in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.

But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of.

As for you, what you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

and from Jesus Christ – the faithful witness, the firstborn from among the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has set us free from our sins at the cost of his own blood

They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,

But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, shouting, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you.

And aren’t all his sisters here with us? Where did he get all this?”

‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me,

They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go and work in the vineyard too.’

No one was able to answer him a word, and from that day on no one dared to question him any longer.

Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten.

saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You take care of it yourself!”

In reply all the people said, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

If this matter is heard before the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”