# verses

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<J><f>ⓓ</f> Whoever is of God hears the words of God. <f>ⓔ</f>The reason why you do not hear them is that <f>ⓕ</f>you are not of God.”</J>


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<pb/>The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and <f>ⓖ</f>have a demon?”


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<J>Truly, truly, <f>ⓙ</f>I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never <f>ⓚ</f>see death.”</J>


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The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! <f>ⓛ</f>Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet <f>ⓜ</f>you say, <J>‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never <f>ⓝ</f>taste death.’</J>


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<f>ⓞ</f> Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”


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Jesus answered, <J> <f>ⓟ</f>“If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. <f>ⓠ</f>It is my Father who glorifies me, <f>ⓡ</f>of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ <f>[3]</f></J>


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<J>But <f>ⓢ</f>you have not known him. <f>ⓣ</f>I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be <f>ⓤ</f>a liar <f>ⓥ</f>like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.</J>


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<J><f>ⓦ</f> Your father Abraham <f>ⓧ</f>rejoiced <f>ⓨ</f>that he would see my day. <f>ⓩ</f>He saw it and was glad.”</J>


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And his disciples asked him, <f>ⓐ</f>“Rabbi, <f>ⓑ</f>who sinned, <f>ⓒ</f>this man or <f>ⓓ</f>his parents, that he was born blind?”


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Jesus answered, <J>“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but <f>ⓔ</f>that the works of God might be displayed in him.</J>


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<J>We must <f>ⓕ</f>work the works of him who sent me <f>ⓖ</f>while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.</J>


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Having said these things, <f>ⓘ</f>he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. <f>ⓙ</f>Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud


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and said to him, <J>“Go, wash in <f>ⓚ</f>the pool of Siloam”</J> (which means Sent). So he went and washed and <f>ⓛ</f>came back seeing.


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<pb/>The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, <f>ⓜ</f>“Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”


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He answered, <f>ⓝ</f>“The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, <J>‘Go to Siloam and wash.’</J> So I went and washed and received my sight.”


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<f>ⓟ</f> So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”


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Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not <f>ⓠ</f>from God, <f>ⓡ</f>for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, <f>ⓢ</f>“How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And <f>ⓣ</f>there was a division among them.


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So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, <f>ⓤ</f>“He is a prophet.”


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<pb/><f>ⓥ</f> The Jews <f>[1]</f> did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight


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But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”


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(His parents said these things <f>ⓦ</f>because they feared the Jews, for <f>ⓧ</f>the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should <f>ⓨ</f>confess Jesus <f>[2]</f> to be Christ, <f>ⓩ</f>he was to be put out of the synagogue.)


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<pb/>So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, <f>ⓑ</f>“Give glory to God. We know that <f>ⓒ</f>this man is a sinner.”


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He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I <f>ⓓ</f>was blind, now I see.”


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He answered them, <f>ⓔ</f>“I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”


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We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, <f>ⓖ</f>we do not know where he comes from.”


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The man answered, “Why, this is <f>ⓗ</f>an amazing thing! <f>ⓘ</f>You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.


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We know that <f>ⓙ</f>God does not listen to sinners, but <f>ⓚ</f>if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.


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They answered him, <f>ⓜ</f>“You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they <f>ⓝ</f>cast him out.


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<pb/>Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, <J>“Do you believe in <f>ⓞ</f>the Son of Man?” <f>[3]</f></J>


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Jesus said, <J> <f>ⓡ</f>“For judgment I came into this world, <f>ⓢ</f>that those who do not see may see, and <f>ⓣ</f>those who see may become blind.”</J>


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Jesus said to them, <J>“If you were blind, <f>ⓥ</f>you would have no guilt; <f>[4]</f> but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.</J>


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<pb/><J>“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.</J>


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<J>To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.</J>


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<J>When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.</J>


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<J><f>ⓐ</f> A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”</J>


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This figure of speech Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>used with them, but they <f>ⓒ</f>did not understand what he was saying to them.


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<pb/>So Jesus again said to them, <J>“Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓓ</f>I am the door of the sheep.</J>


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<J>I am the door. If anyone enters by me, <f>ⓔ</f>he will be saved and will go in and out and <f>ⓕ</f>find pasture.</J>


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<J>The thief comes only to steal and <f>ⓖ</f>kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.</J>


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<J>He who is <f>ⓙ</f>a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and <f>ⓚ</f>leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and <f>ⓛ</f>scatters them.</J>


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<J><f>ⓡ</f> just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and <f>ⓢ</f>I lay down my life for the sheep.</J>


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<J>And <f>ⓣ</f>I have other sheep that are not of this fold. <f>ⓤ</f>I must bring them also, and <f>ⓥ</f>they will listen to my voice. So there will be <f>ⓦ</f>one flock, <f>ⓧ</f>one shepherd.</J>


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<J><f>ⓨ</f> For this reason the Father loves me, <f>ⓩ</f>because <f>ⓐ</f>I lay down my life that I may take it up again.</J>


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<J><f>ⓑ</f> No one takes it from me, but <f>ⓒ</f>I lay it down <f>ⓓ</f>of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and <f>ⓔ</f>I have authority to take it up again. <f>ⓕ</f>This charge I have received from my Father.”</J>


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Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. <f>ⓙ</f>Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”


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So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are <f>ⓛ</f>the Christ, <f>ⓜ</f>tell us plainly.”


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Jesus answered them, <J>“I told you, and you do not believe. <f>ⓝ</f>The works that I do <f>ⓞ</f>in my Father's name bear witness about me,</J>


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<J><f>ⓡ</f> I give them eternal life, and <f>ⓢ</f>they will never perish, and <f>ⓣ</f>no one will snatch them out of my hand.</J>


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<J>My Father, <f>ⓤ</f>who has given them to me, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓥ</f>is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of <f>ⓦ</f>the Father's hand.</J>


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Jesus answered them, <J>“I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”</J>


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The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but <f>ⓩ</f>for blasphemy, because you, being a man, <f>ⓐ</f>make yourself God.”


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<J>If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be <f>ⓓ</f>broken — </J>


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<J>do you say of him whom <f>ⓔ</f>the Father consecrated and <f>ⓕ</f>sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because <f>ⓖ</f>I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?</J>


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<J>but if I do them, <f>ⓘ</f>even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that <f>ⓙ</f>the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”</J>


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<pb/>He went away again across the Jordan to the place <f>ⓛ</f>where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.


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And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but <f>ⓜ</f>everything that John said about this man was true.”


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<pb/>Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of <f>ⓐ</f>Mary and her sister Martha.


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<f>ⓑ</f> It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.


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But when Jesus heard it he said, <J> <f>ⓓ</f>“This illness does not lead to death. It is for <f>ⓔ</f>the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”</J>


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So, when he heard that Lazarus <f>[1]</f> was ill, <f>ⓖ</f>he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.


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The disciples said to him, <f>ⓘ</f>“Rabbi, <f>ⓙ</f>the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”


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Jesus answered, <J> <f>ⓚ</f>“Are there not twelve hours in the day? <f>ⓛ</f>If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.</J>


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<J>But <f>ⓜ</f>if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not <f>ⓝ</f>in him.”</J>


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After saying these things, he said to them, <J>“Our friend Lazarus <f>ⓞ</f>has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”</J>


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<J>and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”</J>


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<f>ⓟ</f> So Thomas, called the Twin, <f>[2]</f> said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, <f>ⓠ</f>that we may die with him.”


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<f>ⓣ</f> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.


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<f>ⓧ</f> Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in <f>ⓨ</f>the resurrection on the last day.”


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Jesus said to her, <J> <f>ⓩ</f>“I am the resurrection and <f>ⓐ</f>the life. <f>[4]</f> Whoever believes in me, <f>ⓑ</f>though he die, <f>ⓒ</f>yet shall he live,</J>


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She said to him, “Yes, Lord; <f>ⓔ</f>I believe that <f>ⓕ</f>you are the Christ, the Son of God, <f>ⓖ</f>who is coming into the world.”


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<pb/>When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, <f>ⓗ</f>“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”


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When the Jews <f>ⓘ</f>who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.


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Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, <f>ⓙ</f>“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”


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When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he <f>ⓚ</f>was deeply moved <f>[5]</f> in his spirit and <f>ⓛ</f>greatly troubled.


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But some of them said, “Could not he <f>ⓞ</f>who opened the eyes of the blind man <f>ⓟ</f>also have kept this man from dying?”


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<pb/>Then Jesus, <f>ⓠ</f>deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was <f>ⓡ</f>a cave, and <f>ⓢ</f>a stone lay against it.


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Jesus said, <J>“Take away the stone.”</J> Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for <f>ⓣ</f>he has been dead four days.”


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Jesus said to her, <J> <f>ⓤ</f>“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see <f>ⓥ</f>the glory of God?”</J>


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So they took away the stone. And Jesus <f>ⓦ</f>lifted up his eyes and said, <J>“Father, I thank you that you have heard me.</J>


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<J><f>ⓧ</f> I knew that you always hear me, but I said this <f>ⓨ</f>on account of the people standing around, <f>ⓩ</f>that they may believe that you sent me.”</J>


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<f>ⓐ</f> The man who had died came out, <f>ⓑ</f>his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and <f>ⓒ</f>his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, <J>“Unbind him, and let him go.”</J>


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<pb/><f>ⓓ</f> Many of the Jews therefore, <f>ⓔ</f>who had come with Mary and <f>ⓕ</f>had seen what he did, believed in him,


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So the chief priests and the Pharisees <f>ⓖ</f>gathered <f>ⓗ</f>the council and said, <f>ⓘ</f>“What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.


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If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and <f>ⓙ</f>the Romans will come and take away both our <f>ⓚ</f>place and our nation.”


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But one of them, <f>ⓛ</f>Caiaphas, <f>ⓜ</f>who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all.


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Nor do you understand that <f>ⓝ</f>it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”


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He did not say this of his own accord, but <f>ⓞ</f>being high priest that year <f>ⓟ</f>he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,


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and <f>ⓠ</f>not for the nation only, but also <f>ⓡ</f>to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.


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<pb/>Jesus therefore <f>ⓣ</f>no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓤ</f>the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and <f>ⓥ</f>many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover <f>ⓦ</f>to purify themselves.


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<f>ⓧ</f> They were looking for <f>[6]</f> Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?”


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Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.


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<pb/>Six days before <f>ⓐ</f>the Passover, <f>ⓑ</f>Jesus therefore came to Bethany, <f>ⓒ</f>where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.


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So they gave a dinner for him there. <f>ⓓ</f>Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.


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<f>ⓔ</f> Mary therefore took a pound <f>[1]</f> of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.


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“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓕ</f>given to the poor?”


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He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and <f>ⓖ</f>having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.


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<pb/>When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus <f>[4]</f> was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, <f>ⓗ</f>whom he had raised from the dead.


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<pb/>The next day <f>ⓚ</f>the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.


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So they took branches of <f>ⓛ</f>palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, <f>ⓜ</f>“Hosanna! Blessed is <f>ⓝ</f>he who comes in the name of the Lord, even <f>ⓞ</f>the King of Israel!”


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<pb/><t><f>ⓟ</f> “Fear not, daughter of Zion; </t><t>behold, your king is coming, </t><t>sitting on a donkey's colt!” </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓠ</f> His disciples did not understand these things at first, but <f>ⓡ</f>when Jesus was glorified, then <f>ⓢ</f>they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.


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<f>ⓣ</f> The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.


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So the Pharisees said to one another, <f>ⓥ</f>“You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, <f>ⓦ</f>the world has gone after him.”


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So these came to <f>ⓩ</f>Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”


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And Jesus answered them, <J> <f>ⓑ</f>“The hour has come <f>ⓒ</f>for the Son of Man to be glorified.</J>


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<J>Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓓ</f>unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.</J>


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<J><f>ⓔ</f> Whoever loves his life loses it, and <f>ⓕ</f>whoever <f>ⓖ</f>hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.</J>


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<J>If anyone serves me, he must <f>ⓗ</f>follow me; and <f>ⓘ</f>where I am, there will my servant be also. <f>ⓙ</f>If anyone serves me, <f>ⓚ</f>the Father will honor him.</J>


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<pb/><J><f>ⓛ</f> “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, <f>ⓜ</f>save me from <f>ⓝ</f>this hour’? But <f>ⓞ</f>for this purpose I have come to <f>ⓟ</f>this hour.</J>


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<J>Father, glorify your name.”</J> Then <f>ⓠ</f>a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”


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The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, <f>ⓡ</f>“An angel has spoken to him.”


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<J><f>ⓣ</f> Now is the judgment of this world; now will <f>ⓤ</f>the ruler of this world <f>ⓥ</f>be cast out.</J>


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<J>And I, <f>ⓦ</f>when I am lifted up from the earth, <f>ⓧ</f>will draw <f>ⓨ</f>all people to myself.”</J>


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So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that <f>ⓐ</f>the Christ remains forever. How can you say that <f>ⓑ</f>the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”


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So Jesus said to them, <J> <f>ⓒ</f>“The light is among you <f>ⓓ</f>for a little while longer. <f>ⓔ</f>Walk while you have the light, lest darkness <f>ⓕ</f>overtake you. <f>ⓖ</f>The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.</J>


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<J>While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become <f>ⓗ</f>sons of light.” <pb/><e>The Unbelief of the People</e> </pb></J> <pb/>When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.


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<f>ⓘ</f> so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, </t><t>and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” </t>


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<pb/><t><f>ⓛ</f> “He has blinded their eyes </t><t>and <f>ⓜ</f>hardened their heart, </t><t>lest they see with their eyes, </t><t>and understand with their heart, and turn, </t><t>and I would heal them.” </t>


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Nevertheless, <f>ⓟ</f>many even of the authorities believed in him, but <f>ⓠ</f>for fear of the Pharisees they did not <f>ⓡ</f>confess it, so that they would not be <f>ⓢ</f>put out of the synagogue;


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<pb/>And Jesus cried out and said, <J> <f>ⓤ</f>“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but <f>ⓥ</f>in him who sent me.</J>


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<J><f>ⓨ</f> I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.</J>


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<J>If anyone <f>ⓩ</f>hears my words and does not keep them, <f>ⓐ</f>I do not judge him; for <f>ⓑ</f>I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.</J>


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<J><f>ⓒ</f> The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; <f>ⓓ</f>the word that I have spoken will judge him <f>ⓔ</f>on the last day.</J>


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<J>For <f>ⓕ</f>I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father <f>ⓖ</f>who sent me has himself given me <f>ⓗ</f>a commandment — what to say and what to speak.</J>


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<J>And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”</J>


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓐ</f>before <f>ⓑ</f>the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that <f>ⓒ</f>his hour had come <f>ⓓ</f>to depart out of this world to the Father, <f>ⓔ</f>having loved <f>ⓕ</f>his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.


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During supper, when <f>ⓖ</f>the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,


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Jesus, knowing <f>ⓗ</f>that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that <f>ⓘ</f>he had come from God and <f>ⓙ</f>was going back to God,


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rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, <f>ⓚ</f>tied it around his waist.


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Then he <f>ⓛ</f>poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.


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<f>ⓜ</f> Jesus answered him, <J>“What I am doing <f>ⓝ</f>you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”</J>


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<f>ⓞ</f> Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, <J> <f>ⓟ</f>“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”</J>


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Jesus said to him, <J>“The one who has bathed does not need to wash, <f>ⓠ</f>except for his feet, <f>[1]</f> but is completely clean. And <f>ⓡ</f>you <f>[2]</f> are clean, <f>ⓢ</f>but not every one of you.”</J>


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<f>ⓣ</f> For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, <J>“Not all of you are clean.”</J>


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<pb/>When he had washed their feet and <f>ⓤ</f>put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, <J> <f>ⓥ</f>“Do you understand what I have done to you?</J>


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<J>If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, <f>ⓨ</f>you also ought to wash one another's feet.</J>


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<J>Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓐ</f>a servant <f>[3]</f> is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.</J>


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<J><f>ⓒ</f> I am not speaking of all of you; I know <f>ⓓ</f>whom I have chosen. But <f>ⓔ</f>the Scripture will be fulfilled, <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓕ</f>‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’</J>


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<J><f>ⓖ</f> I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.</J>


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<J>Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓗ</f>whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”</J>


text:
<pb/>After saying these things, <f>ⓘ</f>Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, <J> <f>ⓙ</f>“Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓚ</f>one of you will betray me.”</J>


text:
<f>ⓜ</f> One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table <f>ⓝ</f>at Jesus' side, <f>[5]</f>


text:
Jesus answered, <J> <f>ⓠ</f>“It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread <f>ⓡ</f>when I have dipped it.”</J> So when he had dipped the morsel, <f>ⓢ</f>he gave it to Judas, <f>ⓣ</f>the son of Simon Iscariot.


text:
Then after he had taken the morsel, <f>ⓤ</f>Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, <J> <f>ⓥ</f>“What you are going to do, do quickly.”</J>


text:
Some thought that, <f>ⓦ</f>because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need <f>ⓧ</f>for the feast,” or that he should <f>ⓨ</f>give something to the poor.


text:
<pb/>When he had gone out, Jesus said, <J> <f>ⓐ</f>“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and <f>ⓑ</f>God is glorified in him.</J>


text:
<J>If God is glorified in him, <f>ⓒ</f>God will also glorify him in himself, and <f>ⓓ</f>glorify him at once.</J>


text:
<J>Little children, <f>ⓔ</f>yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just <f>ⓕ</f>as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓖ</f> A new commandment <f>ⓗ</f>I give to you, <f>ⓘ</f>that you love one another: <f>ⓙ</f>just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓚ</f> By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”</J>


text:
<pb/>Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” <f>ⓛ</f>Jesus answered him, <J>“Where I am going <f>ⓜ</f>you cannot follow me now, <f>ⓝ</f>but you will follow afterward.”</J>


text:
Jesus answered, <J>“Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓟ</f>the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.</J>


text:
<pb/><J><f>ⓐ</f> “Let not your hearts be troubled. <f>ⓑ</f>Believe in God; <f>[1]</f> believe also in me.</J>


text:
<J>In <f>ⓒ</f>my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that <f>ⓓ</f>I go to prepare a place for you? <f>[2]</f></J>


text:
<J>And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you <f>ⓔ</f>to myself, that <f>ⓕ</f>where I am you may be also.</J>


text:
<f>ⓖ</f> Thomas said to him, “Lord, <f>ⓗ</f>we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”


text:
Jesus said to him, <J>“I am <f>ⓘ</f>the way, and <f>ⓙ</f>the truth, and <f>ⓚ</f>the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓛ</f> If you had known me, you would have <f>ⓜ</f>known my Father also. <f>[4]</f> From now on you do know him and <f>ⓝ</f>have seen him.”</J>


text:
Jesus said to him, <J>“Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? <f>ⓠ</f>Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?</J>


text:
<J>Do you not believe that <f>ⓡ</f>I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you <f>ⓢ</f>I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.</J>


text:
<J>Believe me that <f>ⓣ</f>I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else <f>ⓤ</f>believe on account of the works themselves.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓥ</f>whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I <f>ⓦ</f>am going to the Father.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓧ</f> Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that <f>ⓨ</f>the Father may be glorified in the Son.</J>


text:
<J>And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another <f>ⓒ</f>Helper, <f>[6]</f> to be with you forever,</J>


text:
<J>even <f>ⓓ</f>the Spirit of truth, <f>ⓔ</f>whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and <f>ⓕ</f>will be <f>[7]</f> in you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓗ</f> Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but <f>ⓘ</f>you will see me. <f>ⓙ</f>Because I live, you also will live.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓚ</f> In that day you will know that <f>ⓛ</f>I am in my Father, and <f>ⓜ</f>you in me, and <f>ⓝ</f>I in you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓞ</f> Whoever has my commandments and <f>ⓟ</f>keeps them, he it is who loves me. And <f>ⓠ</f>he who loves me <f>ⓡ</f>will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and <f>ⓢ</f>manifest myself to him.”</J>


text:
<f>ⓣ</f> Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it <f>ⓤ</f>that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”


text:
Jesus answered him, <J> <f>ⓥ</f>“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and <f>ⓦ</f>we will come to him and <f>ⓧ</f>make our home with him.</J>


text:
<J>Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And <f>ⓨ</f>the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.</J>


text:
<J>But the <f>ⓩ</f>Helper, the Holy Spirit, <f>ⓐ</f>whom the Father will send in my name, <f>ⓑ</f>he will teach you all things and <f>ⓒ</f>bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓓ</f> Peace I leave with you; <f>ⓔ</f>my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. <f>ⓕ</f>Let not your hearts be troubled, neither <f>ⓖ</f>let them be afraid.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓗ</f> You heard me say to you, <f>ⓘ</f>‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I <f>ⓙ</f>am going to the Father, for <f>ⓚ</f>the Father is greater than I.</J>


text:
<J>And <f>ⓛ</f>now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.</J>


text:
<J>I will no longer talk much with you, for <f>ⓜ</f>the ruler of this world is coming. <f>ⓝ</f>He has no claim on me,</J>


text:
<J>but I do <f>ⓞ</f>as the Father has commanded me, <f>ⓟ</f>so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓒ</f> Every branch in me that does not bear fruit <f>ⓓ</f>he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, <f>ⓔ</f>that it may bear more fruit.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓗ</f> Abide <f>ⓘ</f>in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.</J>


text:
<J>I am the vine; <f>ⓙ</f>you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that <f>ⓚ</f>bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.</J>


text:
<J>If anyone does not abide in me <f>ⓛ</f>he is thrown away like a branch and withers; <f>ⓜ</f>and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.</J>


text:
<J>If <f>ⓝ</f>you abide in me, and my words abide in you, <f>ⓞ</f>ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓟ</f> By this my Father is glorified, that you <f>ⓠ</f>bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓣ</f> If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as <f>ⓤ</f>I have kept <f>ⓥ</f>my Father's commandments and abide in his love.</J>


text:
<J>These things I have spoken to you, <f>ⓦ</f>that my joy may be in you, and that <f>ⓧ</f>your joy may be full.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓩ</f> Greater love has no one than this, <f>ⓐ</f>that someone lay down his life for his friends.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓓ</f> No longer do I call you servants, <f>[1]</f> for the servant <f>ⓔ</f>does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for <f>ⓕ</f>all that I have heard from my Father <f>ⓖ</f>I have made known to you.</J>


text:
<J>You did not choose me, but <f>ⓗ</f>I chose you and appointed you that you should go and <f>ⓘ</f>bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that <f>ⓙ</f>whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓜ</f> If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because <f>ⓝ</f>you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.</J>


text:
<J>Remember the word that I said to you: <f>ⓞ</f>‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, <f>ⓟ</f>they will also persecute you. <f>ⓠ</f>If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.</J>


text:
<J>But <f>ⓡ</f>all these things they will do to you <f>ⓢ</f>on account of my name, <f>ⓣ</f>because they do not know him who sent me.</J>


text:
<J>If I had not come and spoken to them, <f>ⓤ</f>they would not have been guilty of sin, <f>[2]</f> but now they have no excuse for their sin.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓦ</f> If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, <f>ⓧ</f>they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have <f>ⓨ</f>seen and hated both me and my Father.</J>


text:
<J>But <f>ⓩ</f>the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: <f>ⓐ</f>‘They hated me without a cause.’</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“But <f>ⓑ</f>when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, <f>ⓒ</f>he will bear witness about me.</J>


text:
<J>And <f>ⓓ</f>you also will bear witness, <f>ⓔ</f>because you have been with me <f>ⓕ</f>from the beginning.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓐ</f> They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, <f>ⓑ</f>the hour is coming when <f>ⓒ</f>whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.</J>


text:
<J>But <f>ⓔ</f>I have said these things to you, that when <f>ⓕ</f>their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. <pb/><e>The Work of the Holy Spirit</e> </pb></J> <pb/><J>“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, <f>ⓖ</f>because I was with you.</J>


text:
<J>But now <f>ⓗ</f>I am going to him who sent me, and <f>ⓘ</f>none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’</J>


text:
<J>Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for <f>ⓚ</f>if I do not go away, <f>ⓛ</f>the Helper will not come to you. But <f>ⓜ</f>if <f>ⓝ</f>I go, <f>ⓞ</f>I will send him to you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓟ</f> And when he comes, he will <f>ⓠ</f>convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓢ</f> concerning righteousness, <f>ⓣ</f>because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;</J>


text:
<J>When <f>ⓦ</f>the Spirit of truth comes, <f>ⓧ</f>he will <f>ⓨ</f>guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but <f>ⓩ</f>whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓑ</f> All that the Father has is mine; <f>ⓒ</f>therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.</J>


text:
<pb/><J><f>ⓓ</f> “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and <f>ⓔ</f>again a little while, and you will see me.”</J>


text:
So <f>ⓕ</f>some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, <J> <f>ⓖ</f>‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’;</J> and, <J> <f>ⓗ</f>‘because I am going to the Father’</J>?”


text:
So they were saying, “What does he mean by <J>‘a little while’</J>? <f>ⓘ</f>We do not know what he is talking about.”


text:
<f>ⓙ</f> Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, <J>“Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’?</J>


text:
<J>Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓚ</f>you will weep and lament, but <f>ⓛ</f>the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but <f>ⓜ</f>your sorrow will turn into joy.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓝ</f> When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓞ</f> So also you have sorrow now, but <f>ⓟ</f>I will see you again, and <f>ⓠ</f>your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓡ</f> In that day you will <f>ⓢ</f>ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, <f>ⓣ</f>whatever you ask of the Father in my name, <f>ⓤ</f>he will give it to you.</J>


text:
<J>Until now you have asked nothing in my name. <f>ⓥ</f>Ask, and you will receive, <f>ⓦ</f>that your joy may be full.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. <f>ⓧ</f>The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.</J>


text:
<J>In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓨ</f> for the Father himself loves you, because <f>ⓩ</f>you have loved me and <f>ⓐ</f>have believed that I came from God. <f>[1]</f></J>


text:
<J><f>ⓑ</f> I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now <f>ⓒ</f>I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”</J>


text:
Now we know that <f>ⓔ</f>you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that <f>ⓕ</f>you came from God.”


text:
<J>Behold, <f>ⓖ</f>the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when <f>ⓗ</f>you will be scattered, each to his own home, and <f>ⓘ</f>will leave me alone. <f>ⓙ</f>Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.</J>


text:
<J>I have said these things to you, that <f>ⓚ</f>in me you may have peace. <f>ⓛ</f>In the world you will have <f>ⓜ</f>tribulation. But <f>ⓝ</f>take heart; <f>ⓞ</f>I have overcome the world.”</J>


text:
<pb/>When Jesus had spoken these words, <f>ⓐ</f>he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, <J>“Father, <f>ⓑ</f>the hour has come; <f>ⓒ</f>glorify your Son that the Son may <f>ⓓ</f>glorify you,</J>


text:
<J>since <f>ⓔ</f>you have given him authority over all flesh, <f>ⓕ</f>to give eternal life to all <f>ⓖ</f>whom you have given him.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓗ</f> And this is eternal life, <f>ⓘ</f>that they know you, <f>ⓙ</f>the only <f>ⓚ</f>true God, and <f>ⓛ</f>Jesus Christ whom you have sent.</J>


text:
<J>I <f>ⓜ</f>glorified you on earth, <f>ⓝ</f>having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.</J>


text:
<J>And now, Father, <f>ⓞ</f>glorify me in your own presence with the glory <f>ⓟ</f>that I had with you <f>ⓠ</f>before the world existed.</J>


text:
<pb/><J><f>ⓡ</f> “I have manifested your name to the people <f>ⓢ</f>whom you gave me out of the world. <f>ⓣ</f>Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.</J>


text:
<J>For I have given them <f>ⓥ</f>the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that <f>ⓦ</f>I came from you; and <f>ⓧ</f>they have believed that you sent me.</J>


text:
<J>I am praying for them. <f>ⓨ</f>I am not praying for the world but for those <f>ⓩ</f>whom you have given me, for <f>ⓐ</f>they are yours.</J>


text:
<J>And I am no longer in the world, but <f>ⓓ</f>they are in the world, and <f>ⓔ</f>I am coming to you. <f>ⓕ</f>Holy Father, <f>ⓖ</f>keep them in your name, <f>ⓗ</f>which you have given me, <f>ⓘ</f>that they may be one, <f>ⓙ</f>even as we are one.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓚ</f> While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have <f>ⓛ</f>guarded them, and <f>ⓜ</f>not one of them has been lost except <f>ⓝ</f>the son of destruction, <f>ⓞ</f>that the Scripture might be fulfilled.</J>


text:
<J>But now <f>ⓟ</f>I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have <f>ⓠ</f>my joy fulfilled in themselves.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓡ</f> I have given them your word, and <f>ⓢ</f>the world has hated them <f>ⓣ</f>because they are not of the world, <f>ⓤ</f>just as I am not of the world.</J>


text:
<J>I <f>ⓥ</f>do not ask that you <f>ⓦ</f>take them out of the world, but that you <f>ⓧ</f>keep them from <f>ⓨ</f>the evil one. <f>[1]</f></J>


text:
<J>And <f>ⓓ</f>for their sake <f>ⓔ</f>I consecrate myself, <f>[3]</f> that they also <f>ⓕ</f>may be sanctified <f>[4]</f> in truth.</J>


text:
<pb/><J>“I do not <f>ⓖ</f>ask for these only, but also for those <f>ⓗ</f>who will believe in me through their word,</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓘ</f> that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that <f>ⓙ</f>they also may be in <f>ⓚ</f>us, so that the world <f>ⓛ</f>may believe that you have sent me.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓜ</f> The glory that you have given me <f>ⓝ</f>I have given to them, <f>ⓞ</f>that they may be one even as we are one,</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓟ</f> I in them and you in me, <f>ⓠ</f>that they may become perfectly one, <f>ⓡ</f>so that the world may know that you sent me and <f>ⓢ</f>loved them even as <f>ⓣ</f>you loved me.</J>


text:
<J>Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be <f>ⓤ</f>with me <f>ⓥ</f>where I am, <f>ⓦ</f>to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me <f>ⓧ</f>before the foundation of the world.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓨ</f> O righteous Father, even though <f>ⓩ</f>the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.</J>


text:
<J><f>ⓐ</f> I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love <f>ⓑ</f>with which you have loved me may be in them, and <f>ⓒ</f>I in them.”</J>


text:
<pb/>When Jesus had spoken these words, <f>ⓐ</f>he went out with his disciples across <f>ⓑ</f>the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.


text:
Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew <f>ⓒ</f>the place, for <f>ⓓ</f>Jesus often met there with his disciples.


text:
<f>ⓔ</f> So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.


text:
Then Jesus, <f>ⓕ</f>knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, <J> <f>ⓖ</f>“Whom do you seek?”</J>


text:
They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, <J>“I am he.” <f>[1]</f></J> Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.


text:
<f>ⓗ</f> When Jesus <f>[2]</f> said to them, <J>“I am he,”</J> they drew back and fell to the ground.


text:
<f>ⓙ</f> This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: <J>“Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”</J>


text:
Then Simon Peter, <f>ⓚ</f>having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant <f>[3]</f> and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)


text:
So Jesus said to Peter, <J>“Put your sword into its sheath; <f>ⓛ</f>shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”</J>


text:
<pb/>So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews <f>[4]</f> arrested Jesus and bound him.


text:
First they <f>ⓜ</f>led him to <f>ⓝ</f>Annas, for he was the father-in-law of <f>ⓞ</f>Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.


text:
It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews <f>ⓟ</f>that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓠ</f> Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest,


text:
<f>ⓡ</f> but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.


text:
<f>ⓢ</f> The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”


text:
Now the servants <f>[5]</f> and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. <f>ⓣ</f>Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.


text:
Jesus answered him, <J>“I have spoken <f>ⓥ</f>openly <f>ⓦ</f>to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. <f>ⓧ</f>I have said nothing in secret.</J>


text:
When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, <f>ⓨ</f>“Is that how you answer the high priest?”


text:
Jesus answered him, <J>“If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”</J>


text:
<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”


text:
One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of <f>ⓒ</f>the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you <f>ⓓ</f>in the garden with him?”


text:
<pb/><f>ⓕ</f> Then they led Jesus <f>ⓖ</f>from the house of Caiaphas to <f>ⓗ</f>the governor's headquarters. <f>[6]</f> It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, <f>ⓘ</f>so that they would not be defiled, <f>ⓙ</f>but could eat the Passover.


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Pilate said to them, <f>ⓛ</f>“Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”


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<f>ⓜ</f> This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken <f>ⓝ</f>to show by what kind of death he was going to die.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, <f>ⓟ</f>“Are you the King of the Jews?”


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Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”


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Jesus answered, <J> <f>ⓠ</f>“My kingdom <f>ⓡ</f>is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, <f>ⓢ</f>my servants would have been fighting, that <f>ⓣ</f>I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”</J>


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Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, <J> <f>ⓤ</f>“You say that I am a king. <f>ⓥ</f>For this purpose I was born and for this purpose <f>ⓦ</f>I have come into the world — <f>ⓧ</f>to bear witness to the truth. <f>ⓨ</f>Everyone who is <f>ⓩ</f>of the truth <f>ⓐ</f>listens to my voice.”</J>


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Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” <pb/>After he had said this, <f>ⓑ</f>he went back outside to the Jews and told them, <f>ⓒ</f>“I find no guilt in him.


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<f>ⓓ</f> But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”


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<f>ⓑ</f> And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.


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Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that <f>ⓒ</f>I find no guilt in him.”


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So Jesus came out, wearing <f>ⓓ</f>the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, <f>ⓔ</f>“Behold the man!”


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When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, <f>ⓕ</f>“Take him yourselves and crucify him, for <f>ⓖ</f>I find no guilt in him.”


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The Jews <f>[1]</f> answered him, “We have a law, and <f>ⓗ</f>according to that law he ought to die because <f>ⓘ</f>he has made himself the Son of God.”


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<f>ⓚ</f> He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, <f>ⓛ</f>“Where are you from?” But <f>ⓜ</f>Jesus gave him no answer.


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So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”


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Jesus answered him, <J> <f>ⓝ</f>“You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore <f>ⓞ</f>he who delivered me over to you <f>ⓟ</f>has the greater sin.”</J>


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<pb/>From then on <f>ⓠ</f>Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. <f>ⓡ</f>Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”


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So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on <f>ⓢ</f>the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic <f>[2]</f> Gabbatha.


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Now it was <f>ⓣ</f>the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. <f>[3]</f> He said to the Jews, <f>ⓤ</f>“Behold your King!”


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They cried out, <f>ⓥ</f>“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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<f>ⓦ</f> So he <f>ⓧ</f>delivered him over to them to be crucified. <pb/><e>The Crucifixion</e> </pb> <pb/>So they took Jesus,


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and <f>ⓨ</f>he went out, <f>ⓩ</f>bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.


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<f>ⓐ</f> There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.


