Another said, ‘I just got married, and I cannot come.’

For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

Am I saying these things only on the basis of common sense, or does the law not say this as well?

If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?

So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.

What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.

And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows)

On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.

Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty,

choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure.

And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

So Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for quite some time.

(Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.)

Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad.

You must observe this event as an ordinance for you and for your children forever.

And every open container that has no covering fastened on it is unclean.

But when you come close to the Ammonites, do not harass or provoke them because I am not giving you any of the Ammonites’ land as your possession; I have already given it to Lot’s descendants as their possession.

Beware that the heart of no man, woman, clan, or tribe among you turns away from the Lord our God today to pursue and serve the gods of those nations; beware that there is among you no root producing poisonous and bitter fruit.