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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’? 


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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. 


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“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. 


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“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? 


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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?”


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He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. It happened, when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled.


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But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. 


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If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 


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But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore will they be your judges. 


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But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 


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The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ 


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Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”


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It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!”


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When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet. 


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For even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will also the Son of Man be to this generation. 


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The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and will condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here. 


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The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, one greater than Jonah is here. 


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“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. 


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The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. 


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If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light.”


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The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. 


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But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you. 


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But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. 


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Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces. 


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Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”


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He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. 


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So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs. 


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


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that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 


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from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 


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Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.”


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As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out of him;


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lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch him in something he might say, that they might accuse him.


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Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 


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Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 


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“I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 


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But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 


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But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 


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“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; 


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Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 


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When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; 


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He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”


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He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 


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I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 


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“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 


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He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. 


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Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! 


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Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 


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But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? 


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For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. 


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Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys. 


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Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. 


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Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. 


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But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. 


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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? 


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But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, 


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then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. 


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That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, 


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but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked. 


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For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 


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They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”


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He said to the multitudes also, “When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. 


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You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time? 


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For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 


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Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.


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Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 


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Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? 


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He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. 


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He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?’ 


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Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up.


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The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”


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Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water? 


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Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”


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As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed, and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.


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It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and put in his own garden. It grew, and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky lodged in its branches.” 


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It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”


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“Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able. 


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When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 


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He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 


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There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrown outside. 


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Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”


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On that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here, and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.”


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He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I complete my mission. 


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Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can’t be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.’ 


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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused! 


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Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”


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It happened, when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching him.


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Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”


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He answered them, “Which of you, if your son or an ox fell into a well, wouldn’t immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”


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He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them,


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“When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, 


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and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. 


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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. 


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He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. 


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and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”


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When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is he who will feast in the Kingdom of God!”


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He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’ 


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They all as one began to make excuses. “The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.’ 


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“Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go try them out. Please have me excused.’ 


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“That servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.’ 


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“The lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 


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“If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. 


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For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? 


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Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, 


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Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 


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Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy, and asks for conditions of peace. 


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It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”


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“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 


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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!’ 


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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. 


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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? 


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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.’ 


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The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them. 


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Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living. 


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When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. 


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He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 


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But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! 


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I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. 


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“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 


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The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 


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“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 


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for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate. 


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He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’ 


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But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 


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But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 


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But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”


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He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 


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He called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 


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“The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 


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I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’ 


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Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’ 


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He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 


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Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 


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“His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light. 


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I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents. 


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He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 


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


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If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 


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No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and mammon.”


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He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 


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The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. 


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But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall. 


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Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery. 


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“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. 


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and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 


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It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. 


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In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. 


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He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’ 


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“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. 


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Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’ 


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for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’ 


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“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”


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He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! 


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It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. 


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If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”


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The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 


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But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table,’ 


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and will not rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’? 


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Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’”


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It happened as he was on his way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.


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When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” It happened that as they went, they were cleansed.


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Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation; 


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neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.”


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He said to the disciples, “The days will come, when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 


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for as the lightning, when it flashes out of the one part under the sky, shines to the other part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in his day. 


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They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 


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Likewise, even as it happened in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 


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but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all. 


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In that day, he who will be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him who is in the field likewise not turn back. 


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I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. The one will be taken, and the other will be left. 


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They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there will the vultures also be gathered together.”


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He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man, 


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yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”


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


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I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”


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He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.


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


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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!’ 


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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.”


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They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.


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Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 


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Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”


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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.’”


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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. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.”


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Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God! 


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For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”


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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 the Kingdom of God’s sake, 


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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. 


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They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.


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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!”


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Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.


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When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”


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Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.”


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As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the Kingdom of God would be revealed immediately.


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He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 


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He called ten servants of his, and gave them ten mina coins, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’ 


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But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’ 


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“It happened when he had come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business. 


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“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 


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for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’ 


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“He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down, and reaping that which I didn’t sow. 


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Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’ 


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He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to him who has the ten minas.’ 


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‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him. 


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But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”


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It happened, when he drew near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples,


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saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat. Untie it, and bring it. 


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As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen,


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saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”


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saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. 


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For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, 


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and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”


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saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!”


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He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him.


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It happened on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, that the priests and scribes came to him with the elders.


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They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”


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They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’


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But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”


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He began to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time. 


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At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty. 


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He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 


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The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’ 


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“But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ 


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They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 


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He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!”


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But he looked at them, and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?’ 


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Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”


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The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them.


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They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor.


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They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.


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He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”


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They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.


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They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother.


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But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 


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For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 


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But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 


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“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; 


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who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”


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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.”


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As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,


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“As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”


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They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?”


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He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them. 


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When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.”


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There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 


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But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 


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for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. 


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You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. 


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Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 


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Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. 


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They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 


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There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; 


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men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 


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But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”


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When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. 


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“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. 


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Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”


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Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet.


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The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.


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He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.


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He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. 


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Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 


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for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”


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He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, 


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for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes.”


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He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”


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Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 


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The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”


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He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 


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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. 


