But<n id="1" /> when a stronger man<n id="2" /> attacks<n id="3" /> and conquers him, he takes away the first man&#8217;s<n id="4" /> armor on which the man relied<n id="5" /> and divides up<n id="6" /> his plunder.<n id="7" />

He<n id="1" /> replied to him, &#8216;If they do not respond to<n id="2" /> Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.&#8217;&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Jesus<n id="1" /> also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down<n id="2" /> on everyone else.

But if we say, &#8216;From people,&#8217; all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.&#8221;

and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten.<n id="1" /> Then<n id="2" /> they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

<p class="bodytext">But Jews came from Antioch<n id="1" /> and Iconium,<n id="2" /> and after winning<n id="3" /> the crowds over, they stoned<n id="4" /> Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be dead.

<t /><p class="bodytext">So Paul<n id="1" /> entered<n id="2" /> the synagogue<n id="3" /> and spoke out fearlessly<n id="4" /> for three months, addressing<n id="5" /> and convincing<n id="6" /> them about the kingdom of God.<n id="7" />

I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,<n id="1" /> we try to persuade<n id="2" /> people,<n id="3" /> but we are well known<n id="4" /> to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too.

You are looking at outward appearances.<n id="1" /> If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people,<n id="1" /> or of God? Or am I trying to please people?<n id="2" /> If I were still trying to please<n id="3" /> people,<n id="4" /> I would not be a slave<n id="5" /> of Christ!p>

I am confident<n id="1" /> in the Lord that you will accept no other view.<n id="2" /> But the one who is confusing<n id="3" /> you will pay the penalty,<n id="4" /> whoever he may be.

and most of the brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> having confidence in the Lord<n id="2" /> because of my imprisonment, now more than ever<n id="3" /> dare to speak the word<n id="4" /> fearlessly.p>

And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress<n id="1" /> and joy in the faith,<n id="2" />

For we are the circumcision,<n id="1" /> the ones who worship by the Spirit of God,<n id="2" /> exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials<n id="3" />

Again he says,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I will be confident in him,&#8221; and again, &#8220;<i><b>Here I amb>,i><n id="2" /> <b><i>withi>b><n id="3" /> <b><i>the children God has given mei>b>.&#8221;<n id="4" />

And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.<n id="1" />

For some time ago<n id="1" /> Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He<n id="2" /> was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it.<n id="3" />

After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census,<n id="1" /> and incited people to follow him in revolt.<n id="2" /> He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered.

<p class="bodytext">Now Herod<n id="1" /> was having an angry quarrel<n id="2" /> with the people of Tyre<n id="3" /> and Sidon.<n id="4" /> So they joined together<n id="5" /> and presented themselves before him. And after convincing<n id="6" /> Blastus, the king&#8217;s personal assistant,<n id="7" /> to help them,<n id="8" /> they asked for peace,<n id="9" /> because their country&#8217;s food supply was provided by the king&#8217;s country.