Yes, you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked a murderer to be pardoned as a favor to you,

Which of the prophets did your forefathers fail to persecute? They killed the prophets who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have betrayed and murdered Him,

and he said, 'The God of our forefathers has appointed you to learn His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear Him speak,

This is a proof of God's righteous judgment, His aim being to let you show yourselves worthy of His kingdom, for which you are suffering; since,

Now the crown for doing right awaits me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day, and not only me but also all who have loved His appearing.

But regarding the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, will stand forever and ever; a righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.

Meantime, my righteous servant will live by faith. But if a man draws back, my soul has no delight in him."

My dear children, I am writing you this so that you may not sin; yet if anyone ever sins, we have One who pleads our case with the Father, Jesus Christ, One who is righteous.