TR Concordance for τὰ

A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping,[fn] and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children;

and she refused to be consoled,

because they are no more.

But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee.

“I baptize you with[fn] water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove[fn] his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

“For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.

“Consider the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?

“And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don't labor or spin thread.

“Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick,

Then the men who tended them fled. They went into the city and reported everything, especially what had happened to those who were demon-possessed.

But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

“Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples

“What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who wear soft clothes are in royal palaces.

When the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”

“And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges.

“Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn't have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn't deep.

He answered, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.

“And the one sown on rocky ground ​— ​this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.

“The landowner's servants came to him and said, ‘Master, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from? '

“ ‘No,' he said. ‘When you pull up the weeds, you might also uproot the wheat with them.

“It's the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it's taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.”

“The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin[fn] and those guilty of lawlessness.[fn]

“and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw out the worthless ones.

“Lord, if it's you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”

When Jesus left there, he withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon.

He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

After dismissing the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.[fn]

“And in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy because the sky is red and threatening.' You[fn] know how to read the appearance of the sky, but you can't read the signs of the times.[fn]

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,[fn] he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? ”[fn]

Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you're not thinking about God's concerns[fn] but human concerns.”

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax? ”

“Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes.

“What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray?

“Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt.

“When the other servants saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened.

“So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister[fn] from your[fn] heart.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he departed from Galilee and went to the region of Judea across the Jordan.

Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”[fn]

“If you want to be perfect,”[fn] Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them.

When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that he did and the children shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David! ” they were indignant

“The king[fn] was enraged, and he sent out his troops, killed those murderers, and burned down their city.

“Caesar's,” they said to him.

Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

“Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don't do what they do, because they don't practice what they teach.

“They do everything[fn] to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.[fn]

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of[fn] mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law ​— ​justice, mercy, and faithfulness.[fn] These things should have been done without neglecting the others.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous,

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks[fn] under her wings, but you were not willing!

“then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.

“and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat.

“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

“the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more.

“The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I've earned five more talents.'

“The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I've earned two more talents.'

“ ‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.

“All the nations[fn] will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? See, now you've heard the blasphemy.

Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.

So he threw the silver into the temple and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.

Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: They took[fn] the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him whose price was set by the Israelites,

All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children! ”

After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots.[fn]

When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God! ”

As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

They took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of[fn] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them.

and to have authority to[fn] drive out demons.

The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

“But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.

“And others are like seed sown on rocky ground. When they hear the word, immediately they receive it with joy.

“but the worries of this age, the deceitfulness[fn] of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

“And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.”

A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside.

had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse.

“For it doesn't go into his heart but into the stomach and is eliminated” (thus he declared all foods clean).

He got up and departed from there to the region of Tyre.[fn] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it, but he could not escape notice.

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, because it isn't right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”

So he took him away from the crowd in private. After putting his fingers in the man's ears and spitting, he touched his tongue.

And he immediately got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

He took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything? ”

But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about God's concerns[fn] but human concerns.”

He set out from there and went to the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Then crowds converged on him again, and as was his custom he taught them again.

When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ”

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were astonished, but those who followed him were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them the things that would happen to him.

They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and he sat on it.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing.”[fn]

Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

“And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations.

“When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be” (let the reader understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.

“and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat.

“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.

They were hitting him on the head with a stick and spitting on him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying him homage.

Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get.

“For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me.

But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.

“Give to everyone who asks you, and from someone who takes your things, don't ask for them back.

“And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full.

When he had concluded saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum.

So he said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

Looking they may not see,

and hearing they may not understand.

For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.

Summoning the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was going on. He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead,

“Let these words sink in:[fn] The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

“Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don't move from house to house.

“He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”

Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls.

“But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons[fn] he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.

“But give from what is within to the poor,[fn] and then everything is clean for you.

“Woe to you! You build tombs[fn] for the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

“I will do this,' he said. ‘I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.

“Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don't labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won't grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters ​— ​yes, and even his own life ​— ​he cannot be my disciple.

“For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

“If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

“What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field[fn] and go after the lost one until he finds it?

Now he said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who received an accusation that his manager was squandering his possessions.

“He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man's table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.

“ ‘Son,'[fn] Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

He said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come,[fn] but woe to the one through whom they come!

