He called that place Bethel, although the former name of the town was Luz.

The priest was happy. He took the ephod, the personal idols, and the carved image and joined the group.

So the prophet went back with him and ate and drank in his house.

When the prophet from Judah finished his meal, the old prophet saddled his visitor’s donkey for him.

He removed the pagan altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.

He is wise in heart and mighty in strength – who has resisted him and remained safe?

It hurls itself against him without pity as he flees headlong from its power.

What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value.

The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled.

The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.

Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home.

Together they bend low and kneel down; they are unable to rescue the images; they themselves head off into captivity.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone.’”

Instead, pursue his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

They continued to stone Stephen while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart.

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I blamed for the food that I give thanks for?

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!