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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 in the midst of you as one who serves. 


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that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”


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but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”


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He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”


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He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”


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Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. 


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For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end.”


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saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”


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Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.


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When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,


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While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.


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When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”


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Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 


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When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”


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They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance.


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When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.


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A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”


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After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”


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After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”


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But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.


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The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”


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Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?”


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As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,


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They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”


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Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”


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But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”


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When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.


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Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.


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Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.


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Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.


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and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.


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He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”


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But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.


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He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.


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When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.


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But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 


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For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 


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When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.


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


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The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”


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An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”


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One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”


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But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?


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And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”


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Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.


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When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”


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All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts.


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All his acquaintances, and the women who followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.


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(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God:


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He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.


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The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid.


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They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.


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But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.


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It happened, while they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.


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Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?


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saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”


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Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.


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But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.


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Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.


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It happened, while they talked and questioned together, that Jesus himself came near, and went with them.


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One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”


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He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;


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


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But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.


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and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.


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Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.


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They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them.


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It happened, that when he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them.


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They said one to another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”


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They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,


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They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.


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See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”


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While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”


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He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”


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He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 


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and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 


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Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”


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The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.


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But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:


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The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.


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John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”


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No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.


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This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”


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They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.”


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They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”


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He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”


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He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.”


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The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!


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I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel.”


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John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.


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I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’


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Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”


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He said to them, “Come, and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.


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He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ).


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He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter).


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On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”


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Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”


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Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”


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Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”


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Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”


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Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!”


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He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”


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Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.


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When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,


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and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”


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This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.


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After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.


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He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables.


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To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!”


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The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?”


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When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.


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Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.


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and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.


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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.”


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Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see the Kingdom of God.”


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Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”


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Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into the Kingdom of God! 


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The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”


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Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. 


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If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 


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No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. 


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For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 


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For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 


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He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 


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This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 


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For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 


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But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”


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After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized.


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John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.


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There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.


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They came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”


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He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.


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He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.


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One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”


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Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John


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So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph.


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Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.


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The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)


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Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”


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The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From where then have you that living water?


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Are you greater than our father, Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, as did his children, and his livestock?”


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but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”


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The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw.”


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for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.”


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Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”


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Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father. 


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You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 


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But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. 


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The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah comes,” (he who is called Christ). “When he has come, he will declare to us all things.”


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At this, his disciples came. They marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?”


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Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already. 


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He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 


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I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”


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From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I did.”


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They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”


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So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went to the feast.


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Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.


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When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.


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Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.


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So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.”


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So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house.


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Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda,” having five porches.


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In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water;


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for an angel went down at certain times into the pool, and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was made whole of whatever disease he had.


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When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?”


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The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”


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Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.


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So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.”


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Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”


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For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.


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For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.


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Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. 


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For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 


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For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. 


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that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him. 


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“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 


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Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. 


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and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. 


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I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me. 


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It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. 


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But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. 


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But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. 


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The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. 


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“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. 


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I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 


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


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“Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 


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After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias.


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Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?”


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Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may receive a little.”


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Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.


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Jesus took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those who were sitting down; likewise also of the fish as much as they desired.


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When they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.”


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So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.


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When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.”


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Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.


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and they entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.


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When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid.


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They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.


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On the next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one in which his disciples had embarked, and that Jesus hadn’t entered with his disciples into the boat, but his disciples had gone away alone.


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However boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.


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When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus wasn’t there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.


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Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. 


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Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.”


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They said therefore to him, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you do?


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Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’”


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Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. 


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Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 


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This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 


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This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”


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The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down out of heaven.”


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They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, ‘I have come down out of heaven?’”


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No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 


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It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who hears from the Father, and has learned, comes to me. 


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I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”


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Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. 


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He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 


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As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. 


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This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”


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Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?”


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But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 


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It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life. 


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But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him.


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He said, “For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.”


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Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.


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After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.


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His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here, and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do.


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For no one does anything in secret, and himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.”


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But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly, but as it were in secret.


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There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”


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If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself. 


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


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Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy. 


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If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me, because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath? 


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Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Christ?


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However we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.”


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Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you don’t know. 


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They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.


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But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, he won’t do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?”


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The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.


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The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?


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What is this word that he said, ‘You will seek me, and won’t find me; and where I am, you can’t come’?”


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Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 


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He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”


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But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.


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Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”


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The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why didn’t you bring him?”


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They answered him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search, and see that no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”


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Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them.


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They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger.


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But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.”


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They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle.


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She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”


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Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”


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Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. 


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They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”


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Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.


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Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”


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He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. 


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I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”


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They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 


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I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”


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Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. 


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He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”


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Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. 


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They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free?’”


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Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. 


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I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. 


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I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”


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They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 


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But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. 


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You do the works of your father.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”


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Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. 


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You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father. 


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He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”


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Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’


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Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”


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Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. 


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You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. 


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Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.


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Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him. 


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I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. 


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When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud,


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and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.


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The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?”


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He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.”


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Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.”


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Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.


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Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”


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The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,


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but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.”


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His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.


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So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”


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He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”


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He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?”


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We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.


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Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”


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Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.”


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Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.


