'Rather' in the Bible

And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?

And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.

Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: