Rather they had several points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who was dead, whom Paul claimed to be alive.

After he said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it, and began to eat.

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed – cut off from Christ – for the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen,

as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.”

For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.

who risked their own necks for my life. Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord.

These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.

But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.

In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory.

So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.

But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.

And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him,

But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him.

And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne.