;

⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have toward all the saints,

⁹ But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

³ We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another abounds,

¹ Let brotherly love continue.

¹⁷ Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, ⁹ not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

⁷ and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.

⁹ He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness even until now. ¹⁰ He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. ¹¹ But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

¹⁰ In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. ¹¹ For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; ¹² unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s righteous. ¹³ Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. ¹⁵ Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. ¹⁶ By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. ¹⁷ But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? ¹⁸ My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

¹¹ Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

²⁰ If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

¹⁷ But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; ⁷ which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, ⁸ provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. ⁹ How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

⁴ The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

⁹ One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

³⁰ I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding: ³¹ Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. ³² Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: ³³ a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, ³⁴ so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.

¹³ The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!” ¹⁴ As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. ¹⁵ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. ¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁰ His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.

¹² Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

²⁶ “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.

²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.

¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;

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

²² For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ’s bondservant.

²⁸ Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

⁵ Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, ⁶ not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

²² Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

¹ Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

¹¹ and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us. ⁷ For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn’t behave ourselves rebelliously among you, ⁸ neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, ⁹ not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.” ¹¹ For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread.

¹³ Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

⁹ Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, ¹⁰ not stealing, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things.

¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them. ¹¹ We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end,

²⁸ Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let’s have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,

¹⁶ Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

⁴ But I have this against you, that you left your first love.

¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

²⁴ Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. ²⁵ When he saw that he didn’t prevail against him, the man touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was strained as he wrestled. ²⁶ The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”

⁸ For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? ⁹ Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him? ¹⁰ Will he delight himself in the Almighty, and call on God at all times?

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. ¹⁰ For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. ¹¹ You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

⁷ Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

¹ For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry.

¹⁶ As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me. ¹⁷ Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.

⁸ Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.

²⁰ You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. ²¹ Increase my honor and comfort me again. ²² I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. ²³ My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!

²⁴ You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

⁴ In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.

²⁸ The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.

³² The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.

¹² You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.

²⁴ “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul. “Therefore I will hope in him.” ²⁵ Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. ²⁶ It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Yahweh.

¹⁸ My God, turn your ear, and hear. Open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name; for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. ¹⁹ Lord, hear. Lord, forgive. Lord, listen and do. Don’t defer, for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

¹⁷ For though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: ¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

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

¹⁵ Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

²⁰ Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

⁵ He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶ for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,’ ⁷ and he from within will answer and say, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you’? ⁸ I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs. ⁹ “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

¹ He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, ² saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man. ³ A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ ⁴ He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’” ⁶ The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? ⁸ I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” ⁹ He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” ¹⁵ They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” ¹⁸ A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹ Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” ²¹ He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.” ²² When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich. ²⁴ Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” ²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” ²⁸ Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” ²⁹ He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake, ³⁰ who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.” ³¹ He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed. ³² For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on. ³³ They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.” ³⁴ They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said. ³⁵ As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging. ³⁶ Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. ³⁷ They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. ³⁸ He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” ³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁰ Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.” ⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.

¹⁹ “By your endurance you will win your lives.

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

⁴² They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

⁷ to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;

² through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:

²⁵ But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

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

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

¹³ But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

⁸ Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

¹⁸ with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: ¹⁹ on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

⁶ In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

¹¹ strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy,

²⁷ to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

² Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

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

⁸ But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

¹⁶ Always rejoice. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

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

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love, and into the perseverance of Christ.

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

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

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

⁷ that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

⁶ but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house. We are his house, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.

⁷ He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

¹² that you won’t be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises.

¹⁵ Thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

¹⁷ In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath, ¹⁸ that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. ¹⁹ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil;

³² But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings;

³⁶ For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

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

³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁷ Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.

¹⁰ Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

¹⁵ and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, ⁵ who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, ⁷ that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— ⁸ whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,

¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. ²⁰ For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.

¹³ But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

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

¹ See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. ² Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. ³ Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

¹⁴ This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

¹⁰ If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, ³ and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. ⁴ Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. ⁵ I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.” They said, “Very well, do as you have said.” ⁶ Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. ⁸ He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

¹ The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth, ² and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.” ³ He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

¹ For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.

³⁵ for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.

³⁵ and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

³⁶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. ³⁷ In those days, she became sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. ³⁹ Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

⁴ He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.

⁸ or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

²⁵ But now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. ²⁶ For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things. ²⁸ When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.

¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise. ² On the first day of every week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections are made when I come.