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“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 


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The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 


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Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 


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They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.”


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I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. 


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The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. 


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He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. 


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I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 


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No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”


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Others said, “These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?”


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The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”


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Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. 


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My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 


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Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”


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The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God.”


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do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ 


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But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”


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He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed.


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Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”


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It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick.


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The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.”


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But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”


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The disciples told him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and are you going there again?”


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Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 


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He said these things, and after that, he said to them, “Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.”


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I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”


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Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go also, that we may die with him.”


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


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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 


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She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”


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When she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, “The Teacher is here, and is calling you.”


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Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”


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Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”


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When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,


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Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”


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Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.


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Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”


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So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 


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I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”


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He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”


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The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs.


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If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”


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But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all,


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nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”


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Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,


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and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.


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Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.


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Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.


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Then they sought for Jesus and spoke one with another, as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?”


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Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.


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Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.


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So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.


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Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.


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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.


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A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.


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On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,


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they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”


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His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him.


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The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it.


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The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”


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These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”


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Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 


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He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 


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If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 


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“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But for this cause I came to this time. 


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Father, glorify your name!” Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”


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The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”


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The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?”


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Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 


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While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.


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that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”


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“He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.”


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Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue,


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If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 


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He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. 


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For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 


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I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”


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Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.


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During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,


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Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was going to God,


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arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.


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Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.


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Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”


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Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”


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So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 


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If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 


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Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. 


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I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ 


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Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”


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When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”


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Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.


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After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”


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For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.


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When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 


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If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. 


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Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. 


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A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. 


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Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”


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Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.


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In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 


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If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. 


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Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. 


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If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.”


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Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ 


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Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. 


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Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 


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Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. 


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I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,—


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the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. 


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Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. 


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One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”


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Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”


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Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. 


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He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. 


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But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. 


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Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. 


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You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. 


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But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.


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Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 


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Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 


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I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 


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If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 


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If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. 


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If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. 


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I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. 


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No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 


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You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 


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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. 


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Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 


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But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me. 


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If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 


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If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father. 


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But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’ 


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“When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. 


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They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. 


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But I have told you these things, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. 


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Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 


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However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. 


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All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you. 


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Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father?’”


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They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while?’ We don’t know what he is saying.”


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Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’ 


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Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 


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A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. 


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Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 


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“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 


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Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. 


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I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 


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In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you, 


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for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 


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I came out from the Father, and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”


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Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came forth from God.”


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Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 


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I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”


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Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 


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even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 


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This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 


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Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. 


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I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. 


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for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 


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I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 


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I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 


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While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 


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But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. 


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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. 


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I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 


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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. 


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I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. 


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Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 


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I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”


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When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.


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Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.


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Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went forth, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”


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They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.


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that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”


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Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.


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Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”


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So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,


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Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.


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Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;


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but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.


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Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.”


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Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.


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Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret. 


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Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said.”


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When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”


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Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.”


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One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?”


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They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.


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Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”


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that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.


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Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”


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Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”


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Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”


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Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”


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Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.


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But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”


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The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment.


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Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”


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Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”


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When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”


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The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”


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He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.


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Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?”


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Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”


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At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”


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When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement,” but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.”


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Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”


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They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”


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He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull,” which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha,”


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Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”


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Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.


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The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, I am King of the Jews.’”


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Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.


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Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.


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But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.


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Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!”


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Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.


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After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.”


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Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth.


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When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.


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Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.


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Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him;


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However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.


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He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.


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For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”


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After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.


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Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.


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So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.


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Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid.


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Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb.


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Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”


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and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.


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But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,


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and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.


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They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.”


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When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.


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Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”


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Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”


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Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.


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When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”


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When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.


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Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”


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If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”


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The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”


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After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace be to you.”


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Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”


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Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”


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Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;


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but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.


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After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.


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Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.


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Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.


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But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.


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He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.


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That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.


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But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.


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Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.


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Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.


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This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead.


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So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”


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He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”


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


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Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don’t want to go.”


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Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”


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Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus sincerely loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”


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This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”


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This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.


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There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written. 


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until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.


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To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.


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Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 


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For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”


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Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”


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He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 


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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”


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When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.


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While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,


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who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”


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Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.


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When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.


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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.


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In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,


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“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.


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Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.


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It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’


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For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’


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“Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,


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beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”


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They prayed, and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen


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to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”


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They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.


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Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.


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They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.


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When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.


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They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans?


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Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,


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But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.


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‘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.


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Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.


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I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.


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The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.


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“Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,


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


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whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.


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For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.


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“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.


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Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,


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he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.


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Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.


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For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand,


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“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”


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Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”


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Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


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For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”


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With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”


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


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


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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,


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praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.


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A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple.


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But Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”


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He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.


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Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.


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They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.


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As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.


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When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?


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The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.


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By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.


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But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.


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“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,


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whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.


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For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you.


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It will be, that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people.’


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Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.


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You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘In your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed.’


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God, having raised up his servant, Jesus, sent him to you first, to bless you, in turning away everyone of you from your wickedness.”


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As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,


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But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.


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It happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.


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Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.


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When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”


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Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,


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if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,


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


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He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’


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There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”


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


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saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.


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But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”


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But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,


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When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.


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Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.


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When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;


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who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?


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The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’


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“For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together


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while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”


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


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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.


