Paul replied,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I did not realize,<n id="2" /> brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, &#8216;<b><i>You must not speak evil about a ruler of your peoplei>b>.&#8217;&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Or do you not know, brothers and sisters<n id="1" /> (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law is lord over a person<n id="2" /> as long as he lives?

<p class="bodytext">Now I urge you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!

<p class="bodytext">Think about the circumstances of your call,<n id="1" /> brothers and sisters.<n id="2" /> Not many were wise by human standards,<n id="3" /> not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.<n id="4" />

<p class="bodytext">When I came<n id="1" /> to you, brothers and sisters,<n id="2" /> I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony<n id="3" /> of God.

And I say this, brothers and sisters:<n id="1" /> The time is short. So then those who have wives should be as those who have none,

Do we not have the right to the company of a believing wife, like the other apostles and the Lord&#8217;s brothers and Cephas?

<t /><p class="bodytext">For I do not want you to be unaware,<n id="1" /> brothers and sisters,<n id="2" /> that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea,

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now I want to make clear for you,<n id="1" /> brothers and sisters,<n id="2" /> the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand,

<p class="bodytext">Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters:<n id="1" /> Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

<p class="bodytext">Now, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> you know about the household of Stephanus, that as the first converts<n id="2" /> of Achaia, they devoted themselves to ministry for the saints. I urge you

<t /><p class="bodytext">Finally, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

<t /><p class="bodytext">For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;<n id="1" /> only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh,<n id="2" /> but through love serve one another.<n id="3" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Finally, my brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.p>

<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" />

And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters<n id="1" /> in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,<n id="2" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now we do not want you to be uninformed,<n id="1" /> brothers and sisters,<n id="2" /> about those who are asleep,<n id="3" /> so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now we ask you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

And we urge you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> that the Lord&#8217;s message<n id="2" /> may spread quickly and be honored<n id="3" /> as in fact it was among you,