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Pilate <f>ⓑ</f>also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”


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Many of the Jews read this inscription, for <f>ⓒ</f>the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.


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So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’”


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. <f>[4]</f> But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom,


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so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” <f>ⓕ</f>This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“They divided my garments among them, </t><t>and for my clothing they cast lots.” </t> <pb/>So the soldiers did these things,


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<f>ⓗ</f> but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.


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When Jesus saw his mother and <f>ⓘ</f>the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, <J> <f>ⓙ</f>“Woman, behold, your son!”</J>


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Then he said to the disciple, <J>“Behold, your mother!”</J> And from that hour the disciple took her to <f>ⓚ</f>his own home.


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<pb/>After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now <f>ⓛ</f>finished, said (<f>ⓜ</f>to fulfill the Scripture), <J> <f>ⓝ</f>“I thirst.”</J>


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A jar full of sour wine stood there, <f>ⓞ</f>so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.


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When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, <J> <f>ⓟ</f>“It is finished,”</J> and he bowed his head and <f>ⓠ</f>gave up his spirit.


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<pb/>Since it was <f>ⓡ</f>the day of Preparation, and <f>ⓢ</f>so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was <f>ⓣ</f>a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.


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So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other <f>ⓤ</f>who had been crucified with him.


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But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out <f>ⓥ</f>blood and water.


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<f>ⓦ</f> He who saw it has borne witness — <f>ⓧ</f>his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth — <f>ⓨ</f>that you also may believe.


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<f>ⓩ</f> For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: <f>ⓐ</f>“Not one of his bones <f>ⓑ</f>will be broken.”


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<pb/><f>ⓓ</f> After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly <f>ⓔ</f>for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.


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<f>ⓕ</f> Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus <f>[5]</f> by night, came <f>ⓖ</f>bringing a mixture of <f>ⓗ</f>myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds <f>[6]</f> in weight.


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So they took the body of Jesus and <f>ⓘ</f>bound it in <f>ⓙ</f>linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.


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Now in the place where he was crucified there was a <f>ⓚ</f>garden, and <f>ⓛ</f>in the garden a new tomb <f>ⓜ</f>in which no one had yet been laid.


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So because of the Jewish <f>ⓝ</f>day of Preparation, <f>ⓞ</f>since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that <f>ⓑ</f>the stone had been taken away from the tomb.


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So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, <f>ⓒ</f>the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and <f>ⓓ</f>we do not know where they have laid him.”


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and <f>ⓖ</f>the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' <f>[1]</f> head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.


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Then the other disciple, <f>ⓗ</f>who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;


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And <f>ⓚ</f>she saw <f>ⓛ</f>two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.


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They said to her, <f>ⓜ</f>“Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, <f>ⓝ</f>“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”


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Having said this, she turned around and <f>ⓞ</f>saw Jesus standing, <f>ⓟ</f>but she did not know that it was Jesus.


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Jesus said to her, <J> <f>ⓠ</f>“Woman, why are you weeping? <f>ⓡ</f>Whom are you seeking?”</J> Supposing him to be <f>ⓢ</f>the gardener, she 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, <J>“Mary.”</J> She turned and said to him in Aramaic, <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓣ</f>“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).


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Jesus said to her, <J>“Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to <f>ⓤ</f>my brothers and say to them, <f>ⓥ</f>‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to <f>ⓦ</f>my God and your God.’”</J>


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Mary Magdalene <f>ⓧ</f>went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” — and that he had said these things to her.


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<pb/><f>ⓨ</f> On the evening <f>ⓩ</f>of that day, the first day of the week, <f>ⓐ</f>the doors being locked where the disciples were <f>ⓑ</f>for fear of the Jews, <f>[3]</f> Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, <J> <f>ⓒ</f>“Peace be with you.”</J>


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When he had said this, <f>ⓓ</f>he showed them his hands and his side. Then <f>ⓔ</f>the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.


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Jesus said to them again, <J>“Peace be with you. As <f>ⓕ</f>the Father has sent me, <f>ⓖ</f>even so I am sending you.”</J>


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And when he had said this, he <f>ⓗ</f>breathed on them and said to them, <J> <f>ⓘ</f>“Receive the Holy Spirit.</J>


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<J><f>ⓙ</f> If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”</J>


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓚ</f>Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, <f>[4]</f> was not with them when Jesus came.


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So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, <f>ⓛ</f>“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”


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<pb/>Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. <f>ⓜ</f>Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, <J> <f>ⓝ</f>“Peace be with you.”</J>


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Then he said to Thomas, <J> <f>ⓞ</f>“Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”</J>


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Jesus said to him, <J>“Have you believed because you have seen me? <f>ⓠ</f>Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”</J>


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<pb/><f>ⓡ</f> Now Jesus did many other signs <f>ⓢ</f>in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;


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<f>ⓣ</f> but these are written so that you may <f>ⓤ</f>believe that Jesus is the Christ, <f>ⓥ</f>the Son of God, and that by believing <f>ⓦ</f>you may have life <f>ⓧ</f>in his name.


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<pb/>After this Jesus <f>ⓐ</f>revealed himself <f>ⓑ</f>again to the disciples by <f>ⓒ</f>the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.


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Simon Peter, <f>ⓓ</f>Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of <f>ⓔ</f>Cana in Galilee, <f>ⓕ</f>the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.


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Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but <f>ⓖ</f>that night they caught nothing.


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<pb/>Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples <f>ⓗ</f>did not know that it was Jesus.


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<f>ⓙ</f> He said to them, <J>“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”</J> So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.


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That disciple <f>ⓚ</f>whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, <f>ⓛ</f>he put on his outer garment, for he was <f>ⓜ</f>stripped for work, and <f>ⓝ</f>threw himself into the sea.


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The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards <f>[1]</f> off.


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<pb/>When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.


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So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.


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Jesus said to them, <J> <f>ⓞ</f>“Come and <f>ⓟ</f>have breakfast.”</J> Now <f>ⓠ</f>none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.


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<f>ⓢ</f> This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.


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<pb/>When they had <f>ⓣ</f>finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, <J> <f>ⓤ</f>“Simon, <f>ⓥ</f>son of John, <f>ⓦ</f>do you love me more than these?”</J> He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, <J>“Feed <f>ⓧ</f>my lambs.”</J>


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He said to him a second time, <J>“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”</J> He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, <J> <f>ⓨ</f>“Tend <f>ⓩ</f>my sheep.”</J>


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He said to him the third time, <J>“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”</J> Peter was grieved because he said to him <f>ⓐ</f>the third time, <J>“Do you love me?”</J> and he said to him, “Lord, <f>ⓑ</f>you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, <J>“Feed <f>ⓒ</f>my sheep.</J>


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<J><f>ⓓ</f> Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, <f>ⓔ</f>you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”</J>


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(This he said to show <f>ⓕ</f>by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, <J> <f>ⓖ</f>“Follow me.”</J>


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<pb/>Peter turned and saw <f>ⓗ</f>the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, <f>ⓘ</f>the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”


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Jesus said to him, <J>“If it is my will that he remain <f>ⓙ</f>until <f>ⓚ</f>I come, what is that to you? <f>ⓛ</f>You follow me!”</J>


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So the saying spread abroad among <f>ⓜ</f>the brothers <f>[2]</f> that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, <J>“If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”</J>


text:
<pb/>This is the disciple <f>ⓝ</f>who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and <f>ⓞ</f>we know <f>ⓟ</f>that his testimony is true.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓠ</f>there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that <f>ⓡ</f>the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.


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<pb/>In the first book, O <f>ⓐ</f>Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began <f>ⓑ</f>to do and teach,


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until the day when <f>ⓒ</f>he was taken up, after he <f>ⓓ</f>had given commands <f>ⓔ</f>through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.


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<f>ⓕ</f> He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.


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<pb/>And while staying <f>[1]</f> with them <f>ⓖ</f>he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, <J>“you heard from me;</J>


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<J>for <f>ⓗ</f>John baptized with water, <f>ⓘ</f>but you will be baptized <f>ⓙ</f>with <f>[2]</f> the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”</J>


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<pb/>So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, <f>ⓚ</f>will you at this time <f>ⓛ</f>restore the kingdom to Israel?”


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He said to them, <J> <f>ⓜ</f>“It is not for you to know <f>ⓝ</f>times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.</J>


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<J>But you will receive <f>ⓞ</f>power <f>ⓟ</f>when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and <f>ⓠ</f>you will be <f>ⓡ</f>my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and <f>ⓢ</f>Samaria, and <f>ⓣ</f>to the end of the earth.”</J>


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And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, <f>ⓤ</f>he was lifted up, and <f>ⓥ</f>a cloud took him out of their sight.


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And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, <f>ⓦ</f>two <f>ⓧ</f>men stood by them in <f>ⓨ</f>white robes,


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and said, <f>ⓩ</f>“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, <f>ⓐ</f>will <f>ⓑ</f>come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”


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<pb/>Then <f>ⓒ</f>they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.


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And when they had entered, they went up to <f>ⓓ</f>the upper room, where they were staying, <f>ⓔ</f>Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon <f>ⓕ</f>the Zealot and Judas the son of James.


text:
All these <f>ⓖ</f>with one accord <f>ⓗ</f>were devoting themselves to prayer, together with <f>ⓘ</f>the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and <f>ⓙ</f>his brothers. <f>[3]</f>


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<pb/>In those days Peter stood up among <f>ⓚ</f>the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,


text:
“Brothers, <f>ⓛ</f>the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, <f>ⓜ</f>who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.


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(Now this man <f>ⓟ</f>acquired a field with <f>ⓠ</f>the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong <f>[4]</f> he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.


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And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called <f>ⓡ</f>in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)


text:
“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, <pb/><t><f>ⓢ</f>“‘May his camp become desolate, </t><t>and let there be no one to dwell in it’; </t> <pb/>and <pb/><t><f>ⓣ</f>“‘Let another take his office.’ </t>


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<pb/>So one of the men who have accompanied us during <f>ⓤ</f>all the time that the Lord Jesus <f>ⓥ</f>went in and out among us,


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<f>ⓦ</f> beginning from the baptism of John until the day when <f>ⓧ</f>he was taken up from us — one of these men must become with us <f>ⓨ</f>a witness to his resurrection.”


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And they put forward two, Joseph called <f>ⓩ</f>Barsabbas, who was also called <f>ⓐ</f>Justus, and <f>ⓑ</f>Matthias.


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And <f>ⓒ</f>they prayed and said, “You, Lord, <f>ⓓ</f>who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen


text:
to take the place in <f>ⓔ</f>this ministry and <f>ⓕ</f>apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”


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And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.


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And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like <f>ⓑ</f>a mighty rushing wind, and <f>ⓒ</f>it filled the entire house where they were sitting.


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And they were all <f>ⓔ</f>filled with the Holy Spirit and began <f>ⓕ</f>to speak in other tongues <f>ⓖ</f>as the Spirit gave them utterance.


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And <f>ⓗ</f>at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.


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And <f>ⓘ</f>they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking <f>ⓙ</f>Galileans?


text:
Parthians and <f>ⓚ</f>Medes and <f>ⓛ</f>Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,


text:
both Jews and <f>ⓜ</f>proselytes, Cretans and Arabians — we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”


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<pb/>But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.


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For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, <f>ⓟ</f>since it is only the third hour of the day. <f>[2]</f>


text:
<pb/><t><f>ⓠ</f> “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, </t><t><f>ⓡ</f>that I will pour out my Spirit <f>ⓢ</f>on all flesh, </t><t>and your sons and <f>ⓣ</f>your daughters shall prophesy, </t><t>and your young men shall see visions, </t><t>and your old men shall dream dreams;</t>


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<t>even on my male servants and female servants </t><t>in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and <f>ⓤ</f>they shall prophesy.</t>


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<t>And I will show wonders in the heavens above </t><t>and signs on the earth below, </t><t>blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;</t>


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<t><f>ⓥ</f> the sun shall be turned to darkness </t><t>and the moon to blood, </t><t>before <f>ⓦ</f>the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.</t>


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<t>And it shall come to pass that <f>ⓧ</f>everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ </t>


text:
<pb/>“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, <f>ⓨ</f>a man attested to you by God <f>ⓩ</f>with <f>ⓐ</f>mighty works and wonders and signs that <f>ⓑ</f>God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know —


text:
this Jesus, <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓒ</f>delivered up according to <f>ⓓ</f>the definite plan and <f>ⓔ</f>foreknowledge of God, <f>ⓕ</f>you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.


text:
<f>ⓖ</f> God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because <f>ⓗ</f>it was not possible for him to be held by it.


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For David says concerning him, <pb/><t><f>ⓘ</f>“‘I saw the Lord always before me, </t><t>for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;</t>


text:
<t>therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; </t><t>my flesh also will dwell <f>ⓙ</f>in hope.</t>


text:
<t>For you will not abandon my soul to <f>ⓚ</f>Hades, </t><t><f>ⓛ</f>or let your <f>ⓜ</f>Holy One <f>ⓝ</f>see corruption.</t>


text:
<t>You have made known to me the paths of life; </t><t>you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ </t>


text:
<pb/>“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about <f>ⓞ</f>the patriarch David <f>ⓟ</f>that he both died and <f>ⓠ</f>was buried, and <f>ⓡ</f>his tomb is with us to this day.


text:
<f>ⓢ</f> Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that <f>ⓣ</f>God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,


text:
he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that <f>ⓤ</f>he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.


text:
<f>ⓧ</f> Being therefore <f>ⓨ</f>exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from <f>ⓩ</f>the Father <f>ⓐ</f>the promise of the Holy Spirit, <f>ⓑ</f>he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.


text:
For <f>ⓒ</f>David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, <pb/><t><f>ⓓ</f>“‘The Lord said to my Lord, </t><t>“Sit at my right hand,</t>


text:
<pb/>Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that <f>ⓔ</f>God has made him <f>ⓕ</f>both Lord and Christ, this Jesus <f>ⓖ</f>whom you crucified.”


text:
<pb/>Now when <f>ⓗ</f>they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, <f>ⓘ</f>what shall we do?”


text:
And Peter said to them, <f>ⓙ</f>“Repent and <f>ⓚ</f>be baptized every one of you <f>ⓛ</f>in the name of Jesus Christ <f>ⓜ</f>for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive <f>ⓝ</f>the gift of the Holy Spirit.


text:
For <f>ⓞ</f>the promise is for you and <f>ⓟ</f>for your children and for all <f>ⓠ</f>who are far off, everyone <f>ⓡ</f>whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”


text:
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, <f>ⓢ</f>“Save yourselves from this <f>ⓣ</f>crooked generation.”


text:
So those who received his word were baptized, and <f>ⓤ</f>there were added that day about three thousand souls.


text:
<pb/>And <f>ⓥ</f>they devoted themselves to the apostles' <f>ⓦ</f>teaching and the <f>ⓧ</f>fellowship, to <f>ⓨ</f>the breaking of bread and the prayers.


text:
And awe <f>[4]</f> came upon every soul, and <f>ⓩ</f>many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.


text:
And <f>ⓑ</f>they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.


text:
And day by day, <f>ⓒ</f>attending the temple <f>ⓓ</f>together and <f>ⓔ</f>breaking bread in their homes, they received their food <f>ⓕ</f>with glad and generous hearts,


text:
praising God and <f>ⓖ</f>having favor with all the people. And the Lord <f>ⓗ</f>added to their number <f>ⓘ</f>day by day those who <f>ⓙ</f>were being saved.


text:
<pb/>Now Peter and John were <f>ⓐ</f>going up to the temple at <f>ⓑ</f>the hour of prayer, <f>ⓒ</f>the ninth hour. <f>[1]</f>


text:
And a man <f>ⓓ</f>lame from birth was being carried, <f>ⓔ</f>whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate <f>ⓕ</f>to ask alms of those entering the temple.


text:
But Peter said, <f>ⓖ</f>“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. <f>ⓗ</f>In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”


text:
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.


text:
And <f>ⓘ</f>leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.


text:
and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓚ</f> While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in <f>ⓛ</f>the portico called Solomon's.


text:
And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?


text:
<f>ⓜ</f> The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, <f>ⓝ</f>the God of our fathers, <f>ⓞ</f>glorified his servant <f>[2]</f> Jesus, whom <f>ⓟ</f>you delivered over and <f>ⓠ</f>denied in the presence of Pilate, <f>ⓡ</f>when he had decided to release him.


text:
But you denied <f>ⓢ</f>the Holy and <f>ⓣ</f>Righteous One, and <f>ⓤ</f>asked for a murderer to be granted to you,


text:
and you killed <f>ⓥ</f>the Author of life, <f>ⓦ</f>whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.


text:
And <f>ⓧ</f>his name — by <f>ⓨ</f>faith in his name — has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is <f>ⓩ</f>through Jesus <f>[3]</f> has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.


text:
But what God <f>ⓑ</f>foretold <f>ⓒ</f>by the mouth of all the prophets, that <f>ⓓ</f>his Christ would <f>ⓔ</f>suffer, he thus fulfilled.


text:
that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ <f>ⓘ</f>appointed for you, Jesus,


text:
<f>ⓙ</f> whom heaven must receive until the time for <f>ⓚ</f>restoring all the things about which <f>ⓛ</f>God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.


text:
Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you <f>ⓜ</f>a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen <f>ⓝ</f>to him in whatever he tells you.


text:
And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet <f>ⓞ</f>shall be destroyed from the people.’


text:
And <f>ⓟ</f>all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.


text:
<f>ⓠ</f> You are the sons of the prophets and of <f>ⓡ</f>the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, <f>ⓢ</f>‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’


text:
<f>ⓣ</f> God, <f>ⓤ</f>having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, <f>ⓥ</f>to bless you <f>ⓦ</f>by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”


text:
<pb/>And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and <f>ⓐ</f>the captain of the temple and <f>ⓑ</f>the Sadducees came upon them,


text:
greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming <f>ⓒ</f>in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.


text:
And they arrested them and <f>ⓓ</f>put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.


text:
But many of those who had heard the word believed, and <f>ⓔ</f>the number of the men came to about five thousand.


text:
with <f>ⓕ</f>Annas the high priest and <f>ⓖ</f>Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.


text:
And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, <f>ⓗ</f>“By what power or <f>ⓘ</f>by what name did you do this?”


text:
if we are being examined today <f>ⓚ</f>concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,


text:
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that <f>ⓛ</f>by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, <f>ⓜ</f>whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing before you well.


text:
<f>ⓝ</f> This Jesus <f>[1]</f> is the stone that was <f>ⓞ</f>rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. <f>[2]</f>


text:
And there is <f>ⓟ</f>salvation <f>ⓠ</f>in no one else, for <f>ⓡ</f>there is no other <f>ⓢ</f>name under heaven given among men <f>[3]</f> by which we must be saved.”


text:
<pb/><f>ⓣ</f> Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.


text:
But seeing the man who was healed <f>ⓤ</f>standing beside them, <f>ⓥ</f>they had nothing to say in opposition.


text:
saying, <f>ⓦ</f>“What shall we do with these men? For that <f>ⓧ</f>a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.


text:
But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them <f>ⓨ</f>to speak no more to anyone in this name.”


text:
But Peter and John answered them, <f>ⓩ</f>“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,


text:
And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, <f>ⓒ</f>because of the people, for all were praising God <f>ⓓ</f>for what had happened.


text:
<pb/>When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.


text:
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices <f>ⓔ</f>together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, <f>ⓕ</f>who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,


text:
who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, <f>[4]</f> said by the Holy Spirit, <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“‘Why did the Gentiles rage, </t><t>and the peoples plot in vain?</t>


text:
<t>The kings of the earth set themselves, </t><t>and <f>ⓗ</f>the rulers were gathered together, </t><t>against the Lord and against his <f>ⓘ</f>Anointed’ <f>[5]</f> — </t>


text:
<pb/>for truly in this city there were gathered together against your <f>ⓙ</f>holy servant Jesus, <f>ⓚ</f>whom you anointed, both <f>ⓛ</f>Herod and <f>ⓜ</f>Pontius Pilate, along <f>ⓝ</f>with the Gentiles and <f>ⓞ</f>the peoples of Israel,


text:
And now, Lord, <f>ⓡ</f>look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all <f>ⓢ</f>boldness,


text:
while <f>ⓣ</f>you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed <f>ⓤ</f>through the name of your <f>ⓥ</f>holy servant Jesus.”


text:
And when they had prayed, <f>ⓦ</f>the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and <f>ⓧ</f>they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and <f>ⓨ</f>continued to speak the word of God with boldness.


text:
<pb/>Now the full number of those who believed were of <f>ⓩ</f>one heart and <f>ⓐ</f>soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but <f>ⓑ</f>they had everything in common.


text:
And with great <f>ⓒ</f>power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and <f>ⓓ</f>great grace was upon them all.


text:
<f>ⓔ</f> There was not a needy person among them, for <f>ⓕ</f>as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold


text:
Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means <f>ⓘ</f>son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,


text:
and with his wife's knowledge <f>ⓐ</f>he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and <f>ⓑ</f>laid it at the apostles' feet.


text:
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has <f>ⓒ</f>Satan filled your heart to lie <f>ⓓ</f>to the Holy Spirit and <f>ⓔ</f>to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?


text:
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but <f>ⓕ</f>to God.”


text:
When Ananias heard these words, he <f>ⓖ</f>fell down and breathed his last. And <f>ⓗ</f>great fear came upon all who heard of it.


text:
And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you <f>[1]</f> sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”


text:
But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together <f>ⓙ</f>to test <f>ⓚ</f>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.”


text:
Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.


text:
<pb/>Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people <f>ⓜ</f>by the hands of the apostles. And they were all <f>ⓝ</f>together in <f>ⓞ</f>Solomon's Portico.


text:
<f>ⓡ</f> so that they even <f>ⓢ</f>carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by <f>ⓣ</f>at least his shadow might fall on some of them.


text:
The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, <f>ⓤ</f>bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.


text:
<pb/>But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of <f>ⓥ</f>the Sadducees), and filled with <f>ⓦ</f>jealousy


text:
But during the night <f>ⓨ</f>an angel of the Lord <f>ⓩ</f>opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,


text:
“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all <f>ⓐ</f>the words of <f>ⓑ</f>this <f>ⓒ</f>Life.”


text:
And when they heard this, <f>ⓓ</f>they entered the temple <f>ⓔ</f>at daybreak and began to teach. <pb/>Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.


text:
“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.”


text:
Now when <f>ⓕ</f>the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.


text:
And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison <f>ⓖ</f>are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”


text:
Then <f>ⓗ</f>the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for <f>ⓘ</f>they were afraid of being stoned by the people.


text:
<pb/>And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,


text:
saying, <f>ⓙ</f>“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you <f>ⓚ</f>intend to bring this man's blood upon us.”


text:
<f>ⓜ</f> The God of our fathers <f>ⓝ</f>raised Jesus, <f>ⓞ</f>whom you killed by hanging him on <f>ⓟ</f>a tree.


text:
God exalted <f>ⓠ</f>him at his right hand as <f>ⓡ</f>Leader and <f>ⓢ</f>Savior, <f>ⓣ</f>to give <f>ⓤ</f>repentance to Israel and <f>ⓥ</f>forgiveness of sins.


text:
And <f>ⓦ</f>we are witnesses to these things, and <f>ⓧ</f>so is the Holy Spirit, <f>ⓨ</f>whom God has given to those who obey him.”


text:
But a Pharisee in the council named <f>ⓐ</f>Gamaliel, <f>ⓑ</f>a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.


text:
For <f>ⓒ</f>before these days Theudas rose up, <f>ⓓ</f>claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.


text:
After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of <f>ⓔ</f>the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.


text:
So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for <f>ⓕ</f>if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;


text:
but <f>ⓖ</f>if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You <f>ⓗ</f>might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,


text:
and <f>ⓘ</f>when they had called in the apostles, <f>ⓙ</f>they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.


text:
Then they left the presence of the council, <f>ⓚ</f>rejoicing that they were counted worthy <f>ⓛ</f>to suffer dishonor for <f>ⓜ</f>the name.


text:
And every day, <f>ⓝ</f>in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and <f>ⓞ</f>preaching <f>ⓟ</f>that the Christ is Jesus.


text:
<pb/>Now in these days <f>ⓐ</f>when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists <f>[1]</f> arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in <f>ⓑ</f>the daily distribution.


text:
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.


text:
<f>ⓒ</f> Therefore, brothers, <f>[2]</f> pick out from among you seven men <f>ⓓ</f>of good repute, <f>ⓔ</f>full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.


text:
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, <f>ⓖ</f>a man full of faith and <f>ⓗ</f>of the Holy Spirit, and <f>ⓘ</f>Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, <f>ⓙ</f>a proselyte of Antioch.


text:
<pb/>And <f>ⓜ</f>the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests <f>ⓝ</f>became obedient to <f>ⓞ</f>the faith.


text:
<pb/>And Stephen, full of grace and <f>ⓟ</f>power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.


text:
Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.


text:
Then <f>ⓡ</f>they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”


text:
And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,


text:
and they <f>ⓢ</f>set up false <f>ⓣ</f>witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against <f>ⓤ</f>this holy place and the law,


text:
for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth <f>ⓥ</f>will destroy this place and will <f>ⓦ</f>change <f>ⓧ</f>the customs that Moses delivered to us.”


text:
And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face <f>ⓨ</f>was like the face of an angel.


text:
And Stephen said: <pb/><f>ⓐ</f>“Brothers and fathers, hear me. <f>ⓑ</f>The God <f>ⓒ</f>of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, <f>ⓓ</f>before he lived in Haran,


text:
and said to him, <f>ⓔ</f>‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’


text:
<f>ⓕ</f> Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And <f>ⓖ</f>after his father died, <f>ⓗ</f>God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living.


text:
Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised <f>ⓘ</f>to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, <f>ⓙ</f>though he had no child.


text:
And God spoke to this effect — that <f>ⓚ</f>his offspring would <f>ⓛ</f>be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them <f>ⓜ</f>four hundred years.


text:
‘But <f>ⓝ</f>I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out <f>ⓞ</f>and worship me in this place.’


text:
And <f>ⓟ</f>he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And <f>ⓠ</f>so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and <f>ⓡ</f>circumcised him on the eighth day, and <f>ⓢ</f>Isaac became the father of Jacob, and <f>ⓣ</f>Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.


text:
<pb/>“And the patriarchs, <f>ⓤ</f>jealous of Joseph, <f>ⓥ</f>sold him into Egypt; but <f>ⓦ</f>God was with him


text:
and rescued him out of all his afflictions and <f>ⓧ</f>gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, <f>ⓨ</f>who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.


text:
Now <f>ⓩ</f>there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food.


text:
<f>ⓐ</f> But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit.


text:
And <f>ⓑ</f>on the second visit <f>ⓒ</f>Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and <f>ⓓ</f>Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh.


text:
And <f>ⓔ</f>Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, <f>ⓕ</f>seventy-five persons in all.


text:
and <f>ⓙ</f>they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that <f>ⓚ</f>Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.


text:
<pb/>“But <f>ⓛ</f>as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, <f>ⓜ</f>the people increased and multiplied in Egypt


text:
<f>ⓞ</f> He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, <f>ⓟ</f>so that they would not be kept alive.


text:
<f>ⓠ</f> At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house,


text:
And Moses <f>ⓢ</f>was instructed in <f>ⓣ</f>all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was <f>ⓤ</f>mighty in his words and deeds.


text:
<pb/>“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart <f>ⓥ</f>to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.


text:
And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian.


text:
He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.


text:
<f>ⓦ</f> And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’


text:
But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, <f>ⓧ</f>‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?


text:
At this retort <f>ⓨ</f>Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, <f>ⓩ</f>where he became the father of two sons.


text:
<pb/>“Now when forty years had passed, <f>ⓐ</f>an angel appeared to him <f>ⓑ</f>in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.


text:
When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord:


text:
<f>ⓒ</f> ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.


text:
Then the Lord said to him, <f>ⓓ</f>‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.


text:
<f>ⓔ</f> I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and <f>ⓕ</f>have heard their groaning, and <f>ⓖ</f>I have come down to deliver them. <f>ⓗ</f>And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’


text:
<pb/>“This Moses, whom they rejected, <f>ⓘ</f>saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ — this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer <f>ⓙ</f>by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.


text:
<f>ⓚ</f> This man led them out, performing <f>ⓛ</f>wonders and signs <f>ⓜ</f>in Egypt and <f>ⓝ</f>at the Red Sea and <f>ⓞ</f>in the wilderness for <f>ⓟ</f>forty years.


text:
This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you <f>ⓠ</f>a prophet like me from your brothers.’


text:
This is the one <f>ⓡ</f>who was in the congregation in the wilderness with <f>ⓢ</f>the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. <f>ⓣ</f>He received <f>ⓤ</f>living <f>ⓥ</f>oracles to give to us.


text:
Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and <f>ⓦ</f>in their hearts they turned to Egypt,


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saying to Aaron, <f>ⓧ</f>‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’


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And <f>ⓨ</f>they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and <f>ⓩ</f>were rejoicing in <f>ⓐ</f>the works of their hands.


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But <f>ⓑ</f>God turned away and <f>ⓒ</f>gave them over to worship <f>ⓓ</f>the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: <pb/><t><f>ⓔ</f>“‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices, </t><t><f>ⓕ</f>during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?</t>


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<t>You took up the tent of <f>ⓖ</f>Moloch </t><t>and the star of your god Rephan, </t><t>the images that you made to worship; </t><t>and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ </t>


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<pb/>“Our fathers had <f>ⓗ</f>the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses <f>ⓘ</f>directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.


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Our fathers in turn <f>ⓙ</f>brought it in with Joshua when they <f>ⓚ</f>dispossessed the nations <f>ⓛ</f>that God drove out before our fathers. So it was <f>ⓜ</f>until the days of David,


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<f>ⓝ</f> who found favor in the sight of God and <f>ⓞ</f>asked to find a dwelling place for <f>ⓟ</f>the God of Jacob. <f>[1]</f>


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<pb/><t><f>ⓣ</f> “‘Heaven is my throne, </t><t><f>ⓤ</f>and the earth is my footstool. </t><t>What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, </t><t>or what is the place of my rest?</t>


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<pb/><f>ⓥ</f> “You stiff-necked people, <f>ⓦ</f>uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. <f>ⓧ</f>As your fathers did, so do you.


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<f>ⓨ</f> Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of <f>ⓩ</f>the Righteous One, <f>ⓐ</f>whom you have now betrayed and murdered,


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<pb/>Now when they heard these things <f>ⓓ</f>they were enraged, and they <f>ⓔ</f>ground their teeth at him.


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But he, <f>ⓕ</f>full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw <f>ⓖ</f>the glory of God, and Jesus standing <f>ⓗ</f>at the right hand of God.


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And he said, “Behold, I see <f>ⓘ</f>the heavens opened, and <f>ⓙ</f>the Son of Man standing <f>ⓚ</f>at the right hand of God.”


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Then <f>ⓛ</f>they cast him out of the city and <f>ⓜ</f>stoned him. And <f>ⓝ</f>the witnesses laid down their garments <f>ⓞ</f>at the feet of a young man named Saul.


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And <f>ⓡ</f>falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, <f>ⓢ</f>“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, <f>ⓣ</f>he fell asleep.


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<pb/>And <f>ⓐ</f>Saul <f>ⓑ</f>approved of his execution. <pb/>And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and <f>ⓒ</f>they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.


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But <f>ⓓ</f>Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he <f>ⓔ</f>dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.


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<f>ⓗ</f> And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him <f>ⓘ</f>and saw the signs that he did.


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For <f>ⓙ</f>unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.


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<pb/>But there was a man named Simon, <f>ⓛ</f>who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, <f>ⓜ</f>saying that he himself was somebody great.


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They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, <f>ⓝ</f>“This man is the power of God that is called <f>ⓞ</f>Great.”


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But when <f>ⓠ</f>they believed Philip as he preached good news <f>ⓡ</f>about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, <f>ⓢ</f>they were baptized, both men and women.


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Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And <f>ⓣ</f>seeing signs and <f>ⓤ</f>great miracles <f>[2]</f> performed, <f>ⓥ</f>he was amazed.


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<pb/>Now when <f>ⓦ</f>the apostles at Jerusalem heard that <f>ⓧ</f>Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,


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for <f>ⓩ</f>he had not yet <f>ⓐ</f>fallen on any of them, but <f>ⓑ</f>they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.


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Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,


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saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”


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But Peter said to him, <f>ⓔ</f>“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God <f>ⓕ</f>with money!


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Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, <f>ⓗ</f>if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.


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For I see that you are in <f>ⓘ</f>the gall <f>[3]</f> of bitterness and in <f>ⓙ</f>the bond of iniquity.”


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And Simon answered, <f>ⓚ</f>“Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”


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<pb/>Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, <f>ⓛ</f>preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓜ</f>an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south <f>[4]</f> to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.


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And he rose and went. And there was an <f>ⓝ</f>Ethiopian, a <f>ⓞ</f>eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, <f>ⓟ</f>who was in charge of all her treasure. <f>ⓠ</f>He had come to Jerusalem to worship


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So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”


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And he said, <f>ⓡ</f>“How can I, unless someone <f>ⓢ</f>guides me?” And <f>ⓣ</f>he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.


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Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: <pb/><t><f>ⓤ</f>“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter </t><t>and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, </t><t>so he opens not his mouth.</t>


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<t>In his <f>ⓥ</f>humiliation justice was denied him. </t><t>Who can describe his generation? </t><t>For his life is taken away from the earth.” </t>


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<pb/>And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”


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Then Philip opened his mouth, and <f>ⓦ</f>beginning with this Scripture <f>ⓧ</f>he told him the good news about Jesus.


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And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! <f>ⓨ</f>What prevents me from being baptized?” <f>[5]</f>


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And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.


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And when they came up out of the water, <f>ⓩ</f>the Spirit of the Lord <f>ⓐ</f>carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.


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But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.


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<pb/>But Saul, <f>ⓐ</f>still <f>ⓑ</f>breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to <f>ⓒ</f>the high priest


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and asked him for letters <f>ⓓ</f>to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to <f>ⓔ</f>the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.


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<f>ⓕ</f> Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.


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And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, <J>“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting <f>ⓖ</f>me?”</J>


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And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, <J>“I am Jesus, <f>ⓗ</f>whom you are persecuting.</J>


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<f>ⓚ</f> The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, <f>ⓛ</f>hearing the voice but seeing no one.


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Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, <f>ⓜ</f>he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.


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<pb/>Now there was a disciple at Damascus named <f>ⓝ</f>Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, <J>“Ananias.”</J> And he said, <f>ⓞ</f>“Here I am, Lord.”