¹⁵ Now I beg you, brothers—you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have set themselves to serve the saints—

¹ Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, ² how in much proof of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity. ³ For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, ⁴ begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.

¹ It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,

¹² For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,

¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

¹⁰ being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

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

⁷ For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labor of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.

² Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

¹⁶ But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

¹⁷ But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?

²⁹ “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him ³⁰ (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);

⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,

²⁸ bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.

⁶⁰ He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

²¹ Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

¹² We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure. ¹³ Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, ²² who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” ²³ When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.

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

⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,

¹¹ Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, they each came from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and to comfort him.

²⁵ Didn’t I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn’t my soul grieved for the needy?

¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom. ¹⁴ I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.

¹⁰ “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her; ¹¹ that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” ¹² For Yahweh says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees. ¹³ As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.” ¹⁴ You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. Yahweh’s hand will be known among his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.

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

⁵⁸ Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

⁵ When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. ⁸ Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? ⁹ When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’ ¹⁰ Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

¹⁹ Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

³³ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, ³⁴ and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!”

²⁶ When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

³ And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.

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

¹⁷ Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.

²⁶ since he longed for you all, and was very troubled because you had heard that he was sick.

²⁸ I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

³ Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body.

¹² Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word.

¹³ “If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me, ¹⁴ what then will I do when God rises up? When he visits, what will I answer him? ¹⁵ Didn’t he who made me in the womb make him? Didn’t one fashion us in the womb? ¹⁶ “If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

⁵ “Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.

¹ A Song of Ascents. By David. Yahweh, my heart isn’t arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. ² Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

⁷ Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

⁷ All the relatives of the poor shun him: how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.

¹⁷ He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.

²² That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.

²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

³⁹ I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their good, and the good of their children after them.

⁵ Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh,’ says Yahweh; ‘but I will let you escape with your life wherever you go.’”

²⁵ Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

⁵ the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

²¹ He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.” ²² But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to him, “We are able.” ²³ He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” ²⁴ When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ²⁶ It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. ²⁷ Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, ²⁸ even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

¹¹ For you always have the poor with you; but you don’t always have me.

⁶ The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want. ⁷ If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.” ⁸ Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’” ⁹ He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here, ¹⁰ for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’ ¹¹ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’”

²⁰ He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, “Blessed are you who are poor, God’s Kingdom is yours.

¹³ But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind;

²⁴ A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶ But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

² May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?

⁵ Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

¹⁰ We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.

⁵ I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?

² But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know.

¹¹ Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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

² make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; ³ doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;

¹⁶ Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind.

² I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.

¹¹ Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. ¹² I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. ⁸ But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.

⁵ Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”

⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

⁸ Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,

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

⁷ It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him. ⁸ All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.

²² Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

³⁹ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

¹⁹ Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

¹⁶ Then don’t let your good be slandered,

⁶ But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers! ⁷ Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

⁴ Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, ⁵ doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

²⁰ We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us. ²¹ Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. ⁹ The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

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

²² Abstain from every form of evil.

¹⁴ I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

⁴ that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.

¹² having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

¹⁶ having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.

¹⁹ I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?”

⁵ Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! ⁶ My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace. ⁷ I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.

⁵ Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

⁵⁰ Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

¹⁷ for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.

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

³ being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

¹⁴ Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.

¹³ and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

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

¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁸ “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

³⁵ Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.”

⁴³ Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will take vengeance on his adversaries, and will make atonement for his land and for his people.

²⁶ Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, since Yahweh has withheld you from blood guiltiness, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies, and those who seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

³³ Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand.

¹ Yahweh, you God to whom vengeance belongs, you God to whom vengeance belongs, shine out. ² Rise up, you judge of the earth. Pay back the proud what they deserve. ³ Yahweh, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?

¹⁷ Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown, ¹⁸ lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. ¹⁹ Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;

²⁹ Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

¹² “‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended, and taken revenge on them;”

² Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies. ³ Yahweh is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Yahweh has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

²⁷ “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.

⁵⁵ But he turned and rebuked them, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are. ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” They went to another village.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

⁴ for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.

⁶ that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

³⁰ For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me;” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

⁴ “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ⁵ If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.

¹⁶ It came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. ¹⁷ He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you. ¹⁸ You have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me. ¹⁹ For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me today.

²¹ Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”

²² He answered, “You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.”

⁴ Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

¹⁰ Let burning coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, from where they never rise.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink; ²² for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

⁶ Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yahweh. ⁷ Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

²⁷ “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

³² One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

²⁷ “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.