TR Concordance for οὐ

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter[fn] or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

“Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.[fn]

“Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black.

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal.

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

“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.

“If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't he do much more for you ​— ​you of little faith?

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye but don't notice the beam of wood in your own eye?

“A good tree can't produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name? '

“Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners.”[fn]

“Leave,” he said, “because the girl is not dead but asleep.” And they laughed at him.

“because it isn't you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.

“When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

“Therefore, don't be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won't be uncovered and nothing hidden that won't be made known.

“Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny?[fn] Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's consent.[fn]

“And whoever doesn't take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

“And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple,[fn] truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

“If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.

He will not break a bruised reed,

and he will not put out a smoldering wick,

until he has led justice to victory.[fn]

Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

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.

“That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand.

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat.”[fn]

he does not have to honor his father.'[fn] In this way, you have nullified the word of God[fn] because of your tradition.

“It's not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth ​— ​this defiles a person.”

“These are the things that defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”

Jesus called his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they've already stayed with me three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, otherwise they might collapse on the way.”

“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]

“Why is it you don't understand that when I told you, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,' it wasn't about bread? ”

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no,[fn] Lord! This will never happen to you! ”

“Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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.

He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning.

His disciples said to him, “If the relationship of a man with his wife is like this, it's better not to marry.”

Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done.

“For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; but you, when you saw it, didn't even change your minds then and believe him.

So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don't care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality.[fn]

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

“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'! ”

He replied to them, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down.”

“For at that time there will be great distress,[fn] the kind that hasn't taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again.

“Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place.

“This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“that servant's master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know.

“The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You're a harsh man, reaping where you haven't sown and gathering where you haven't scattered seed.

“His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven't sown and gather where I haven't scattered,

“I was a stranger and you didn't take me in; I was naked and you didn't clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn't take care of me.'

“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.

“But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

“Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing.

Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this[fn] cannot pass[fn] unless I drink it, your will be done.”

“Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels?

“He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him[fn] come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

Now John's disciples and the Pharisees[fn] were fasting. People came and asked him, “Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees' disciples fast, but your disciples do not fast? ”

“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

“For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.

He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher! Don't you care that we're going to die? ”

because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don't your disciples live[fn] according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ceremonially unclean[fn] hands? ”

He said to them, “Are you also as lacking in understanding? Don't you realize that nothing going into a person from the outside can defile him?

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.”

“Do you have eyes and not see; do you have ears and not hear? And do you not remember?

And he said to them, “Don't you understand yet? ”

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.”

Then he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power.”

and his clothes became dazzling ​— ​extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them.

because he did not know what to say, since they were terrified.

“And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ ​— ​truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.

“where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

“Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive[fn] the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”

Seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs.

When they came, they said to him, “Teacher, we know you are truthful and don't care what anyone thinks, nor do you show partiality but teach the way of God truthfully. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we? ”

Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another ​— ​all will be thrown down.”

“So when they arrest you and hand you over, don't worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn't you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

“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.

“For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn't been from the beginning of creation until now and never will be again.

“But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light;

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place.

“You always have the poor with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.

“Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new[fn] in the kingdom of God.”

But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing.

And he said, “Abba,[fn] Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”

In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself!

“they will pick up snakes;[fn] if they should drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb.

Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man? ”[fn]

But they did not understand what he said to them.

He also told them a parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Otherwise, not only will he tear the new, but also the piece from the new garment will not match the old.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, but don't notice the beam of wood in your own eye?

“For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren't gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say?

Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.

“You gave me no kiss, but she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since I came in.

“As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

“For nothing is concealed that won't be revealed, and nothing hidden that won't be made known and brought to light.

“Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

“Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you.

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”[fn]

“Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can't get up to give you anything.'

As the crowds were increasing, he began saying, “This generation is an evil generation. It demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.[fn]

When the Pharisee saw this, he was amazed that he did not first perform the ritual washing[fn] before dinner.

Then he said, “Woe also to you experts in the law! You load people with burdens that are hard to carry, and yet you yourselves don't touch these burdens with one of your fingers.

“There is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, nothing hidden that won't be made known.

“Consider the ravens: They don't sow or reap; they don't have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than the birds?

“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.

“You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

“that servant's master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces[fn] and assign him a place with the unfaithful.[fn]

“Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don't you know how to interpret this present time?

“I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”[fn]

But the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Doesn't each one of you untie his ox or donkey from the feeding trough on the Sabbath and lead it to water?

“See, your house is abandoned to you. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when[fn] you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'! ”

“And another said, ‘I just got married, and therefore I'm unable to come.'

“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.

“In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce[fn] all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

“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?

“I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don't need repentance.

“Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.

“So he called the manager in and asked, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you can no longer be my manager.'