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And the Lord said to him, <J>“Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man <f>ⓟ</f>of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,</J>


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<J>and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and <f>ⓠ</f>lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”</J>


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But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, <f>ⓡ</f>how much evil he has done to <f>ⓢ</f>your <f>ⓣ</f>saints at Jerusalem.


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And here he has authority from <f>ⓤ</f>the chief priests to bind all who <f>ⓥ</f>call on your name.”


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But the Lord said to him, <J>“Go, for <f>ⓦ</f>he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name <f>ⓧ</f>before the Gentiles and <f>ⓨ</f>kings and the children of Israel.</J>


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<J>For <f>ⓩ</f>I will show him how much <f>ⓐ</f>he must suffer <f>ⓑ</f>for the sake of my name.”</J>


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So <f>ⓒ</f>Ananias departed and entered the house. And <f>ⓓ</f>laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and <f>ⓔ</f>be filled with the Holy Spirit.”


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And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and <f>ⓕ</f>he regained his sight. Then <f>ⓖ</f>he rose and was baptized;


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and <f>ⓗ</f>taking food, he was strengthened. <pb/><e>Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues</e> </pb> <pb/>For <f>ⓘ</f>some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.


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And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who <f>ⓚ</f>made havoc <f>ⓛ</f>in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”


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But Saul <f>ⓜ</f>increased all the more in strength, and <f>ⓝ</f>confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving <f>ⓞ</f>that Jesus was the Christ.


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but their <f>ⓠ</f>plot became known to Saul. <f>ⓡ</f>They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,


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but his disciples took him by night and <f>ⓢ</f>let him down through an opening in the wall, <f>[2]</f> lowering him in a basket.


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<pb/>And <f>ⓣ</f>when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.


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But <f>ⓤ</f>Barnabas took him and <f>ⓥ</f>brought him to the apostles and declared to them <f>ⓦ</f>how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and <f>ⓧ</f>how at Damascus he had <f>ⓨ</f>preached boldly in the name of Jesus.


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And he spoke and disputed against <f>ⓐ</f>the Hellenists. <f>[3]</f> But <f>ⓑ</f>they were seeking to kill him.


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And when <f>ⓒ</f>the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off <f>ⓓ</f>to Tarsus.


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<pb/>So <f>ⓔ</f>the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And <f>ⓕ</f>walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, <f>ⓖ</f>it multiplied.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓗ</f>as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.


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And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, <f>ⓘ</f>Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.


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<f>ⓙ</f> And all the residents of Lydda and <f>ⓚ</f>Sharon saw him, and <f>ⓛ</f>they turned to the Lord.


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<pb/>Now there was in <f>ⓜ</f>Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. <f>[4]</f> She was full of <f>ⓝ</f>good works and acts of charity.


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In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in <f>ⓞ</f>an upper room.


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Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, <f>ⓟ</f>“Please come to us without delay.”


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So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to <f>ⓠ</f>the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics <f>[5]</f> and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.


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But Peter <f>ⓡ</f>put them all outside, and <f>ⓢ</f>knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body <f>ⓣ</f>he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.


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And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.


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<pb/>At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of <f>ⓐ</f>what was known as the Italian Cohort,


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a devout man <f>ⓑ</f>who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.


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<f>ⓒ</f> About the ninth hour of the day <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>he saw clearly in a vision <f>ⓔ</f>an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”


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And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms <f>ⓕ</f>have ascended <f>ⓖ</f>as a memorial before God.


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When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,


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<pb/>The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, <f>ⓘ</f>Peter went up <f>ⓙ</f>on the housetop about <f>ⓚ</f>the sixth hour <f>[2]</f> to pray.


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And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into <f>ⓛ</f>a trance


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and saw <f>ⓜ</f>the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.


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But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; <f>ⓝ</f>for I have never eaten anything that is <f>ⓞ</f>common or <f>ⓟ</f>unclean.”


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And the voice came to him again a second time, <J> <f>ⓠ</f>“What God has made clean, do not call common.”</J>


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<pb/>Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what <f>ⓡ</f>the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, <f>ⓢ</f>the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate


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And while Peter was pondering <f>ⓣ</f>the vision, <f>ⓤ</f>the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.


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And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”


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And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and <f>ⓦ</f>God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by <f>ⓧ</f>a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and <f>ⓨ</f>to hear what you have to say.”


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So he invited them in to be his guests. <pb/>The next day he rose and went away with them, and <f>ⓩ</f>some of <f>ⓐ</f>the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.


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And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.


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And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew <f>ⓔ</f>to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but <f>ⓕ</f>God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.


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<pb/>And Cornelius said, <f>ⓖ</f>“Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at <f>ⓗ</f>the ninth hour, <f>[4]</f> and behold, <f>ⓘ</f>a man stood before me in bright clothing


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and said, ‘Cornelius, <f>ⓙ</f>your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.


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Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’


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So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”


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<pb/>So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that <f>ⓚ</f>God <f>ⓛ</f>shows no partiality,


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but <f>ⓜ</f>in every nation anyone who fears him and <f>ⓝ</f>does what is right is acceptable to him.


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As for <f>ⓞ</f>the word that he sent to Israel, <f>ⓟ</f>preaching good news of <f>ⓠ</f>peace through Jesus Christ (<f>ⓡ</f>he is Lord of all),


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you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, <f>ⓢ</f>beginning <f>ⓣ</f>from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:


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how <f>ⓤ</f>God anointed Jesus of Nazareth <f>ⓥ</f>with the Holy Spirit and with <f>ⓦ</f>power. He went about doing good and healing all <f>ⓧ</f>who were oppressed by the devil, <f>ⓨ</f>for God was with him.


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And <f>ⓩ</f>we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. <f>ⓐ</f>They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,


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<f>ⓔ</f> not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as <f>ⓕ</f>witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.


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And <f>ⓖ</f>he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify <f>ⓗ</f>that he is the one appointed by God to be judge <f>ⓘ</f>of the living and the dead.


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<f>ⓙ</f> To him <f>ⓚ</f>all the prophets bear witness that <f>ⓛ</f>everyone who believes in him receives <f>ⓜ</f>forgiveness of sins <f>ⓝ</f>through his name.”


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<pb/>While Peter was still saying these things, <f>ⓞ</f>the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.


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And the believers from among <f>ⓟ</f>the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because <f>ⓠ</f>the gift of the Holy Spirit <f>ⓡ</f>was poured out even on the Gentiles.


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<f>ⓣ</f> “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit <f>ⓤ</f>just as we have?”


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And he <f>ⓥ</f>commanded them <f>ⓦ</f>to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.


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<pb/>Now the apostles and <f>ⓐ</f>the brothers <f>[1]</f> who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.


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So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, <f>ⓑ</f>the circumcision party <f>[2]</f> criticized him, saying,


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<f>ⓔ</f> “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.


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But the voice answered a second time from heaven, <J>‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’</J>


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And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.


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And the Spirit told me to go with them, <f>ⓕ</f>making no distinction. <f>ⓖ</f>These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.


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And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;


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<f>ⓗ</f> he will declare to you a message by which <f>ⓘ</f>you will be saved, you and all your household.’


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And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, <J> <f>ⓛ</f>‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’</J>


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If then <f>ⓜ</f>God gave <f>ⓝ</f>the same gift to them as he gave to us <f>ⓞ</f>when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, <f>ⓟ</f>who was I <f>ⓠ</f>that I could stand in God's way?”


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When they heard these things they fell silent. And they <f>ⓡ</f>glorified God, saying, <f>ⓢ</f>“Then to the Gentiles also God has <f>ⓣ</f>granted <f>ⓤ</f>repentance that leads to life.”


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<pb/><f>ⓥ</f> Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.


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But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists <f>[3]</f> also, <f>ⓦ</f>preaching the Lord Jesus.


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And <f>ⓧ</f>the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed <f>ⓨ</f>turned to the Lord.


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When he came and saw <f>ⓩ</f>the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord <f>ⓐ</f>with steadfast purpose,


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for he was a good man, <f>ⓑ</f>full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people <f>ⓒ</f>were added to the Lord.


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and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called <f>ⓔ</f>Christians.


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And one of them named <f>ⓖ</f>Agabus stood up and foretold <f>ⓗ</f>by the Spirit that there would be a great <f>ⓘ</f>famine over all the world (this took place in the days of <f>ⓙ</f>Claudius).


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So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, <f>ⓚ</f>to send relief to <f>ⓛ</f>the brothers <f>[4]</f> living in Judea.


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and when he saw <f>ⓒ</f>that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during <f>ⓓ</f>the days of Unleavened Bread.


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And when he had seized him, he put him <f>ⓔ</f>in prison, delivering him over to four <f>ⓕ</f>squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.


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<pb/>Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, <f>ⓗ</f>bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.


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And behold, <f>ⓘ</f>an angel of the Lord <f>ⓙ</f>stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. <f>ⓚ</f>He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And <f>ⓛ</f>the chains fell off his hands.


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And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and <f>ⓜ</f>put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”


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And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but <f>ⓝ</f>thought he was seeing a vision.


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When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. <f>ⓞ</f>It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.


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When Peter <f>ⓟ</f>came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that <f>ⓠ</f>the Lord has sent his angel and <f>ⓡ</f>rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”


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<pb/>When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of <f>ⓢ</f>John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and <f>ⓣ</f>were praying.


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Recognizing Peter's voice, <f>ⓥ</f>in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.


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They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is <f>ⓦ</f>his angel!”


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But <f>ⓧ</f>motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to <f>ⓨ</f>James and to <f>ⓩ</f>the brothers.” <f>[1]</f> Then he departed and went to another place.


text:
<pb/>Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.


text:
And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and <f>ⓐ</f>ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.


text:
<pb/>Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and <f>ⓑ</f>having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, <f>[2]</f> they asked for peace, because <f>ⓒ</f>their country depended on the king's country for food.


text:
On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.


text:
Immediately <f>ⓓ</f>an angel of the Lord struck him down, because <f>ⓔ</f>he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> And Barnabas and Saul returned from <f>[3]</f> Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them <f>ⓗ</f>John, whose other name was Mark.


text:
<pb/>Now there were in the church at Antioch <f>ⓐ</f>prophets and <f>ⓑ</f>teachers, <f>ⓒ</f>Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, <f>[1]</f> Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of <f>ⓓ</f>Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.


text:
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, <f>ⓔ</f>the Holy Spirit said, <f>ⓕ</f>“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul <f>ⓖ</f>for the work to which I have called them.”


text:
<pb/>So, being sent out <f>ⓙ</f>by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.


text:
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God <f>ⓚ</f>in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had <f>ⓛ</f>John to <f>ⓜ</f>assist them.


text:
When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain <f>ⓝ</f>magician, <f>ⓞ</f>a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.


text:
He was with <f>ⓟ</f>the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.


text:
But Elymas the <f>ⓠ</f>magician (for that is the meaning of his name) <f>ⓡ</f>opposed them, seeking to turn <f>ⓢ</f>the proconsul away from the faith.


text:
and said, “You <f>ⓤ</f>son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and <f>ⓥ</f>villainy, will you not stop <f>ⓦ</f>making crooked <f>ⓧ</f>the straight paths of the Lord?


text:
And now, behold, <f>ⓨ</f>the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking <f>ⓩ</f>people to lead him by the hand.


text:
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at <f>ⓐ</f>the teaching of the Lord.


text:
<pb/>Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And <f>ⓑ</f>John left them and returned <f>ⓒ</f>to Jerusalem,


text:
but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And <f>ⓓ</f>on the Sabbath day <f>ⓔ</f>they went into the synagogue and sat down.


text:
After <f>ⓕ</f>the reading from <f>ⓖ</f>the Law and the Prophets, <f>ⓗ</f>the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any <f>ⓘ</f>word of encouragement for the people, say it.”


text:
So Paul stood up, and <f>ⓙ</f>motioning with his hand said: <pb/>“Men of Israel and <f>ⓚ</f>you who fear God, listen.


text:
<f>ⓛ</f> The God of this people Israel <f>ⓜ</f>chose our fathers and <f>ⓝ</f>made the people great <f>ⓞ</f>during their stay in the land of Egypt, and <f>ⓟ</f>with uplifted arm he led them out of it.


text:
And <f>ⓢ</f>after destroying <f>ⓣ</f>seven nations in the land of Canaan, <f>ⓤ</f>he gave them their land as an inheritance.


text:
All this took about 450 years. And after that <f>ⓥ</f>he gave them judges until <f>ⓦ</f>Samuel the prophet.


text:
Then <f>ⓧ</f>they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul <f>ⓨ</f>the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.


text:
And <f>ⓩ</f>when he had removed him, <f>ⓐ</f>he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, <f>ⓑ</f>‘I have found in David the son of Jesse <f>ⓒ</f>a man after my heart, <f>ⓓ</f>who will do all my will.’


text:
<f>ⓔ</f> Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel <f>ⓕ</f>a Savior, Jesus, <f>ⓖ</f>as he promised.


text:
Before his coming, <f>ⓗ</f>John had proclaimed <f>ⓘ</f>a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.


text:
And as John was finishing his course, <f>ⓙ</f>he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’


text:
<pb/>“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you <f>ⓚ</f>who fear God, to us has been sent <f>ⓛ</f>the message of <f>ⓜ</f>this salvation.


text:
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because <f>ⓝ</f>they did not recognize him nor understand <f>ⓞ</f>the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, <f>ⓟ</f>fulfilled them by condemning him.


text:
And <f>ⓠ</f>though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, <f>ⓡ</f>they asked Pilate to have him executed.


text:
And when <f>ⓢ</f>they had carried out all that was written of him, <f>ⓣ</f>they took him down from <f>ⓤ</f>the tree and laid him in a tomb.


text:
and for many days <f>ⓦ</f>he appeared to those <f>ⓧ</f>who had come up with him <f>ⓨ</f>from Galilee to Jerusalem, <f>ⓩ</f>who are now <f>ⓐ</f>his witnesses to the people.


text:
<f>ⓒ</f> this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, <pb/><t><f>ⓓ</f>“‘You are my Son, </t><t>today I have begotten you.’ </t>


text:
<pb/>And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, <f>ⓔ</f> <f>ⓕ</f>no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, <pb/><t>“‘I will give you <f>ⓖ</f>the holy and sure blessings of David.’ </t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore he says also in another psalm, <pb/><t><f>ⓗ</f>“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ </t>


text:
<pb/>For David, after he had <f>ⓘ</f>served the purpose of God in his own generation, <f>ⓙ</f>fell asleep and <f>ⓚ</f>was laid with his fathers and saw corruption,


text:
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, <f>ⓜ</f>that through this man <f>ⓝ</f>forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,


text:
and by him <f>ⓞ</f>everyone who believes is freed <f>[3]</f> from everything <f>ⓟ</f>from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.


text:
<pb/><t><f>ⓠ</f> “‘Look, you scoffers, </t><t>be astounded and perish; </t><t>for I am doing a work in your days, </t><t>a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’” </t>


text:
And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and <f>ⓡ</f>devout <f>ⓢ</f>converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them <f>ⓣ</f>to continue in <f>ⓤ</f>the grace of God.


text:
<f>ⓥ</f> But <f>ⓦ</f>when the Jews <f>[4]</f> saw the crowds, they were filled with <f>ⓧ</f>jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, <f>ⓨ</f>reviling him.


text:
And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God <f>ⓩ</f>be spoken first to you. <f>ⓐ</f>Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves <f>ⓑ</f>unworthy of eternal life, behold, we <f>ⓒ</f>are turning to the Gentiles.


text:
<f>ⓓ</f> For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, <pb/><t><f>ⓔ</f>“‘I have made you <f>ⓕ</f>a light for the Gentiles, </t><t>that you may <f>ⓖ</f>bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” </t>


text:
<pb/>And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and <f>ⓗ</f>glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.


text:
<f>ⓘ</f> But the Jews incited the devout <f>ⓙ</f>women of high standing and the leading men of the city, <f>ⓚ</f>stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and <f>ⓛ</f>drove them out of their district.


text:
<pb/>Now at Iconium <f>ⓐ</f>they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.


text:
<f>ⓑ</f> But the <f>ⓒ</f>unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against <f>ⓓ</f>the brothers. <f>[1]</f>


text:
So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for <f>ⓔ</f>the Lord, who bore witness to <f>ⓕ</f>the word of his grace, <f>ⓖ</f>granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.


text:
But the people of the city <f>ⓗ</f>were divided; <f>ⓘ</f>some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.


text:
When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, <f>ⓙ</f>to mistreat them and <f>ⓚ</f>to stone them,


text:
they learned of it and <f>ⓛ</f>fled to <f>ⓜ</f>Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,


text:
<pb/>Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was <f>ⓝ</f>crippled from birth and had never walked.


text:
He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and <f>ⓞ</f>seeing that he had faith to be made well, <f>[2]</f>


text:
And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, <f>ⓠ</f>“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”


text:
And the priest of <f>ⓢ</f>Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and <f>ⓣ</f>wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.


text:
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they <f>ⓤ</f>tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,


text:
“Men, <f>ⓥ</f>why are you doing these things? We also are men, <f>ⓦ</f>of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that <f>ⓧ</f>you should turn from these <f>ⓨ</f>vain things to <f>ⓩ</f>a living God, <f>ⓐ</f>who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.


text:
Yet <f>ⓓ</f>he did not leave himself without witness, for he <f>ⓔ</f>did good by <f>ⓕ</f>giving you rains from heaven and <f>ⓖ</f>fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with <f>ⓗ</f>food and <f>ⓘ</f>gladness.”


text:
<pb/><f>ⓙ</f> But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, <f>ⓚ</f>they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.


text:
But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.


text:
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had <f>ⓛ</f>made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,


text:
<f>ⓜ</f> strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them <f>ⓝ</f>to continue in <f>ⓞ</f>the faith, and saying that <f>ⓟ</f>through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.


text:
And when they had <f>ⓠ</f>appointed <f>ⓡ</f>elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting <f>ⓢ</f>they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.


text:
and from there they sailed to Antioch, <f>ⓣ</f>where they had been <f>ⓤ</f>commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.


text:
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, <f>ⓥ</f>they declared all that God had done with them, and <f>ⓦ</f>how he had <f>ⓧ</f>opened <f>ⓨ</f>a door of faith to the Gentiles.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> But some men came down from Judea and were teaching <f>ⓑ</f>the brothers, “Unless you are <f>ⓒ</f>circumcised <f>ⓓ</f>according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”


text:
And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and <f>ⓔ</f>debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and <f>ⓕ</f>some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to <f>ⓖ</f>the apostles and the elders about this question.


text:
So, <f>ⓗ</f>being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, <f>ⓘ</f>describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and <f>ⓙ</f>brought great joy to all <f>ⓚ</f>the brothers. <f>[1]</f>


text:
<f>ⓛ</f> When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and <f>ⓜ</f>the apostles and the elders, and <f>ⓝ</f>they declared all that God had done with them.


text:
But some believers who belonged to <f>ⓞ</f>the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, <f>ⓟ</f>“It is necessary <f>ⓠ</f>to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”


text:
And after there had been much <f>ⓣ</f>debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, <f>ⓤ</f>that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear <f>ⓥ</f>the word of <f>ⓦ</f>the gospel and believe.


text:
And God, <f>ⓧ</f>who knows the heart, <f>ⓨ</f>bore witness to them, <f>ⓩ</f>by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,


text:
and <f>ⓐ</f>he made no distinction between us and them, <f>ⓑ</f>having cleansed their hearts <f>ⓒ</f>by faith.


text:
Now, therefore, why <f>ⓓ</f>are you putting God to the test <f>ⓔ</f>by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples <f>ⓕ</f>that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?


text:
But we <f>ⓖ</f>believe that we will be <f>ⓗ</f>saved through <f>ⓘ</f>the grace of the Lord Jesus, <f>ⓙ</f>just as they will.”


text:
<pb/>And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul <f>ⓚ</f>as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.


text:
<f>ⓜ</f> Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them <f>ⓝ</f>a people for his name.


text:
<pb/><t><f>ⓞ</f> “‘After this I will return, </t><t>and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; </t><t>I will rebuild its ruins, </t><t>and I will restore it,</t>


text:
<t>that the remnant <f>[2]</f> of mankind <f>ⓟ</f>may seek the Lord, </t><t>and all the Gentiles <f>ⓠ</f>who are called by my name, </t><t>says the Lord, who makes these things </t>


text:
<pb/>Therefore <f>ⓢ</f>my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who <f>ⓣ</f>turn to God,


text:
but should write to them <f>ⓤ</f>to abstain from <f>ⓥ</f>the things polluted by idols, and from <f>ⓦ</f>sexual immorality, and from <f>ⓧ</f>what has been strangled, and from <f>ⓨ</f>blood.


text:
For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, <f>ⓩ</f>for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”


text:
<pb/>Then it seemed good to <f>ⓐ</f>the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called <f>ⓑ</f>Barsabbas, and <f>ⓒ</f>Silas, leading men among <f>ⓓ</f>the brothers,


text:
with the following letter: <f>ⓔ</f>“The brothers, both <f>ⓕ</f>the apostles and the elders, to the brothers <f>[3]</f> who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, <f>ⓖ</f>greetings.


text:
Since we have heard that <f>ⓗ</f>some persons have gone out from us and <f>ⓘ</f>troubled you <f>[4]</f> with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,


text:
it has seemed good to us, having come <f>ⓙ</f>to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our <f>ⓚ</f>beloved Barnabas and Paul,


text:
We have therefore sent <f>ⓝ</f>Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.


text:
For it has seemed good <f>ⓞ</f>to the Holy Spirit and <f>ⓟ</f>to us <f>ⓠ</f>to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:


text:
<f>ⓡ</f> that you abstain from <f>ⓢ</f>what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”


text:
<pb/>So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.


text:
And Judas and Silas, who were themselves <f>ⓣ</f>prophets, encouraged and <f>ⓤ</f>strengthened <f>ⓥ</f>the brothers with many words.


text:
And after they had spent some time, they were sent off <f>ⓦ</f>in peace by <f>ⓧ</f>the brothers to those who had sent them. <f>[5]</f>


text:
But <f>ⓨ</f>Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.


text:
<pb/>And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit <f>ⓩ</f>the brothers <f>ⓐ</f>in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”


text:
But Paul thought best not to take with them one <f>ⓒ</f>who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.


text:
And there arose <f>ⓓ</f>a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. <f>ⓔ</f>Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,


text:
but Paul chose Silas and departed, <f>ⓕ</f>having been commended by <f>ⓖ</f>the brothers to <f>ⓗ</f>the grace of the Lord.


text:
<pb/>Paul <f>[1]</f> came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named <f>ⓐ</f>Timothy, <f>ⓑ</f>the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.


text:
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he <f>ⓓ</f>took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.


text:
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance <f>ⓔ</f>the decisions <f>ⓕ</f>that had been reached by <f>ⓖ</f>the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.


text:
<f>ⓗ</f> So the churches were strengthened in <f>ⓘ</f>the faith, and they increased in numbers <f>ⓙ</f>daily.


text:
<pb/>And <f>ⓚ</f>they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.


text:
And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but <f>ⓛ</f>the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.


text:
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”


text:
And when Paul <f>[3]</f> had seen the vision, immediately <f>ⓝ</f>we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.


text:
<pb/>So, setting sail from Troas, we <f>ⓞ</f>made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,


text:
and from there to <f>ⓟ</f>Philippi, which is a leading city of the <f>[4]</f> district of Macedonia and <f>ⓠ</f>a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.


text:
And <f>ⓡ</f>on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate <f>ⓢ</f>to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we <f>ⓣ</f>sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.


text:
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, <f>ⓤ</f>who was a worshiper of God. The Lord <f>ⓥ</f>opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.


text:
And after she was baptized, <f>ⓦ</f>and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she <f>ⓧ</f>prevailed upon us.


text:
<pb/>As we were going to <f>ⓨ</f>the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had <f>ⓩ</f>a spirit of <f>ⓐ</f>divination and <f>ⓑ</f>brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.


text:
She followed Paul and us, <f>ⓒ</f>crying out, “These men are <f>ⓓ</f>servants of <f>ⓔ</f>the Most High God, who proclaim to you <f>ⓕ</f>the way of salvation.”


text:
And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, <f>ⓖ</f>“I command you <f>ⓗ</f>in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And <f>ⓘ</f>it came out that very hour.


text:
<pb/>But <f>ⓙ</f>when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and <f>ⓚ</f>dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.


text:
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.


text:
The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders <f>ⓝ</f>to beat them with rods.


text:
And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.


text:
Having received this order, he put them into the inner <f>ⓞ</f>prison and fastened their feet in <f>ⓟ</f>the stocks.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓠ</f> About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,


text:
and suddenly <f>ⓡ</f>there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately <f>ⓢ</f>all the doors were opened, and <f>ⓣ</f>everyone's bonds were unfastened.


text:
When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and <f>ⓤ</f>was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.


text:
And the jailer <f>[5]</f> called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he <f>ⓥ</f>fell down before Paul and Silas.


text:
And they said, <f>ⓨ</f>“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you <f>ⓩ</f>and your household.”


text:
And he took them <f>ⓐ</f>the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he <f>ⓑ</f>was baptized at once, he and all his family.


text:
Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he <f>ⓒ</f>rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.


text:
And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.”


text:
But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, <f>ⓓ</f>uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.”


text:
The police reported these words to the magistrates, and <f>ⓔ</f>they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens.


text:
So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and <f>ⓕ</f>asked them to leave the city.


text:
So they went out of the prison and visited <f>ⓖ</f>Lydia. And when they had seen <f>ⓗ</f>the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.


text:
<pb/>Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to <f>ⓐ</f>Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.


text:
And Paul went in, <f>ⓑ</f>as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them <f>ⓒ</f>from the Scriptures,


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<f>ⓓ</f> explaining and proving that it was necessary for <f>ⓔ</f>the Christ to suffer and <f>ⓕ</f>to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”


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And <f>ⓖ</f>some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did <f>ⓗ</f>a great many of the devout <f>ⓘ</f>Greeks and not a few of the leading women.


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<f>ⓙ</f> But the Jews <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓚ</f>were jealous, and taking <f>ⓛ</f>some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.


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And when they could not find them, <f>ⓜ</f>they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,


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and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against <f>ⓝ</f>the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is <f>ⓞ</f>another king, Jesus.”


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<pb/><f>ⓟ</f> The brothers <f>[2]</f> immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they <f>ⓠ</f>went into the Jewish synagogue.


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Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, <f>ⓡ</f>examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.


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<f>ⓢ</f> Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek <f>ⓣ</f>women of high standing as well as men.


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But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, <f>ⓤ</f>agitating and stirring up the crowds.


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Then the brothers <f>ⓥ</f>immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and <f>ⓦ</f>Timothy remained there.


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<f>ⓧ</f> Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as <f>ⓨ</f>Athens, and after receiving a command <f>ⓩ</f>for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.


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<pb/>Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was <f>ⓐ</f>provoked within him as he saw that the city was <f>ⓑ</f>full of idols.


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So <f>ⓒ</f>he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.


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Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, <f>ⓓ</f>“What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities” — because <f>ⓔ</f>he was preaching <f>ⓕ</f>Jesus and the resurrection.


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And they took him and brought him to <f>ⓖ</f>the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this <f>ⓗ</f>new teaching is that you are presenting?


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For you bring some <f>ⓘ</f>strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”


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Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.


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<pb/>So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.


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For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: <f>ⓙ</f>‘To the unknown god.’ <f>ⓚ</f>What therefore you worship <f>ⓛ</f>as unknown, this I proclaim to you.


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<f>ⓜ</f> The God who made the world and everything in it, being <f>ⓝ</f>Lord of heaven and earth, <f>ⓞ</f>does not live in temples made by man, <f>[3]</f>


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nor is he served by human hands, <f>ⓟ</f>as though he needed anything, since he himself <f>ⓠ</f>gives to all mankind <f>ⓡ</f>life and breath and everything.


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And <f>ⓢ</f>he made from one man every nation of mankind to live <f>ⓣ</f>on all the face of the earth, <f>ⓤ</f>having determined allotted periods and <f>ⓥ</f>the boundaries of their dwelling place,


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<f>ⓦ</f> that they should seek God, <f>ⓧ</f>and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. <f>ⓨ</f>Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,


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for <pb/><t><f>ⓩ</f>“‘In him we live and move and have our being’; <f>[4]</f> </t> <pb/>as even some of <f>ⓐ</f>your own poets have said, <pb/><t>“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ <f>[5]</f> </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> Being then God's offspring, <f>ⓒ</f>we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.


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<f>ⓓ</f> The times of ignorance <f>ⓔ</f>God overlooked, but <f>ⓕ</f>now he <f>ⓖ</f>commands all people everywhere to repent,


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because he has fixed <f>ⓗ</f>a day on which <f>ⓘ</f>he will judge the world <f>ⓙ</f>in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and <f>ⓚ</f>of this he has given assurance to all <f>ⓛ</f>by raising him from the dead.”


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<pb/>Now when they heard of <f>ⓜ</f>the resurrection of the dead, <f>ⓝ</f>some mocked. But others said, <f>ⓞ</f>“We will hear you again about this.”


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But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius <f>ⓟ</f>the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.


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And he found a Jew named <f>ⓐ</f>Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife <f>ⓑ</f>Priscilla, because <f>ⓒ</f>Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,


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and <f>ⓓ</f>because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.


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And <f>ⓔ</f>he reasoned in the synagogue <f>ⓕ</f>every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.


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<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul <f>ⓗ</f>was occupied with the word, <f>ⓘ</f>testifying to the Jews that the Christ was <f>ⓙ</f>Jesus.


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And when they opposed and reviled him, <f>ⓚ</f>he shook out his garments and said to them, <f>ⓛ</f>“Your blood be on your own heads! <f>ⓜ</f>I am innocent. <f>ⓝ</f>From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”


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And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius <f>ⓞ</f>Justus, <f>ⓟ</f>a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.


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<f>ⓠ</f> Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together <f>ⓡ</f>with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.


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And the Lord said to Paul <f>ⓢ</f>one night in <f>ⓣ</f>a vision, <J> <f>ⓤ</f>“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,</J>


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<J><f>ⓥ</f> for I am with you, and <f>ⓦ</f>no one will attack you to harm you, for <f>ⓧ</f>I have many in this city who are my people.”</J>


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<pb/>But when Gallio was <f>ⓨ</f>proconsul of Achaia, <f>ⓩ</f>the Jews <f>[2]</f> made a united attack on Paul and <f>ⓐ</f>brought him before the tribunal,


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But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious <f>ⓒ</f>crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.


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But <f>ⓓ</f>since it is a matter of questions about words and names and <f>ⓔ</f>your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”


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And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.


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<pb/>After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of <f>ⓕ</f>the brothers <f>[3]</f> and set sail for Syria, and with him <f>ⓖ</f>Priscilla and Aquila. At <f>ⓗ</f>Cenchreae <f>ⓘ</f>he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.


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And they came to <f>ⓙ</f>Ephesus, and he left them there, but <f>ⓚ</f>he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.


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But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you <f>ⓛ</f>if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.


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<pb/>When he had landed at Caesarea, he <f>ⓜ</f>went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.


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After spending some time there, he departed and <f>ⓝ</f>went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, <f>ⓞ</f>strengthening all the disciples.


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<pb/>Now a Jew named <f>ⓟ</f>Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, <f>ⓠ</f>competent in the Scriptures.


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He had been instructed in <f>ⓡ</f>the way of the Lord. And <f>ⓢ</f>being fervent in spirit, <f>[4]</f> he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only <f>ⓣ</f>the baptism of John.


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He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when <f>ⓤ</f>Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him <f>ⓥ</f>the way of God more accurately.


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And when he wished to cross to <f>ⓦ</f>Achaia, <f>ⓧ</f>the brothers encouraged him and <f>ⓨ</f>wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, <f>ⓩ</f>he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,


text:
for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures <f>ⓐ</f>that the Christ was Jesus.


text:
<pb/>And it happened that while <f>ⓐ</f>Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed <f>ⓑ</f>through the inland <f>[1]</f> country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.


text:
And he said to them, <f>ⓒ</f>“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, <f>ⓓ</f>we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”


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And Paul said, <f>ⓖ</f>“John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people <f>ⓗ</f>to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”


text:
And <f>ⓙ</f>when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and <f>ⓚ</f>they began speaking in tongues and <f>ⓛ</f>prophesying.


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<pb/>And <f>ⓜ</f>he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them <f>ⓝ</f>about the kingdom of God.


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<f>ⓞ</f> But when some became stubborn and <f>ⓟ</f>continued in unbelief, speaking evil of <f>ⓠ</f>the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. <f>[3]</f>


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This continued for <f>ⓡ</f>two years, so that <f>ⓢ</f>all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.


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<f>ⓤ</f> so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and <f>ⓥ</f>the evil spirits came out of them.


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Then some of the itinerant Jewish <f>ⓦ</f>exorcists <f>ⓧ</f>undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, <f>ⓨ</f>“I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”


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And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all <f>[4]</f> of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.


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And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and <f>ⓐ</f>the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.


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And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.


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<pb/>Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit <f>ⓓ</f>to pass through <f>ⓔ</f>Macedonia and Achaia and <f>ⓕ</f>go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, <f>ⓖ</f>I must also see Rome.”


text:
And having sent into Macedonia two of <f>ⓗ</f>his helpers, <f>ⓘ</f>Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia <f>ⓙ</f>for a while.


text:
For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, <f>ⓜ</f>brought no little business to the craftsmen.


text:
<f>ⓝ</f> These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.


text:
And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, <f>ⓞ</f>saying that <f>ⓟ</f>gods made with hands are not gods.


text:
And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the <f>ⓠ</f>great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”


text:
<pb/>When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, <f>ⓡ</f>“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”


text:
So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and <f>ⓢ</f>Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's <f>ⓣ</f>companions in travel.


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And even some of the Asiarchs, <f>[5]</f> who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.


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<f>ⓤ</f> Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.


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Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, <f>ⓥ</f>motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.


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But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, <f>ⓦ</f>“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”


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<pb/>And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from <f>ⓧ</f>the sky? <f>[6]</f>


text:
For you have brought <f>ⓨ</f>these men here who are neither <f>ⓩ</f>sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.


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If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are <f>ⓐ</f>proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.


