not that there really is another gospel,<n id="1" /> but<n id="2" /> there are some who are disturbing you and wanting<n id="3" /> to distort the gospel of Christ.

But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless<n id="1" /> basic forces?<n id="2" /> Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?<n id="3" />

<p class="bodytext">Those who want to make a good showing in external matters<n id="1" /> are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so<n id="2" /> only to avoid being persecuted<n id="3" /> for the cross of Christ.

For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.<n id="1" />

<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" />

Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths<n id="1" /> about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind.<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.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: &#8220;If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.&#8221;

However,<n id="1" /> without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your good deed would not be out of compulsion, but from your own willingness.

<p class="bodytext">When he says above, &#8220;<b><i>Sacrifices and offeringsi>b> and <b><i>whole burnt offerings and sin-offeringsi>b> <b><i>you did not desire nor did you take delighti>b> in them&#8221;<n id="1" /> (which are offered according to the law),

For you know that<n id="1" /> later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing<n id="2" /> with tears.

Forp> <p class="otpoetry"><b><i>the one who wants to love life and see good days must keepi>b><n id="1" /> <i><b>his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceitb>.i>p>

For they deliberately suppress this fact,<n id="1" /> that by the word of God<n id="2" /> heavens existed long ago and an earth<n id="3" /> was formed out of water and by means of water.

Then<n id="1" /> Jesus answered her, &#8220;Woman,<n id="2" /> your faith is great! Let what you want be done for you.&#8221; And her daughter was healed from that hour.p>

Then Jesus said to his disciples, &#8220;If anyone wants to become my follower,<n id="1" /> he must deny<n id="2" /> himself, take up his cross,<n id="3" /> and follow me.

So<n id="1" /> Peter said<n id="2" /> to Jesus, &#8220;Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make<n id="3" /> three shelters<n id="4" /> &#8211; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.&#8221;

And I tell you that Elijah has already come. Yet they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In<n id="1" /> the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.&#8221;

He said to him, &#8220;Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.&#8221;

Jesus said to him, &#8220;If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money<n id="1" /> to the poor, and you will have treasure<n id="2" /> in heaven. Then come, follow me.&#8221;

He said to her, &#8220;What do you want?&#8221; She replied,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Permit<n id="2" /> these two sons of mine to sit, one at your<n id="3" /> right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.&#8221;