“No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

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

“For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or respect people,

“Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them?[fn]

“Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

“who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”

They questioned him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you don't show partiality[fn] but teach truthfully the way of God.

“and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children.

“These things that you see ​— ​the days will come when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down.”

“for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

“but not a hair of your head will be lost.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.

“For I tell you, I will not eat it again[fn] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

“For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

“I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until[fn] you deny three times that you know me.”

They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.”

But he said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe.

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

That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome[fn] it.

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

After this, he went down to Capernaum, together with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,[fn] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

“Are you a teacher[fn] of Israel and don't know these things? ” Jesus replied.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

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

“How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? ” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with[fn] Samaritans.[fn]

“But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well[fn] of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”

This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.

“so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

“I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

“I don't receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

“You don't have his word residing in you, because you don't believe the one he sent.

“But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.

“I have come in my Father's name, and yet you don't accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.

“But if you don't believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words? ”

The next day, the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw there had been only one boat.[fn] They also saw that Jesus had not boarded the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone off alone.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, Moses didn't give you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.

“This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna[fn] your ancestors ate ​— ​and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”

“But there are some among you who don't believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not[fn] believe and the one who would betray him.)

After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since he did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him.

“The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me because I testify about it ​— ​that its works are evil.

After his brothers had gone up to the festival, then he also went up, not openly but secretly.

“Didn't Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me? ”

“You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”

“What is this remark he made: ‘You will look for me, and you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come'? ”

Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

“You judge by human standards.[fn] I judge no one.

Then he said to them again, “I'm going away; you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I'm going, you cannot come.”

“A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever.

“I know you are descendants of Abraham, but you are trying to kill me because my word has no place among you.

“You're doing what your father does.”

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

“Why don't you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to[fn] my word.

“Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

“I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and judges.

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn't keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a sinful man perform such signs? ” And there was a division among them.

“They will never follow a stranger; instead they will run away from him, because they don't know the voice of strangers.”

“This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn't care about the sheep.

“I did tell you and you don't believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father's name testify about me.

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

“We aren't stoning you for a good work,” the Jews answered, “but for blasphemy, because you ​— ​being a man ​— ​make yourself God.”

“If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods' ​— ​and the Scripture cannot be broken ​— ​

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

“Aren't there twelve hours in a day? ” Jesus answered. “If anyone walks during the day, he doesn't stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

“Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? ”

They were looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? He won't come to the festival, will he? ”

“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me.

“If anyone hears my words and doesn't keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

“One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn't need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”

“I'm not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: The one who eats my bread[fn] has raised his heel against me.

“Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.'

“Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going? ”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”

“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.

“He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn't see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be[fn] in you.

“The one who doesn't love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled or fearful.

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.

“About sin, because they do not believe in me;

“I still have many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now.

“In a little while, you will no longer see me; again in a little while, you will see me.”[fn]

Jesus knew they wanted to ask him, and so he said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘In a little while, you will not see me; again in a little while, you will see me'?

“On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf.

“Now we know that you know everything and don't need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

“I pray[fn] for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours.

At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me? ”

So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you? ”

When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead.

For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken.

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

The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself.

So the other disciples were telling him, “We've seen the Lord! ”

But he said to them, “If I don't see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus.

Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards[fn] away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

“Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don't want to go.”

“for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

“For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it's only nine in the morning.[fn]

“Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He[fn] was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.

“For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:

The Lord declared to my Lord,

‘Sit at my right hand

saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

“for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Then the commander went with the servants and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them.

“but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.

They also presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law.

“He assumed his people would understand that God would give them deliverance through him, but they did not understand.

“not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

and said, “You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery, you son of the devil and enemy of all that is right. Won't you ever stop perverting the straight paths of the Lord?

“Look, you scoffers,

marvel and vanish away,

because I am doing a work in your days,

a work that you will never believe,

even if someone were to explain it to you.”

Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

“Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,[fn]

But Paul said to them, “They beat us in public without a trial, although we are Roman citizens, and threw us in jail. And now are they going to send us away secretly? Certainly not! On the contrary, let them come themselves and escort us out.”

“He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

“But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”

God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul's hands,

“You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods.

When the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “People of Ephesus! What person is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great[fn] Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven?

They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.

“because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God.

Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

“and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'

They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live! ”

“You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

“While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.

“If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar! ”

“For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak boldly to him. For I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this was not done in a corner.

“I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty,[fn] not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am ​— ​except for these chains.”

and told them, “Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward disaster and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.”

But before long, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island.

Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”

The local people showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold.

“when he said,

Go to these people and say:

You will always be listening,

but never understanding;

and you will always be looking,

but never perceiving.

Now I don't want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry[fn] among you, just as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles.

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.

For there is no favoritism with God.