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For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”


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<pb/>After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and <f>ⓐ</f>departed for Macedonia.


text:
There he spent three months, and when <f>ⓑ</f>a plot was made against him by the Jews <f>[1]</f> as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.


text:
Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, <f>ⓒ</f>Aristarchus and Secundus; and <f>ⓓ</f>Gaius of Derbe, and <f>ⓔ</f>Timothy; and the Asians, <f>ⓕ</f>Tychicus and <f>ⓖ</f>Trophimus.


text:
but we sailed away from Philippi after <f>ⓙ</f>the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.


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<pb/><f>ⓚ</f> On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together <f>ⓛ</f>to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.


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And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he <f>ⓝ</f>fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.


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But Paul went down and <f>ⓞ</f>bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, <f>ⓟ</f>“Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”


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And when Paul had gone up and <f>ⓠ</f>had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.


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<pb/>But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.


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And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and <f>[2]</f> the day after that we went to Miletus.


text:
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening <f>ⓡ</f>to be at Jerusalem, if possible, <f>ⓢ</f>on the day of Pentecost.


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<pb/>Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called <f>ⓣ</f>the elders of the church to come to him.


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And when they came to him, he said to them: <pb/><f>ⓤ</f>“You yourselves know <f>ⓥ</f>how I lived among you the whole time <f>ⓦ</f>from the first day that I set foot in Asia,


text:
<f>ⓧ</f> serving the Lord <f>ⓨ</f>with all humility and with <f>ⓩ</f>tears and with trials that happened to me through <f>ⓐ</f>the plots of the Jews;


text:
how I <f>ⓑ</f>did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and <f>ⓒ</f>teaching you in public and from house to house,


text:
<f>ⓓ</f> testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of <f>ⓔ</f>repentance toward God and of <f>ⓕ</f>faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. <f>[3]</f>


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And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained <f>ⓖ</f>by <f>[4]</f> the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,


text:
except that <f>ⓗ</f>the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that <f>ⓘ</f>imprisonment and <f>ⓙ</f>afflictions await me.


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But <f>ⓚ</f>I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only <f>ⓛ</f>I may finish my course and <f>ⓜ</f>the ministry <f>ⓝ</f>that I received from the Lord Jesus, <f>ⓞ</f>to testify to <f>ⓟ</f>the gospel of <f>ⓠ</f>the grace of God.


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And now, behold, <f>ⓡ</f>I know that none of you among whom I have gone about <f>ⓢ</f>proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.


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<f>ⓧ</f> Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all <f>ⓨ</f>the flock, in which <f>ⓩ</f>the Holy Spirit has made you <f>ⓐ</f>overseers, <f>ⓑ</f>to care for <f>ⓒ</f>the church of God, <f>[5]</f> which he <f>ⓓ</f>obtained <f>ⓔ</f>with his own blood. <f>[6]</f>


text:
I <f>ⓕ</f>know that after my departure <f>ⓖ</f>fierce wolves will come in among you, <f>ⓗ</f>not sparing the flock;


text:
and <f>ⓘ</f>from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.


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Therefore <f>ⓙ</f>be alert, remembering that <f>ⓚ</f>for three years I did not cease night or day <f>ⓛ</f>to admonish every one <f>ⓜ</f>with tears.


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And now <f>ⓝ</f>I commend you to God and to <f>ⓞ</f>the word of his grace, which is able to <f>ⓟ</f>build you up and to give you <f>ⓠ</f>the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


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<f>ⓢ</f> You yourselves know that <f>ⓣ</f>these hands ministered to my necessities and <f>ⓤ</f>to those who were with me.


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In all things <f>ⓥ</f>I have shown you that <f>ⓦ</f>by working hard in this way we must <f>ⓧ</f>help the weak and <f>ⓨ</f>remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, <J>‘It is more blessed <f>ⓩ</f>to give than to receive.’</J>”


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And <f>ⓑ</f>there was much weeping on the part of all; <f>ⓒ</f>they embraced Paul and <f>ⓓ</f>kissed him,


text:
being sorrowful most of all because of <f>ⓔ</f>the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And <f>ⓕ</f>they accompanied him to the ship.


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<pb/>And when <f>ⓐ</f>we had parted from them and set sail, we <f>ⓑ</f>came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. <f>[1]</f>


text:
When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.


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And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And <f>ⓒ</f>through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.


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When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, <f>ⓓ</f>accompanied us until we were outside the city. And <f>ⓔ</f>kneeling down on the beach, we prayed


text:
<pb/>When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted <f>ⓕ</f>the brothers <f>[2]</f> and stayed with them for one day.


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On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of <f>ⓖ</f>Philip <f>ⓗ</f>the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.


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And coming to us, he <f>ⓚ</f>took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, <f>ⓛ</f>“Thus says the Holy Spirit, <f>ⓜ</f>‘This is how the Jews <f>[3]</f> at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and <f>ⓝ</f>deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”


text:
Then Paul answered, <f>ⓟ</f>“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For <f>ⓠ</f>I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem <f>ⓡ</f>for the name of the Lord Jesus.”


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And since he would not be persuaded, <f>ⓢ</f>we ceased and said, <f>ⓣ</f>“Let the will of the Lord be done.”


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And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.


text:
On the following day Paul went in with us to <f>ⓥ</f>James, and all <f>ⓦ</f>the elders were present.


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After greeting them, <f>ⓧ</f>he related one by one <f>ⓨ</f>the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his <f>ⓩ</f>ministry.


text:
And when they heard it, they <f>ⓐ</f>glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all <f>ⓑ</f>zealous for the law,


text:
and they have been told about you that you teach all <f>ⓒ</f>the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, <f>ⓓ</f>telling them <f>ⓔ</f>not to circumcise their children or <f>ⓕ</f>walk according to <f>ⓖ</f>our customs.


text:
take these men and <f>ⓘ</f>purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, <f>ⓙ</f>so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.


text:
But as for the Gentiles who have believed, <f>ⓚ</f>we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, <f>[4]</f> and from sexual immorality.”


text:
Then Paul took the men, and the next day <f>ⓛ</f>he purified himself along with them and <f>ⓜ</f>went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and <f>ⓝ</f>the offering presented for each one of them.


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<pb/>When <f>ⓞ</f>the seven days were almost completed, <f>ⓟ</f>the Jews from Asia, <f>ⓠ</f>seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,


text:
crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who <f>ⓡ</f>is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and <f>ⓢ</f>the law and <f>ⓣ</f>this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and <f>ⓤ</f>has defiled <f>ⓥ</f>this holy place.”


text:
For they had previously seen <f>ⓦ</f>Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.


text:
Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and <f>ⓧ</f>dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.


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<f>ⓨ</f> And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of <f>ⓩ</f>the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.


text:
<f>ⓐ</f> He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.


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Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him <f>ⓑ</f>to be bound <f>ⓒ</f>with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.


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<f>ⓓ</f> Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into <f>ⓔ</f>the barracks.


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And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,


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<pb/>As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?


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Are you not <f>ⓖ</f>the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out <f>ⓗ</f>into the wilderness?”


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Paul replied, <f>ⓘ</f>“I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”


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And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, <f>ⓙ</f>motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in <f>ⓚ</f>the Hebrew language, <f>[5]</f> saying:


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<pb/>And when they heard that he was addressing them in <f>ⓑ</f>the Hebrew language, <f>[1]</f> they became even more quiet. And he said:


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<pb/><f>ⓒ</f> “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated <f>ⓓ</f>at the feet of <f>ⓔ</f>Gamaliel <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓕ</f>according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, <f>ⓖ</f>being zealous for God <f>ⓗ</f>as all of you are this day.


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<f>ⓘ</f> I persecuted <f>ⓙ</f>this Way <f>ⓚ</f>to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,


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as <f>ⓛ</f>the high priest and <f>ⓜ</f>the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to <f>ⓝ</f>the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.


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And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, <J>‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’</J>


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And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, <J>‘I am <f>ⓟ</f>Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’</J>


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<f>ⓠ</f> Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand <f>[3]</f> the voice of the one who was speaking to me.


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And I said, <f>ⓡ</f>‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, <J>‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’</J>


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And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.


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<pb/>“And <f>ⓢ</f>one Ananias, a devout man <f>ⓣ</f>according to the law, <f>ⓤ</f>well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,


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<f>ⓥ</f> came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And <f>ⓦ</f>at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.


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And he said, <f>ⓧ</f>‘The God of our fathers <f>ⓨ</f>appointed you to know his will, <f>ⓩ</f>to see <f>ⓐ</f>the Righteous One and <f>ⓑ</f>to hear a voice from his mouth;


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And now why do you wait? <f>ⓔ</f>Rise and be baptized and <f>ⓕ</f>wash away your sins, <f>ⓖ</f>calling on his name.’


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<pb/><f>ⓗ</f> “When I had returned to Jerusalem and <f>ⓘ</f>was praying in the temple, I fell into <f>ⓙ</f>a trance


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and saw him saying to me, <J> <f>ⓚ</f>‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’</J>


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And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another <f>ⓛ</f>I imprisoned and <f>ⓜ</f>beat those who believed in you.


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And when the blood of Stephen <f>ⓝ</f>your witness was being shed, <f>ⓞ</f>I myself was standing by and <f>ⓟ</f>approving and <f>ⓠ</f>watching over the garments of those who killed him.’


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<pb/>Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, <f>ⓢ</f>“Away with such a fellow from the earth! For <f>ⓣ</f>he should not be allowed to live.”


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the tribune ordered him to be brought into <f>ⓤ</f>the barracks, saying that he should be <f>ⓥ</f>examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.


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But when they had stretched him out for the whips, <f>[4]</f> Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog <f>ⓦ</f>a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”


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When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”


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The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”


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So those who were about <f>ⓧ</f>to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also <f>ⓨ</f>was afraid, <f>ⓩ</f>for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that <f>ⓐ</f>he had bound him.


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<pb/>But on the next day, <f>ⓑ</f>desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.


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<pb/>And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, <f>ⓐ</f>I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”


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And the high priest <f>ⓑ</f>Ananias commanded those who stood by him <f>ⓒ</f>to strike him on the mouth.


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Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you <f>ⓓ</f>whitewashed <f>ⓔ</f>wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet <f>ⓕ</f>contrary to the law you <f>ⓖ</f>order me to be struck?”


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And Paul said, <f>ⓘ</f>“I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, <f>ⓙ</f>‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”


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<pb/>Now when Paul perceived that one part were <f>ⓚ</f>Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, <f>ⓛ</f>I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is <f>ⓜ</f>with respect to the <f>ⓝ</f>hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”


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And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.


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For the Sadducees <f>ⓞ</f>say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.


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Then a great clamor arose, and some of <f>ⓟ</f>the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, <f>ⓠ</f>“We find nothing wrong in this man. What <f>ⓡ</f>if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”


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And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into <f>ⓢ</f>the barracks.


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<pb/><f>ⓣ</f> The following night <f>ⓤ</f>the Lord stood by him and said, <J> <f>ⓥ</f>“Take courage, for <f>ⓦ</f>as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must <f>ⓧ</f>testify also in Rome.”</J>


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<pb/>When it was day, <f>ⓨ</f>the Jews made a plot and <f>ⓩ</f>bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.


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They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.


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Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”


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<pb/>Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered <f>ⓐ</f>the barracks and told Paul.


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Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”


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So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul <f>ⓑ</f>the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”


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The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”


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And he said, <f>ⓒ</f>“The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.


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But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who <f>ⓓ</f>have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”


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So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”


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<pb/>Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. <f>[1]</f>


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<f>ⓘ</f> This man was seized by the Jews and <f>ⓙ</f>was about to be killed by them <f>ⓚ</f>when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, <f>ⓛ</f>having learned that he was a Roman citizen.


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And <f>ⓜ</f>desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.


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I found that he was being accused <f>ⓝ</f>about questions of their law, but <f>ⓞ</f>charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.


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<f>ⓟ</f> And when it was disclosed to me <f>ⓠ</f>that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, <f>ⓡ</f>ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”


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<pb/>So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.


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When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.


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On reading the letter, he asked what <f>ⓣ</f>province he was from. And when he learned <f>ⓤ</f>that he was from Cilicia,


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he said, “I will give you a hearing <f>ⓥ</f>when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's <f>ⓦ</f>praetorium.


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<pb/>And <f>ⓐ</f>after five days the high priest <f>ⓑ</f>Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before <f>ⓒ</f>the governor their case against Paul.


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And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: <pb/>“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, <f>ⓓ</f>most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,


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For we have found this man a plague, <f>ⓔ</f>one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of <f>ⓕ</f>the sect of the Nazarenes.


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By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”


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<pb/>And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: <pb/>“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.


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You can verify that <f>ⓗ</f>it is not more than twelve days since I <f>ⓘ</f>went up <f>ⓙ</f>to worship in Jerusalem,


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and <f>ⓚ</f>they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.


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But this I confess to you, that according to <f>ⓜ</f>the Way, which they call <f>ⓝ</f>a sect, <f>ⓞ</f>I worship <f>ⓟ</f>the God of our fathers, believing everything <f>ⓠ</f>laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,


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<f>ⓡ</f> having <f>ⓢ</f>a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be <f>ⓣ</f>a resurrection <f>ⓤ</f>of both the just and the unjust.


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Now <f>ⓧ</f>after several years <f>ⓨ</f>I came to bring alms to <f>ⓩ</f>my nation and to present <f>ⓐ</f>offerings.


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While I was doing this, they found me <f>ⓑ</f>purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But <f>ⓒ</f>some Jews from Asia —


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<f>ⓓ</f> they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.


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other than this one thing <f>ⓔ</f>that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”


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<pb/>But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of <f>ⓕ</f>the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”


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Then he gave orders to the centurion that he <f>ⓖ</f>should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that <f>ⓗ</f>none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.


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<pb/>After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about <f>ⓘ</f>faith <f>ⓙ</f>in Christ Jesus.


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And as he reasoned <f>ⓚ</f>about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. <f>ⓛ</f>When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”


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At the same time he hoped <f>ⓜ</f>that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.


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When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius <f>ⓝ</f>Festus. And <f>ⓞ</f>desiring to do the Jews a favor, <f>ⓟ</f>Felix left Paul in prison.


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<pb/>Now three days after Festus had arrived in <f>ⓐ</f>the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.


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And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews <f>ⓑ</f>laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,


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asking as a favor against Paul <f>[1]</f> that he summon him to Jerusalem — because <f>ⓒ</f>they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.


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Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.


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“So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”


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<pb/>After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on <f>ⓓ</f>the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.


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When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him <f>ⓔ</f>that they could not prove.


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Paul argued in his defense, “Neither <f>ⓕ</f>against <f>ⓖ</f>the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor <f>ⓗ</f>against Caesar have I committed any offense.”


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But Festus, <f>ⓘ</f>wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”


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But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's <f>ⓙ</f>tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.


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If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. <f>ⓚ</f>I appeal to Caesar.”


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Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”


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<pb/>Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.


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And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, <f>ⓛ</f>“There is a man left prisoner by Felix,


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and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case <f>ⓜ</f>against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.


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<f>ⓝ</f> I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone <f>ⓞ</f>before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.


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<f>ⓟ</f> So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on <f>ⓠ</f>the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.


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Rather they <f>ⓡ</f>had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about <f>ⓢ</f>a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.


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Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I <f>ⓣ</f>asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.


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But <f>ⓤ</f>when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of <f>ⓥ</f>the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”


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Then <f>ⓦ</f>Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”


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<pb/>So on the next day <f>ⓧ</f>Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.


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And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom <f>ⓨ</f>the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, <f>ⓩ</f>shouting that he ought not to live any longer.


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But I found that <f>ⓐ</f>he had done nothing deserving death. And <f>ⓑ</f>as he himself appealed to <f>ⓒ</f>the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.


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But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.


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<pb/>So <f>ⓐ</f>Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:


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<pb/>“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today <f>ⓑ</f>against all the accusations of the Jews,


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especially because you are familiar with all the <f>ⓒ</f>customs and <f>ⓓ</f>controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among <f>ⓕ</f>my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.


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They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that <f>ⓖ</f>according to the strictest <f>ⓗ</f>party of our <f>ⓘ</f>religion I have lived as <f>ⓙ</f>a Pharisee.


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<f>ⓛ</f> to which <f>ⓜ</f>our twelve tribes hope to <f>ⓝ</f>attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope <f>ⓞ</f>I am accused by Jews, O king!


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<pb/><f>ⓠ</f> “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of <f>ⓡ</f>Jesus of Nazareth.


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<f>ⓢ</f> And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority <f>ⓣ</f>from the chief priests, but <f>ⓤ</f>when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.


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And <f>ⓥ</f>I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them <f>ⓦ</f>blaspheme, and <f>ⓧ</f>in raging fury against them I <f>ⓨ</f>persecuted them even to foreign cities.


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<pb/>“In this connection <f>ⓩ</f>I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.


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At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.


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And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me <f>ⓐ</f>in the Hebrew language, <f>[1]</f> <J>‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’</J>


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<J>But rise and <f>ⓑ</f>stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, <f>ⓒ</f>to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,</J>


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<J><f>ⓓ</f> delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles — <f>ⓔ</f>to whom I <f>ⓕ</f>am sending you</J>


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<J><f>ⓖ</f> to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from <f>ⓗ</f>the power of Satan to God, that they may receive <f>ⓘ</f>forgiveness of sins and <f>ⓙ</f>a place among those who are sanctified <f>ⓚ</f>by faith in me.’</J>


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but declared first <f>ⓜ</f>to those in Damascus, <f>ⓝ</f>then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also <f>ⓞ</f>to the Gentiles, that they should <f>ⓟ</f>repent and <f>ⓠ</f>turn to God, performing deeds <f>ⓡ</f>in keeping with their repentance.


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<f>ⓣ</f> To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so <f>ⓤ</f>I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what <f>ⓥ</f>the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:


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<f>ⓦ</f> that the Christ <f>ⓧ</f>must suffer and that, <f>ⓨ</f>by being the first <f>ⓩ</f>to rise from the dead, <f>ⓐ</f>he would proclaim <f>ⓑ</f>light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”


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<pb/>And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, <f>ⓒ</f>you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”


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But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, <f>ⓓ</f>most excellent Festus, but I am speaking <f>ⓔ</f>true and <f>ⓕ</f>rational words.


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For <f>ⓖ</f>the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.


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And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be <f>ⓗ</f>a Christian?” <f>[2]</f>


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And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day <f>ⓘ</f>might become such as I am — except for <f>ⓙ</f>these chains.”


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And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, <f>ⓛ</f>“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”


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And Agrippa said to Festus, <f>ⓜ</f>“This man could have been set <f>ⓝ</f>free if he had not appealed <f>ⓞ</f>to Caesar.”


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<pb/>And when it was decided <f>ⓐ</f>that <f>ⓑ</f>we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan <f>ⓒ</f>Cohort named Julius.


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And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by <f>ⓓ</f>Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.


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The next day we put in at Sidon. And <f>ⓔ</f>Julius <f>ⓕ</f>treated Paul kindly and <f>ⓖ</f>gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.


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And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.


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And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.


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We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.


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Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.


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<pb/>Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even <f>ⓘ</f>the Fast <f>[1]</f> was already over, Paul advised them,


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saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with <f>ⓙ</f>injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”


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But the centurion paid more attention to <f>ⓚ</f>the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.


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And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.


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<pb/>Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.


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Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, <f>[2]</f> we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat.


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After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would <f>ⓜ</f>run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, <f>[3]</f> and thus they were driven along.


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When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.


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<pb/>Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, <f>ⓞ</f>you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this <f>ⓟ</f>injury and loss.


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Yet now I urge you to <f>ⓠ</f>take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.


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For this very night <f>ⓡ</f>there <f>ⓢ</f>stood before me <f>ⓣ</f>an angel of the God <f>ⓤ</f>to whom I belong and <f>ⓥ</f>whom I worship,


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and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; <f>ⓦ</f>you must stand before Caesar. And behold, <f>ⓧ</f>God has granted you all those who sail with you.’


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<pb/>When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.


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So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. <f>[4]</f> A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. <f>[5]</f>


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And fearing that we might <f>ⓐ</f>run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.


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And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered <f>ⓑ</f>the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,


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Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”


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<pb/>As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.


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Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, <f>[6]</f> for <f>ⓒ</f>not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”


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And when he had said these things, he took bread, and <f>ⓓ</f>giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.


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And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, <f>ⓖ</f>throwing out the wheat into the sea.


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<pb/>Now when it was day, <f>ⓗ</f>they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.


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So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.


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But striking a reef, <f>[8]</f> <f>ⓘ</f>they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.


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But the centurion, <f>ⓚ</f>wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,


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and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that <f>ⓛ</f>all were brought safely to land.


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<pb/>After we were brought safely through, <f>ⓐ</f>we then learned that <f>ⓑ</f>the island was called Malta.


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<f>ⓒ</f> The native people <f>[1]</f> showed us unusual <f>ⓓ</f>kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.


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When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.


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When <f>ⓔ</f>the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, <f>ⓕ</f>“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, <f>ⓖ</f>Justice <f>[2]</f> has not allowed him to live.”


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They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, <f>ⓘ</f>they changed their minds and <f>ⓙ</f>said that he was a god.


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<pb/>Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.


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It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and <f>ⓚ</f>prayed, and <f>ⓛ</f>putting his hands on him, healed him.


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And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.


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They also honored us greatly, <f>[3]</f> and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.


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<pb/>After three months we set sail in <f>ⓜ</f>a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods <f>[4]</f> as a figurehead.


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And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.


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There we found <f>ⓝ</f>brothers <f>[5]</f> and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.


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And <f>ⓞ</f>the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, <f>ⓟ</f>Paul thanked God and took courage.


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And when we came into Rome, <f>ⓠ</f>Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.


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<pb/>After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, <f>ⓡ</f>though I had done nothing against our people or <f>ⓢ</f>the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.


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When they had examined me, they <f>ⓣ</f>wished to set me at liberty, <f>ⓤ</f>because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.


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But because the Jews objected, I was compelled <f>ⓥ</f>to appeal to Caesar — though I had no charge to bring against <f>ⓦ</f>my nation.


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For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is <f>ⓧ</f>because of <f>ⓨ</f>the hope of Israel that I am wearing <f>ⓩ</f>this <f>ⓐ</f>chain.”


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And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of <f>ⓑ</f>the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.


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But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this <f>ⓒ</f>sect we know that everywhere <f>ⓓ</f>it is spoken against.”


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<pb/>When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening <f>ⓔ</f>he expounded to them, testifying to <f>ⓕ</f>the kingdom of God and <f>ⓖ</f>trying to convince them about Jesus <f>ⓗ</f>both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.


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And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: <f>ⓙ</f>“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:


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<pb/><t><f>ⓚ</f> “‘Go to this people, and say, </t><t><f>ⓛ</f>“You will indeed hear but never understand, </t><t>and you will indeed see but never perceive.”</t>


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<t><f>ⓜ</f> For this people's heart has grown dull, </t><t>and with their ears they can barely hear, </t><t>and their eyes they have closed; </t><t>lest they should see with their eyes </t><t>and hear with their ears </t><t>and understand with their heart </t><t>and <f>ⓝ</f>turn, and I would heal them.’ </t>


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<pb/>Therefore let it be known to you that <f>ⓞ</f>this <f>ⓟ</f>salvation of God <f>ⓠ</f>has been sent to the Gentiles; <f>ⓡ</f>they will listen.” <f>[6]</f>


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<pb/>He lived there two whole years at his own expense, <f>[7]</f> and <f>ⓢ</f>welcomed all who came to him,


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<f>ⓣ</f> proclaiming <f>ⓤ</f>the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ <f>ⓥ</f>with all boldness and <f>ⓦ</f>without hindrance.


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>a servant <f>[1]</f> of Christ Jesus, <f>ⓑ</f>called to be an apostle, <f>ⓒ</f>set apart for the gospel of God,


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and <f>ⓗ</f>was declared to be the Son of God <f>ⓘ</f>in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,


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through whom <f>ⓙ</f>we have received grace and <f>ⓚ</f>apostleship <f>ⓛ</f>to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name <f>ⓜ</f>among all the nations,


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<pb/>To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: <pb/><f>ⓞ</f>Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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<pb/>First, <f>ⓟ</f>I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, <f>ⓠ</f>because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.


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<f>ⓡ</f> For God is my witness, <f>ⓢ</f>whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, <f>ⓣ</f>that without ceasing I mention you


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always in my prayers, asking that somehow <f>ⓤ</f>by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.


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I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, <f>[3]</f> that <f>ⓧ</f>I have often intended to come to you (but <f>ⓨ</f>thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some <f>ⓩ</f>harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.


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<f>ⓐ</f> I am under obligation both to Greeks and to <f>ⓑ</f>barbarians, <f>[4]</f> both to the wise and to the foolish.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓒ</f>I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is <f>ⓓ</f>the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew <f>ⓔ</f>first and also to <f>ⓕ</f>the Greek.


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For in it <f>ⓖ</f>the righteousness of God is revealed <f>ⓗ</f>from faith for faith, <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓘ</f>as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” <f>[6]</f>


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<pb/>For <f>ⓙ</f>the wrath of God <f>ⓚ</f>is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.


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For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, <f>ⓜ</f>have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, <f>[7]</f> in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.


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For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they <f>ⓝ</f>became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.


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and <f>ⓟ</f>exchanged the glory of <f>ⓠ</f>the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.


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<pb/>Therefore <f>ⓡ</f>God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to <f>ⓢ</f>the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,


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because they exchanged the truth about God for <f>ⓣ</f>a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, <f>ⓤ</f>who is blessed forever! Amen.


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<pb/>For this reason <f>ⓥ</f>God gave them up to <f>ⓦ</f>dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;


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and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, <f>ⓧ</f>men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.


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<pb/>And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, <f>ⓨ</f>God gave them up to <f>ⓩ</f>a debased mind to do <f>ⓐ</f>what ought not to be done.


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They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,


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Though they know <f>ⓑ</f>God's righteous decree that those who practice such things <f>ⓒ</f>deserve to die, they not only do them but <f>ⓓ</f>give approval to those who practice them.


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<pb/>Therefore you have <f>ⓐ</f>no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For <f>ⓑ</f>in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.


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Do you suppose, O man — you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself — that you will escape the judgment of God?


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Or do you presume on <f>ⓒ</f>the riches of his kindness and <f>ⓓ</f>forbearance and <f>ⓔ</f>patience, <f>ⓕ</f>not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?


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But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are <f>ⓖ</f>storing up <f>ⓗ</f>wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.


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to those who <f>ⓙ</f>by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;


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but for those who are self-seeking <f>[1]</f> and <f>ⓚ</f>do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.


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There will be tribulation and distress <f>ⓛ</f>for every human being who does evil, the Jew <f>ⓜ</f>first and also the Greek,


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but glory and honor and <f>ⓝ</f>peace for everyone who does good, <f>ⓞ</f>the Jew first and also the Greek.


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<pb/>For all who have sinned <f>ⓠ</f>without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.


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For <f>ⓡ</f>it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.


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For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, <f>ⓢ</f>by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.


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They show that the work of the law is <f>ⓣ</f>written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them


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<f>ⓤ</f> on that day when, <f>ⓥ</f>according to my gospel, God judges <f>ⓦ</f>the secrets of men <f>ⓧ</f>by Christ Jesus.


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and if you are sure that you yourself are <f>ⓩ</f>a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,


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an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law <f>ⓐ</f>the embodiment of <f>ⓑ</f>knowledge and truth —


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<f>ⓒ</f> you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?


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You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you <f>ⓓ</f>rob temples?


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For, <f>ⓖ</f>as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed <f>ⓗ</f>among the Gentiles because of you.”


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<pb/>For circumcision indeed is of value <f>ⓘ</f>if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.


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So, if <f>ⓙ</f>a man who is uncircumcised keeps <f>ⓚ</f>the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded <f>[2]</f> as circumcision?


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Then he who is physically <f>[3]</f> uncircumcised but keeps the law <f>ⓛ</f>will condemn you who have <f>ⓜ</f>the written code <f>[4]</f> and circumcision but break the law.


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For <f>ⓝ</f>no one is a Jew <f>ⓞ</f>who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.


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But a Jew is one <f>ⓟ</f>inwardly, and <f>ⓠ</f>circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. <f>ⓡ</f>His praise is not from man but from God.


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<f>ⓒ</f> What if some were unfaithful? <f>ⓓ</f>Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?


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By no means! <f>ⓔ</f>Let God be true though <f>ⓕ</f>every one were a liar, as it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“That you may be justified in your words, </t><t>and prevail when you <f>ⓗ</f>are judged.” </t>


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<pb/>But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict <f>ⓘ</f>wrath on us? (<f>ⓙ</f>I speak in a human way.)


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But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, <f>ⓛ</f>why am I still being condemned as a sinner?


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And why not <f>ⓜ</f>do evil that good may come? — as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.


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<pb/>What then? Are we Jews <f>[1]</f> any better off? <f>[2]</f> No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both <f>ⓝ</f>Jews and <f>ⓞ</f>Greeks, are <f>ⓟ</f>under sin,


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<t>All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; </t><t>no one does good, </t><t>not even one.”</t>


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<t><f>ⓡ</f> “Their throat is <f>ⓢ</f>an open grave; </t><t>they use their tongues to deceive.” </t><t><f>ⓣ</f>“The venom of asps is under their lips.”</t>


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<pb/>Now we know that whatever <f>ⓨ</f>the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, <f>ⓩ</f>so that every mouth may be stopped, and <f>ⓐ</f>the whole world may be held accountable to God.


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For <f>ⓑ</f>by works of the law no human being <f>[3]</f> will be justified in his sight, since <f>ⓒ</f>through the law comes knowledge of sin.


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<pb/>But now <f>ⓓ</f>the righteousness of God <f>ⓔ</f>has been manifested apart from the law, although <f>ⓕ</f>the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it —


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the righteousness of God <f>ⓖ</f>through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. <f>ⓗ</f>For there is no distinction:


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<f>ⓙ</f> and are justified <f>ⓚ</f>by his grace as a gift, <f>ⓛ</f>through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,


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whom God <f>ⓜ</f>put forward as <f>ⓝ</f>a propitiation <f>ⓞ</f>by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in <f>ⓟ</f>his divine forbearance he had passed over <f>ⓠ</f>former sins.


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It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.


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<pb/><f>ⓡ</f> Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.


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since <f>ⓤ</f>God is one — who will justify the circumcised by faith and <f>ⓥ</f>the uncircumcised through faith.


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For what does the Scripture say? <f>ⓒ</f>“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”


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And to the one who does not work but <f>ⓔ</f>believes in <f>[1]</f> him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,


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just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:


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<pb/><t><f>ⓕ</f> “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, </t><t>and whose sins are covered;</t>


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<pb/>Is this blessing then only for <f>ⓗ</f>the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? <f>ⓘ</f>For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.


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How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.


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<f>ⓙ</f> He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was <f>ⓚ</f>to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,


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and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓛ</f>the promise to Abraham and his offspring <f>ⓜ</f>that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.


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<f>ⓝ</f> For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.


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For <f>ⓞ</f>the law brings wrath, but <f>ⓟ</f>where there is no law <f>ⓠ</f>there is no transgression.


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<pb/>That is why it depends on faith, <f>ⓡ</f>in order that the promise may rest on grace and <f>ⓢ</f>be guaranteed to all his offspring — not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, <f>ⓣ</f>who is the father of us all,


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as it is written, <f>ⓤ</f>“I have made you the father of many nations” — in the presence of the God in whom he believed, <f>ⓥ</f>who gives life to the dead and calls into existence <f>ⓦ</f>the things that do not exist.


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In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, <f>ⓧ</f>“So shall your offspring be.”


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He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was <f>ⓨ</f>as good as dead (<f>ⓩ</f>since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered <f>ⓐ</f>the barrenness <f>[2]</f> of Sarah's womb.


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No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,


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but for ours also. It will be counted to us <f>ⓓ</f>who believe in <f>ⓔ</f>him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, <f>ⓑ</f>we <f>[1]</f> have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.


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Through him we have also <f>ⓒ</f>obtained access by faith <f>[2]</f> into this grace <f>ⓓ</f>in which we stand, and <f>ⓔ</f>we <f>[3]</f> rejoice <f>[4]</f> in hope of the glory of God.


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Not only that, but we <f>ⓕ</f>rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering <f>ⓖ</f>produces endurance,


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and <f>ⓗ</f>hope does not put us to shame, because God's love <f>ⓘ</f>has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.


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For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die —


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but <f>ⓛ</f>God shows his love for us in that <f>ⓜ</f>while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


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Since, therefore, <f>ⓝ</f>we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from <f>ⓞ</f>the wrath of God.


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For if <f>ⓟ</f>while we were enemies <f>ⓠ</f>we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by <f>ⓡ</f>his life.


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More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received <f>ⓢ</f>reconciliation.


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<pb/>Therefore, just as <f>ⓣ</f>sin came into the world through one man, and <f>ⓤ</f>death through sin, and <f>ⓥ</f>so death spread to all men <f>[5]</f> because <f>ⓦ</f>all sinned —


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for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but <f>ⓧ</f>sin is not counted where there is no law.


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Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not <f>ⓨ</f>like the transgression of Adam, <f>ⓩ</f>who was a type of <f>ⓐ</f>the one who was to come.


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<pb/>But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for <f>ⓑ</f>many.


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And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For <f>ⓒ</f>the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought <f>ⓓ</f>justification.


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For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness <f>ⓔ</f>reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.


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<pb/>Therefore, as one trespass <f>[6]</f> led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness <f>[7]</f> leads to justification and life for <f>ⓕ</f>all men.


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For as by the one man's <f>ⓖ</f>disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's <f>ⓗ</f>obedience the many will be made righteous.


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Now <f>ⓘ</f>the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, <f>ⓙ</f>grace abounded all the more,


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so that, <f>ⓚ</f>as sin reigned in death, <f>ⓛ</f>grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


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Do you not know that all of us <f>ⓒ</f>who have been baptized <f>ⓓ</f>into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?


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We were <f>ⓔ</f>buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as <f>ⓕ</f>Christ was raised from the dead by <f>ⓖ</f>the glory of the Father, we too might walk in <f>ⓗ</f>newness of life.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓘ</f>if we have been united with him in <f>ⓙ</f>a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.


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We know that <f>ⓚ</f>our old self <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓛ</f>was crucified with him in order that <f>ⓜ</f>the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.


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We know that <f>ⓠ</f>Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; <f>ⓡ</f>death no longer has dominion over him.


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<f>ⓥ</f> Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but <f>ⓦ</f>present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.


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For <f>ⓧ</f>sin <f>ⓨ</f>will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.


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<pb/>What then? <f>ⓩ</f>Are we to sin <f>ⓐ</f>because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!


