I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

But in this matter I give you an opinion; for my doing this helps forward your own intentions, seeing that not only have you begun operations, but a year ago you already had the desire to do so.

For [this is] not that for others [there may be] relief, [and] for you difficult circumstances, but [as a matter] of equality.

but at the present time your abundance should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be equality.

That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift.

But as for me Paul, I entreat you by the gentleness and self-forgetfulness of Christ--I who when among you have not an imposing personal presence, but when absent am fearlessly outspoken in dealing with you.

That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.

It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I will boast about this man, but as for myself I will boast only about my weaknesses.

That will prove to you that I am indeed a spokesman of Christ. It is no weak Christ you have to do with, but a Christ of power.

But as for those who were men of real eminency, how considerable soever they were heretofore, it does not any ways affect me; God accepts not the person of any man: for they who were of note, in conference with me, had nothing new to add.

For until certain persons came from James he had been accustomed to eat with Gentiles; but as soon as these persons came, he withdrew and separated himself for fear of the Circumcision party.

But when I saw that they were not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas (Peter) in front of everyone, “If you, being a Jew, live [as you have been living] like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how is it that you are [now virtually] forcing the Gentiles to live like Jews [if they want to eat with you]?”

but a curse rests on those who have their root in the works of the Law; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the Book of the Law, to do them.

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Now this I say: The law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not put an end to the agreement made before by God, so as to make the undertaking without effect.

For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise.

But a mediator is not of one, but God is one.

But as long as the person who has an inheritance coming to him is a child, he is really no better off than a slave, even though he himself is [rightfully] entitled [to the inheritance].

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all.

and my trial that is in my flesh ye did not despise nor reject, but as a messenger of God ye did receive me -- as Christ Jesus;

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Christ has truly made us free: then keep your free condition and let no man put a yoke on you again.

but as for us, our minds are possessed with the hopes of justification by faith.

for in the christian-dispensation, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but an active benevolent faith.

This persuasion came not from him that called you: but a little leaven leaveneth the whole mass.

But as for me, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then hath the cross ceased to be a stumblingblock.

But [as] for me, may it never be [that I] boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

and not the result of actions, to put a stop to all boasting.

Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace;

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

not as fools, but as wise men, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.

But ye also, every one of you, let each so love his own wife as himself; but as to the wife I speak that she may fear the husband.

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

according to my earnest expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but as always now Christ shall be magnified in my body with all boldness, whether it is by life or by death.

but am in a quandary between the two. I am perplexed. I have a strong desire to break camp and to be with Christ, which is far better;

And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the transcendently excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as offals of ordure, that I may gain Christ,

But as far as we have attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us have the same mind.

for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.

Through your relation to him you have received not a physical circumcision, but a circumcision effected by Christ, in stripping you of your material nature,

Having put an end to the handwriting of the law which was against us, taking it out of the way by nailing it to his cross;

Which things indeed hold forth an appearance of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and bodily mortification, [though] not of any value, [but] a gratification to the flesh.

But, as you will remember, after we had already met with suffering and outrage at Philippi, we summoned up boldness, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition.

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For, brothers, you remember our labor and toil. For laboring night and day in order not to put a burden on any one of you, we preached the gospel of God to you.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

by trying to keep us from speaking to the heathen, so that they may be saved, so as always to fill to the brim the cup of their sins. But at last God's wrath has come upon them.

But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Now as to the times and dates, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

But as to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto Him,

Then the representative of lawlessness will be uncovered, and the Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of His mouth and put a stop to his operations by His appearance and coming;

but as for you, the Lord, who is faithful, will establish you, and protect you from the malicious one.

But [as for] you, brothers, do not be discouraged [while] doing what is right.

but--as befits women making a claim to godliness--with the ornament of good works.

not addicted to drink or pugnacious, but a man of moderation and peace, not avaricious,

let no one despise thy youth, but a pattern become thou of those believing in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity;

But a woman who is really a widow, and has no children, has fixed her hope on God, and devotes herself to prayers and entreaties night and day.

but a pleasure-loving widow is dead even while still alive.

[But] do not put a widow on the list [i.e., of people being helped by the church. See Acts 6:1] who is under sixty years old. [And she must] have been the wife of one man,

For the Scripture says [Deut. 25:4], "You should not put a muzzle on the ox while it tramples over the grain." And [Luke 10:7], "The worker deserves his wages."

no longer be drinking water, but a little wine be using, because of thy stomach and of thine often infirmities;

But as for you, O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

For the Spirit which God gave us was not a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control.

but which has now been plainly revealed through the Appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus. He has put an end to death and has brought Life and Immortality to light through the Good News,

But as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also resist the truth, men of corrupt mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them,

But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

but at the proper time has disclosed his message in the proclamation [with] which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior,

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

But as for you, teach the things which are in agreement with sound doctrine [which produces men and women of good character whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christians].

and above all make your own life a pattern of right conduct, having in your teaching no taint of insincerity, but a serious tone,

as righteous men, had done, but as the result of His own mercy He saved us by means of the bath of regeneration and the renewal of our natures by the Holy Spirit,

no longer as a slave, but [as someone] more than a slave, as a brother [in Christ], especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh [as a servant] and in the Lord [as a fellow believer].

But at the same time prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you.

but as to the Son, Thy throne, O God, is to the age of the age, and a sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

But as to which of the angels said he ever, Sit at my right hand until I put thine enemies as footstool of thy feet?

But, as we know, a writer has solemnly said, "How poor a creature is man, and yet Thou dost remember him, and a son of man, and yet Thou dost come to him!

You have put all things in subjection under his feet [confirming his supremacy].”

Now in putting all things in subjection to man, He left nothing outside his control. But at present we do not yet see all things subjected to him.

And because the children are flesh and blood, he took a body himself and became like them; so that by his death he might put an end to him who had the power of death, that is to say, the Evil One;

but as the architect is of much greater dignity than the house he has made; so the glory which Christ received was greater than that of Moses.

Now Moses was faithful in [the administration of] all God’s house, [but only] as a ministering servant, [his ministry serving] as a testimony of the things which were to be spoken afterward [the revelation to come in Christ];

But as I made oath in my anger, They shall never be admitted to my Rest!"

And no one takes the honour to himself but as called by God, even as Aaron also.

For every man that is fed with milk is inexpert in the word of righteousness: For he is but a babe.

And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham.

(for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises.

Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer over and over since the foundation of the world; but now once for all at the consummation of the ages He has appeared and been publicly manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

For the law having but a faint shadow of good things to come, and not the full image of the things, can never, even by the great annual sacrifices which they offer statedly, make the comers thereunto perfect.

But [as it is] these [continual] sacrifices bring a fresh reminder of sins [to be atoned for] year after year,

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

"Sacrifice and offering you did not wish, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings you never took delight.

waiting from that time onward until His enemies be put as a footstool under His feet.

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.