“Does he thank that servant because he did what was commanded?[fn]

“On that day, a man on the housetop, whose belongings are in the house, must not come down to get them. Likewise the man who is in the field must not turn back.

People were bringing infants to him so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Seeing that he became sad,[fn] Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

They understood none of these things. The meaning of the saying[fn] was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much.”

Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their clothes on the colt, they helped Jesus get on it.

saying, “If you knew this day what would bring peace ​— ​but now it is hidden from your eyes.

“They will crush you and your children among you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in your midst, because you did not recognize the time when God visited you.”

“Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”

He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.

“For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

“Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it,

“They will be killed by the sword[fn] and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles[fn] until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.

“But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength[fn] to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and began to pray,

But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”[fn] And they divided his clothes and cast lots.

All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.[fn] So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that happened there in these days? ”

Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.

Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you ​— ​that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

“and repentance for[fn] forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

While he was in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.

This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

“If I have told you about earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

For the one whom God sent speaks God's words, since he[fn] gives the Spirit without measure.

“and come out ​— ​those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.

A huge crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was performing by healing the sick.

When they were full, he told his disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.”

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

“What can we do to perform the works of God? ” they asked.

From that moment[fn] many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him.

So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing.

He spoke these words by the treasury, while teaching in the temple. But no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

“The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.”

“Our father is Abraham,” they replied.

“If you were Abraham's children,” Jesus told them, “you would do what Abraham did.

“You're doing what your father does.”

“We weren't born of sexual immorality,” they said. “We have one Father ​— ​God.”

“The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God.”

“We[fn] must do the works of him who sent me[fn] while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.

“The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

“The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, leaves them[fn] and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,

“If I am not doing my Father's works, don't believe me.

and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God.

He didn't say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting:

“Hosanna!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord ​— ​the King of Israel! ”

“The one who rejects me and doesn't receive my sayings has this as his judge:[fn] The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself.

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you?

“Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works.

“If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

“Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

“because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.

Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you're seeking? ”

When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.

Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him.

Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you'll find some.” So they did,[fn] and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish.

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,[fn] do you love me more than these? ”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him.

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books[fn] that would be written.

After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

“Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts),

Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words.

They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.

When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them.

“And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness,

“Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.”

“So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail;

“For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

“He dealt deceitfully with our race and oppressed our ancestors by making them abandon their infants outside so that they wouldn't survive.

They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him.

He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them! ” And after saying this, he fell asleep.

The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing.

But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.

“So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord.”

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.

“When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.

News about them reached[fn] the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel[fn] as far as Antioch.

“Get dressed,” the angel told him, “and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Wrap your cloak around you,” he told him, “and follow me.”

“After removing him, he raised up David as their king and testified about him, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my will.'

“When they had carried out all that had been written about him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb.

“As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David.

As they were leaving, the people[fn] urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath.

Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.

The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting,

After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you,[fn] that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.

“After these things I will return

and rebuild David's fallen tent.

I will rebuild its ruins

and set it up again,

“Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.

As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe.

The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods.

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains came loose.

The police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

“For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.' Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent,

When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent.[fn] From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit,[fn] he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John's baptism.

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

so that even facecloths or aprons[fn] that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.

And when he had passed through those areas and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece

“And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit,[fn] not knowing what I will encounter there,

After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.

When our time had come to an end, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray,

“But they have been informed about you ​— ​that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to live according to our customs.

“And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval[fn] and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.'

As they were yelling and flinging aside their garments and throwing dust into the air,

For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.”

“So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you[fn] as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.”

When I was informed that there was a plot against the man,[fn] I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence.[fn]

When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.

Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

Since they were staying there several days, Festus presented Paul's case to the king, saying, “There's a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix.

Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it drop away.

So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves.

And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right.

Although they know God's just sentence ​— ​that those who practice such things deserve to die[fn] ​— ​they not only do them, but even applaud[fn] others who practice them.

Therefore, every one of you[fn] who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.

He will repay each one according to his works:

So, when Gentiles, who do not by nature have the law, do[fn] what the law demands, they are a law to themselves even though they do not have the law.

on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.

and know his will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed from the law,

You who say, “You must not commit adultery” ​— ​do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples?

So if an uncircumcised man keeps the law's requirements, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the very words of God.

