When I was informed there would be a plot against this man, I sent him to you at once, also ordering his accusers to state their charges against him before you.

For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes, our brother,

Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough -- you are, in fact, without yeast. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

And I say this, brothers and sisters: The time is short. So then those who have wives should be as those who have none,

If others receive this right from you, are we not more deserving? But we have not made use of this right. Instead we endure everything so that we may not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

I do all these things because of the gospel, so that I can be a participant in it.

If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the All-Powerful Lord.

For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,

Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!

For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary.

"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely,

Even though they have the appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship and false humility achieved by an unsparing treatment of the body -- a wisdom with no true value -- they in reality result in fleshly indulgence.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.

By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things.

showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.

who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent but by the power of an indestructible life.

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.

By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom.

Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot's inclination directs.

Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure!

you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

These men are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness have been reserved.

and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind.

So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take the scroll and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."

Then the serpent spouted water like a river out of his mouth after the woman in an attempt to sweep her away by a flood,