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Do you not know that if you present yourselves <f>ⓑ</f>to anyone as obedient slaves, <f>[3]</f> you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?


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But <f>ⓒ</f>thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the <f>ⓓ</f>standard of teaching to which you were committed,


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<f>ⓖ</f> I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For <f>ⓗ</f>just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members <f>ⓘ</f>as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.


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<f>ⓚ</f> But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things <f>ⓛ</f>of which you are now ashamed? <f>ⓜ</f>For the end of those things is death.


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But now that you <f>ⓝ</f>have been set free from sin and <f>ⓞ</f>have become slaves of God, <f>ⓟ</f>the fruit you get leads to sanctification and <f>ⓠ</f>its end, eternal life.


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<f>ⓡ</f> For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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<pb/>Or do you not know, brothers <f>[1]</f> — for I am speaking to those who know the law — that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?


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For <f>ⓐ</f>a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. <f>[2]</f>


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Accordingly, <f>ⓑ</f>she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.


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<pb/>Likewise, my brothers, <f>ⓒ</f>you also have died <f>ⓓ</f>to the law <f>ⓔ</f>through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, <f>ⓕ</f>in order that we may bear fruit for God.


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For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work <f>ⓖ</f>in our members <f>ⓗ</f>to bear fruit for death.


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But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the <f>ⓘ</f>new way of <f>ⓙ</f>the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. <f>[3]</f>


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<pb/>What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, <f>ⓚ</f>I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if <f>ⓛ</f>the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”


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But sin, <f>ⓜ</f>seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. <f>ⓝ</f>For apart from the law, sin lies dead.


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For sin, <f>ⓟ</f>seizing an opportunity through the commandment, <f>ⓠ</f>deceived me and through it killed me.


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<pb/>Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.


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For I do not understand my own actions. For <f>ⓣ</f>I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.


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For I know that nothing good dwells <f>ⓦ</f>in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.


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but I see in my members <f>ⓑ</f>another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.


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Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.


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For the law of <f>ⓐ</f>the Spirit of life <f>ⓑ</f>has set you <f>[2]</f> free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.


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For <f>ⓒ</f>God has done what the law, <f>ⓓ</f>weakened by the flesh, <f>ⓔ</f>could not do. <f>ⓕ</f>By sending his own Son <f>ⓖ</f>in the likeness of sinful flesh and <f>ⓗ</f>for sin, <f>[3]</f> he condemned sin in the flesh,


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in order that <f>ⓘ</f>the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, <f>ⓙ</f>who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.


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For <f>ⓚ</f>those who live according to the flesh set their minds on <f>ⓛ</f>the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on <f>ⓜ</f>the things of the Spirit.


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For to set <f>ⓝ</f>the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.


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For the mind that is set on the flesh is <f>ⓞ</f>hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; <f>ⓟ</f>indeed, it cannot.


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<pb/>You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact <f>ⓠ</f>the Spirit of God dwells in you. <f>ⓡ</f>Anyone who does not have <f>ⓢ</f>the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.


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But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.


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If the Spirit of <f>ⓣ</f>him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus <f>[4]</f> from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies <f>ⓤ</f>through his Spirit who dwells in you.


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<pb/>So then, brothers, <f>[5]</f> we are debtors, <f>ⓥ</f>not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.


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For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you <f>ⓦ</f>put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.


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For <f>ⓩ</f>you did not receive <f>ⓐ</f>the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of <f>ⓑ</f>adoption as sons, by whom we cry, <f>ⓒ</f>“Abba! Father!”


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and if children, then <f>ⓔ</f>heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, <f>ⓕ</f>provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.


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<pb/>For I consider that the sufferings of this present time <f>ⓖ</f>are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.


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For the creation <f>ⓘ</f>was subjected to futility, not willingly, but <f>ⓙ</f>because of him who subjected it, in hope


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that <f>ⓚ</f>the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.


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For we know that <f>ⓛ</f>the whole creation <f>ⓜ</f>has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.


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And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have <f>ⓝ</f>the firstfruits of the Spirit, <f>ⓞ</f>groan inwardly as <f>ⓟ</f>we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, <f>ⓠ</f>the redemption of our bodies.


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For <f>ⓡ</f>in this hope we were saved. Now <f>ⓢ</f>hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?


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<pb/>Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For <f>ⓤ</f>we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but <f>ⓥ</f>the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.


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And <f>ⓦ</f>he who searches hearts knows what is <f>ⓧ</f>the mind of the Spirit, because <f>[7]</f> the Spirit <f>ⓨ</f>intercedes for the saints <f>ⓩ</f>according to the will of God.


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And we know that for those who love God all things work together <f>ⓐ</f>for good, <f>[8]</f> for <f>ⓑ</f>those who are called according to his purpose.


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For those whom he <f>ⓒ</f>foreknew he also <f>ⓓ</f>predestined <f>ⓔ</f>to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be <f>ⓕ</f>the firstborn among many brothers.


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And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also <f>ⓖ</f>justified, and those whom he justified he also <f>ⓗ</f>glorified.


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<pb/>What then shall we say to these things? <f>ⓘ</f>If God is for us, who can be <f>[9]</f> against us?


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<f>ⓙ</f> He who did not spare his own Son but <f>ⓚ</f>gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?


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<f>ⓜ</f> Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — <f>ⓝ</f>who is at the right hand of God, <f>ⓞ</f>who indeed is interceding for us. <f>[10]</f>


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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?


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As it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓟ</f>“For your sake <f>ⓠ</f>we are being killed all the day long; </t><t>we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” </t>


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For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,


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nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit —


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For <f>ⓑ</f>I could wish that I myself were <f>ⓒ</f>accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, <f>[1]</f> my kinsmen <f>ⓓ</f>according to the flesh.


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They are <f>ⓔ</f>Israelites, and to them belong <f>ⓕ</f>the adoption, <f>ⓖ</f>the glory, <f>ⓗ</f>the covenants, <f>ⓘ</f>the giving of the law, <f>ⓙ</f>the worship, and <f>ⓚ</f>the promises.


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To them belong <f>ⓛ</f>the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, <f>ⓜ</f>who is God over all, <f>ⓝ</f>blessed forever. Amen.


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<pb/>But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,


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and not all are children of Abraham <f>ⓞ</f>because they are his offspring, but <f>ⓟ</f>“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”


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This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but <f>ⓠ</f>the children of the promise are counted as offspring.


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For this is what the promise said: <f>ⓡ</f>“About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”


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And not only so, but <f>ⓢ</f>also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,


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though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad — in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of <f>ⓣ</f>him who calls —


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For he says to Moses, <f>ⓧ</f>“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, <f>ⓨ</f>“For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”


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But who are you, O man, <f>ⓐ</f>to answer back to God? <f>ⓑ</f>Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”


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<f>ⓒ</f> Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump <f>ⓓ</f>one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?


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What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience <f>ⓔ</f>vessels of wrath <f>ⓕ</f>prepared for destruction,


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in order to make known <f>ⓖ</f>the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he <f>ⓗ</f>has prepared beforehand for glory —


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As indeed he says in Hosea, <pb/><t><f>ⓚ</f>“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ </t><t>and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”</t>


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<t><f>ⓛ</f> “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ </t><t>there they will be called <f>ⓜ</f>‘sons of the living God.’” </t>


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<pb/>And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: <f>ⓝ</f>“Though the number of the sons of Israel <f>[3]</f> be as the sand of the sea, <f>ⓞ</f>only a remnant of them will be saved,


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And as Isaiah predicted, <pb/><t><f>ⓟ</f> <f>ⓠ</f>“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, </t><t><f>ⓡ</f>we would have been like Sodom </t><t>and become like Gomorrah.” </t>


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<pb/>What shall we say, then? <f>ⓢ</f>That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, <f>ⓣ</f>a righteousness that is by faith;


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but that Israel <f>ⓤ</f>who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓥ</f>did not succeed in reaching that law.


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Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the <f>ⓦ</f>stumbling stone,


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as it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓧ</f>“Behold, I am laying in Zion <f>ⓨ</f>a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; </t><t><f>ⓩ</f>and whoever believes in him will not be <f>ⓐ</f>put to shame.” </t>


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For I bear them witness that <f>ⓐ</f>they have a zeal for God, <f>ⓑ</f>but not according to knowledge.


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For, being ignorant of <f>ⓒ</f>the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓔ</f>Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that <f>ⓕ</f>the person who does the commandments shall live by them.


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But <f>ⓖ</f>the righteousness based on faith says, <f>ⓗ</f>“Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down)


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“or ‘Who will descend into the <f>ⓘ</f>abyss?’” (that is, <f>ⓙ</f>to bring Christ up from the dead).


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But what does it say? <f>ⓚ</f>“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);


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because, if <f>ⓛ</f>you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and <f>ⓜ</f>believe in your heart <f>ⓝ</f>that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


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<f>ⓟ</f> For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; <f>ⓠ</f>for the same Lord is Lord of all, <f>ⓡ</f>bestowing his riches on all who call on him.


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<pb/>How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him <f>ⓣ</f>of whom they have never heard? <f>[3]</f> And how are they to hear <f>ⓤ</f>without someone preaching?


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And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, <f>ⓥ</f>“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”


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But <f>ⓦ</f>they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, <f>ⓧ</f>“Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”


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<pb/>But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for <pb/><t><f>ⓩ</f>“Their voice has gone out <f>ⓐ</f>to all the earth, </t><t>and their words to the ends of the world.” </t>


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<pb/>But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, <pb/><t><f>ⓑ</f>“I will <f>ⓒ</f>make you jealous of those who are not a nation; </t><t>with a <f>ⓓ</f>foolish nation I will make you angry.” </t>


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<pb/>Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, <pb/><t><f>ⓔ</f>“I have been found by those who did not seek me; </t><t>I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” </t>


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<pb/>But of Israel he says, <f>ⓕ</f>“All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”


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<pb/>I ask, then, <f>ⓐ</f>has God rejected his people? By no means! For <f>ⓑ</f>I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, <f>[1]</f> a member of the tribe of Benjamin.


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<f>ⓒ</f> God has not rejected his people whom he <f>ⓓ</f>foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?


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<f>ⓔ</f> “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.”


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But what is God's reply to him? <f>ⓕ</f>“I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”


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<f>ⓗ</f> But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.


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<pb/>What then? <f>ⓘ</f>Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest <f>ⓙ</f>were hardened,


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as it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓚ</f>“God gave them a spirit of stupor, </t><t><f>ⓛ</f>eyes that would not see </t><t>and ears that would not hear, </t><t>down to this very day.” </t>


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<pb/>And David says, <pb/><t><f>ⓜ</f>“Let their table become a snare and a trap, </t><t>a stumbling block and a retribution for them;</t>


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<pb/>So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass <f>ⓝ</f>salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.


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Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion <f>[2]</f> mean!


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<pb/>Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as <f>ⓞ</f>I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry


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For if their rejection means <f>ⓠ</f>the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?


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<f>ⓡ</f> If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.


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<pb/>But if <f>ⓢ</f>some of the branches were broken off, and you, <f>ⓣ</f>although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root <f>[3]</f> of the olive tree,


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do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.


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That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you <f>ⓤ</f>stand fast through faith. So <f>ⓥ</f>do not become proud, but <f>ⓦ</f>fear.


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Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, <f>ⓧ</f>provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise <f>ⓨ</f>you too will be cut off.


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And <f>ⓩ</f>even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.


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For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓑ</f>a partial hardening has come upon Israel, <f>ⓒ</f>until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.


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And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓓ</f>“The Deliverer will come <f>ⓔ</f>from Zion, </t><t>he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;</t>


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<t>“and this will be my <f>ⓕ</f>covenant with them </t><t><f>ⓖ</f>when I take away their sins.” </t>


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<pb/>As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are <f>ⓗ</f>beloved for the sake of their forefathers.


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For just as <f>ⓙ</f>you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,


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so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now <f>[5]</f> receive mercy.


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<pb/>Oh, the depth of the riches and <f>ⓛ</f>wisdom and knowledge of God! <f>ⓜ</f>How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!


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<pb/><t>“For <f>ⓝ</f>who has known the mind of the Lord, </t><t>or <f>ⓞ</f>who has been his counselor?”</t>


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<pb/>For <f>ⓠ</f>from him and through him and to him are all things. <f>ⓡ</f>To him be glory forever. Amen.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> I appeal to you therefore, brothers, <f>[1]</f> by the mercies of God, <f>ⓑ</f>to present your bodies <f>ⓒ</f>as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. <f>[2]</f>


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<f>ⓓ</f> Do not be conformed to this world, <f>[3]</f> but be transformed by <f>ⓔ</f>the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may <f>ⓕ</f>discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. <f>[4]</f>


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<pb/>For <f>ⓖ</f>by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you <f>ⓗ</f>not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, <f>ⓘ</f>each according to <f>ⓙ</f>the measure of faith that God has assigned.


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For <f>ⓚ</f>as in one body we have many members, <f>[5]</f> and the members do not all have the same function,


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so we, <f>ⓛ</f>though many, <f>ⓜ</f>are one body in Christ, and individually <f>ⓝ</f>members one of another.


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<f>ⓞ</f> Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if <f>ⓟ</f>prophecy, <f>ⓠ</f>in proportion to our faith;


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the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; <f>ⓢ</f>the one who leads, <f>[6]</f> with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with <f>ⓣ</f>cheerfulness.


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<f>ⓗ</f> Live in harmony with one another. <f>ⓘ</f>Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. <f>[8]</f> <f>ⓙ</f>Never be wise in your own sight.


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<f>ⓚ</f> Repay no one evil for evil, but <f>ⓛ</f>give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.


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Beloved, <f>ⓝ</f>never avenge yourselves, but leave it <f>[9]</f> to the wrath of God, for it is written, <f>ⓞ</f>“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”


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To the contrary, <f>ⓟ</f>“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”


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<pb/>Let every person <f>ⓐ</f>be subject to the governing authorities. For <f>ⓑ</f>there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.


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Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.


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For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you <f>ⓒ</f>will receive his approval,


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for <f>ⓓ</f>he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, <f>ⓔ</f>an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.


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Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also <f>ⓕ</f>for the sake of conscience.


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For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.


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<f>ⓖ</f> Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.


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<pb/><f>ⓗ</f> Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for <f>ⓘ</f>the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.


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For the commandments, <f>ⓙ</f>“You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: <f>ⓚ</f>“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”


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<pb/>Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you <f>ⓜ</f>to wake from sleep. <f>ⓝ</f>For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.


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<f>ⓞ</f> The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us <f>ⓟ</f>cast off <f>ⓠ</f>the works of darkness and <f>ⓡ</f>put on the armor of light.


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<f>ⓢ</f> Let us walk properly as in the daytime, <f>ⓣ</f>not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, <f>ⓤ</f>not in quarreling and jealousy.


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But <f>ⓥ</f>put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, <f>ⓦ</f>to gratify its desires.


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Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and <f>ⓒ</f>let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.


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<f>ⓓ</f> Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master <f>[1]</f> that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. <f>ⓕ</f>Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.


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The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since <f>ⓖ</f>he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.


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For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, <f>ⓘ</f>whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.


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For to this end Christ <f>ⓙ</f>died and lived again, that he might be Lord both <f>ⓚ</f>of the dead and of the living.


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<pb/>Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For <f>ⓛ</f>we will all stand before <f>ⓜ</f>the judgment seat of God;


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for it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓝ</f>“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, </t><t>and every tongue shall confess <f>[2]</f> to God.” </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓟ</f> Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide <f>ⓠ</f>never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.


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I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus <f>ⓡ</f>that nothing is unclean in itself, <f>ⓢ</f>but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.


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For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, <f>ⓣ</f>you are no longer walking in love. <f>ⓤ</f>By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.


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<f>ⓦ</f> For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but <f>ⓧ</f>of righteousness and <f>ⓨ</f>peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.


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<pb/><f>ⓒ</f> Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. <f>ⓓ</f>Everything is indeed clean, but <f>ⓔ</f>it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.


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<f>ⓕ</f> It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. <f>[3]</f>


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The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. <f>ⓖ</f>Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.


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But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. <f>[4]</f>


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> We who are strong <f>ⓑ</f>have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.


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For <f>ⓓ</f>Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, <f>ⓔ</f>“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”


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For <f>ⓕ</f>whatever was written in former days was written for our <f>ⓖ</f>instruction, that through endurance and through <f>ⓗ</f>the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.


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May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you <f>ⓘ</f>to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,


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<pb/>For I tell you that Christ <f>ⓚ</f>became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order <f>ⓛ</f>to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,


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and in order <f>ⓜ</f>that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓝ</f>“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, </t><t>and sing to your name.” </t>


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<pb/>And again, <pb/><t><f>ⓟ</f>“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, </t><t>and let all the peoples extol him.” </t>


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<pb/>And again Isaiah says, <pb/><t><f>ⓠ</f> <f>ⓡ</f>“The root of Jesse will come, </t><t>even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; </t><t><f>ⓢ</f>in him will the Gentiles hope.” </t>


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<pb/>May the God of hope fill you with all <f>ⓣ</f>joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.


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<pb/><f>ⓤ</f> I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, <f>[1]</f> that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with <f>ⓥ</f>all knowledge and able to instruct one another.


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But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, <f>ⓦ</f>because of the grace given me by God


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to be <f>ⓧ</f>a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles <f>ⓨ</f>in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that <f>ⓩ</f>the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.


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For I will not venture to speak of anything except <f>ⓒ</f>what Christ has accomplished through me <f>ⓓ</f>to bring the Gentiles to obedience — by word and deed,


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<f>ⓔ</f> by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God — so that <f>ⓕ</f>from Jerusalem and all the way around <f>ⓖ</f>to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;


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and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, <f>ⓗ</f>lest I build on someone else's foundation,


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but as it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓘ</f>“Those who have never been told of him will see, </t><t>and those who have never heard will understand.” </t>


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But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and <f>ⓚ</f>since I have longed for many years to come to you,


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I hope to see you in passing as I go <f>ⓛ</f>to Spain, and <f>ⓜ</f>to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.


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For <f>ⓞ</f>Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.


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For they were pleased to do it, and indeed <f>ⓟ</f>they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.


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When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, <f>[2]</f> I will leave <f>ⓠ</f>for Spain by way of you.


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<pb/>I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by <f>ⓡ</f>the love of the Spirit, <f>ⓢ</f>to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,


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<f>ⓣ</f> that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that <f>ⓤ</f>my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,


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that you <f>ⓑ</f>may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.


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who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.


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Greet also <f>ⓓ</f>the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was <f>ⓔ</f>the first convert <f>[2]</f> to Christ in Asia.


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Greet Andronicus and Junia, <f>[3]</f> my kinsmen and my <f>ⓕ</f>fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, <f>[4]</f> and they were in Christ before me.


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Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those <f>ⓖ</f>who belong to the family of Aristobulus.


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Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.


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<pb/>I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles <f>ⓘ</f>contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; <f>ⓙ</f>avoid them.


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For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but <f>ⓚ</f>their own appetites, <f>[6]</f> and <f>ⓛ</f>by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.


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For <f>ⓜ</f>your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you <f>ⓝ</f>to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.


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<f>ⓞ</f> The God of peace <f>ⓟ</f>will soon crush Satan under your feet. <f>ⓠ</f>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.


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<pb/><f>ⓡ</f> Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.


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<pb/><f>ⓣ</f> Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you. <f>[7]</f>


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<pb/><f>ⓤ</f> Now to him who is able to strengthen you <f>ⓥ</f>according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, <f>ⓦ</f>according to the revelation of the mystery <f>ⓧ</f>that was kept secret for <f>ⓨ</f>long ages


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but <f>ⓩ</f>has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, <f>ⓐ</f>to bring about the obedience of faith —


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>called <f>ⓑ</f>by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,


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<pb/>To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those <f>ⓒ</f>sanctified in Christ Jesus, <f>ⓓ</f>called to be saints together with all those who in every place <f>ⓔ</f>call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:


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<pb/>I <f>ⓖ</f>give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,


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so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you <f>ⓚ</f>wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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<f>ⓛ</f> who will sustain you to the end, <f>ⓜ</f>guiltless <f>ⓝ</f>in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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<f>ⓞ</f> God is faithful, by whom you were called into the <f>ⓟ</f>fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.


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<pb/>I appeal to you, brothers, <f>[1]</f> by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no <f>ⓠ</f>divisions among you, but that you be united <f>ⓡ</f>in the same mind and the same judgment.


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For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is <f>ⓢ</f>quarreling among you, my brothers.


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What I mean is that <f>ⓣ</f>each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow <f>ⓤ</f>Apollos,” or “I follow <f>ⓥ</f>Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”


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<f>ⓦ</f> Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you <f>ⓧ</f>baptized in the name of Paul?


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(I did baptize also <f>ⓐ</f>the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)


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For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and <f>ⓑ</f>not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.


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<pb/>For the word of the cross is <f>ⓒ</f>folly to <f>ⓓ</f>those who are perishing, but to us <f>ⓔ</f>who are being saved it is <f>ⓕ</f>the power of God.


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For it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓖ</f>“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, </t><t>and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” </t>


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<pb/><f>ⓗ</f> Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? <f>ⓘ</f>Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?


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For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach <f>[2]</f> to save those who believe.


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but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ <f>ⓛ</f>the power of God and <f>ⓜ</f>the wisdom of God.


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<pb/>For consider your calling, brothers: <f>ⓝ</f>not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, <f>[3]</f> not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.


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But <f>ⓞ</f>God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; <f>ⓟ</f>God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;


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God chose what is low and despised in the world, even <f>ⓠ</f>things that are not, to <f>ⓡ</f>bring to nothing things that are,


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And because of him <f>[5]</f> you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us <f>ⓣ</f>wisdom from God, <f>ⓤ</f>righteousness and <f>ⓥ</f>sanctification and <f>ⓦ</f>redemption,


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<pb/>And I, when I came to you, brothers, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>did not come proclaiming to you <f>ⓑ</f>the testimony <f>[2]</f> of God with lofty speech or wisdom.


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and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of <f>ⓕ</f>the Spirit and of power,


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<pb/>Yet among <f>ⓗ</f>the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not <f>ⓘ</f>a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, <f>ⓙ</f>who are doomed to pass away.


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But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, <f>ⓚ</f>which God decreed before the ages for our glory.


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None of <f>ⓛ</f>the rulers of this age understood this, for <f>ⓜ</f>if they had, they would not have crucified <f>ⓝ</f>the Lord of glory.


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But, as it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓞ</f>“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, </t><t>nor the heart of man imagined, </t><t>what God has <f>ⓟ</f>prepared <f>ⓠ</f>for those who love him” — </t>


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<pb/>these things <f>ⓡ</f>God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even <f>ⓢ</f>the depths of God.


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For who knows a person's thoughts <f>ⓣ</f>except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.


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Now <f>ⓤ</f>we have received not <f>ⓥ</f>the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.


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And we impart this <f>ⓦ</f>in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, <f>ⓧ</f>interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. <f>[4]</f>


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<pb/>The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are <f>ⓨ</f>folly to him, and <f>ⓩ</f>he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.


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<f>ⓑ</f> “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But <f>ⓒ</f>we have the mind of Christ.


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<pb/>But I, brothers, <f>[1]</f> could not address you as <f>ⓐ</f>spiritual people, but as <f>ⓑ</f>people of the flesh, as <f>ⓒ</f>infants in Christ.


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<f>ⓓ</f> I fed you with milk, not solid food, for <f>ⓔ</f>you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,


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for you are still of the flesh. For while there is <f>ⓕ</f>jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?


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For <f>ⓖ</f>when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” <f>ⓗ</f>are you not being merely human?


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<pb/>What then is Apollos? What is Paul? <f>ⓘ</f>Servants through whom you believed, <f>ⓙ</f>as the Lord assigned to each.


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He who plants and he who waters are one, and each <f>ⓞ</f>will receive his wages according to his labor.


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<pb/><f>ⓡ</f> According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled <f>[2]</f> master builder I laid a <f>ⓢ</f>foundation, and <f>ⓣ</f>someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.


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For no one can lay a <f>ⓤ</f>foundation other <f>ⓥ</f>than that which is laid, <f>ⓦ</f>which is Jesus Christ.


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<f>ⓧ</f> each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed <f>ⓨ</f>by fire, and <f>ⓩ</f>the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.


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If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, <f>ⓑ</f>but only as through fire.


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<pb/><f>ⓒ</f> Do you not know that you <f>[3]</f> are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?


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If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For <f>ⓓ</f>God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> Let no one deceive himself. <f>ⓕ</f>If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.


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For <f>ⓖ</f>the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, <f>ⓗ</f>“He catches the wise in their craftiness,”


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whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours,


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<pb/>This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and <f>ⓐ</f>stewards of the mysteries of God.


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But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.


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<f>ⓑ</f> For I am not aware of anything against myself, <f>ⓒ</f>but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.


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Therefore <f>ⓓ</f>do not pronounce judgment before the time, <f>ⓔ</f>before the Lord comes, <f>ⓕ</f>who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. <f>ⓖ</f>Then each one will receive his commendation from God.


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<pb/>I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, <f>[1]</f> that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may <f>ⓗ</f>be puffed up in favor of one against another.


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For who sees anything different in you? <f>ⓘ</f>What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?


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<pb/>Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!


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For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, <f>ⓙ</f>like men sentenced to death, because we <f>ⓚ</f>have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.


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<f>ⓛ</f> We are fools for Christ's sake, but <f>ⓜ</f>you are wise in Christ. <f>ⓝ</f>We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.


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To the present hour <f>ⓞ</f>we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and <f>ⓟ</f>buffeted and <f>ⓠ</f>homeless,


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and we <f>ⓡ</f>labor, working with our own hands. <f>ⓢ</f>When reviled, we bless; <f>ⓣ</f>when persecuted, we endure;


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when slandered, we entreat. <f>ⓤ</f>We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, <f>ⓥ</f>the refuse of all things.


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<pb/>I do not write these things <f>ⓦ</f>to make you ashamed, but to admonish you <f>ⓧ</f>as my beloved children.


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For <f>ⓨ</f>though you have countless <f>[2]</f> guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For <f>ⓩ</f>I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.


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That is why <f>ⓑ</f>I sent <f>[3]</f> you Timothy, <f>ⓒ</f>my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>as I teach them everywhere in every church.


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But <f>ⓖ</f>I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.


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<pb/>It is actually reported that there is <f>ⓐ</f>sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, <f>ⓑ</f>for a man has his father's wife.


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And <f>ⓒ</f>you are arrogant! Ought you <f>ⓓ</f>not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.


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<pb/>For though <f>ⓔ</f>absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.


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When you are assembled <f>ⓕ</f>in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,


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you are <f>ⓖ</f>to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so <f>ⓗ</f>that his spirit may be saved <f>ⓘ</f>in the day of the Lord. <f>[1]</f>


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<pb/><f>ⓙ</f> Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that <f>ⓚ</f>a little leaven leavens the whole lump?


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Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.


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Let us therefore celebrate the festival, <f>ⓛ</f>not with the old leaven, <f>ⓜ</f>the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


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<f>ⓞ</f> not at all meaning <f>ⓟ</f>the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, <f>ⓠ</f>since then you would need to go out of the world.


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But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone <f>ⓡ</f>who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler — not even to eat with such a one.


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For what have I to do with judging <f>ⓢ</f>outsiders? <f>ⓣ</f>Is it not those inside the church <f>[2]</f> whom you are to judge?


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<pb/>When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous <f>ⓐ</f>instead of the saints?


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Or do you not know that <f>ⓑ</f>the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?


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So if you have such cases, <f>ⓒ</f>why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?


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<f>ⓓ</f> I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,


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To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. <f>ⓔ</f>Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?


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<pb/>Or do you not know that the unrighteous <f>[2]</f> will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: <f>ⓖ</f>neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, <f>[3]</f>


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nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.


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And <f>ⓗ</f>such were some of you. But <f>ⓘ</f>you were washed, <f>ⓙ</f>you were sanctified, <f>ⓚ</f>you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.


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<pb/><f>ⓛ</f> “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.


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<f>ⓜ</f> “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” — and God will destroy both one <f>ⓝ</f>and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but <f>ⓞ</f>for the Lord, and <f>ⓟ</f>the Lord for the body.


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Do you not know that <f>ⓣ</f>your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!


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Or do you not know that he who is joined <f>[4]</f> to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, <f>ⓤ</f>“The two will become one flesh.”


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<f>ⓦ</f> Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin <f>[5]</f> a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person <f>ⓧ</f>sins against his own body.


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Or <f>ⓨ</f>do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? <f>ⓩ</f>You are not your own,


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<pb/>Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: <f>ⓐ</f>“It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”


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But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.


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<f>ⓑ</f> The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.


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For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.


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<f>ⓒ</f> Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, <f>ⓓ</f>so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.


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<f>ⓕ</f> I wish that all were <f>ⓖ</f>as I myself am. But <f>ⓗ</f>each has his own gift from God, <f>ⓘ</f>one of one kind and one of another.


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<pb/>To the unmarried and the widows I say that <f>ⓙ</f>it is good for them to remain single, <f>ⓚ</f>as I am.


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But if they cannot exercise self-control, <f>ⓛ</f>they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.


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<pb/>To the married <f>ⓜ</f>I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): <f>ⓝ</f>the wife should not separate from her husband


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(but if she does, <f>ⓞ</f>she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and <f>ⓟ</f>the husband should not divorce his wife.


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<pb/>To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.


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If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.


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For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. <f>ⓠ</f>Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.


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But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓡ</f>to peace.


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For how do you know, wife, <f>ⓢ</f>whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?


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<pb/>Only let each person lead the life <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓣ</f>that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. <f>ⓤ</f>This is my rule in <f>ⓥ</f>all the churches.


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Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? <f>ⓦ</f>Let him not seek circumcision.


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<f>ⓧ</f> For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but <f>ⓨ</f>keeping the commandments of God.


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Were you a bondservant <f>[4]</f> when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)


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For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is <f>ⓐ</f>a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is <f>ⓑ</f>a bondservant of Christ.


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So, brothers, <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓔ</f>in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.


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<pb/>Now concerning <f>[6]</f> the betrothed, <f>[7]</f> <f>ⓕ</f>I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as <f>ⓖ</f>one who by the Lord's mercy is <f>ⓗ</f>trustworthy.


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I think that in view of the present <f>[8]</f> distress <f>ⓘ</f>it is good for a person to remain as he is.


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But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman <f>[9]</f> marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.


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This is what I mean, brothers: <f>ⓙ</f>the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,


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and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy <f>ⓚ</f>as though they had no goods,


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and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For <f>ⓛ</f>the present form of this world is passing away.


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<pb/>I want you to be <f>ⓜ</f>free from anxieties. <f>ⓝ</f>The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.


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and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.


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I say this for your own benefit, <f>ⓞ</f>not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.


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<pb/>If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, <f>[10]</f> if his <f>[11]</f> passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry — it is no sin.


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But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.


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So then he who marries his betrothed <f>ⓟ</f>does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.


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<pb/><f>ⓠ</f> A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only <f>ⓡ</f>in the Lord.


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Yet <f>ⓢ</f>in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think <f>ⓣ</f>that I too have the Spirit of God.


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<pb/>Now concerning <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>food offered to idols: we know that <f>ⓑ</f>“all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” <f>ⓒ</f>puffs up, <f>ⓓ</f>but love builds up.


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<f>ⓔ</f> If anyone imagines that he knows something, <f>ⓕ</f>he does not yet know as he ought to know.


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<pb/>Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that <f>ⓗ</f>“an idol has no real existence,” and that <f>ⓘ</f>“there is no God but one.”


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For although there may be <f>ⓙ</f>so-called gods in heaven or on earth — as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords” —


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yet <f>ⓚ</f>for us there is one God, the Father, <f>ⓛ</f>from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and <f>ⓜ</f>one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and <f>ⓝ</f>through whom we exist.


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<pb/>However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, <f>ⓞ</f>through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and <f>ⓟ</f>their conscience, being weak, is defiled.


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<f>ⓠ</f> Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.


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But take care <f>ⓡ</f>that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block <f>ⓢ</f>to the weak.


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For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating <f>[3]</f> in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, <f>[4]</f> if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?


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Thus, sinning against your brothers <f>[5]</f> and <f>ⓤ</f>wounding their conscience when it is weak, <f>ⓥ</f>you sin against Christ.


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Therefore, <f>ⓦ</f>if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Am I not free? <f>ⓑ</f>Am I not an apostle? <f>ⓒ</f>Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? <f>ⓓ</f>Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?


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If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are <f>ⓔ</f>the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


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<f>ⓖ</f> Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, <f>[1]</f> as do the other apostles and <f>ⓗ</f>the brothers of the Lord and <f>ⓘ</f>Cephas?


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<f>ⓙ</f> Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? <f>ⓚ</f>Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?


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For it is written in the Law of Moses, <f>ⓛ</f>“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?


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Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written <f>ⓜ</f>for our sake, because <f>ⓝ</f>the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.


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<f>ⓞ</f> If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?


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If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? <pb/>Nevertheless, <f>ⓟ</f>we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything <f>ⓠ</f>rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.


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Do you not know that <f>ⓡ</f>those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?


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In the same way, the Lord commanded that <f>ⓢ</f>those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓣ</f>I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone <f>ⓤ</f>deprive me of my ground for boasting.


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For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For <f>ⓥ</f>necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!


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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 am still entrusted with <f>ⓦ</f>a stewardship.


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What then is my reward? That in my preaching <f>ⓧ</f>I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓨ</f>though I am free from all, <f>ⓩ</f>I have made myself a servant to all, that I might <f>ⓐ</f>win more of them.


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<f>ⓑ</f> To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.


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To <f>ⓒ</f>those outside the law I became <f>ⓓ</f>as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but <f>ⓔ</f>under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.


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<f>ⓕ</f> To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. <f>ⓖ</f>I have become all things to all people, that <f>ⓗ</f>by all means I might save some.


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<pb/>Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives <f>ⓙ</f>the prize? So <f>ⓚ</f>run that you may obtain it.


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Every <f>ⓛ</f>athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we <f>ⓜ</f>an imperishable.


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But I discipline my body and <f>ⓟ</f>keep it under control, <f>[2]</f> lest after preaching to others <f>ⓠ</f>I myself should be <f>ⓡ</f>disqualified.


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<pb/>For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, <f>[1]</f> that our fathers were all under <f>ⓐ</f>the cloud, and all <f>ⓑ</f>passed through the sea,


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and <f>ⓔ</f>all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.


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Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for <f>ⓕ</f>they were overthrown <f>[2]</f> in the wilderness.


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<pb/>Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as <f>ⓖ</f>they did.


