For you put up with<n id="1" /> it if someone makes slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly<n id="2" /> toward you, if someone strikes you in the face.

<p class="bodytext">For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you,<n id="1" /> and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.<n id="2" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> for a short time (in presence, not in affection)<n id="2" /> we became all the more fervent in our great desire<n id="3" /> to see you in person.<n id="4" />

We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person<n id="1" /> and make up what may be lacking in your faith.p>

For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone<n id="1" /> who gazes at his own face<n id="2" /> in a mirror.

and in the morning, &#8216;It will be stormy today, because the sky is red and darkening.&#8217;<n id="1" /> You know how to judge correctly the appearance of the sky,<n id="2" /> but you cannot evaluate the signs of the times.

<t /><p class="bodytext">&#8220;See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed,<n id="1" /> &#8220;My Father, if possible,<n id="2" /> let this cup<n id="3" /> pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.&#8221;

Then<n id="1" /> some began to spit on him, and to blindfold him, and to strike him with their fists, saying, &#8220;Prophesy!&#8221; The guards also took him and beat<n id="2" /> him.p>

Thus<n id="1" /> they asked him, &#8220;Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly,<n id="2" /> and show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.<n id="3" />

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,<n id="1" /> the God of our forefathers,<n id="2" /> has glorified<n id="3" /> his servant<n id="4" /> Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected<n id="5" /> in the presence of Pilate after he had decided<n id="6" /> to release him.

I answered them<n id="1" /> that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone<n id="2" /> before the accused had met his accusers face to face<n id="3" /> and had been given<n id="4" /> an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation.<n id="5" />

The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, &#8220;God is really among you.&#8221;p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">But if the ministry that produced death &#8211; carved in letters on stone tablets<n id="1" /> &#8211; came with glory, so that the Israelites<n id="2" /> could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face<n id="3" /> (a glory<n id="4" /> which was made ineffective),<n id="5" />

<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;

<p class="bodytext">But from those who were influential<n id="1" /> (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people<n id="2" />) &#8211; those influential leaders<n id="3" /> added<n id="4" /> nothing to my message.<n id="5" />

The<n id="1" /> first living creature was like a lion, the<n id="2" /> second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man&#8217;s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Then<n id="1" /> I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped<n id="2" /> in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire.<n id="3" />

They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians,<n id="1" /> saying, &#8220;Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.<n id="2" /> You do not court anyone&#8217;s favor because you show no partiality.<n id="3" />

When they came they said to him, &#8220;Teacher, we know that you are truthful and do not court anyone&#8217;s favor, because you show no partiality<n id="1" /> but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.<n id="2" /> Is it right<n id="3" /> to pay taxes<n id="4" /> to Caesar<n id="5" /> or not? Should we pay or shouldn&#8217;t we?&#8221;