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With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.


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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,


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


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Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,


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and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.


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But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?


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While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”


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But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”


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She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.


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By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.


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They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them.


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Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed.


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But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,


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When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.


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“We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”


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Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this.


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One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”


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Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.


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saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.”


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God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.


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We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”


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But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.


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For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.


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After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.


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Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.


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But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”


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They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.


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


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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.


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The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.


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Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.


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These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;


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The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.


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But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines,” and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.


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Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”


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They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,


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and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.


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For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”


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All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.


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He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,


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and said to him, ‘Get out of your land, and from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’


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Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living.


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He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he still had no child.


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God spoke in this way: that his seed would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.


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‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that will they come out, and serve me in this place.’


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He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.


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and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.


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Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food.


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On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh.


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and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.


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“But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,


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The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive.


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At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.


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But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.


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Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.


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He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.


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“The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’


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But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?


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Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.


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“When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.


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When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him,


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‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled, and dared not look.


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The Lord said to him, ‘Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.


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I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’


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“This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.


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This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.


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This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’


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This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,


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to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,


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saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’


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They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.


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But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?


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You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’


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“Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;


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which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,


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‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord; ‘or what is the place of my rest?


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“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.


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


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Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.


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But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,


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They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.


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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.


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


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


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The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.


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For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.


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But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,


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to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”


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But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.


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Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.


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


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Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,


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But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!


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Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.


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Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”


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They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.


text:
But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”


text:
He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.


text:
Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”


text:
He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.


text:
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.


text:
In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”


text:
The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”


text:
As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”


text:
He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.


text:
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.


text:
But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.


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


text:
and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.


text:
As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.


text:
Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.


text:
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”


text:
The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 


text:
and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”


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


text:
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 


text:
Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”


text:
Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.


text:
He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.


text:
All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”


text:
But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.


text:
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,


text:
When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.


text:
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.


text:
preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.


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


text:
It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.


text:
There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.


text:
Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.


text:
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.


text:
It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.


text:
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.


text:
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.


text:
Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.


text:
Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,


text:
a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.


text:
At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”


text:
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.


text:
When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.


text:
Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.


text:
He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,


text:
in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.


text:
Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,


text:
They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”


text:
So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.


text:
On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.


text:
He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.


text:
Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”


text:
Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,


text:
and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.


text:
Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’


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


text:
The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—


text:
you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;


text:
even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.


text:
We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.


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not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.


text:
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.


text:
All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”


text:
They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.


text:
“Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?”


text:
He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.


text:
Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.


text:
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.


text:
When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.


text:
But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’


text:
Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.


text:
The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.


text:
He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, whose surname is Peter,


text:
I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’


text:
If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”


text:
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”


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


text:
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.


text:
The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,


text:
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.


text:
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.


text:
When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.


text:
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.


text:
As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;


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


text:
When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.


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


text:
The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.


text:
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands.


text:
The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.”


text:
And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.


text:
When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.


text:
When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”


text:
Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.


text:
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.


text:
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.


text:
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.


text:
When Herod had sought for him, and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.


text:
Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.


text:
On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.


text:
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.


text:
Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John whose surname was Mark.


text:
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.


text:
As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”


text:
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.


text:
When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant.


text:
When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus,


text:
who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.


text:
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.


text:
and said, “Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?


text:
Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.


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


text:
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.


text:
But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.


text:
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.”


text:
The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.


text:
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.


text:
Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.


text:
When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’


text:
As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’


text:
Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.


text:
For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.


text:
When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.


text:
and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.


text:
that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’


text:
“Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’


text:
For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.


text:
Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,


text:
and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.


text:
‘Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.’”


text:
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.


text:
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.


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


text:
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.


text:
For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”


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


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


text:
It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.


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


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


text:
they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.


text:
At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.


text:
He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,


text:
When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”


text:
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.


text:
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,


text:
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;


text:
Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”


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


text:
But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.


text:
When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,


text:
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.


text:
When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.


text:
From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.


text:
When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.


text:
Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”


text:
Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.


text:
They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.


text:
When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.


text:
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”


text:
When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.


text:
God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.


text:
Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?


text:
All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.


text:
‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,


text:
That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.


text:
but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.


text:
For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”


text:
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.


text:
They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.


text:
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;


text:
it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,


text:
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.


text:
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:


text:
that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”


text:
So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.


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


text:
After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.


text:
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.


text:
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”


text:
But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.


text:
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,


text:
He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek.


text:
Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.


text:
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.


text:
When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.


text:
When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them.


text:
A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”


text:
When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them.


text:
Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;


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


text:
On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together.


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


text:
When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay.” So she persuaded us.


text:
It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.


text:
Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!”


text:
She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” It came out that very hour.


text:
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.


text:
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city,


text:
The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods.


text:
When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,


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who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.


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But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.


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Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were loosened.


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The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.


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He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.


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He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.


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The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out, and go in peace.”


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


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The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,


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and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city.


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They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed.


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Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.


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Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,


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explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”


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Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.


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But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.


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When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,


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whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!”


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


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


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


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Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.


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But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.


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Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.


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


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Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.