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<f>ⓗ</f> Do not be idolaters <f>ⓘ</f>as some of them were; as it is written, <f>ⓙ</f>“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”


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<f>ⓚ</f> We must not indulge in sexual immorality <f>ⓛ</f>as some of them did, and <f>ⓜ</f>twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.


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We must not put Christ <f>[3]</f> to the test, <f>ⓝ</f>as some of them did and <f>ⓞ</f>were destroyed by serpents,


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Now these things happened to them as an example, but <f>ⓢ</f>they were written down for our instruction, <f>ⓣ</f>on whom the end of the ages has come.


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No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. <f>ⓥ</f>God is faithful, and <f>ⓦ</f>he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


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<f>ⓩ</f> The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? <f>ⓐ</f>The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?


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Because there is one bread, we who are many are <f>ⓑ</f>one body, for we all partake of the one bread.


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Consider <f>ⓒ</f>the people of Israel: <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?


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No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice <f>ⓕ</f>they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.


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<f>ⓖ</f> You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and <f>ⓗ</f>the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and <f>ⓘ</f>the table of demons.


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<pb/><f>ⓛ</f> “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.


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<f>ⓝ</f> Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.


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If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, <f>ⓟ</f>eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.


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But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience —


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I do not mean <f>ⓠ</f>your conscience, but his. For <f>ⓡ</f>why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?


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just as <f>ⓦ</f>I try to please everyone in everything I do, <f>ⓧ</f>not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.


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<pb/>Now I commend you <f>ⓑ</f>because you remember me in everything and <f>ⓒ</f>maintain the traditions <f>ⓓ</f>even as I delivered them to you.


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But I want you to understand that <f>ⓔ</f>the head of every man is Christ, <f>ⓕ</f>the head of a wife <f>[1]</f> is her husband, <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓖ</f>the head of Christ is God.


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but every wife <f>[3]</f> who prays or <f>ⓗ</f>prophesies <f>ⓘ</f>with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same <f>ⓙ</f>as if her head were shaven.


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For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.


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For a man ought not to cover his head, since <f>ⓚ</f>he is the image and glory of God, but <f>ⓛ</f>woman is the glory of man.


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That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. <f>[4]</f>


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<f>ⓠ</f> If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do <f>ⓡ</f>the churches of God.


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<pb/>But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.


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For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, <f>ⓢ</f>I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, <f>[5]</f>


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for <f>ⓣ</f>there must be factions among you in order <f>ⓤ</f>that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.


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What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise <f>ⓦ</f>the church of God and <f>ⓧ</f>humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓨ</f>I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that <f>ⓩ</f>the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,


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and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, <J>“This is my body, which is for <f>[6]</f> you. Do this in remembrance of me.” <f>[7]</f></J>


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In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, <J>“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”</J>


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For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death <f>ⓐ</f>until he comes.


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<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord <f>ⓒ</f>in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning <f>ⓓ</f>the body and blood of the Lord.


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But when we are judged by the Lord, <f>ⓗ</f>we are disciplined <f>[10]</f> so that we may not be <f>ⓘ</f>condemned along with the world.


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<pb/>So then, my brothers, <f>[11]</f> when you come together to eat, wait for <f>[12]</f> one another —


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<f>ⓙ</f> if anyone is hungry, <f>ⓚ</f>let him eat at home — so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things <f>ⓛ</f>I will give directions <f>ⓜ</f>when I come.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓐ</f>concerning <f>[1]</f> spiritual gifts, <f>[2]</f> brothers, <f>[3]</f> I do not want you to be uninformed.


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You know that <f>ⓑ</f>when you were pagans <f>ⓒ</f>you were led astray to <f>ⓓ</f>mute idols, however you were led.


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Therefore I want you to understand that <f>ⓔ</f>no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is <f>ⓕ</f>accursed!” and <f>ⓖ</f>no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.


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and there are varieties of activities, but it is <f>ⓛ</f>the same God who empowers them all in everyone.


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For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of <f>ⓝ</f>wisdom, and to another the utterance of <f>ⓞ</f>knowledge according to the same Spirit,


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to another <f>ⓡ</f>the working of miracles, to another <f>ⓢ</f>prophecy, to another <f>ⓣ</f>the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another <f>ⓤ</f>various kinds of tongues, to another <f>ⓥ</f>the interpretation of tongues.


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All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, <f>ⓦ</f>who apportions to each one individually <f>ⓧ</f>as he wills.


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<pb/>For just as <f>ⓨ</f>the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, <f>ⓩ</f>so it is with Christ.


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For <f>ⓐ</f>in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — <f>ⓑ</f>Jews or Greeks, slaves <f>[4]</f> or free — and <f>ⓒ</f>all were made to drink of one Spirit.


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If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.


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And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.


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If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?


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<pb/>The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”


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and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,


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which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,


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that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.


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And <f>ⓘ</f>God has appointed in the church first <f>ⓙ</f>apostles, second <f>ⓚ</f>prophets, third teachers, then <f>ⓛ</f>miracles, then <f>ⓜ</f>gifts of healing, <f>ⓝ</f>helping, <f>ⓞ</f>administrating, and <f>ⓟ</f>various kinds of tongues.


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<pb/>If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.


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And if I have <f>ⓐ</f>prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, <f>ⓑ</f>so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.


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<f>ⓒ</f> If I give away all I have, and <f>ⓓ</f>if I deliver up my body to be burned, <f>[1]</f> but have not love, I gain nothing.


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<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> Love is patient and <f>ⓕ</f>kind; love <f>ⓖ</f>does not envy or boast; it <f>ⓗ</f>is not arrogant


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or rude. It <f>ⓘ</f>does not insist on its own way; it <f>ⓙ</f>is not irritable or resentful; <f>[2]</f>


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<pb/>Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.


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When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.


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For <f>ⓠ</f>now we see in a mirror dimly, but <f>ⓡ</f>then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as <f>ⓢ</f>I have been fully known.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Pursue love, and <f>ⓑ</f>earnestly desire the <f>ⓒ</f>spiritual gifts, especially that you may <f>ⓓ</f>prophesy.


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For <f>ⓔ</f>one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.


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On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.


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Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but <f>ⓕ</f>even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.


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<pb/>Now, brothers, <f>[1]</f> if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some <f>ⓖ</f>revelation or knowledge or prophecy or <f>ⓗ</f>teaching?


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If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?


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So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be <f>ⓙ</f>speaking into the air.


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but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be <f>ⓚ</f>a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.


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So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.


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What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; <f>ⓛ</f>I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will <f>ⓜ</f>sing with my mind also.


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Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider <f>[2]</f> say <f>ⓝ</f>“Amen” to <f>ⓞ</f>your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?


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Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.


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<pb/>Brothers, <f>ⓟ</f>do not be children in your thinking. <f>ⓠ</f>Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be <f>ⓡ</f>mature.


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<f>ⓢ</f> In the Law it is written, <f>ⓣ</f>“By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”


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Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign <f>[3]</f> not for unbelievers but for believers.


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If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, <f>ⓤ</f>will they not say that you are out of your minds?


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But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,


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<f>ⓥ</f> the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, <f>ⓦ</f>falling on his face, he will worship God and <f>ⓧ</f>declare that God is really among you.


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<pb/>What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has <f>ⓨ</f>a hymn, <f>ⓩ</f>a lesson, <f>ⓐ</f>a revelation, <f>ⓑ</f>a tongue, or <f>ⓒ</f>an interpretation. <f>ⓓ</f>Let all things be done for building up.


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If any speak in <f>ⓔ</f>a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.


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But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.


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For God is not a God of <f>ⓗ</f>confusion but of peace. <pb/>As in <f>ⓘ</f>all the churches of the saints,


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<f>ⓙ</f> the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but <f>ⓚ</f>should be in submission, as <f>ⓛ</f>the Law also says.


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If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.


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<f>ⓜ</f> If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.


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<pb/>Now I would remind you, brothers, <f>[1]</f> of the gospel <f>ⓐ</f>I preached to you, which you received, <f>ⓑ</f>in which you stand,


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and by which <f>ⓒ</f>you are being saved, if you <f>ⓓ</f>hold fast to the word I preached to you — <f>ⓔ</f>unless you believed in vain.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓕ</f>I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died <f>ⓖ</f>for our sins <f>ⓗ</f>in accordance with the Scriptures,


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that he was buried, that he was raised <f>ⓘ</f>on the third day <f>ⓙ</f>in accordance with the Scriptures,


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Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.


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For <f>ⓟ</f>I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because <f>ⓠ</f>I persecuted the church of God.


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But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, <f>ⓡ</f>I worked harder than any of them, <f>ⓢ</f>though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.


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<pb/>Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, <f>ⓣ</f>how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?


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We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that <f>ⓥ</f>he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.


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If in Christ we have hope <f>[2]</f> in this life only, <f>ⓨ</f>we are of all people most to be pitied.


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<pb/>But in fact <f>ⓩ</f>Christ has been raised from the dead, <f>ⓐ</f>the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.


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But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then <f>ⓔ</f>at his coming <f>ⓕ</f>those who belong to Christ.


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Then comes the end, when he delivers <f>ⓖ</f>the kingdom to God the Father after destroying <f>ⓗ</f>every rule and every authority and power.


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For <f>ⓚ</f>“God <f>[3]</f> has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.


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When <f>ⓛ</f>all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that <f>ⓜ</f>God may be all in all.


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<pb/>Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?


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I protest, brothers, by <f>ⓞ</f>my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, <f>ⓟ</f>I die every day!


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What do I gain if, humanly speaking, <f>ⓠ</f>I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, <f>ⓡ</f>“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”


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<f>ⓤ</f> Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For <f>ⓥ</f>some have no knowledge of God. <f>ⓦ</f>I say this to your shame.


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And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.


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For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.


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There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.


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There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.


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<pb/><f>ⓩ</f> So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.


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It is sown in dishonor; <f>ⓐ</f>it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.


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It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.


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Thus it is written, <f>ⓑ</f>“The first man Adam became a living being”; <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓒ</f>the last Adam became a <f>ⓓ</f>life-giving spirit.


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<f>ⓔ</f> The first man was from the earth, <f>ⓕ</f>a man of dust; <f>ⓖ</f>the second man is from heaven.


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As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, <f>ⓗ</f>so also are those who are of heaven.


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Just <f>ⓘ</f>as we have borne the image of the man of dust, <f>ⓙ</f>we shall <f>[6]</f> also bear the image of the man of heaven.


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<pb/>I tell you this, brothers: <f>ⓚ</f>flesh and blood <f>ⓛ</f>cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.


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in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For <f>ⓞ</f>the trumpet will sound, and <f>ⓟ</f>the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.


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For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and <f>ⓠ</f>this mortal body must put on immortality.


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When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: <pb/><t><f>ⓡ</f>“Death is swallowed up in victory.”</t>


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<pb/><f>ⓥ</f> Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in <f>ⓦ</f>the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord <f>ⓧ</f>your labor is not in vain.


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<pb/>Now concerning <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.


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On <f>ⓑ</f>the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, <f>ⓒ</f>as he may prosper, <f>ⓓ</f>so that there will be no collecting when I come.


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And when I arrive, I will send <f>ⓔ</f>those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.


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<pb/><f>ⓕ</f> I will visit you after passing through <f>ⓖ</f>Macedonia, for <f>ⓗ</f>I intend to pass through Macedonia,


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and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may <f>ⓘ</f>help me on my journey, wherever I go.


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For I do not want to see you now <f>ⓙ</f>just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, <f>ⓚ</f>if the Lord permits.


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for <f>ⓜ</f>a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and <f>ⓝ</f>there are many adversaries.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for <f>ⓟ</f>he is doing <f>ⓠ</f>the work of the Lord, as I am.


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So <f>ⓡ</f>let no one despise him. <f>ⓢ</f>Help him on his way <f>ⓣ</f>in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.


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<pb/>Now concerning <f>ⓤ</f>our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will <f>[2]</f> to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.


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<pb/><f>ⓥ</f> Be watchful, <f>ⓦ</f>stand firm in the faith, <f>ⓧ</f>act like men, <f>ⓨ</f>be strong.


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<pb/>Now I urge you, brothers <f>[3]</f> — you know that <f>ⓐ</f>the household <f>[4]</f> of Stephanas were <f>ⓑ</f>the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves <f>ⓒ</f>to the service of the saints —


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I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for <f>ⓔ</f>your absence,


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<pb/>The churches of Asia send you greetings. <f>ⓗ</f>Aquila and Prisca, together with <f>ⓘ</f>the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>an apostle of Christ Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>by the will of God, and <f>ⓒ</f>Timothy our brother, <pb/>To the church of God that is at Corinth, <f>ⓓ</f>with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:


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<pb/><f>ⓕ</f> Blessed be the <f>ⓖ</f>God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and <f>ⓗ</f>God of all comfort,


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<f>ⓘ</f> who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.


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For as we share abundantly in <f>ⓙ</f>Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. <f>[1]</f>


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<f>ⓚ</f> If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.


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Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you <f>ⓛ</f>share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.


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<pb/>For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, <f>[2]</f> of <f>ⓜ</f>the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.


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Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us <f>ⓝ</f>rely not on ourselves <f>ⓞ</f>but on God <f>ⓟ</f>who raises the dead.


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<f>ⓠ</f> He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. <f>ⓡ</f>On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.


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<f>ⓢ</f> You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf <f>ⓣ</f>for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.


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<pb/>For our boast is this, <f>ⓤ</f>the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity <f>[3]</f> and <f>ⓥ</f>godly sincerity, <f>ⓦ</f>not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.


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For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand —


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just as you did <f>ⓧ</f>partially understand us — that <f>ⓨ</f>on the day of our Lord Jesus <f>ⓩ</f>you will boast of us as <f>ⓐ</f>we will boast of you.


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<pb/>Because I was sure of this, <f>ⓑ</f>I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have <f>ⓒ</f>a second <f>ⓓ</f>experience of grace.


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I wanted to visit you <f>ⓔ</f>on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.


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Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans <f>ⓕ</f>according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?


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For <f>ⓘ</f>the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, <f>ⓙ</f>Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but <f>ⓚ</f>in him it is always Yes.


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For <f>ⓛ</f>all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our <f>ⓜ</f>Amen to God for his glory.


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and who has also <f>ⓞ</f>put his seal on us and <f>ⓟ</f>given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. <f>[4]</f>


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<pb/>But <f>ⓠ</f>I call God to witness against me — it was <f>ⓡ</f>to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.


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Not that we <f>ⓢ</f>lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm <f>ⓣ</f>in your faith.


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And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, <f>ⓒ</f>for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.


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For <f>ⓓ</f>I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓔ</f>if anyone has caused pain, <f>ⓕ</f>he has caused it not to me, but <f>ⓖ</f>in some measure — not to put it too severely — to all of you.


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so <f>ⓘ</f>you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.


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For this is why I wrote, that I might <f>ⓙ</f>test you and know <f>ⓚ</f>whether you are obedient in everything.


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Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,


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<pb/>When <f>ⓜ</f>I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though <f>ⓝ</f>a door was opened for me in the Lord,


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my spirit <f>ⓞ</f>was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓟ</f>thanks be to God, who in Christ always <f>ⓠ</f>leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads <f>ⓡ</f>the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.


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For we are the aroma of Christ to God among <f>ⓢ</f>those who are being saved and among <f>ⓣ</f>those who are perishing,


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<f>ⓤ</f> to one a fragrance from death to death, <f>ⓥ</f>to the other a fragrance from life to life. <f>ⓦ</f>Who is sufficient for these things?


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For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, <f>ⓑ</f>as some do, <f>ⓒ</f>letters of recommendation to you, or from you?


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<f>ⓓ</f> You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our <f>[1]</f> hearts, to be known and read by all.


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And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of <f>ⓔ</f>the living God, not on <f>ⓕ</f>tablets of stone but on <f>ⓖ</f>tablets of <f>ⓗ</f>human hearts. <f>[2]</f>


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<f>ⓙ</f> Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but <f>ⓚ</f>our sufficiency is from God,


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who has made us sufficient to be <f>ⓛ</f>ministers of <f>ⓜ</f>a new covenant, not of <f>ⓝ</f>the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but <f>ⓞ</f>the Spirit gives life.


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<pb/>Now if <f>ⓟ</f>the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory <f>ⓠ</f>that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,


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For if there was glory in <f>ⓡ</f>the ministry of condemnation, <f>ⓢ</f>the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.


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Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.


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For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.


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not like Moses, <f>ⓤ</f>who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.


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But <f>ⓥ</f>their minds were <f>ⓦ</f>hardened. For to this day, <f>ⓧ</f>when they read <f>ⓨ</f>the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.


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Now the Lord <f>[4]</f> is the Spirit, and where <f>ⓑ</f>the Spirit of the Lord is, there is <f>ⓒ</f>freedom.


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And we all, with unveiled face, <f>ⓓ</f>beholding <f>ⓔ</f>the glory of the Lord, <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓕ</f>are being transformed into the same image <f>ⓖ</f>from one degree of glory to another. <f>[6]</f> For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.


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<pb/>Therefore, having <f>ⓐ</f>this ministry <f>ⓑ</f>by the mercy of God, <f>[1]</f> we do not lose heart.


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But we have renounced <f>ⓒ</f>disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice <f>[2]</f> cunning or <f>ⓓ</f>to tamper with God's word, but <f>ⓔ</f>by the open statement of the truth <f>ⓕ</f>we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.


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In their case <f>ⓙ</f>the god of this world <f>ⓚ</f>has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing <f>ⓛ</f>the light of <f>ⓜ</f>the gospel of the glory of Christ, <f>ⓝ</f>who is the image of God.


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For what <f>ⓞ</f>we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with <f>ⓟ</f>ourselves as your servants <f>[3]</f> for Jesus' sake.


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For God, who said, <f>ⓠ</f>“Let light shine out of darkness,” <f>ⓡ</f>has shone in our hearts to give <f>ⓢ</f>the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


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<pb/>But we have this treasure in <f>ⓣ</f>jars of clay, <f>ⓤ</f>to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.


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<f>ⓨ</f> always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, <f>ⓩ</f>so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.


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For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.


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<pb/>Since we have <f>ⓑ</f>the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, <f>ⓒ</f>“I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,


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knowing that <f>ⓓ</f>he who raised the Lord Jesus <f>ⓔ</f>will raise us also with Jesus and <f>ⓕ</f>bring us with you into his presence.


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For <f>ⓖ</f>it is all for your sake, so that as <f>ⓗ</f>grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, <f>ⓘ</f>to the glory of God.


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<pb/>So we do not lose heart. <f>ⓙ</f>Though our outer self <f>[4]</f> is wasting away, <f>ⓚ</f>our inner self <f>ⓛ</f>is being renewed day by day.


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For <f>ⓜ</f>this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,


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<f>ⓝ</f> as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.


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<pb/>For we know that if <f>ⓐ</f>the tent that is <f>ⓑ</f>our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, <f>ⓒ</f>a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.


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For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened — not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal <f>ⓕ</f>may be swallowed up by life.


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He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, <f>ⓖ</f>who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.


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<pb/>So we are always of good courage. We know that <f>ⓗ</f>while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,


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Yes, we are of good courage, and we <f>ⓚ</f>would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.


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For <f>ⓜ</f>we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, <f>ⓝ</f>so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.


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<pb/>Therefore, knowing <f>ⓞ</f>the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But <f>ⓟ</f>what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.


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<f>ⓠ</f> We are not commending ourselves to you again but <f>ⓡ</f>giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.


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For the love of Christ <f>ⓣ</f>controls us, because we have concluded this: that <f>ⓤ</f>one has died for all, therefore all have died;


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and he died for all, <f>ⓥ</f>that those who live might no longer live for themselves but <f>ⓦ</f>for him who for their sake died and was raised.


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<pb/>From now on, therefore, <f>ⓧ</f>we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.


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Therefore, if anyone is <f>ⓨ</f>in Christ, he is <f>ⓩ</f>a new creation. <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.


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All this is from God, <f>ⓑ</f>who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us <f>ⓒ</f>the ministry of reconciliation;


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that is, in Christ God was reconciling <f>[3]</f> the world to himself, <f>ⓓ</f>not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us <f>ⓔ</f>the message of reconciliation.


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Therefore, <f>ⓕ</f>we are ambassadors for Christ, <f>ⓖ</f>God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.


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<f>ⓗ</f> For our sake he made him to be sin <f>ⓘ</f>who knew no sin, so that in him we might become <f>ⓙ</f>the righteousness of God.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Working together with him, then, <f>ⓑ</f>we appeal to you <f>ⓒ</f>not to receive the grace of God in vain.


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For he says, <pb/><t><f>ⓓ</f>“In a favorable time I listened to you, </t><t>and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” </t> <pb/>Behold, <f>ⓔ</f>now is the <f>ⓕ</f>favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.


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but <f>ⓗ</f>as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: <f>ⓘ</f>by great endurance, <f>ⓙ</f>in afflictions, <f>ⓚ</f>hardships, calamities,


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<f>ⓝ</f> by purity, <f>ⓞ</f>knowledge, patience, kindness, <f>ⓟ</f>the Holy Spirit, <f>ⓠ</f>genuine love;


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by <f>ⓡ</f>truthful speech, and <f>ⓢ</f>the power of God; with <f>ⓣ</f>the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;


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through honor and dishonor, <f>ⓤ</f>through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;


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as unknown, and <f>ⓥ</f>yet well known; <f>ⓦ</f>as dying, and behold, we live; <f>ⓧ</f>as punished, and yet not killed;


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<f>ⓨ</f> as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; <f>ⓩ</f>as poor, yet making many rich; <f>ⓐ</f>as having nothing, <f>ⓑ</f>yet possessing everything.


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<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For <f>ⓗ</f>what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or <f>ⓘ</f>what fellowship has light with darkness?


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<f>ⓙ</f> What accord has Christ with Belial? <f>[2]</f> Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?


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What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For <f>ⓚ</f>we are the temple of the living God; as God said, <pb/><t><f>ⓛ</f>“I will make my dwelling among them and <f>ⓜ</f>walk among them, </t><t>and <f>ⓝ</f>I will be their God, </t><t>and they shall be my people.</t>


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<t>Therefore <f>ⓞ</f>go out from their midst, </t><t>and be separate from them, says the Lord, </t><t>and touch no unclean thing; </t><t>then I will welcome you,</t>


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<t><f>ⓟ</f> and I will be a father to you, </t><t>and you shall be sons and daughters to me, </t><t>says the Lord Almighty.” </t>


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<pb/>Since we have these promises, beloved, <f>ⓐ</f>let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body <f>[1]</f> and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.


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<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> Make room in your hearts <f>[2]</f> for us. <f>ⓒ</f>We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.


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I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that <f>ⓓ</f>you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.


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I am acting with <f>ⓔ</f>great boldness toward you; <f>ⓕ</f>I have great pride in you; <f>ⓖ</f>I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.


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<pb/>For even <f>ⓗ</f>when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn — <f>ⓘ</f>fighting without and fear within.


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and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.


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For <f>ⓛ</f>even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it — though <f>ⓜ</f>I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.


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As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but <f>ⓝ</f>because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓞ</f>godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas <f>ⓟ</f>worldly grief produces death.


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For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, <f>ⓠ</f>what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.


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So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one <f>ⓡ</f>who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.


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Therefore <f>ⓢ</f>we are comforted. <pb/>And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit <f>ⓣ</f>has been refreshed by you all.


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For <f>ⓤ</f>whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you <f>ⓥ</f>was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.


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And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers <f>ⓦ</f>the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.


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<pb/>We want you to know, brothers, <f>[1]</f> about the grace of God that has been <f>ⓐ</f>given among the churches of Macedonia,


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for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and <f>ⓑ</f>their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.


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For they gave <f>ⓒ</f>according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,


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begging us earnestly <f>ⓓ</f>for the favor <f>[2]</f> of taking part in <f>ⓔ</f>the relief of the saints —


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and this, not as we expected, but they <f>ⓕ</f>gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.


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Accordingly, <f>ⓖ</f>we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you <f>ⓗ</f>this act of grace.


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But as <f>ⓘ</f>you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you <f>[3]</f> — <f>ⓙ</f>see that you excel in this act of grace also.


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<pb/><f>ⓚ</f> I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.


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For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that <f>ⓛ</f>though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.


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And in this matter <f>ⓜ</f>I give my judgment: <f>ⓝ</f>this benefits you, who <f>ⓞ</f>a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.


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So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.


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For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable <f>ⓟ</f>according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.


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your abundance at the present time should supply <f>ⓠ</f>their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.


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As it is written, <f>ⓡ</f>“Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”


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<pb/>But <f>ⓢ</f>thanks be to God, <f>ⓣ</f>who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.


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For <f>ⓤ</f>he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going <f>[4]</f> to you of his own accord.


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With him we are sending <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓥ</f>the brother who is famous among <f>ⓦ</f>all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.


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And not only that, but he has been <f>ⓧ</f>appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of <f>ⓨ</f>grace that is being ministered by us, <f>ⓩ</f>for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.


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We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us,


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for <f>ⓐ</f>we aim at what is honorable <f>ⓑ</f>not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.


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And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.


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As for Titus, he is <f>ⓒ</f>my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers <f>[6]</f> of the churches, the glory of Christ.


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓐ</f>it is superfluous for me to write to you about <f>ⓑ</f>the ministry for the saints,


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for I know your readiness, <f>ⓒ</f>of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready <f>ⓓ</f>since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.


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But <f>ⓔ</f>I am sending <f>[1]</f> the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, <f>ⓕ</f>as I said you would be.


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Otherwise, if some Macedonians <f>ⓖ</f>come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated — to say nothing of you — for being so confident.


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So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the <f>ⓗ</f>gift <f>[2]</f> you have promised, so that it may be ready <f>ⓘ</f>as a willing gift, <f>ⓙ</f>not as an exaction. <f>[3]</f>


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<pb/>The point is this: <f>ⓚ</f>whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully <f>[4]</f> will also reap bountifully.


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Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, <f>ⓛ</f>not reluctantly or under compulsion, for <f>ⓜ</f>God loves a cheerful giver.


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And <f>ⓝ</f>God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency <f>[5]</f> in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.


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As it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓞ</f>“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; </t><t>his righteousness endures forever.” </t>


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<pb/>He who supplies <f>ⓟ</f>seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and <f>ⓠ</f>increase the harvest of your righteousness.


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<f>ⓡ</f> You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which <f>ⓢ</f>through us will produce thanksgiving to God.


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For the ministry of this service is not only supplying <f>ⓣ</f>the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.


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By their approval of this service, <f>ⓤ</f>they <f>[6]</f> will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your <f>ⓥ</f>confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the <f>ⓑ</f>meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away! —


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I beg of you <f>ⓒ</f>that when I am present I may not have to show <f>ⓓ</f>boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.


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For the <f>ⓔ</f>weapons of <f>ⓕ</f>our warfare are not of the flesh but have <f>ⓖ</f>divine power <f>ⓗ</f>to destroy strongholds.


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We destroy arguments and <f>ⓘ</f>every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to <f>ⓙ</f>obey Christ,


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<pb/><f>ⓜ</f> Look at what is before your eyes. <f>ⓝ</f>If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as <f>ⓞ</f>he is Christ's, <f>ⓟ</f>so also are we.


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For even if I boast a little too much of <f>ⓠ</f>our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.


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For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but <f>ⓡ</f>his bodily presence is weak, and <f>ⓢ</f>his speech of no account.”


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Not that we dare to classify or <f>ⓣ</f>compare ourselves with some of those who <f>ⓤ</f>are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are <f>ⓥ</f>without understanding.


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<pb/>But we will not boast <f>ⓦ</f>beyond limits, but will <f>ⓧ</f>boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, <f>ⓨ</f>to reach even to you.


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For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. <f>ⓩ</f>For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.


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We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that <f>ⓐ</f>as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be <f>ⓑ</f>greatly enlarged,


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so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence.


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For it is <f>ⓓ</f>not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one <f>ⓔ</f>whom the Lord commends.


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For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since <f>ⓐ</f>I betrothed you to one husband, <f>ⓑ</f>to present you <f>ⓒ</f>as a pure virgin to Christ.


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But I am afraid that <f>ⓓ</f>as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts <f>ⓔ</f>will be led astray from a <f>ⓕ</f>sincere and <f>ⓖ</f>pure devotion to Christ.


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For if someone comes and <f>ⓗ</f>proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept <f>ⓘ</f>a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.


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<f>ⓚ</f> Even if I am unskilled in speaking, <f>ⓛ</f>I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way <f>ⓜ</f>we have made this plain to you in all things.


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<pb/>Or <f>ⓝ</f>did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because <f>ⓞ</f>I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?


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And when I was with you and was <f>ⓟ</f>in need, <f>ⓠ</f>I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia <f>ⓡ</f>supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain <f>ⓢ</f>from burdening you in any way.


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<f>ⓣ</f> As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine <f>ⓤ</f>will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.


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<pb/>And what I am doing I will continue to do, <f>ⓧ</f>in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.


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For such men are <f>ⓨ</f>false apostles, <f>ⓩ</f>deceitful workmen, <f>ⓐ</f>disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.


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So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as <f>ⓒ</f>servants of righteousness. <f>ⓓ</f>Their end will correspond to their deeds.


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<pb/>I repeat, <f>ⓔ</f>let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.


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What I am saying <f>ⓕ</f>with this boastful confidence, <f>ⓖ</f>I say not as the Lord would <f>[1]</f> but as a fool.


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For you bear it if someone <f>ⓙ</f>makes slaves of you, or <f>ⓚ</f>devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or <f>ⓛ</f>strikes you in the face.


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To my shame, I must say, <f>ⓜ</f>we were too weak for that! <pb/>But whatever anyone else dares to boast of — I am speaking as a fool — I also dare to boast of that.


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Are they Hebrews? <f>ⓝ</f>So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.


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Are they <f>ⓞ</f>servants of Christ? <f>ⓟ</f>I am a better one — I am talking like a madman — with far greater labors, <f>ⓠ</f>far more imprisonments, <f>ⓡ</f>with countless beatings, and <f>ⓢ</f>often near death.


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Three times I was <f>ⓤ</f>beaten with rods. <f>ⓥ</f>Once I was stoned. Three times I <f>ⓦ</f>was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;


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on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, <f>ⓧ</f>danger from my own people, <f>ⓨ</f>danger from Gentiles, <f>ⓩ</f>danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;


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<f>ⓐ</f> in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, <f>ⓑ</f>in hunger and thirst, often without food, <f>[2]</f> in cold and exposure.


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And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for <f>ⓒ</f>all the churches.


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<f>ⓕ</f> The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, <f>ⓖ</f>he who is blessed forever, <f>ⓗ</f>knows that I am not lying.


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At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas <f>ⓘ</f>was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me,


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<pb/>I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and <f>ⓐ</f>revelations of the Lord.


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I know a man <f>ⓑ</f>in Christ who fourteen years ago was <f>ⓒ</f>caught up to <f>ⓓ</f>the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, <f>ⓔ</f>God knows.


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And I know that this man was caught up into <f>ⓕ</f>paradise — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, <f>ⓖ</f>God knows —


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On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, <f>ⓗ</f>except of my weaknesses —


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though if I should wish to boast, <f>ⓘ</f>I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.


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So <f>ⓙ</f>to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓚ</f>a thorn was given me in the flesh, <f>ⓛ</f>a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.


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But he said to me, <J> <f>ⓝ</f>“My grace is sufficient for you, for <f>ⓞ</f>my power is made perfect in weakness.”</J> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that <f>ⓟ</f>the power of Christ may rest upon me.


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<f>ⓠ</f> For the sake of Christ, then, <f>ⓡ</f>I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For <f>ⓢ</f>when I am weak, then I am strong.


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<pb/><f>ⓣ</f> I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was <f>ⓤ</f>not at all inferior to these super-apostles, <f>ⓥ</f>even though I am nothing.


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<f>ⓦ</f> The signs of a true apostle were performed among you <f>ⓧ</f>with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.


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For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that <f>ⓨ</f>I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!


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<pb/>Here <f>ⓩ</f>for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for <f>ⓐ</f>I seek not what is yours but you. For <f>ⓑ</f>children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but <f>ⓒ</f>parents for their children.


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<f>ⓓ</f> I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If <f>ⓔ</f>I love you more, am I to be loved less?


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But granting that <f>ⓕ</f>I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit.


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<f>ⓗ</f> I urged Titus to go, and sent <f>ⓘ</f>the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?


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<pb/>Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is <f>ⓙ</f>in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and <f>ⓚ</f>all for your upbuilding, beloved.


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For I fear that perhaps <f>ⓛ</f>when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish — that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.


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I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those <f>ⓜ</f>who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, <f>ⓝ</f>sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established <f>ⓑ</f>by the evidence of two or three witnesses.


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<f>ⓒ</f> I warned <f>ⓓ</f>those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that <f>ⓔ</f>if I come again I will not spare them —


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since you seek proof that Christ <f>ⓕ</f>is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but <f>ⓖ</f>is powerful among you.


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For <f>ⓗ</f>he was crucified in weakness, but <f>ⓘ</f>lives by the power of God. For <f>ⓙ</f>we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you <f>ⓚ</f>we will live with him by the power of God.


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<pb/>Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. <f>ⓛ</f>Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that <f>ⓜ</f>Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!


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But we pray to God that you may not do wrong — not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed.


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For we are glad when <f>ⓝ</f>we are weak and you are strong. Your <f>ⓞ</f>restoration is what we pray for.


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For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come <f>ⓟ</f>I may not have to be <f>ⓠ</f>severe in my use of <f>ⓡ</f>the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.


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<pb/>Finally, brothers, <f>[1]</f> rejoice. <f>ⓢ</f>Aim for restoration, comfort one another, <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓣ</f>agree with one another, <f>ⓤ</f>live in peace; and the God of love and <f>ⓥ</f>peace will be with you.


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<pb/><f>ⓨ</f> The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and <f>ⓩ</f>the love of God and <f>ⓐ</f>the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


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<pb/>Paul, an <f>ⓐ</f>apostle — <f>ⓑ</f>not from men nor through man, but <f>ⓒ</f>through Jesus Christ and God the Father, <f>ⓓ</f>who raised him from the dead —


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<f>ⓘ</f> who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present <f>ⓙ</f>evil age, according to the will of <f>ⓚ</f>our God and Father,


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<pb/>I am astonished that you are <f>ⓛ</f>so quickly deserting <f>ⓜ</f>him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to <f>ⓝ</f>a different gospel —


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<f>ⓞ</f> not that there is another one, but <f>ⓟ</f>there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.


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But even if we or <f>ⓠ</f>an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, <f>ⓡ</f>let him be accursed.