For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.[fn]

you then, who teach another, don't you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal” ​— ​do you steal?

For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh.

What then? Are we any better off?[fn] Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin,[fn]

For no one will be justified[fn] in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ[fn] to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

If Abraham was justified[fn] by works, he has something to boast about ​— ​but not before God.

Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed.

This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants ​— ​not only to the one who is of the law[fn] but also to the one who is of Abraham's faith. He is the father of us all.

He did not weaken in faith when he considered[fn] his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and also the deadness of Sarah's womb.

And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,

This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.

But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.

For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.

For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh,

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,[fn] Father! ”

Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits ​— ​we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

I speak the truth in Christ ​— ​I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit[fn] ​— ​

Now it is not as though the word of God has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

That is, it is not the children by physical descent[fn] who are God's children, but the children of the promise are considered to be the offspring.

And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac.

So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.

on us, the ones he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

As it is written,

Look, I am putting a stone in Zion to stumble over

and a rock to trip over,

and the one who believes on him

will not be put to shame.

I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame,

But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?

do not boast that you are better than those branches. But if you do boast ​— ​you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.

Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function,

Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.

For it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For it is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.

Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord.[fn] Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God.

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles,

because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites.[fn] They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel ​— ​not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,[fn] not many powerful, not many of noble birth.

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery[fn] of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom.

We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by 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.

I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready,

For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don't have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant.

I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world.

Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males,[fn]

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

I say this as a concession, not as a command.

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you[fn] to live in peace.

Food will not bring us close to God.[fn] We are not worse off if we don't eat, and we are not better if we do eat.

Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat, so that I won't cause my brother or sister to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don't we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right; instead, we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.

No, but I do say that what they[fn] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons!

“Everything is permissible,”[fn] but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,”[fn] but not everything builds up.

For if a woman doesn't cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her head be covered.

For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man.

Now concerning spiritual gifts:[fn] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware.

If the foot should say, “Because I'm not a hand, I don't belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you! ” Or again, the head can't say to the feet, “I don't need you! ”

which our respectable parts do not need.

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable,

Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant,

Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.

since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints,

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual.

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption.

I don't want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.

If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Our Lord, come![fn]

For we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely ​— ​

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

For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many.[fn] On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.

You show that you are Christ's letter, delivered[fn] by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God ​— ​not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.[fn]

He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

We are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from gazing steadily until the end[fn] of the glory of what was being set aside,

For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus's sake.

We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;

since, when we are clothed,[fn] we will not be found naked.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart.

We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

I don't say this to condemn you, since I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he received from you. He told us about your deep longing, your sorrow, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been disappointed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth.

and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God's will.

And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it.

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gracious gift that we are administering for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.

Indeed, we are giving careful thought to do what is right, not only before the Lord but also before people.

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.

For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh,

For we don't dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ.

For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

Even if I am untrained in public speaking, I am certainly not untrained in knowledge. Indeed, we have in every way made that clear to you in everything.

When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, since the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way.

And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

What I am saying in this matter[fn] of boasting, I don't speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying.

Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!

Now granted, I did not burden you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!

I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus didn't take advantage of you, did he? Didn't we walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?

For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,

For we can't do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.[fn]

I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

Now from those recognized as important (what they[fn] once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism[fn]) ​— ​they added nothing to me.

and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ,[fn] even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ[fn] and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will[fn] be justified.

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.

They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them.

For it is written,

Rejoice, childless woman,

unable to give birth.

Burst into song and shout,

you who are not in labor,

for the children of the desolate woman will be many,

more numerous than those

of the woman who has a husband.

But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.”

I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.

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.

Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap,

I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.

far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,[fn] not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose.

For it has been granted to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus 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,

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,[fn]

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.

They don't hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with growth from God.

For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith[fn] in God has gone out. Therefore, we don't need to say anything,

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result.

We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.

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

For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness.

About brotherly love: You don't need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you.

When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.[fn]

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat.”

We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers,

For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth;[fn] I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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.

For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power,[fn] love, and sound judgment.

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.

Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.

if we are faithless, he remains faithful,

for he cannot deny himself.

The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach,[fn] and patient,

But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.

There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.[fn]

For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham's offspring.

For who heard and rebelled? Wasn't it all who came out of Egypt under Moses?

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God's revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.

For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love[fn] you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints ​— ​and by continuing to serve them.

Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?

who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical[fn] descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.

None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,

not like the covenant

that I made with their ancestors

on the day I took them by the hand

to lead them out of the land of Egypt.

I showed no concern for them, says the Lord,

because they did not continue in my covenant.

And each person will not teach his fellow citizen,[fn]

and each his brother or sister, saying, “Know the Lord,”

because they will all know me,

from the least to the greatest of them.