<t /><p class="bodytext">Now I, Paul, appeal to you<n id="1" /> personally<n id="2" /> by the meekness and gentleness<n id="3" /> of Christ (I who am meek<n id="4" /> when present among<n id="5" /> you, but am full of courage<n id="6" /> toward you when away!) &#8211;

For how<n id="1" /> were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!

if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm,<n id="1" /> without shifting<n id="2" /> from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.p>

For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that<n id="1" /> voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: &#8220;This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted.&#8221;<n id="2" />

<p class="bodytext">I, John, your brother and the one who shares<n id="1" /> with you in the persecution, kingdom, and endurance that<n id="2" /> are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.<n id="3" />

When<n id="1" /> I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but<n id="2" /> he placed his right hand on me and said: &#8220;Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,

Furthermore, I will strike her followers<n id="1" /> with a deadly disease,<n id="2" /> and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay<n id="3" /> each one of you<n id="4" /> what your deeds deserve.<n id="5" />

But<n id="1" /> the angel said to me, &#8220;Why are you astounded? I will interpret<n id="2" /> for you the mystery of the woman and of the beast with the seven heads and ten horns that carries her.

<p class="bodytext">I testify to the one who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described<n id="1" /> in this book.

But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother<n id="1" /> will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults<n id="2" /> a brother will be brought before<n id="3" /> the council,<n id="4" /> and whoever says &#8216;Fool&#8217;<n id="5" /> will be sent<n id="6" /> to fiery hell.<n id="7" />

John answered them all,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I baptize you with water,<n id="2" /> but one more powerful than I am is coming &#8211; I am not worthy<n id="3" /> to untie the strap<n id="4" /> of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.<n id="5" />

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;But I have a testimony greater than that from John. For the deeds<n id="1" /> that the Father has assigned me to complete &#8211; the deeds<n id="2" /> I am now doing &#8211; testify about me that the Father has sent me.

Jesus answered,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people<n id="2" /> do not know where I came from or where I am going.<n id="3" />

You did not choose me, but I chose you<n id="1" /> and appointed you to go and bear<n id="2" /> fruit, fruit that remains,<n id="3" /> so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

Then Pilate said,<n id="1" /> &#8220;So you are a king!&#8221; Jesus replied, &#8220;You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world &#8211; to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to<n id="2" /> my voice.&#8221;

&#8220;I am a Jew,<n id="1" /> born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up<n id="2" /> in this city, educated with strictness<n id="3" /> under<n id="4" /> Gamaliel<n id="5" /> according to the law of our ancestors,<n id="6" /> and was<n id="7" /> zealous<n id="8" /> for God just as all of you are today.

<t /><p class="bodytext">After three days<n id="1" /> Paul<n id="2" /> called the local Jewish leaders<n id="3" /> together. When they had assembled, he said to them, &#8220;Brothers,<n id="4" /> although I had done<n id="5" /> nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors,<n id="6" /> from Jerusalem<n id="7" /> I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans.<n id="8" />

I have been crucified with Christ,<n id="1" /> and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So<n id="2" /> the life I now live in the body,<n id="3" /> I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God,<n id="4" /> who loved me and gave himself for me.

Listen!<n id="1" /> I am going to make those people from the synagogue<n id="2" /> of Satan &#8211; who say they are Jews yet<n id="3" /> are not, but are lying &#8211; Look, I will make<n id="4" /> them come and bow down<n id="5" /> at your feet and acknowledge<n id="6" /> that I have loved you.