And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!

Their throat is an open grave;

they deceive with their tongues.

Vipers' venom is under their lips.

As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations ​— ​ in the presence of the God in whom he believed, the one who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.

He was delivered up for[fn] our trespasses and raised for our justification.

And do not offer any parts[fn] of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.

I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh.[fn] For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification.

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[fn] his Spirit who lives in you.

He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful[fn] are the feet of those who bring good news.

But I ask, “Did they not hear? ” Yes, they did:

Their voice has gone out to the whole earth,

and their words to the ends of the world.

Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life!

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.[fn]

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.

Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God's purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them,

but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles ​— ​

Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

But the person without the Spirit[fn] does not receive what comes from God's Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated[fn] spiritually.

So don't judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.

Don't you know that your bodies are a part of Christ's body? So should I take a part of Christ's body and make it part of a prostitute? Absolutely not!

I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord ​— ​how he may please the Lord.

For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, won't his weak conscience be encouraged[fn] to eat food offered to idols?

If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

Don't you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar?

You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols.

And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person.

But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.

But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.

Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception.

so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone's conscience by an open display of the truth.

In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,[fn] who is the image of God.

So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you.

We are not boasting beyond measure about other people's labors. On the contrary, we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged,

So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.

If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.

Look, I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles.

But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas[fn] in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews? ”[fn]

Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations[fn] will be blessed through you.

The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin's power,[fn] so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.

In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements[fn] of the world.

But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

envy,[fn] drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things ​— ​as I warned you before ​— ​that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

as a plan for the right time[fn] ​— ​to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.

For this reason I kneel before the Father[fn]

But what does “he ascended” mean except that he[fn] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?[fn]

But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head ​— ​Christ.

Everything exposed by the light is made visible,

In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant[fn] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed.

so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord,[fn] contending together for the faith of the gospel,

Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you.

Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.

More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

Brothers and sisters, I do not[fn] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things.

He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.

Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied,[fn] having received from Epaphroditus what you provided ​— ​a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

and through him to reconcile

everything to himself,

whether things on earth or things in heaven,

by making peace

through his blood, shed on the cross.[fn]

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for his body, that is, the church.

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.

And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.

All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won't become discouraged.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[fn] and so that he may encourage your hearts.

Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle[fn] among you, as a nurse[fn] nurtures her own children.

as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business,[fn] and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say.

In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions,

and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments.

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.

Yes, brother, may I benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

The Son is the radiance[fn] of God's glory and the exact expression[fn] of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins,[fn] he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.[fn]

You made him lower than the angels

for a short time;

you crowned him with glory and honor[fn]

Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters[fn] pertaining to God, to make atonement[fn] for the sins of the people.

Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.

where your ancestors tested me, tried me,

and saw my works

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

But solid food is for the mature ​— ​for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation.

Now if he were on earth, he wouldn't be a priest, since there are those[fn] offering the gifts prescribed by the law.

he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood.

Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these.

He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.

By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,

And make sure that there isn't any immoral[fn] or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal.

For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.

and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it?

Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.

Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.[fn]

His[fn] divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by[fn] his own glory and goodness.

For if, having escaped the world's impurity through the knowledge of the Lord[fn] and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The one who commits[fn] sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the devil's works.

If anyone has this world's goods and sees a fellow believer[fn] in need but withholds compassion from him ​— ​how does God's love reside in him?

and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

This is how we know that we love God's children: when we love God and obey[fn] his commands.

And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.

I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.

This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep[fn] what is written in it, because the time is near.

“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars.

“Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you[fn] and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

“I know your[fn] affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

“I know[fn] where you live ​— ​where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me,[fn] even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives.

“I know your works ​— ​your love, faithfulness,[fn] service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.

“I will strike her children dead.[fn] Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations —

“Write to the angel[fn] of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works; you have a reputation[fn] for being alive, but you are dead.

“But you have a few people[fn] in Sardis who have not defiled[fn] their clothes, and they will walk with me in white, because they are worthy.

“I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.

Our Lord and God,[fn]

you are worthy to receive

glory and honor and power,

because you have created all things,

and by your will

they exist and were created.

I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say,

Blessing and honor and glory and power

be to the one seated on the throne,

and to the Lamb, forever and ever!