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They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you?


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For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.”


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Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.


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Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.


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For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you.


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The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands,


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neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.


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He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,


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that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.


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‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’


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Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.


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The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,


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because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”


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


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But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.


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He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,


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


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But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.


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When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”


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He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.


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Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.


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But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,


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But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;


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but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.”


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Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn’t care about any of these things.


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Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.


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He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.


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but taking his leave of them, and saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.


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Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.


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Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.


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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.


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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.


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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;


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It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.


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He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”


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Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”


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When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.


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


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


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This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.


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so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out.


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But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”


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The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.


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This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.


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Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.


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Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”


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Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.


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For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,


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whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.


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You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands.


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Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.”


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When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”


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The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.


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Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.


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Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.


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They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.


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But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”


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When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?


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For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.


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If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.


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For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”


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After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.


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When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.


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These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.


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We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.


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On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.


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A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.


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Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”


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When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.


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But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.


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Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.


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For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.


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


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


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


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


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“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.


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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.


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Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.


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


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Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


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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.’”


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sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.


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When it happened that we had parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.


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When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.


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Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.


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When it happened that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.


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When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.


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On the next day, we, who were Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.


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Coming to us, and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”


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Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”


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Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.


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When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.


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They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.


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They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.


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Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.


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But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.”


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Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.


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When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,


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crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!”


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For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.


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All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut.


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As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.


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Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul.


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Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done.


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Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.


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When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd;


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As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you?” He said, “Do you know Greek?


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Aren’t you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?”


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But Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”


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When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,


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“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day.


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As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.


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It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.


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“Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn’t understand the voice of him who spoke to me.


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I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.’


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When I couldn’t see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.


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One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,


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came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ In that very hour I looked up at him.


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He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.


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“It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,


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and saw him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.’


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I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you.


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When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.’


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They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!”


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the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that.


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When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?”


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When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!”


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The commanding officer answered, “I bought my citizenship for a great price.” Paul said, “But I was born a Roman.”


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Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.


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But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.


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Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.”


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Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?”


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Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”


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But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”


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When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.


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For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.


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A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”


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When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.


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The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”


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When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.


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They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.


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Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.”


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But Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.


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Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.”


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So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you.”


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The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”


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He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.


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Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.”


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So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”


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He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.”


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He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.


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“This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.


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I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.


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When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”


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When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.


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When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,


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“I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.


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After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.


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When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,


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For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.


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When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,


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seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.


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In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.


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But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;


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having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.


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amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.


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Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,


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unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”


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But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”


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He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.


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But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.


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As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”


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Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.


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But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.


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Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.


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Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,


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However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.


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“Let them therefore,” said he, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”


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When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.


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When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,


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while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”


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But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?”


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But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.


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For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”


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Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”


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As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;


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about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.


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To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.


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When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.


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but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.


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Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.


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But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.”


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Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”


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So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.


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Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.


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But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.


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Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.


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For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”


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Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.


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“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews,


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especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.


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“Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;


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having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.


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which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!


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“I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.


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This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.


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Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.


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at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.


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When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’


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But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you; 


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to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’


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but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.


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Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen,


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how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”


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As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”


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But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.


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For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.


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Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.”


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When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”


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When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.


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Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.


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The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.


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When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.


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When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.


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With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.


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When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them,


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and said to them, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”


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But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul.


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Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast.


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When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.


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Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.


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After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.


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When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.


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When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.


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saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’


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But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.


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They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms. After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.


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Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight.


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As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow,


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Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these stay in the ship, you can’t be saved.”


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While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, “This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.


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Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.”


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When he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it, and began to eat.


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When it was day, they didn’t recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it.


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Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.


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But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.


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But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;


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and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land.


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The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.


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But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.


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When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.”


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But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.


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Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days.


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It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him.


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They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.


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After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.”


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From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli,


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From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage.


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When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.


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It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,


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But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation.


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For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”


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They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you.


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But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”


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When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.


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When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,


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saying, ‘Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.


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For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.’


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“Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen.”


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preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. 


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who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,


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


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to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.


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


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


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that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.


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


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For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.


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For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”


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For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,


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For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.


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Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.


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and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.


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Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,


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who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


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For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.


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Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.


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Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;


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being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,


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backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,


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who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.


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Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.


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Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?


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


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But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God;


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but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,


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oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who works evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.


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But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.


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For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.


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For it isn’t the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified


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(for when Gentiles who don’t have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves,


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in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)


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a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babies, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth.


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You therefore who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn’t steal, do you steal?


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You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery. Do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?


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For circumcision indeed profits, if you are a doer of the law, but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.


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If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won’t his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision?


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Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law?


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For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh;


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but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.


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May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment.”


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But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.


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For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?


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Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let us do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.


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What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.


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They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not, so much as one.” 


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“Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.”  “The poison of vipers is under their lips;”


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Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.


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Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.


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But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;


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even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,


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whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance;


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to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.


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Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.


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since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.


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For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”


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But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.


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Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,


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Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.


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How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.


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He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.


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He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.


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For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.


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For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.


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For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.


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As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.


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Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your seed be.”


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Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.


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Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,


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but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,


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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.