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As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, <f>ⓢ</f>let him be accursed.


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<pb/>For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying <f>ⓣ</f>to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a <f>ⓤ</f>servant <f>[2]</f> of Christ.


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<pb/>For <f>ⓥ</f>I would have you know, brothers, that <f>ⓦ</f>the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. <f>[3]</f>


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<f>ⓧ</f> For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it <f>ⓨ</f>through a revelation of Jesus Christ.


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For you have heard of <f>ⓩ</f>my former life in Judaism, how <f>ⓐ</f>I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.


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And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely <f>ⓑ</f>zealous was I for <f>ⓒ</f>the traditions of my fathers.


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But when he <f>ⓓ</f>who had set me apart <f>ⓔ</f>before I was born, <f>[4]</f> and who <f>ⓕ</f>called me by his grace,


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was pleased to reveal his Son to <f>[5]</f> me, in order <f>ⓖ</f>that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; <f>[6]</f>


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nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.


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<pb/>Then <f>ⓗ</f>after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.


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They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”


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<pb/>Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.


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I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those <f>ⓐ</f>who seemed influential) the gospel that <f>ⓑ</f>I proclaim among the Gentiles, <f>ⓒ</f>in order to make sure I was not running or had not <f>ⓓ</f>run in vain.


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<f>ⓕ</f> Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in — who <f>ⓖ</f>slipped in to spy out <f>ⓗ</f>our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, <f>ⓘ</f>so that they might bring us into slavery —


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to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that <f>ⓙ</f>the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.


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And from those <f>ⓚ</f>who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; <f>ⓛ</f>God shows no partiality) — those, I say, who seemed influential <f>ⓜ</f>added nothing to me.


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On the contrary, when they saw that I had been <f>ⓝ</f>entrusted with <f>ⓞ</f>the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised


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(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),


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and when James and Cephas and John, <f>ⓟ</f>who seemed to be <f>ⓠ</f>pillars, perceived the <f>ⓡ</f>grace that was given to me, they <f>ⓢ</f>gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓤ</f>when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him <f>ⓥ</f>to his face, because he stood condemned.


text:
For before certain men came from James, <f>ⓦ</f>he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing <f>ⓧ</f>the circumcision party. <f>[1]</f>


text:
And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.


text:
But when I saw that their <f>ⓨ</f>conduct was not in step with <f>ⓩ</f>the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas <f>ⓐ</f>before them all, “If you, though a Jew, <f>ⓑ</f>live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”


text:
yet we know that <f>ⓓ</f>a person is not justified <f>[2]</f> by works of the law <f>ⓔ</f>but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, <f>ⓕ</f>because by works of the law no one will be justified.


text:
<pb/>But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found <f>ⓖ</f>to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!


text:
I have been <f>ⓙ</f>crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives <f>ⓚ</f>in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, <f>ⓛ</f>who loved me and <f>ⓜ</f>gave himself for me.


text:
I do not nullify the grace of God, for <f>ⓝ</f>if righteousness <f>[3]</f> were through the law, <f>ⓞ</f>then Christ died for no purpose.


text:
<pb/>O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? <f>ⓐ</f>It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly <f>ⓑ</f>portrayed as crucified.


text:
Let me ask you only this: <f>ⓒ</f>Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by <f>ⓓ</f>hearing with faith?


text:
Are you so foolish? <f>ⓔ</f>Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by <f>[1]</f> the flesh?


text:
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and <f>ⓖ</f>works miracles among you do so <f>ⓗ</f>by works of the law, or by hearing with faith —


text:
And the Scripture, foreseeing that <f>ⓛ</f>God would justify <f>[3]</f> the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, <f>ⓜ</f>“In you shall all the nations be blessed.”


text:
<pb/>For all who rely on works of the law are <f>ⓝ</f>under a curse; for it is written, <f>ⓞ</f>“Cursed be everyone who does not <f>ⓟ</f>abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”


text:
Now it is evident that <f>ⓠ</f>no one is justified before God by the law, for <f>ⓡ</f>“The righteous shall live by faith.” <f>[4]</f>


text:
Christ <f>ⓣ</f>redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, <f>ⓤ</f>“Cursed is everyone who is hanged <f>ⓥ</f>on a tree” —


text:
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might <f>ⓦ</f>come to the Gentiles, so that <f>ⓧ</f>we might receive <f>ⓨ</f>the promised Spirit <f>[5]</f> through faith.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓩ</f> To give a human example, brothers: <f>[6]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.


text:
Now <f>ⓑ</f>the promises were made <f>ⓒ</f>to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, <f>ⓓ</f>“And to your offspring,” who is Christ.


text:
This is what I mean: the law, which came <f>ⓔ</f>430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as <f>ⓕ</f>to make the promise void.


text:
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but <f>ⓖ</f>God gave it to Abraham by a promise.


text:
<pb/>Why then the law? <f>ⓗ</f>It was added because of transgressions, <f>ⓘ</f>until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was <f>ⓙ</f>put in place through angels <f>ⓚ</f>by an intermediary.


text:
<pb/>Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For <f>ⓝ</f>if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.


text:
But the Scripture <f>ⓞ</f>imprisoned everything under sin, so that <f>ⓟ</f>the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given <f>ⓠ</f>to those who believe.


text:
<pb/>Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, <f>ⓡ</f>imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.


text:
So then, <f>ⓢ</f>the law was our <f>ⓣ</f>guardian until Christ came, <f>ⓤ</f>in order that we might be justified by faith.


text:
<f>ⓩ</f> There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave <f>[7]</f> nor free, <f>ⓐ</f>there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


text:
And <f>ⓑ</f>if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, <f>ⓒ</f>heirs according to promise.


text:
<pb/>I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, <f>[1]</f> though he is the owner of everything,


text:
In the same way we also, when we were children, <f>ⓐ</f>were enslaved to the elementary principles <f>[2]</f> of the world.


text:
But <f>ⓑ</f>when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, <f>ⓒ</f>born <f>ⓓ</f>of woman, born <f>ⓔ</f>under the law,


text:
And because you are sons, God has sent <f>ⓗ</f>the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”


text:
<pb/>Formerly, when you <f>ⓙ</f>did not know God, you <f>ⓚ</f>were enslaved to those that by nature <f>ⓛ</f>are not gods.


text:
But now that you have come to know God, or rather <f>ⓜ</f>to be known by God, <f>ⓝ</f>how can you turn back again to <f>ⓞ</f>the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?


text:
<pb/>Brothers, <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓡ</f>I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. <f>ⓢ</f>You did me no wrong.


text:
You know it was <f>ⓣ</f>because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you <f>ⓤ</f>at first,


text:
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me <f>ⓥ</f>as an angel of God, <f>ⓦ</f>as Christ Jesus.


text:
What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.


text:
They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.


text:
It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and <f>ⓨ</f>not only when I am present with you,


text:
<f>ⓩ</f> my little children, <f>ⓐ</f>for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ <f>ⓑ</f>is formed in you!


text:
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, <f>ⓒ</f>one by a slave woman and <f>ⓓ</f>one by a free woman.


text:
But <f>ⓔ</f>the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while <f>ⓕ</f>the son of the free woman was born through promise.


text:
Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two <f>ⓖ</f>covenants. <f>ⓗ</f>One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.


text:
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; <f>[5]</f> she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.


text:
For it is written, <pb/><t><f>ⓙ</f>“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; </t><t>break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! </t><t>For the children of the desolate one will be more </t><t>than those of the one who has a husband.” </t>


text:
But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh <f>ⓜ</f>persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, <f>ⓝ</f>so also it is now.


text:
But what does the Scripture say? <f>ⓞ</f>“Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”


text:
<pb/>For <f>ⓐ</f>freedom Christ has <f>ⓑ</f>set us free; <f>ⓒ</f>stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to <f>ⓓ</f>a yoke of <f>ⓔ</f>slavery.


text:
<pb/>Look: I, Paul, say to you that <f>ⓕ</f>if you accept circumcision, <f>ⓖ</f>Christ will be of no advantage to you.


text:
I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that <f>ⓗ</f>he is obligated to keep the whole law.


text:
You are <f>ⓘ</f>severed from Christ, <f>ⓙ</f>you who would be justified <f>[1]</f> by the law; <f>ⓚ</f>you have fallen away from grace.


text:
For in Christ Jesus <f>ⓜ</f>neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but <f>ⓝ</f>only faith working through love.


text:
<f>ⓢ</f> I have confidence in the Lord that you will <f>ⓣ</f>take no other view, and <f>ⓤ</f>the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.


text:
But if I, brothers, <f>[2]</f> still preach <f>[3]</f> circumcision, <f>ⓥ</f>why am I still being persecuted? In that case <f>ⓦ</f>the offense of the cross has been removed.


text:
<pb/>For you were called to freedom, brothers. <f>ⓨ</f>Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love <f>ⓩ</f>serve one another.


text:
For <f>ⓐ</f>the whole law is fulfilled in one word: <f>ⓑ</f>“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”


text:
<pb/>But I say, <f>ⓓ</f>walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify <f>ⓔ</f>the desires of the flesh.


text:
For <f>ⓕ</f>the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, <f>ⓖ</f>to keep you from doing the things you want to do.


text:
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, <f>ⓚ</f>divisions,


text:
envy, <f>[4]</f> drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that <f>ⓛ</f>those who do <f>[5]</f> such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


text:
But <f>ⓜ</f>the fruit of the Spirit is <f>ⓝ</f>love, joy, peace, patience, <f>ⓞ</f>kindness, goodness, faithfulness,


text:
And those who belong to Christ Jesus <f>ⓢ</f>have crucified the flesh with its <f>ⓣ</f>passions and desires.


text:
<pb/>Brothers, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>if anyone is caught in any transgression, <f>ⓑ</f>you who are spiritual should restore him in <f>ⓒ</f>a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.


text:
But let each one <f>ⓘ</f>test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.


text:
<f>ⓛ</f> Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for <f>ⓜ</f>whatever one sows, that will he also reap.


text:
For <f>ⓝ</f>the one who sows to his own flesh <f>ⓞ</f>will from the flesh reap corruption, but <f>ⓟ</f>the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.


text:
And <f>ⓠ</f>let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, <f>ⓡ</f>if we do not give up.


text:
So then, <f>ⓢ</f>as we have opportunity, let us <f>ⓣ</f>do good to everyone, and especially to those who are <f>ⓤ</f>of the household of faith.


text:
<f>ⓦ</f> It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh <f>ⓧ</f>who would force you to be circumcised, and only <f>ⓨ</f>in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


text:
For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.


text:
But far be it from me to boast <f>ⓩ</f>except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which <f>[2]</f> the world <f>ⓐ</f>has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


text:
For <f>ⓑ</f>neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but <f>ⓒ</f>a new creation.


text:
And as for all who walk by this rule, <f>ⓓ</f>peace and mercy be upon them, and upon <f>ⓔ</f>the Israel of God.


text:
<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>an apostle of Christ Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>by the will of God, <pb/>To the saints who are in Ephesus, and <f>ⓒ</f>are faithful <f>[1]</f> in Christ Jesus:


text:
<pb/><f>ⓔ</f> Blessed be <f>ⓕ</f>the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing <f>ⓖ</f>in the heavenly places,


text:
<f>ⓗ</f> even as he <f>ⓘ</f>chose us in him <f>ⓙ</f>before the foundation of the world, that we should be <f>ⓚ</f>holy and blameless before him. In love


text:
<f>ⓛ</f> he predestined us <f>[2]</f> for <f>ⓜ</f>adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, <f>ⓝ</f>according to the purpose of his will,


text:
<f>ⓠ</f> In him we have <f>ⓡ</f>redemption <f>ⓢ</f>through his blood, <f>ⓣ</f>the forgiveness of our trespasses, <f>ⓤ</f>according to the riches of his grace,


text:
<f>ⓥ</f> making known <f>[3]</f> to us the mystery of his will, <f>ⓦ</f>according to his purpose, which he <f>ⓧ</f>set forth in Christ


text:
as a plan for <f>ⓨ</f>the fullness of time, <f>ⓩ</f>to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.


text:
<pb/>In him we have obtained <f>ⓐ</f>an inheritance, <f>ⓑ</f>having been predestined <f>ⓒ</f>according to the purpose of him who works all things according to <f>ⓓ</f>the counsel of his will,


text:
In him you also, when you heard <f>ⓕ</f>the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, <f>ⓖ</f>were sealed with the <f>ⓗ</f>promised Holy Spirit,


text:
who is <f>ⓘ</f>the guarantee <f>[4]</f> of our <f>ⓙ</f>inheritance until <f>ⓚ</f>we acquire <f>ⓛ</f>possession of it, <f>[5]</f> <f>ⓜ</f>to the praise of his glory.


text:
<pb/>For this reason, <f>ⓝ</f>because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love <f>[6]</f> toward all the saints,


text:
that <f>ⓠ</f>the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, <f>ⓡ</f>may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,


text:
<f>ⓢ</f> having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is <f>ⓣ</f>the hope to which he has called you, what are <f>ⓤ</f>the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,


text:
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, <f>ⓥ</f>according to the working of <f>ⓦ</f>his great might


text:
that he worked in Christ <f>ⓧ</f>when he raised him from the dead and <f>ⓨ</f>seated him at his right hand <f>ⓩ</f>in the heavenly places,


text:
<f>ⓐ</f> far above <f>ⓑ</f>all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above <f>ⓒ</f>every name that is named, not only in <f>ⓓ</f>this age but also in the one to come.


text:
And <f>ⓔ</f>he put all things under his feet and gave him as <f>ⓕ</f>head over all things to the church,


text:
<f>ⓒ</f> in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following <f>ⓓ</f>the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in <f>ⓔ</f>the sons of disobedience —


text:
among whom we all once lived in <f>ⓕ</f>the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body <f>[1]</f> and the mind, and <f>ⓖ</f>were by nature <f>ⓗ</f>children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. <f>[2]</f>


text:
But <f>[3]</f> God, being <f>ⓘ</f>rich in mercy, <f>ⓙ</f>because of the great love with which he loved us,


text:
even <f>ⓚ</f>when we were dead in our trespasses, <f>ⓛ</f>made us alive together with Christ — <f>ⓜ</f>by grace you have been saved —


text:
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable <f>ⓞ</f>riches of his grace in <f>ⓟ</f>kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.


text:
For <f>ⓠ</f>by grace you have been saved <f>ⓡ</f>through faith. And this is <f>ⓢ</f>not your own doing; <f>ⓣ</f>it is the gift of God,


text:
For <f>ⓦ</f>we are his workmanship, <f>ⓧ</f>created in Christ Jesus <f>ⓨ</f>for good works, <f>ⓩ</f>which God prepared beforehand, <f>ⓐ</f>that we should walk in them.


text:
<pb/>Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called <f>ⓑ</f>the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands —


text:
remember <f>ⓒ</f>that you were at that time separated from Christ, <f>ⓓ</f>alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to <f>ⓔ</f>the covenants of promise, <f>ⓕ</f>having no hope and without God in the world.


text:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were <f>ⓖ</f>far off have been brought near <f>ⓗ</f>by the blood of Christ.


text:
For <f>ⓘ</f>he himself is our peace, <f>ⓙ</f>who has made us both one and has broken down <f>ⓚ</f>in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility


text:
by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in <f>ⓛ</f>ordinances, that he might create in himself one <f>ⓜ</f>new man in place of the two, so making peace,


text:
and might <f>ⓝ</f>reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.


text:
And he came and <f>ⓞ</f>preached peace to you who were <f>ⓟ</f>far off and peace to those who were <f>ⓠ</f>near.


text:
So then you are no longer <f>ⓤ</f>strangers and aliens, <f>[4]</f> but you are <f>ⓥ</f>fellow citizens with the saints and <f>ⓦ</f>members of the household of God,


text:
<f>ⓧ</f> built on the foundation of the <f>ⓨ</f>apostles and prophets, <f>ⓩ</f>Christ Jesus himself being <f>ⓐ</f>the cornerstone,


text:
<f>ⓑ</f> in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into <f>ⓒ</f>a holy temple in the Lord.


text:
In him <f>ⓓ</f>you also are being built together <f>ⓔ</f>into a dwelling place for God by <f>[5]</f> the Spirit.


text:
<pb/>For this reason I, Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>a prisoner of Christ Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>on behalf of you Gentiles —


text:
assuming that you have heard of <f>ⓒ</f>the stewardship of <f>ⓓ</f>God's grace that was given to me for you,


text:
<f>ⓔ</f> how the mystery was made known to me <f>ⓕ</f>by revelation, <f>ⓖ</f>as I have written briefly.


text:
which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.


text:
This mystery is <f>[1]</f> that the Gentiles are <f>ⓙ</f>fellow heirs, <f>ⓚ</f>members of the same body, and <f>ⓛ</f>partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓜ</f> Of this gospel I was made <f>ⓝ</f>a minister according to the gift of <f>ⓞ</f>God's grace, which was given me <f>ⓟ</f>by the working of his power.


text:
To me, <f>ⓠ</f>though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, <f>ⓡ</f>to preach to the Gentiles the <f>ⓢ</f>unsearchable <f>ⓣ</f>riches of Christ,


text:
and <f>ⓤ</f>to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery <f>ⓥ</f>hidden for ages in <f>[2]</f> God, <f>ⓦ</f>who created all things,


text:
so that through the church the manifold <f>ⓧ</f>wisdom of God <f>ⓨ</f>might now be made known to <f>ⓩ</f>the rulers and authorities <f>ⓐ</f>in the heavenly places.


text:
in whom we have <f>ⓒ</f>boldness and <f>ⓓ</f>access with <f>ⓔ</f>confidence through our <f>ⓕ</f>faith in him.


text:
So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering <f>ⓖ</f>for you, <f>ⓗ</f>which is your glory.


text:
that according to <f>ⓙ</f>the riches of his glory <f>ⓚ</f>he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit <f>ⓛ</f>in your inner being,


text:
<f>ⓜ</f> so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — that you, being <f>ⓝ</f>rooted and <f>ⓞ</f>grounded in love,


text:
may have strength to <f>ⓟ</f>comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and <f>ⓠ</f>height and depth,


text:
and to know the love of Christ <f>ⓡ</f>that surpasses knowledge, that <f>ⓢ</f>you may be filled with all <f>ⓣ</f>the fullness of God.


text:
<pb/><f>ⓤ</f> Now to <f>ⓥ</f>him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, <f>ⓦ</f>according to the power at work within us,


text:
<f>ⓧ</f> to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.


text:
<pb/>I therefore, <f>ⓐ</f>a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to <f>ⓑ</f>walk in a manner worthy of <f>ⓒ</f>the calling to which you have been called,


text:
with all <f>ⓓ</f>humility and <f>ⓔ</f>gentleness, with <f>ⓕ</f>patience, <f>ⓖ</f>bearing with one another in love,


text:
There is <f>ⓘ</f>one body and <f>ⓙ</f>one Spirit — just as you were called to the one <f>ⓚ</f>hope that belongs to your call —


text:
But <f>ⓠ</f>grace was given <f>ⓡ</f>to each one of us <f>ⓢ</f>according to the measure of Christ's gift.


text:
Therefore it says, <pb/><t><f>ⓣ</f>“When he ascended on high <f>ⓤ</f>he led a host of captives, </t><t>and he gave gifts to men.” <f>[1]</f> </t>


text:
<pb/>(<f>ⓥ</f>In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into <f>ⓦ</f>the lower regions, the earth? <f>[2]</f>


text:
He who descended is the one who also <f>ⓧ</f>ascended <f>ⓨ</f>far above all the heavens, that he might <f>ⓩ</f>fill all things.)


text:
And <f>ⓐ</f>he gave the <f>ⓑ</f>apostles, the prophets, the <f>ⓒ</f>evangelists, the <f>ⓓ</f>shepherds <f>[3]</f> and teachers, <f>[4]</f>


text:
<f>ⓔ</f> to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for <f>ⓕ</f>building up <f>ⓖ</f>the body of Christ,


text:
until we all attain to <f>ⓗ</f>the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, <f>ⓘ</f>to mature manhood, <f>[5]</f> to the measure of the stature of <f>ⓙ</f>the fullness of Christ,


text:
so that we may no longer be children, <f>ⓚ</f>tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in <f>ⓛ</f>deceitful schemes.


text:
Rather, <f>ⓜ</f>speaking the truth in love, we are to <f>ⓝ</f>grow up in every way into him who is <f>ⓞ</f>the head, into Christ,


text:
<f>ⓟ</f> from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, <f>ⓠ</f>when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.


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<pb/>Now this I say and <f>ⓡ</f>testify in the Lord, <f>ⓢ</f>that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, <f>ⓣ</f>in the futility of their minds.


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They <f>ⓤ</f>are darkened in their understanding, <f>ⓥ</f>alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to <f>ⓦ</f>their hardness of heart.


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They <f>ⓧ</f>have become callous and <f>ⓨ</f>have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.


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assuming that <f>ⓐ</f>you have heard about him and <f>ⓑ</f>were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,


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to <f>ⓒ</f>put off <f>ⓓ</f>your old self, <f>[6]</f> which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through <f>ⓔ</f>deceitful desires,


text:
and to put on <f>ⓖ</f>the new self, <f>ⓗ</f>created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.


text:
<pb/>Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you <f>ⓘ</f>speak the truth with his neighbor, for <f>ⓙ</f>we are members one of another.


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Let the thief no longer steal, but rather <f>ⓜ</f>let him labor, <f>ⓝ</f>doing honest work with his own hands, so <f>ⓞ</f>that he may have something to share with anyone in need.


text:
<f>ⓟ</f> Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give <f>ⓠ</f>grace to those who hear.


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And <f>ⓡ</f>do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, <f>ⓢ</f>by whom you were sealed for the day of <f>ⓣ</f>redemption.


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<f>ⓤ</f> Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.


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<f>ⓥ</f> Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, <f>ⓦ</f>forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


text:
And <f>ⓑ</f>walk in love, <f>ⓒ</f>as Christ loved us and <f>ⓓ</f>gave himself up for us, a <f>ⓔ</f>fragrant <f>ⓕ</f>offering and sacrifice to God.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓖ</f>sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness <f>ⓗ</f>must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.


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Let there be <f>ⓘ</f>no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, <f>ⓙ</f>which are out of place, but instead <f>ⓚ</f>let there be thanksgiving.


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For you may be sure of this, that <f>ⓛ</f>everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (<f>ⓜ</f>that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.


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<f>ⓝ</f> Let no one <f>ⓞ</f>deceive you with empty words, for because of these things <f>ⓟ</f>the wrath of God comes upon <f>ⓠ</f>the sons of disobedience.


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for <f>ⓢ</f>at one time you were <f>ⓣ</f>darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. <f>ⓤ</f>Walk as children of light


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<f>ⓧ</f> Take no part in the <f>ⓨ</f>unfruitful <f>ⓩ</f>works of darkness, but instead <f>ⓐ</f>expose them.


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for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, <pb/><t><f>ⓓ</f>“Awake, O sleeper, </t><t>and <f>ⓔ</f>arise from the dead, </t><t>and <f>ⓕ</f>Christ will shine on you.” </t>


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And <f>ⓚ</f>do not get drunk with wine, for that is <f>ⓛ</f>debauchery, but <f>ⓜ</f>be filled with the Spirit,


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addressing one another in <f>ⓝ</f>psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,


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<f>ⓞ</f> giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father <f>ⓟ</f>in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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For <f>ⓤ</f>the husband is the head of the wife even as <f>ⓥ</f>Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is <f>ⓦ</f>himself its Savior.


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Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit <f>ⓧ</f>in everything to their husbands.


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<pb/><f>ⓨ</f> Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and <f>ⓩ</f>gave himself up for her,


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that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by <f>ⓐ</f>the washing of water <f>ⓑ</f>with the word,


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so <f>ⓒ</f>that he might present the church to himself in splendor, <f>ⓓ</f>without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. <f>[1]</f>


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In the same way <f>ⓔ</f>husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.


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For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,


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<f>ⓖ</f> “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and <f>ⓗ</f>the two shall become one flesh.”


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However, <f>ⓘ</f>let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she <f>ⓙ</f>respects her husband.


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Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, <f>ⓒ</f>but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.


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<pb/><f>ⓓ</f> Bondservants, <f>[1]</f> obey your earthly masters <f>[2]</f> with fear and trembling, <f>ⓔ</f>with a sincere heart, <f>ⓕ</f>as you would Christ,


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not by the way of eye-service, as <f>ⓖ</f>people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,


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<f>ⓗ</f> knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, <f>ⓘ</f>whether he is a bondservant or is free.


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Masters, do the same to them, <f>ⓙ</f>and stop your threatening, knowing that <f>ⓚ</f>he who is both their Master <f>[3]</f> and yours is in heaven, and that <f>ⓛ</f>there is no partiality with him.


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<f>ⓞ</f> Put on <f>ⓟ</f>the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against <f>ⓠ</f>the schemes of the devil.


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For <f>ⓡ</f>we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against <f>ⓢ</f>the rulers, against the authorities, against <f>ⓣ</f>the cosmic powers over <f>ⓤ</f>this present darkness, against <f>ⓥ</f>the spiritual forces of evil <f>ⓦ</f>in the heavenly places.


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Therefore <f>ⓧ</f>take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in <f>ⓨ</f>the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.


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Stand therefore, <f>ⓩ</f>having fastened on the belt of truth, and <f>ⓐ</f>having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


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In all circumstances take up <f>ⓒ</f>the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all <f>ⓓ</f>the flaming darts of <f>ⓔ</f>the evil one;


text:
and take <f>ⓕ</f>the helmet of salvation, and <f>ⓖ</f>the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,


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praying <f>ⓗ</f>at all times <f>ⓘ</f>in the Spirit, <f>ⓙ</f>with all prayer and supplication. To that end, <f>ⓚ</f>keep alert with all perseverance, making <f>ⓛ</f>supplication for all the saints,


text:
and <f>ⓜ</f>also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth <f>ⓝ</f>boldly to proclaim <f>ⓞ</f>the mystery of the gospel,


text:
for which I <f>ⓟ</f>am an ambassador <f>ⓠ</f>in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.


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<pb/><f>ⓡ</f> So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, <f>ⓢ</f>Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.


text:
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may <f>ⓣ</f>encourage your hearts.


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<pb/><f>ⓤ</f> Peace be to the brothers, <f>[4]</f> and <f>ⓥ</f>love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


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<pb/>Paul and Timothy, servants <f>[1]</f> of Christ Jesus, <pb/>To all the <f>ⓐ</f>saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the <f>ⓑ</f>overseers <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓒ</f>deacons: <f>[3]</f>


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And I am sure of this, that he who began <f>ⓗ</f>a good work in you <f>ⓘ</f>will bring it to completion at <f>ⓙ</f>the day of Jesus Christ.


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It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you <f>ⓚ</f>in my heart, for you are all <f>ⓛ</f>partakers with me of grace, <f>[4]</f> both <f>ⓜ</f>in my imprisonment and in <f>ⓝ</f>the defense and confirmation of the gospel.


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And it is my prayer that <f>ⓠ</f>your love may abound more and more, <f>ⓡ</f>with knowledge and all discernment,


text:
so that you may approve what is excellent, <f>ⓢ</f>and so be pure and blameless <f>ⓣ</f>for the day of Christ,


text:
filled <f>ⓤ</f>with the fruit of righteousness that comes <f>ⓥ</f>through Jesus Christ, <f>ⓦ</f>to the glory and praise of God.


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<pb/>I want you to know, brothers, <f>[5]</f> that what has happened to me has really <f>ⓧ</f>served to advance the gospel,


text:
so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard <f>[6]</f> and <f>ⓨ</f>to all the rest that <f>ⓩ</f>my imprisonment is for Christ.


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And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold <f>ⓐ</f>to speak the word <f>[7]</f> without fear.


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The latter do it out of love, <f>ⓒ</f>knowing that I am put here for <f>ⓓ</f>the defense of the gospel.


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The former proclaim Christ <f>ⓔ</f>out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.


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What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. <pb/><e>To Live Is Christ</e> </pb> <pb/>Yes, and I will rejoice,


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for I know that <f>ⓕ</f>through your prayers and <f>ⓖ</f>the help of <f>ⓗ</f>the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,


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as it is my eager expectation and hope <f>ⓘ</f>that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full <f>ⓙ</f>courage now as always Christ <f>ⓚ</f>will be honored in my body, <f>ⓛ</f>whether by life or by death.


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If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.


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<f>ⓝ</f> I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is <f>ⓞ</f>to depart and <f>ⓟ</f>be with Christ, for that is far better.


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<f>ⓠ</f> Convinced of this, <f>ⓡ</f>I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your <f>ⓢ</f>progress and <f>ⓣ</f>joy in the faith,


text:
so that in me <f>ⓤ</f>you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.


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<pb/>Only <f>ⓥ</f>let your manner of life be <f>ⓦ</f>worthy <f>[8]</f> of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you <f>ⓧ</f>that you are standing firm in one spirit, with <f>ⓨ</f>one mind <f>ⓩ</f>striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,


text:
and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is <f>ⓐ</f>a clear sign to them of their destruction, but <f>ⓑ</f>of your salvation, and that from God.


text:
For <f>ⓒ</f>it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also <f>ⓓ</f>suffer for his sake,


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<pb/>So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from <f>ⓐ</f>love, any <f>ⓑ</f>participation in the Spirit, any <f>ⓒ</f>affection and sympathy,


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<f>ⓓ</f> complete my joy by being <f>ⓔ</f>of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.


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Do nothing from <f>ⓕ</f>selfish ambition or <f>ⓖ</f>conceit, but in <f>ⓗ</f>humility count others more significant than yourselves.


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<f>ⓚ</f> who, though he was in <f>ⓛ</f>the form of God, did not count equality with God <f>ⓜ</f>a thing to be grasped, <f>[2]</f>


text:
but <f>ⓝ</f>emptied himself, by taking the form of a <f>ⓞ</f>servant, <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓟ</f>being born in the likeness of men.


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And being found in human form, he humbled himself by <f>ⓠ</f>becoming obedient to the point of death, <f>ⓡ</f>even death on a cross.


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<f>ⓢ</f> Therefore <f>ⓣ</f>God has <f>ⓤ</f>highly exalted him and bestowed on him <f>ⓥ</f>the name that is above every name,


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so that at the name of Jesus <f>ⓦ</f>every knee should bow, <f>ⓧ</f>in heaven and on earth and under the earth,


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<pb/>Therefore, my beloved, <f>ⓐ</f>as you have always <f>ⓑ</f>obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,


text:
that you may be blameless and innocent, <f>ⓖ</f>children of God <f>ⓗ</f>without blemish <f>ⓘ</f>in the midst of <f>ⓙ</f>a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine <f>ⓚ</f>as lights in the world,


text:
holding fast to <f>ⓛ</f>the word of life, so that in <f>ⓜ</f>the day of Christ <f>ⓝ</f>I may be proud that <f>ⓞ</f>I did not run in vain or labor in vain.


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Even if I am to be <f>ⓟ</f>poured out as a drink offering upon <f>ⓠ</f>the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.


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<pb/>I hope in the Lord Jesus <f>ⓡ</f>to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.


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But you know Timothy's <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓤ</f>proven worth, how <f>ⓥ</f>as a son <f>[5]</f> with a father <f>ⓦ</f>he has served with me in the gospel.


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<pb/>I have thought it necessary to send to you <f>ⓨ</f>Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and <f>ⓩ</f>fellow soldier, and your messenger and <f>ⓐ</f>minister to my need,


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Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.


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I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.


text:
for he nearly died <f>[6]</f> <f>ⓓ</f>for the work of Christ, risking his life <f>ⓔ</f>to complete what was lacking in your service to me.


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<pb/>Finally, my brothers, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>rejoice in the Lord. <f>ⓑ</f>To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.


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<pb/>Look out for <f>ⓒ</f>the dogs, look out for <f>ⓓ</f>the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.


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For <f>ⓔ</f>we are the circumcision, <f>ⓕ</f>who worship <f>ⓖ</f>by the Spirit of God <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓗ</f>glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh —


text:
<f>ⓘ</f> though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:


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<f>ⓙ</f> circumcised on the eighth day, <f>ⓚ</f>of the people of Israel, <f>ⓛ</f>of the tribe of Benjamin, <f>ⓜ</f>a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, <f>ⓝ</f>a Pharisee;


text:
<f>ⓞ</f> as to zeal, <f>ⓟ</f>a persecutor of the church; <f>ⓠ</f>as to righteousness under the law, <f>[3]</f> blameless.


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Indeed, I count everything as loss because of <f>ⓣ</f>the surpassing worth of <f>ⓤ</f>knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I <f>ⓥ</f>have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ


text:
and be found in him, not having <f>ⓦ</f>a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but <f>ⓧ</f>that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith —


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<f>ⓨ</f> that I may know him and <f>ⓩ</f>the power of his resurrection, and <f>ⓐ</f>may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,


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<pb/>Not that I have already <f>ⓒ</f>obtained this or <f>ⓓ</f>am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.


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Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: <f>ⓔ</f>forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,


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Let those of us who are <f>ⓗ</f>mature think this way, and if in anything <f>ⓘ</f>you think otherwise, <f>ⓙ</f>God will reveal that also to you.


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<pb/>Brothers, <f>ⓛ</f>join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk <f>ⓜ</f>according to the example you have in us.


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For <f>ⓝ</f>many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you <f>ⓞ</f>even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.


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<f>ⓟ</f> Their end is destruction, <f>ⓠ</f>their god is their belly, and <f>ⓡ</f>they glory in their shame, with <f>ⓢ</f>minds set on earthly things.


text:
But <f>ⓣ</f>our citizenship is in heaven, and <f>ⓤ</f>from it we <f>ⓥ</f>await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,


text:
who will transform <f>ⓦ</f>our lowly body <f>ⓧ</f>to be like his glorious body, <f>ⓨ</f>by the power that enables him even <f>ⓩ</f>to subject all things to himself.


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<pb/>Therefore, my brothers, <f>[1]</f> whom I love and <f>ⓐ</f>long for, <f>ⓑ</f>my joy and <f>ⓒ</f>crown, <f>ⓓ</f>stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.


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Yes, I ask you also, true companion, <f>[2]</f> help these women, who have labored <f>[3]</f> side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, <f>ⓕ</f>whose names are in the book of life.


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<f>ⓘ</f> do not be anxious about anything, <f>ⓙ</f>but in everything by prayer and supplication <f>ⓚ</f>with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.


