'Rather' in the Bible

But he did not want to, but rather he went [and] threw him into prison until he would repay what was owed.

And [after they] had assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave a rather large sum of money to the soldiers,

Do you think that I have come to grant peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something that I may eat, and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink, and after these [things] you will eat and drink.'

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that one! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

And this is the judgment: that the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.

But Peter and John answered [and] said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide!

But Peter and the apostles answered [and] said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men!

But Paul said to them, "They beat us in public without due process--men who are Roman citizens--[and] threw [us] into prison, and now they are wanting to release us secretly? Certainly not! Rather let them come themselves [and] bring us out!"

who exchanged the truth of God with a lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed for eternity. Amen.

Therefore, [did that which is] good become death to me? May it never be! Rather [it was] sin, in order that it might be recognized [as] sin, producing death through [what is] good for me, in order that sin might become sinful to an extraordinary degree through the commandment.

Therefore, let us no longer pass judgment on one another, but rather decide this: not to place a cause for stumbling or a temptation before a brother.

And you are inflated with pride, and should you not rather have mourned, so that the one who has done this deed would be removed from your midst?

Therefore it is already completely a loss for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

Were you called [while] a slave? Do not let it be a concern to you. But if indeed you are able to become free, rather make use of [it].

But I have not made use of any of these [rights]. And I am not writing these [things] in order that it may be thus with me. For [it would be] better to me rather to die than [for] anyone to deprive me of my reason for boasting.

So then, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow this person should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

so we are confident and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

And he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, because the power is perfected in weakness." Therefore rather I will boast most gladly in my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may reside in me.

For we are not able [to do] anything against the truth, but rather [only] for the truth.

But now, [because you] have come to know God, or rather have come to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental spirits? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which [are] not proper), but rather thanksgiving.

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose [them].

and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God's plan [that is] by faith.

And those who have believing masters must not look down on [them] because they are brothers, but rather they must serve, because those who benefit by their service are believers and dearly loved.

traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God,

choosing instead to be mistreated with the people of God [rather] than to experience the transitory enjoyment of sin,

Furthermore, we have had {our earthly fathers} who disciplined [us], and we respected [them]. Will we not much rather subject ourselves to the Father of spirits and live?

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather be healed.