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and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.


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For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.


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For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.


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Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.


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Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.


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Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.


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But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.


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The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.


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For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.


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So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.


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For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.


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The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;


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that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


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We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.


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For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;


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knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin.


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Neither 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.


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Don’t you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?


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But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered.


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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.


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What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.


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But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life.


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Or don’t you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives?


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For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.


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So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.


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Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.


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For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.


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But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.


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What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”


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But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.


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Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.


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For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.


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For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.


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but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.


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I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law.


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There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.


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For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;


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that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.


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For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.


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because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.


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But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.


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If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.


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But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.


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For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.


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For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”


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and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.


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For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.


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For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope


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that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.


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Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.


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In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.


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


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


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For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


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


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He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?


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Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.


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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?


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Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”


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For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,


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nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh,


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who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;


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of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.


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But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.


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Neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children. But, “In Isaac will your seed be called.”


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That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.


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For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,


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For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”


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For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”


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But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”


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Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?


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What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction,


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


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As he says also in Hosea, “I will call them ‘my people,’ which were not my people; and her ‘beloved,’ who was not beloved.”


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“It will be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ There they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”


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Isaiah cries concerning Israel, “If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant who will be saved;


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for He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.”


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As Isaiah has said before, “Unless the Lord of Armies had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have been made like Gomorrah.”


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What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn’t follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith;


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Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone;


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even as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed.”


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For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God.


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But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down);


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But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith, which we preach:


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that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


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For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


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For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.


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How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?


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And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”


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But I say, didn’t they hear? Yes, most certainly, “Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”


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But I ask, didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, “I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, with a nation void of understanding I will make you angry.”


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Isaiah is very bold, and says, “I was found by those who didn’t seek me. I was revealed to those who didn’t ask for me.”


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But as to Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”


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I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.


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God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel:


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“Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.”


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But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”


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And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.


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What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.


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According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”


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David says, “Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.


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I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.


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Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?


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For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;


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For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?


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But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;


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don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.


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


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See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.


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They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.


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For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?


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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,


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and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, “There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.


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Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.


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even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.


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Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!


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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.


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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.


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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.


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Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;


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


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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.


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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.”


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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.”


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Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.


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Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.


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For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,


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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.


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Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.


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


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Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.


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Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.


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For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not give false testimony,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”


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Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.


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The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.


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Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.


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Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.


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Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.


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One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.


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He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks.


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For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.


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For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.


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But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.


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For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’”


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Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling.


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I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.


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Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.


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


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


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Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating.


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It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.


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Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn’t judge himself in that which he approves.


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But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (14:24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (14:25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (14:26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.


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For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”


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


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


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Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,


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and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”


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Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”


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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.


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I myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.


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But I write the more boldly to you in part, as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,


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


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For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,


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


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yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.


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But, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”


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


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whenever I journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.


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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.


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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.


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When therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.


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


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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,


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that I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints;


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that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.


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who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.


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Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.


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Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.


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Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.


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Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.


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Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.


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


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For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.


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And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


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Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.


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to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:


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


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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.


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For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.


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Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.”


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(I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.)


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For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void.


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For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.


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For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”


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Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?


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For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.


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but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.


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For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;


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but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;


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and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:


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But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:


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When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.


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My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,


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We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing.


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But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,


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which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.


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But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”


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But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.


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For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit.


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But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.


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Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.


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Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


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for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?


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Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?


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Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.


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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.


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each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.


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If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.


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If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.


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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.


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


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whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,


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But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man’s judgment. Yes, I don’t judge my own self.


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For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.


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


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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.


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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?


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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.


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For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.


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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.


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Even to this present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain dwelling place.


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Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.


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For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.


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Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly.


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But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.


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It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.


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You are puffed up, and didn’t rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.


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


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In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.


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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.


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Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


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yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world.


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But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Don’t even eat with such a person.


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For what have I to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?


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Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?


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Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?


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If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?


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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?


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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?


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Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,


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nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God.


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Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.


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“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything.


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“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.


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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!


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Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two,” says he, “will become one flesh.”


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Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.


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Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,


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for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.


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But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.


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Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.


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The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife.


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Don’t deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn’t tempt you because of your lack of self-control.


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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.


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(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.


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But to the rest I—not the Lord—say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her.


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The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.


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For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.


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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.


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For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?


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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.


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Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.


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Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.


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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.


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


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I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.


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But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.


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But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;


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and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess;


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and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.


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But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;


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There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.


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This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.


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But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.


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But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well.


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So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better.


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A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomever she desires, only in the Lord.


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But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.


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Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.


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Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one.


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For though there are things that are called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords;”


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yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.


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However, that knowledge isn’t in all men. But some, with consciousness of the idol until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.


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But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.


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For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?


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Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.


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Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.


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


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If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


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Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?


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What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn’t eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn’t drink from the flock’s milk?


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For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares,


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or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.


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If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ.


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Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?


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But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.


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For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don’t preach the Good News.


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For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.


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What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.


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To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law;


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to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.


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


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Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.


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Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.


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but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.


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Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;


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and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.


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Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.


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Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”


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Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.


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Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.