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And <f>ⓛ</f>the peace of God, <f>ⓜ</f>which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


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<pb/>Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


text:
What you have learned <f>[5]</f> and <f>ⓝ</f>received and heard and seen <f>ⓞ</f>in me — practice these things, and <f>ⓟ</f>the God of peace will be with you.


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<pb/>I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length <f>ⓠ</f>you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.


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Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be <f>ⓡ</f>content.


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I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and <f>ⓢ</f>hunger, abundance and <f>ⓣ</f>need.


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And you Philippians yourselves know that <f>ⓦ</f>in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, <f>ⓧ</f>no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.


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<f>ⓨ</f> Not that I seek the gift, but I seek <f>ⓩ</f>the fruit that increases to your credit. <f>[7]</f>


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I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, <f>ⓐ</f>having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, <f>ⓑ</f>a fragrant offering, <f>ⓒ</f>a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.


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And my God <f>ⓓ</f>will supply every need of yours <f>ⓔ</f>according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>an apostle of Christ Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>by the will of God, and Timothy <f>ⓒ</f>our brother,


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<pb/>To the <f>ⓓ</f>saints and faithful brothers <f>[1]</f> in Christ at Colossae: <pb/><f>ⓔ</f>Grace to you and peace from God our Father.


text:
since we heard of <f>ⓖ</f>your faith in Christ Jesus and of <f>ⓗ</f>the love that you have for all the saints,


text:
because of <f>ⓘ</f>the hope <f>ⓙ</f>laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in <f>ⓚ</f>the word of the truth, the gospel,


text:
which has come to you, as indeed <f>ⓛ</f>in the whole world it is <f>ⓜ</f>bearing fruit and increasing — as it also does among you, since the day you <f>ⓝ</f>heard it and understood <f>ⓞ</f>the grace of God in truth,


text:
just as you learned it from <f>ⓟ</f>Epaphras our beloved <f>ⓠ</f>fellow servant. <f>[2]</f> He is <f>ⓡ</f>a faithful minister of Christ on your <f>[3]</f> behalf


text:
<pb/>And so, <f>ⓣ</f>from the day we heard, <f>ⓤ</f>we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that <f>ⓥ</f>you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all <f>ⓦ</f>spiritual wisdom and understanding,


text:
so as <f>ⓧ</f>to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, <f>ⓨ</f>fully pleasing to him: <f>ⓩ</f>bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;


text:
<f>ⓐ</f> being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for <f>ⓑ</f>all endurance and patience <f>ⓒ</f>with joy;


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<f>ⓓ</f> giving thanks <f>[4]</f> to the Father, who has qualified you <f>[5]</f> to share in <f>ⓔ</f>the inheritance of the saints in light.


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He <f>ⓕ</f>has delivered us from <f>ⓖ</f>the domain of darkness and transferred us to <f>ⓗ</f>the kingdom of <f>ⓘ</f>his beloved Son,


text:
For by <f>[6]</f> him all things were created, <f>ⓝ</f>in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether <f>ⓞ</f>thrones or <f>ⓟ</f>dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created <f>ⓠ</f>through him and for him.


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And <f>ⓣ</f>he is the head of the body, the church. He is <f>ⓤ</f>the beginning, <f>ⓥ</f>the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.


text:
and <f>ⓨ</f>through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, <f>ⓩ</f>making peace <f>ⓐ</f>by the blood of his cross.


text:
he has now reconciled <f>ⓓ</f>in his body of flesh by his death, <f>ⓔ</f>in order to present you holy and blameless and <f>ⓕ</f>above reproach before him,


text:
<f>ⓖ</f> if indeed you continue in the faith, <f>ⓗ</f>stable and steadfast, not shifting from <f>ⓘ</f>the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed <f>ⓙ</f>in all creation <f>[7]</f> under heaven, <f>ⓚ</f>and of which I, Paul, became a minister.


text:
<pb/>Now <f>ⓛ</f>I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh <f>ⓜ</f>I am filling up <f>ⓝ</f>what is lacking in Christ's afflictions <f>ⓞ</f>for the sake of his body, that is, the church,


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<f>ⓟ</f> of which I became a minister according to <f>ⓠ</f>the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,


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<f>ⓢ</f> To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are <f>ⓣ</f>the riches of the glory of <f>ⓤ</f>this mystery, which is Christ in you, <f>ⓥ</f>the hope of glory.


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Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that <f>ⓦ</f>we may present everyone <f>ⓧ</f>mature in Christ.


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For this <f>ⓨ</f>I toil, <f>ⓩ</f>struggling <f>ⓐ</f>with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.


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<pb/>For I want you to know <f>ⓐ</f>how great a <f>ⓑ</f>struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,


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that <f>ⓒ</f>their hearts may be encouraged, being <f>ⓓ</f>knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of <f>ⓔ</f>God's mystery, which is Christ,


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For <f>ⓗ</f>though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your <f>ⓘ</f>good order and <f>ⓙ</f>the firmness of your faith in Christ.


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<f>ⓛ</f> rooted and <f>ⓜ</f>built up in him and <f>ⓝ</f>established in the faith, just <f>ⓞ</f>as you were taught, abounding <f>ⓟ</f>in thanksgiving.


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<pb/>See to it that no one takes you captive by <f>ⓠ</f>philosophy and <f>ⓡ</f>empty deceit, according to <f>ⓢ</f>human tradition, according to the <f>ⓣ</f>elemental spirits <f>[1]</f> of the world, and not according to Christ.


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In him also <f>ⓨ</f>you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by <f>ⓩ</f>putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,


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<f>ⓐ</f> having been buried with him in baptism, in which <f>ⓑ</f>you were also raised with him through faith in <f>ⓒ</f>the powerful working of God, <f>ⓓ</f>who raised him from the dead.


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<f>ⓔ</f> And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God <f>ⓕ</f>made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,


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by <f>ⓖ</f>canceling <f>ⓗ</f>the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.


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<f>ⓘ</f> He disarmed the rulers and authorities <f>[2]</f> and <f>ⓙ</f>put them to open shame, by <f>ⓚ</f>triumphing over them in him. <f>[3]</f>


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<pb/>Therefore let no one <f>ⓛ</f>pass judgment on you <f>ⓜ</f>in questions of food and drink, or with regard to <f>ⓝ</f>a festival or <f>ⓞ</f>a new moon or a Sabbath.


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Let no one <f>ⓡ</f>disqualify you, <f>ⓢ</f>insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, <f>ⓣ</f>going on in detail about visions, <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓤ</f>puffed up without reason by <f>ⓥ</f>his sensuous mind,


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and <f>ⓦ</f>not <f>ⓧ</f>holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.


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<pb/>If with Christ <f>ⓨ</f>you died to the <f>ⓩ</f>elemental spirits of the world, <f>ⓐ</f>why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations —


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(<f>ⓒ</f>referring to things that all perish as they are used) — according to <f>ⓓ</f>human precepts and teachings?


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These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in <f>ⓔ</f>promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are <f>ⓕ</f>of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> If then you have been raised with Christ, seek <f>ⓑ</f>the things that are above, where Christ is, <f>ⓒ</f>seated at the right hand of God.


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When Christ <f>ⓕ</f>who is your <f>[1]</f> life <f>ⓖ</f>appears, then you also will appear with him <f>ⓗ</f>in glory.


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<pb/><f>ⓘ</f> Put to death therefore <f>ⓙ</f>what is earthly in you: <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓚ</f>sexual immorality, impurity, <f>ⓛ</f>passion, evil desire, and covetousness, <f>ⓜ</f>which is idolatry.


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But now <f>ⓟ</f>you must put them all away: <f>ⓠ</f>anger, wrath, malice, <f>ⓡ</f>slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.


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<f>ⓢ</f> Do not lie to one another, seeing that <f>ⓣ</f>you have put off <f>ⓤ</f>the old self <f>[4]</f> with its practices


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and <f>ⓥ</f>have put on <f>ⓦ</f>the new self, <f>ⓧ</f>which is being renewed in knowledge <f>ⓨ</f>after the image of <f>ⓩ</f>its creator.


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<f>ⓐ</f> Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, <f>[5]</f> free; but Christ is <f>ⓑ</f>all, and in all.


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<pb/><f>ⓒ</f> Put on then, as <f>ⓓ</f>God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, <f>ⓔ</f>compassionate hearts, <f>ⓕ</f>kindness, <f>ⓖ</f>humility, meekness, and patience,


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<f>ⓗ</f> bearing with one another and, <f>ⓘ</f>if one has a complaint against another, <f>ⓙ</f>forgiving each other; <f>ⓚ</f>as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.


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And above all these put on <f>ⓛ</f>love, which <f>ⓜ</f>binds everything together in <f>ⓝ</f>perfect harmony.


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And let <f>ⓞ</f>the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called <f>ⓟ</f>in one body. And <f>ⓠ</f>be thankful.


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Let <f>ⓡ</f>the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, <f>ⓢ</f>singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, <f>ⓣ</f>with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


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And <f>ⓤ</f>whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, <f>ⓥ</f>giving thanks to God the Father through him.


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Bondservants, obey <f>ⓐ</f>in everything those who are your earthly masters, <f>[6]</f> not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.


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knowing that from the Lord <f>ⓓ</f>you will receive the inheritance as your reward. <f>ⓔ</f>You are serving the Lord Christ.


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<pb/>Masters, treat your bondservants <f>[1]</f> justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.


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At the same time, pray also for us, that God may <f>ⓒ</f>open to us a door for the word, <f>ⓓ</f>to declare the mystery of Christ, <f>ⓔ</f>on account of which I am in prison —


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Let your speech always <f>ⓗ</f>be gracious, <f>ⓘ</f>seasoned with salt, <f>ⓙ</f>so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.


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<pb/>Tychicus will tell you <f>ⓚ</f>all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant <f>[2]</f> in the Lord.


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I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,


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and with him <f>ⓛ</f>Onesimus, our faithful and <f>ⓜ</f>beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.


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<pb/><f>ⓝ</f> Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark <f>ⓞ</f>the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions — <f>ⓟ</f>if he comes to you, welcome him),


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and Jesus who is called <f>ⓠ</f>Justus. <f>ⓡ</f>These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and <f>ⓢ</f>they have been a comfort to me.


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<f>ⓣ</f> Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always <f>ⓤ</f>struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand <f>ⓥ</f>mature and fully assured in all the will of God.


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Give my greetings to the brothers <f>[3]</f> at Laodicea, and to Nympha and <f>ⓨ</f>the church in her house.


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And when <f>ⓩ</f>this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.


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And say to <f>ⓐ</f>Archippus, “See that you fulfill <f>ⓑ</f>the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”


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<pb/>I, Paul, <f>ⓒ</f>write this greeting with my own hand. <f>ⓓ</f>Remember <f>ⓔ</f>my chains. <f>ⓕ</f>Grace be with you.


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>Silvanus, and Timothy, <pb/>To the church of the <f>ⓑ</f>Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: <pb/><f>ⓒ</f>Grace to you and peace.


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<pb/><f>ⓓ</f> We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓔ</f>mentioning you in our prayers,


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remembering before <f>ⓕ</f>our God and Father <f>ⓖ</f>your work of faith and labor of <f>ⓗ</f>love and <f>ⓘ</f>steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.


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because <f>ⓛ</f>our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and <f>ⓜ</f>in the Holy Spirit and with full <f>ⓝ</f>conviction. You know <f>ⓞ</f>what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.


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And <f>ⓟ</f>you became imitators of us <f>ⓠ</f>and of the Lord, for <f>ⓡ</f>you received the word in much affliction, <f>ⓢ</f>with the <f>ⓣ</f>joy of the Holy Spirit,


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For not only has the word of the Lord <f>ⓤ</f>sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth <f>ⓥ</f>everywhere, so that we need not say anything.


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For they themselves report concerning us the kind of <f>ⓦ</f>reception we had among you, and how <f>ⓧ</f>you turned to God <f>ⓨ</f>from idols to serve the living and <f>ⓩ</f>true God,


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and <f>ⓐ</f>to wait for his Son <f>ⓑ</f>from heaven, <f>ⓒ</f>whom he raised from the dead, Jesus <f>ⓓ</f>who delivers us from <f>ⓔ</f>the wrath to come.


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<pb/>For you yourselves know, brothers, <f>[1]</f> that our <f>ⓐ</f>coming to you <f>ⓑ</f>was not in vain.


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But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated <f>ⓒ</f>at Philippi, as you know, <f>ⓓ</f>we had boldness in our God <f>ⓔ</f>to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much <f>ⓕ</f>conflict.


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For <f>ⓖ</f>our appeal does not spring from <f>ⓗ</f>error or <f>ⓘ</f>impurity or <f>ⓙ</f>any attempt to deceive,


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but just as we have been approved by God <f>ⓚ</f>to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not <f>ⓛ</f>to please man, but to please God <f>ⓜ</f>who tests our hearts.


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<f>ⓝ</f> For we never came with words of flattery, <f>[2]</f> as you know, nor with a pretext for greed — <f>ⓞ</f>God is witness.


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<f>ⓟ</f> Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, <f>ⓠ</f>though we could have made <f>ⓡ</f>demands as <f>ⓢ</f>apostles of Christ.


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But we were <f>ⓣ</f>gentle <f>[3]</f> among you, <f>ⓤ</f>like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.


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So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God <f>ⓥ</f>but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.


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<pb/>For you remember, brothers, <f>ⓦ</f>our labor and toil: we <f>ⓧ</f>worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.


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You are witnesses, and <f>ⓨ</f>God also, <f>ⓩ</f>how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.


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we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and <f>ⓑ</f>charged <f>ⓒ</f>you to walk in a manner worthy of God, <f>ⓓ</f>who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.


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<pb/>And <f>ⓔ</f>we also thank God constantly <f>[4]</f> for this, that when you received <f>ⓕ</f>the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it <f>ⓖ</f>not as the word of men <f>[5]</f> but as what it really is, the word of God, <f>ⓗ</f>which is at work in you believers.


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For you, brothers, <f>ⓘ</f>became imitators of <f>ⓙ</f>the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For <f>ⓚ</f>you suffered the same things from your own countrymen <f>ⓛ</f>as they did from the Jews, <f>[6]</f>


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<f>ⓜ</f> who killed both the Lord Jesus and <f>ⓝ</f>the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and <f>ⓞ</f>oppose all mankind


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<f>ⓟ</f> by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved — so as always <f>ⓠ</f>to fill up the measure of their sins. But <f>ⓡ</f>wrath has come upon them at last! <f>[7]</f>


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<pb/>But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, <f>ⓢ</f>in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire <f>ⓣ</f>to see you face to face,


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For what is our hope or <f>ⓥ</f>joy or crown of boasting <f>ⓦ</f>before our Lord Jesus at his <f>ⓧ</f>coming? Is it not you?


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<pb/>Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing <f>ⓐ</f>to be left behind at Athens alone,


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and we <f>ⓑ</f>sent Timothy, <f>ⓒ</f>our brother and God's coworker <f>[1]</f> in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,


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that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that <f>ⓓ</f>we are destined for this.


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For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, <f>ⓔ</f>just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.


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For this reason, <f>ⓕ</f>when I could bear it no longer, <f>ⓖ</f>I sent to learn about your faith, <f>ⓗ</f>for fear that somehow <f>ⓘ</f>the tempter had tempted you and <f>ⓙ</f>our labor would be in vain.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓚ</f>now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of <f>ⓛ</f>your faith and love and reported <f>ⓜ</f>that you always remember us kindly and <f>ⓝ</f>long to see us, as we long to see you —


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for this reason, brothers, <f>[2]</f> in all our distress and affliction <f>ⓞ</f>we have been comforted about you through your faith.


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For <f>ⓠ</f>what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,


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as we pray most earnestly <f>ⓡ</f>night and day <f>ⓢ</f>that we may see you face to face and <f>ⓣ</f>supply what is lacking in your faith?


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and may the Lord <f>ⓦ</f>make you increase and abound in love <f>ⓧ</f>for one another and for all, as we do for you,


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so that he may <f>ⓨ</f>establish your hearts blameless in holiness before <f>ⓩ</f>our God and Father, at <f>ⓐ</f>the coming of our Lord Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>with all his saints.


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<pb/>Finally, then, brothers, <f>[1]</f> we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you <f>ⓐ</f>received from us <f>ⓑ</f>how you ought to walk and <f>ⓒ</f>to please God, just as you are doing, that you <f>ⓓ</f>do so more and more.


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For this is the will of God, <f>ⓕ</f>your sanctification: <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓖ</f>that you abstain from sexual immorality;


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that each one of you know how to control his own <f>ⓗ</f>body <f>[3]</f> in holiness and <f>ⓘ</f>honor,


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that no one transgress and <f>ⓜ</f>wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is <f>ⓝ</f>an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.


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Therefore <f>ⓠ</f>whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, <f>ⓡ</f>who gives his Holy Spirit to you.


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<pb/>Now concerning <f>ⓢ</f>brotherly love <f>ⓣ</f>you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been <f>ⓤ</f>taught by God <f>ⓥ</f>to love one another,


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for that indeed is what <f>ⓦ</f>you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to <f>ⓧ</f>do this more and more,


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and to aspire <f>ⓨ</f>to live quietly, and <f>ⓩ</f>to mind your own affairs, and <f>ⓐ</f>to work with your hands, as we instructed you,


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<pb/>But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, <f>ⓓ</f>that you may not grieve as others do <f>ⓔ</f>who have no hope.


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For <f>ⓕ</f>since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him <f>ⓖ</f>those who have fallen asleep.


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For this we declare to you <f>ⓗ</f>by a word from the Lord, <f>[4]</f> that <f>ⓘ</f>we who are alive, who are left until <f>ⓙ</f>the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.


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For <f>ⓚ</f>the Lord himself will descend <f>ⓛ</f>from heaven <f>ⓜ</f>with a cry of command, with the voice of <f>ⓝ</f>an archangel, and <f>ⓞ</f>with the sound of the trumpet of God. And <f>ⓟ</f>the dead in Christ will rise first.


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Then we who are alive, who are left, will be <f>ⓠ</f>caught up together with them <f>ⓡ</f>in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so <f>ⓢ</f>we will always be with the Lord.


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<pb/>Now concerning <f>ⓐ</f>the times and the seasons, brothers, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓑ</f>you have no need to have anything written to you.


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For you yourselves are fully aware that <f>ⓒ</f>the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.


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While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then <f>ⓓ</f>sudden destruction will come upon them <f>ⓔ</f>as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.


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For you are all <f>ⓖ</f>children <f>[2]</f> of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.


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But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, <f>ⓛ</f>having put on the breastplate of <f>ⓜ</f>faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.


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For God has not destined us for <f>ⓝ</f>wrath, but <f>ⓞ</f>to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


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<pb/>We ask you, brothers, <f>ⓠ</f>to respect those who labor among you and <f>ⓡ</f>are over you in the Lord and admonish you,


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And we urge you, brothers, admonish <f>ⓣ</f>the idle, <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓤ</f>encourage the fainthearted, <f>ⓥ</f>help the weak, <f>ⓦ</f>be patient with them all.


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See that <f>ⓧ</f>no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always <f>ⓨ</f>seek to do good to one another and to everyone.


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<pb/>Now may <f>ⓕ</f>the God of peace himself <f>ⓖ</f>sanctify you completely, and may your <f>ⓗ</f>whole <f>ⓘ</f>spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at <f>ⓙ</f>the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, <pb/>To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:


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<pb/><f>ⓑ</f> We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, <f>[1]</f> as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.


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Therefore <f>ⓒ</f>we ourselves boast about you <f>ⓓ</f>in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith <f>ⓔ</f>in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.


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<pb/>This is <f>ⓕ</f>evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be <f>ⓖ</f>considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering —


text:
and to grant <f>ⓙ</f>relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when <f>ⓚ</f>the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven <f>ⓛ</f>with his mighty angels


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<f>ⓜ</f> in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those <f>ⓝ</f>who do not know God and on those who <f>ⓞ</f>do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.


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They will suffer the punishment of <f>ⓟ</f>eternal destruction, <f>ⓠ</f>away from <f>[2]</f> the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,


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<f>ⓡ</f> when he comes on <f>ⓢ</f>that day <f>ⓣ</f>to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our <f>ⓤ</f>testimony to you <f>ⓥ</f>was believed.


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To this end we <f>ⓦ</f>always pray for you, that our God may <f>ⓧ</f>make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every <f>ⓨ</f>work of faith by his power,


text:
so that the name of our Lord Jesus <f>ⓩ</f>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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<pb/>Now concerning <f>ⓐ</f>the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our <f>ⓑ</f>being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, <f>[1]</f>


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not to be quickly shaken in mind or <f>ⓒ</f>alarmed, either <f>ⓓ</f>by a spirit or a <f>ⓔ</f>spoken word, or <f>ⓕ</f>a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that <f>ⓖ</f>the day of the Lord has come.


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<f>ⓗ</f> Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, <f>ⓘ</f>unless the rebellion comes first, and <f>ⓙ</f>the man of lawlessness <f>[2]</f> is revealed, <f>ⓚ</f>the son of destruction, <f>[3]</f>


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who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, <f>ⓛ</f>proclaiming himself to be God.


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For <f>ⓜ</f>the mystery of lawlessness <f>ⓝ</f>is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.


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And then <f>ⓞ</f>the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus <f>ⓟ</f>will kill with <f>ⓠ</f>the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by <f>ⓡ</f>the appearance of his coming.


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The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan <f>ⓢ</f>with all power and false signs and wonders,


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and with all wicked deception for <f>ⓣ</f>those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.


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in order that all may be condemned <f>ⓦ</f>who did not believe the truth but <f>ⓧ</f>had pleasure in unrighteousness.


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<pb/>But <f>ⓨ</f>we ought always to give thanks to God for you, <f>ⓩ</f>brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you <f>ⓐ</f>as the firstfruits <f>[4]</f> <f>ⓑ</f>to be saved, <f>ⓒ</f>through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.


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To this he called you through <f>ⓓ</f>our gospel, <f>ⓔ</f>so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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So then, brothers, <f>ⓕ</f>stand firm and hold to <f>ⓖ</f>the traditions that you were taught by us, either <f>ⓗ</f>by our spoken word or by <f>ⓘ</f>our letter.


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<pb/>Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, <f>ⓙ</f>who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good <f>ⓚ</f>hope through grace,


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<pb/>Finally, brothers, <f>[1]</f> <f>ⓐ</f>pray for us, that <f>ⓑ</f>the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, <f>[2]</f> as happened among you,


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But <f>ⓔ</f>the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and <f>ⓕ</f>guard you against <f>ⓖ</f>the evil one. <f>[3]</f>


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And <f>ⓗ</f>we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.


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<pb/>Now we command you, brothers, <f>ⓙ</f>in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, <f>ⓚ</f>that you keep away from any <f>ⓛ</f>brother <f>ⓜ</f>who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.


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For you yourselves know <f>ⓝ</f>how you ought to imitate us, because <f>ⓞ</f>we were not idle when we were with you,


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nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but <f>ⓟ</f>with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.


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It was <f>ⓠ</f>not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves <f>ⓡ</f>an example to imitate.


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For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: <f>ⓢ</f>If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.


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Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. <f>[4]</f>


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If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and <f>ⓦ</f>have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.


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<pb/>Now may <f>ⓩ</f>the Lord of peace himself <f>ⓐ</f>give you peace at all times in every way. <f>ⓑ</f>The Lord be with you all.


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<pb/>I, Paul, write <f>ⓒ</f>this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>an apostle of Christ Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>by command of <f>ⓒ</f>God our Savior and of Christ Jesus <f>ⓓ</f>our hope,


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<pb/>To Timothy, <f>ⓔ</f>my true child in the faith: <pb/><f>ⓕ</f>Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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<pb/><f>ⓖ</f> As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not <f>ⓗ</f>to teach any different doctrine,


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nor <f>ⓘ</f>to devote themselves to myths and endless <f>ⓙ</f>genealogies, which promote <f>ⓚ</f>speculations rather than the stewardship <f>[1]</f> from God that is by faith.


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The aim of our charge is love <f>ⓛ</f>that issues from a pure heart and <f>ⓜ</f>a good conscience and <f>ⓝ</f>a sincere faith.


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desiring to be teachers of the law, <f>ⓠ</f>without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.


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understanding this, that the <f>ⓢ</f>law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,


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the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, <f>[2]</f> liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to <f>ⓣ</f>sound <f>[3]</f> doctrine,


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in accordance with <f>ⓤ</f>the gospel of the glory of <f>ⓥ</f>the blessed God <f>ⓦ</f>with which I have been entrusted.


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<pb/>I thank him <f>ⓧ</f>who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, <f>ⓨ</f>appointing me to his service,


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though formerly I was a blasphemer, <f>ⓩ</f>persecutor, and insolent opponent. But <f>ⓐ</f>I received mercy <f>ⓑ</f>because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,


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and <f>ⓒ</f>the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the <f>ⓓ</f>faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


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The saying is <f>ⓔ</f>trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus <f>ⓕ</f>came into the world to save sinners, <f>ⓖ</f>of whom I am the foremost.


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But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.


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To <f>ⓗ</f>the King of the ages, <f>ⓘ</f>immortal, <f>ⓙ</f>invisible, <f>ⓚ</f>the only God, <f>ⓛ</f>be honor and glory forever and ever. <f>[4]</f> Amen.


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<pb/>This charge <f>ⓜ</f>I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with <f>ⓝ</f>the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may <f>ⓞ</f>wage the good warfare,


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<f>ⓟ</f> holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have <f>ⓠ</f>made shipwreck of their faith,


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among whom are <f>ⓡ</f>Hymenaeus and <f>ⓢ</f>Alexander, whom I <f>ⓣ</f>have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to <f>ⓤ</f>blaspheme.


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<pb/>First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,


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<f>ⓐ</f> for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and <f>ⓑ</f>dignified in every way.


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who desires <f>ⓔ</f>all people to be saved and <f>ⓕ</f>to come to <f>ⓖ</f>the knowledge of the truth.


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For <f>ⓗ</f>there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man <f>[1]</f> Christ Jesus,


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<f>ⓘ</f> who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is <f>ⓙ</f>the testimony given <f>ⓚ</f>at the proper time.


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<f>ⓛ</f> For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (<f>ⓜ</f>I am telling the truth, I am not lying), <f>ⓝ</f>a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.


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<pb/>I desire then that <f>ⓞ</f>in every place the men should pray, <f>ⓟ</f>lifting <f>ⓠ</f>holy hands without anger or quarreling;


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likewise also <f>ⓡ</f>that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,


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<f>ⓤ</f> I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.


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Yet she will be saved through <f>ⓨ</f>childbearing — if they continue in <f>ⓩ</f>faith and love and holiness, with self-control.


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<pb/>The saying is <f>ⓐ</f>trustworthy: If anyone aspires to <f>ⓑ</f>the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.


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Therefore <f>ⓒ</f>an overseer <f>[1]</f> must be above reproach, <f>ⓓ</f>the husband of one wife, <f>[2]</f> <f>ⓔ</f>sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, <f>ⓕ</f>hospitable, <f>ⓖ</f>able to teach,


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for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for <f>ⓚ</f>God's church?


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He must not be a recent convert, or he may <f>ⓛ</f>become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.


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Moreover, he must be well thought of by <f>ⓜ</f>outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into <f>ⓝ</f>a snare of the devil.


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<pb/><f>ⓞ</f> Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, <f>[3]</f> <f>ⓟ</f>not addicted to much wine, <f>ⓠ</f>not greedy for dishonest gain.


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And <f>ⓣ</f>let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.


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<f>ⓤ</f> Their wives likewise <f>[4]</f> must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, <f>ⓥ</f>faithful in all things.


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Let deacons each be <f>ⓦ</f>the husband of one wife, <f>ⓧ</f>managing their children and their own households well.


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For <f>ⓨ</f>those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.


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if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.


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Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: <pb/><t><f>ⓩ</f>He <f>[5]</f> was manifested in the flesh, </t><t>vindicated <f>[6]</f> by the Spirit, <f>[7]</f> </t><t><f>ⓐ</f>seen by angels, </t><t><f>ⓑ</f>proclaimed among the nations, </t><t><f>ⓒ</f>believed on in the world, </t><t><f>ⓓ</f>taken up in glory. </t>


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<pb/>Now <f>ⓐ</f>the Spirit expressly says that <f>ⓑ</f>in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to <f>ⓒ</f>deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,


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<f>ⓔ</f> who forbid marriage and <f>ⓕ</f>require abstinence from foods <f>ⓖ</f>that God created <f>ⓗ</f>to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.


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For <f>ⓘ</f>everything created by God is good, and <f>ⓙ</f>nothing is to be rejected if it is <f>ⓚ</f>received with thanksgiving,


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<pb/><f>ⓜ</f> If you put these things before the brothers, <f>[1]</f> you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have <f>ⓝ</f>followed.


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Have nothing to do with irreverent, <f>ⓞ</f>silly myths. Rather <f>ⓟ</f>train yourself for godliness;


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for while <f>ⓠ</f>bodily training is of some value, godliness <f>ⓡ</f>is of value in every way, as <f>ⓢ</f>it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.


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For to this end we toil and strive, <f>[2]</f> because we have our hope set on the living God, <f>ⓤ</f>who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.


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<f>ⓦ</f> Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers <f>ⓧ</f>an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.


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<f>ⓨ</f> Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you <f>ⓩ</f>by prophecy when the council of elders <f>ⓐ</f>laid their hands on you.


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Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, <f>[3]</f> so that <f>ⓑ</f>all may see your progress.


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<f>ⓒ</f> Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save <f>ⓓ</f>both yourself and <f>ⓔ</f>your hearers.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, <f>ⓑ</f>younger men as brothers,


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But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn <f>ⓓ</f>to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for <f>ⓔ</f>this is pleasing in the sight of God.


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She <f>ⓕ</f>who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and <f>ⓖ</f>continues in supplications and prayers night and day,


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But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for <f>ⓚ</f>members of his household, he has <f>ⓛ</f>denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


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<pb/>Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been <f>ⓜ</f>the wife of one husband, <f>[1]</f>


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and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has <f>ⓝ</f>shown hospitality, <f>ⓞ</f>has washed the feet of the saints, has <f>ⓟ</f>cared for the afflicted, and has <f>ⓠ</f>devoted herself to every good work.


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But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when <f>ⓡ</f>their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry


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Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also <f>ⓢ</f>gossips and <f>ⓣ</f>busybodies, saying what they should not.


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So I would have <f>ⓤ</f>younger widows marry, bear children, <f>ⓥ</f>manage their households, and <f>ⓦ</f>give the adversary no occasion for slander.


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If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those <f>ⓨ</f>who are truly widows.


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<pb/>Let the elders <f>ⓩ</f>who rule well be considered worthy of <f>ⓐ</f>double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.


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For the Scripture says, <f>ⓑ</f>“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, <J> <f>ⓒ</f>“The laborer deserves his wages.”</J>


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As for those who persist in sin, <f>ⓔ</f>rebuke them in the presence of all, <f>ⓕ</f>so that the rest may stand in fear.


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In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels <f>ⓖ</f>I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, <f>ⓗ</f>doing nothing from partiality.


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<f>ⓘ</f> Do not be hasty in the <f>ⓙ</f>laying on of hands, nor <f>ⓚ</f>take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.


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(No longer drink only water, but <f>ⓛ</f>use a little wine <f>ⓜ</f>for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)


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The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.


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<pb/><f>ⓐ</f> Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants <f>[1]</f> regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, <f>ⓑ</f>so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.


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Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are <f>ⓒ</f>brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. <pb/><e>False Teachers and True Contentment</e> </pb> <pb/><f>ⓓ</f>Teach and urge these things.


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If anyone <f>ⓔ</f>teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with <f>ⓕ</f>the sound <f>[2]</f> words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching <f>ⓖ</f>that accords with godliness,


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<f>ⓗ</f> he is puffed up with conceit and <f>ⓘ</f>understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for <f>ⓙ</f>controversy and for <f>ⓚ</f>quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,


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and constant friction among people <f>ⓛ</f>who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, <f>ⓜ</f>imagining that godliness is a means of gain.


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for <f>ⓟ</f>we brought nothing into the world, and <f>[3]</f> we cannot take anything out of the world.


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But <f>ⓡ</f>those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, <f>ⓢ</f>into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that <f>ⓣ</f>plunge people into ruin and destruction.


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For the love of money is a root of <f>ⓤ</f>all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.


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<pb/>But as for you, <f>ⓥ</f>O man of God, <f>ⓦ</f>flee these things. <f>ⓧ</f>Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.


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<f>ⓨ</f> Fight the good fight of the faith. <f>ⓩ</f>Take hold of the eternal life <f>ⓐ</f>to which you were called and about which you made <f>ⓑ</f>the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.


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<f>ⓒ</f> I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, <f>ⓓ</f>who in his testimony before <f>[4]</f> Pontius Pilate made <f>ⓔ</f>the good confession,


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to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until <f>ⓕ</f>the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,


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which he will display <f>ⓖ</f>at the proper time — he who is <f>ⓗ</f>the blessed and only Sovereign, <f>ⓘ</f>the King of kings and Lord of lords,


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<f>ⓙ</f> who alone has immortality, <f>ⓚ</f>who dwells in <f>ⓛ</f>unapproachable light, <f>ⓜ</f>whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.


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<pb/>As for the rich in <f>ⓝ</f>this present age, charge them <f>ⓞ</f>not to be haughty, nor <f>ⓟ</f>to set their hopes on <f>ⓠ</f>the uncertainty of riches, but on God, <f>ⓡ</f>who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.


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thus <f>ⓤ</f>storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may <f>ⓥ</f>take hold of <f>ⓦ</f>that which is truly life.


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<pb/>O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. <f>ⓧ</f>Avoid the <f>ⓨ</f>irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”


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<pb/>Paul, <f>ⓐ</f>an apostle of Christ Jesus <f>ⓑ</f>by the will of God according to <f>ⓒ</f>the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,


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<pb/>To Timothy, <f>ⓓ</f>my beloved child: <pb/><f>ⓔ</f>Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


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<pb/><f>ⓕ</f> I thank God <f>ⓖ</f>whom I serve, as did my ancestors, <f>ⓗ</f>with a clear conscience, as I remember you <f>ⓘ</f>constantly in my prayers night and day.


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I am reminded of <f>ⓛ</f>your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and <f>ⓜ</f>your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.


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For this reason I remind you <f>ⓝ</f>to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,


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<pb/>Therefore <f>ⓠ</f>do not be ashamed of <f>ⓡ</f>the testimony about our Lord, nor of <f>ⓢ</f>me his prisoner, but <f>ⓣ</f>share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,