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No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


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The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ?


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


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Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don’t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?


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But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons.


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You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.


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“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up.


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But if one of those who don’t believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.


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But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”


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Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?


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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.


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Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.


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But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.


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But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.


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For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.


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


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Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord.


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But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse.


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For first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it.


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What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.


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For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.


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When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.”


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In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.”


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For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.


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Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.


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For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.


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But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.


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You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.


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Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.


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For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;


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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.


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But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.


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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.


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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.


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If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body.


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If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body.


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If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?


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The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”


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Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety;


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whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,


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that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.


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


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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.


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If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.


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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.


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If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.


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doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;


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Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.


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When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.


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For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.


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For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.


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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.


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But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?


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Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?


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So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.


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If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.


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So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.


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What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.


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Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?


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However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.


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In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.”


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Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.


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If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?


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


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And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.


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What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.


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If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.


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But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.


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let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says.


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If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly.


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If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.


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Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,


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


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For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,


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Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.


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For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.


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


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Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?


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Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised.


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Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power.


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For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.


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When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.


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Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead?


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If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”


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That which you sow, you don’t sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind.


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All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.


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There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial.


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There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.


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It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.


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So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.


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However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.


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As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.


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Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.


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in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.


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But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”


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


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Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.


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On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.


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When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.


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But with you it may be that I will stay, or even winter, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go.


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For I do not wish to see you now in passing, but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.


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Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.


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Therefore let no one despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brothers.


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Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.


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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),


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I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for that which was lacking on your part, they supplied.


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The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.


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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:


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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;


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who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.


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But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.


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Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so also are you of the comfort.


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For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.


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Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,


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who delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver; on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;


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you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed on us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.


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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.


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For we write no other things to you, than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end;


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


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and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea.


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When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no?”


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For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes and no,” but in him is “Yes.”


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For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen,” to the glory of God through us.


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Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.


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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.


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For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.


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But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.


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so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.


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For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.


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Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,


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I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.


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Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.


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to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?


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


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Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?


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being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.


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not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;


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who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


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But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away:


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For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.


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For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.


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and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.


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But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.


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


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


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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.


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


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seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


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But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.


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always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.


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For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.


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But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” We also believe, and therefore also we speak;


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knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.


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For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.


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


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For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;


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while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.


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For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.


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For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven;


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For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.


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Therefore, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;


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We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.


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For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.


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


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For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.


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For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.


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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.


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


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


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But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;


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namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.


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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.


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For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.


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for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.


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but in everything commending ourselves, as servants of God, in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,


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in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,


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as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.


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Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?


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What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”


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Therefore, “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.


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Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.


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I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.


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Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.


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For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.


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and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.


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For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.


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I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.


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For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.


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For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.


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So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.


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Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.


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For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.


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His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.


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Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;


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how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.


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begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.


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This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.


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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.


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


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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.


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I give a judgment in this: for this is expedient for you, who were the first to start a year ago, not only to do, but also to be willing.


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But now complete the doing also, that as there was the readiness to be willing, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.


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


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but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality.


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As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”


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For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.


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We have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the Good News is known through all the assemblies.


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Not only so, but who was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord himself, and to show our readiness.


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We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us.


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Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.


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We have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he has in you.


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As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you. As for our brothers, they are the apostles of the assemblies, the glory of Christ.


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Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.


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for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.


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But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,


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so that I won’t by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.


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I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.


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Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.


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


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And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.


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As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”


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Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;


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


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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 liberality of your contribution to them and to all;


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while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, yearn for you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.


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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.


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Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.


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for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,


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throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;


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Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s.


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For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,


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For, “His letters,” they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”


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Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.


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For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.


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But we will not boast beyond proper limits, but within the boundaries with which God appointed to us, which reach even to you.


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For we don’t stretch ourselves too much, as though we didn’t reach to you. For we came even as far as to you with the Good News of Christ,


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not boasting beyond proper limits in other men’s labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,


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so as to preach the Good News even to the parts beyond you, not to boast in what someone else has already done.


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For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.


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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.


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For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough.


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But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things.


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Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?


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When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so.


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But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we.


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It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.


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I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little.


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That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.


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For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face.


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I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.


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Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.


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Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep.


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I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers;


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in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.


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Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.


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In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest me.


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It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.


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I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.


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how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.


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On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.


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For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.


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


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He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.


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Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.


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I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.


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Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty works.


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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.


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Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.


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


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I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps?


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Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.


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For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;


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that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed.


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This is the third time I am coming to you. “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”


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I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;


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seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.


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


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Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.


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Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is honorable, though we are as reprobate.


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For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.


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For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.


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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.


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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. 


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Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),


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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—


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I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;


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and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.


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But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.


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As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.


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


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But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.


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For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.


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For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.


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I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.


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But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,


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to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,


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nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.


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but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”


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Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.


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


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This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;


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to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.


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But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,


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but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision


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(for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);


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and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.


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For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.


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And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.


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But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?


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yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.


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But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!


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I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.


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I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”


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Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified?


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I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?


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He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?


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The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”


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For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”


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Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”


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Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”


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that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


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Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.


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Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn’t say, “To seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “To your seed,” which is Christ.


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Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.


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For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.


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What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.


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Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.


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But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.


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But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.


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There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


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But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;


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So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.


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And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”


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But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?


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


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What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.


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However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.


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These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.


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For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.


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For it is written, “Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear. Break forth and shout, you that don’t travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband.”


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But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.


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However what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”


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Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.


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Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.


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You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.


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


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I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.


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


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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.


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For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.


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Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,


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envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.


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Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.


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For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.


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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.


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As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


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


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But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


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From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body.


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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:


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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;


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even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;


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having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,


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in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,


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to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;


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in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;


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in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


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who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.


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For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,


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that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;


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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,


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and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might


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which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,


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far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.


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He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,


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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;


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among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.


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even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),


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that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;


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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.


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Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision,” (in the flesh, made by hands);


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that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.


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having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;


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and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.


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So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,


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being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;


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


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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;


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that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,


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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.


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


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and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;


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to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,


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that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;


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that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,


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may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,


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and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


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Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,


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


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Now this, “He ascended,” what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?


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He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.


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


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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;


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that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;


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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.


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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,


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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;


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that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;


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and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.


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


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


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Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.


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And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.


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


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But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;


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nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.


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Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.


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Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.


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But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.


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speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord;


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giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;


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


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But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.


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that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.


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Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.


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For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;


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“For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.”


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Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.


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You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


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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;


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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;


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knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.


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You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.


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For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.


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Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.


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Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


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above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.


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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:


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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,


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But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;


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whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.


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Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ; To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and servants:


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being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.


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It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.


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so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;


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being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.


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Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;


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so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;


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and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.


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The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;


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What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.


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For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,


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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.


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But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.


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But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.


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Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,


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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;


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and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.


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Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,


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If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,


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


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And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.


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that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,


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So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.


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that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,


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


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


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But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.


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But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.


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But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;


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For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.


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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.


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because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.


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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.


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For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;


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though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:


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circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;


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concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.


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Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ


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and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;


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that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;


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Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.


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Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,


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


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


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Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.


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For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,


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whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.


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who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.


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


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Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.


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In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.


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And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.


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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.


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The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.


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But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.


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Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.


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I know how to be humbled, and I know also 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.


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You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.


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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.


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to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News,


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


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


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For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,


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


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


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giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;


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who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;


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For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.


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He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.


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and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.


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yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,


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if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.


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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;


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of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,


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the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,


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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;


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


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


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that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,


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


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rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.


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Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.


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in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;


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having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.


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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,


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wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;


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having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.


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Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,


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Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,


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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.


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If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,


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Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.


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If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.


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Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;


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but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.


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where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.


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Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;


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bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.


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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.


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Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.


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Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.


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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.


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knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.


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But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.


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


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praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;


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Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.


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All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.


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I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,


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together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.


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Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),


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and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.


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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.


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For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.


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When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.


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


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


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


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


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


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For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything.


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For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,


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


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


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But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.


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


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


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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.


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For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.


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


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


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For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.


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For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;


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who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn’t please God, and are contrary to all men;


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forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.


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But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,


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For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?


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Therefore, when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,


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and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;


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


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


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


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for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.


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For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;


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


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and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,


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


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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.


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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.


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Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.


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


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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;


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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;


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But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope.


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For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.


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


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For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,


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then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.


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But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.


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For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.


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You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,


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


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For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


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


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We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.


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


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


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


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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 towards one another abounds;


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


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This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.


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


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giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,


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who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,


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


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To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power;


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that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you


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not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.


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Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,


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he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.


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For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.


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Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;


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even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,


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


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But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;


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to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.


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Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,


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


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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.


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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;


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not because we don’t have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.


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For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: “If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”


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


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If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.


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Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.


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Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope;


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to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine,


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neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith—


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desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.


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as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,


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for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;


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And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service;


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although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.


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The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.


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However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.


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Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.


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This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you may wage the good warfare;


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holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;


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of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.


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I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:


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for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence.


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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.


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I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.


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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;


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


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


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(but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)


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Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.


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


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For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.


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but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.


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Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.


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But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,


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forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.


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For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving.


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If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.


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For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.


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


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


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Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.


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Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.


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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.


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


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


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But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.


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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.


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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.


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


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If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.


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


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For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”


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


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Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.


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In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.


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Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.


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


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If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,


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he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,


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constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.


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But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.


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For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


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


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Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.


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


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that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;


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which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;


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who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.


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


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that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;


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laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.


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


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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,


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to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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


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having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.


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For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.


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Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,


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


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but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.


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For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.


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Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.


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May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,


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(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.


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


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No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.


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Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.


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Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don’t argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.


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Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.


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men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.


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However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”


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Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor.


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If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.


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


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in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,


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and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.


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For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,


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without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,


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For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,


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Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith, are rejected.


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But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be.


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persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me.


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But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.


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From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.


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Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,


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I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:


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


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For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;


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But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.


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From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.


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for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.


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Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments.


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But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.


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And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.


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Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.


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Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,


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but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;


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to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.


