The Command to Leave Horeb

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in (A)the Arabah opposite (B)Suph, between (C)Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to (D)Kadesh-barnea. (E)In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them, after (F)he had defeated Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and (G)Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth and in (H)Edrei. Beyond the Jordan, (I)in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to explain this law, saying, “The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, (J)‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to (K)the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in (L)the Arabah, (M)in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and (N)by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, (O)to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’

Leaders Appointed

“At that time (P)I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself. 10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, (Q)you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven. 11 (R)May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, (S)as he has promised you! 12 (T)How can I bear by myself the weight and burden of you and your strife? 13 (U)Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ 14 And you answered me, ‘The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.’ 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, (V)and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and (W)judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. 17 (X)You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for (Y)the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall (Z)bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 18 And I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.

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The Command to Leave Horeb

These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan(A)—that is, in the Arabah(B)—opposite Suph, between Paran(C) and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. (It takes eleven days to go from Horeb(D) to Kadesh Barnea(E) by the Mount Seir(F) road.)(G)

In the fortieth year,(H) on the first day of the eleventh month,(I) Moses proclaimed(J) to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them. This was after he had defeated Sihon(K) king of the Amorites,(L) who reigned in Heshbon,(M) and at Edrei had defeated Og(N) king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.(O)

East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab,(P) Moses began to expound this law, saying:

The Lord our God said to us(Q) at Horeb,(R) “You have stayed long enough(S) at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites;(T) go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah,(U) in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev(V) and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites(W) and to Lebanon,(X) as far as the great river, the Euphrates.(Y) See, I have given you this land(Z).(AA) Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore(AB) he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

The Appointment of Leaders

At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden(AC) for me to carry alone.(AD) 10 The Lord your God has increased(AE) your numbers(AF) so that today you are as numerous(AG) as the stars in the sky.(AH) 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase(AI) you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!(AJ) 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?(AK) 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men(AL) from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

14 You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.”

15 So I took(AM) the leading men of your tribes,(AN) wise and respected men,(AO) and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders(AP) of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.(AQ) 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge(AR) fairly,(AS) whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you.(AT) 17 Do not show partiality(AU) in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone,(AV) for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.”(AW) 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.(AX)

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Uzziah Reigns in Judah

26 And all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. He built Eloth and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers. Uzziah was (A)sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He set himself to seek God (B)in the days of Zechariah, (C)who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

He went out and (D)made war against the Philistines and broke through the wall of Gath and the wall of Jabneh and the wall of Ashdod, and he built cities in the territory of Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. God helped him (E)against the Philistines and against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal and against the (F)Meunites. The Ammonites (G)paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread even to the border of Egypt, for he became very strong. Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at (H)the Corner Gate and at (I)the Valley Gate and at (J)the Angle, and fortified them. 10 And he built towers in the wilderness and (K)cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. 11 Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war, in divisions according to the numbers in the muster made by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer, under the direction of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders. 12 The whole number of the heads of fathers' houses of mighty men of valor was 2,600. 13 Under their command was an army of (L)307,500, who could make war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. 14 And Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, (M)coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. 15 In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

Uzziah's Pride and Punishment

16 But when (N)he was strong, (O)he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 But (P)Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, 18 and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, (Q)“It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, (R)but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.” 19 Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, (S)leprosy[a] broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord, by the altar of incense. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the Lord had struck him. 21 (T)And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived (U)in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king's household, governing the people of the land.

22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, (V)Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz wrote. 23 And Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the burial field that belonged to the kings, for they said, “He is a leper.” And Jotham his son reigned in his place.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 26:19 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13

Uzziah King of Judah(A)(B)

26 Then all the people of Judah(C) took Uzziah,[a] who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his ancestors.

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear[b] of God.(D) As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.(E)

He went to war against the Philistines(F) and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod.(G) He then rebuilt towns near Ashdod and elsewhere among the Philistines. God helped him against the Philistines and against the Arabs(H) who lived in Gur Baal and against the Meunites.(I) The Ammonites(J) brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.

Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate,(K) at the Valley Gate(L) and at the angle of the wall, and he fortified them. 10 He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.

11 Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials. 12 The total number of family leaders over the fighting men was 2,600. 13 Under their command was an army of 307,500 men trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies. 14 Uzziah provided shields, spears, helmets, coats of armor, bows and slingstones for the entire army.(M) 15 In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.

16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride(N) led to his downfall.(O) He was unfaithful(P) to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense(Q) on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah(R) the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests,(S) the descendants(T) of Aaron,(U) who have been consecrated to burn incense.(V) Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy[c](W) broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.

21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house[d](X)—leprous, and banned from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.

22 The other events of Uzziah’s reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah(Y) son of Amoz. 23 Uzziah(Z) rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, “He had leprosy.” And Jotham his son succeeded him as king.(AA)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 26:1 Also called Azariah
  2. 2 Chronicles 26:5 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; other Hebrew manuscripts vision
  3. 2 Chronicles 26:19 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin; also in verses 20, 21 and 23.
  4. 2 Chronicles 26:21 Or in a house where he was relieved of responsibilities

The Lord's Indictment of Israel and Judah

(A)The Lord has an indictment against Judah
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways;
    he will repay him according to his deeds.
(B)In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
    and in his manhood he strove with God.
He strove with the angel and prevailed;
    he wept and sought his favor.
(C)He met God[a] at Bethel,
    and there God spoke with us—
the Lord, the God of hosts,
    (D)the Lord is his memorial name:
“So you, (E)by the help of your God, return,
    (F)hold fast to love and justice,
    and wait continually for your God.”

A merchant, in whose hands are (G)false balances,
    he loves (H)to oppress.
Ephraim has said, “Ah, but (I)I am rich;
    I have found wealth for myself;
in all my labors (J)they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.”
(K)I am the Lord your God
    from the land of Egypt;
I will again make you (L)dwell in tents,
    as in the days of the appointed feast.

10 (M)I spoke to the prophets;
    it was I who multiplied (N)visions,
    and through the prophets gave parables.
11 (O)If there is iniquity in Gilead,
    they shall surely come to nothing:
(P)in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
    (Q)their altars also are like stone heaps
    (R)on the furrows of the field.
12 (S)Jacob fled to the land of Aram;
    there Israel (T)served for a wife,
    and for a wife he guarded sheep.
13 By (U)a prophet (V)the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt,
    and by a prophet he was guarded.
14 (W)Ephraim has given bitter provocation;
    so his Lord (X)will leave his bloodguilt on him
    (Y)and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:4 Hebrew him

The Lord has a charge(A) to bring against Judah;(B)
    he will punish(C) Jacob[a] according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.(D)
In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;(E)
    as a man he struggled(F) with God.
He struggled with the angel and overcame him;
    he wept and begged for his favor.
He found him at Bethel(G)
    and talked with him there—
the Lord God Almighty,
    the Lord is his name!(H)
But you must return(I) to your God;
    maintain love and justice,(J)
    and wait for your God always.(K)

The merchant uses dishonest scales(L)
    and loves to defraud.
Ephraim boasts,(M)
    “I am very rich; I have become wealthy.(N)
With all my wealth they will not find in me
    any iniquity or sin.”

“I have been the Lord your God
    ever since you came out of Egypt;(O)
I will make you live in tents(P) again,
    as in the days of your appointed festivals.
10 I spoke to the prophets,
    gave them many visions
    and told parables(Q) through them.”(R)

11 Is Gilead wicked?(S)
    Its people are worthless!
Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?(T)
    Their altars will be like piles of stones
    on a plowed field.(U)
12 Jacob fled to the country of Aram[b];(V)
    Israel served to get a wife,
    and to pay for her he tended sheep.(W)
13 The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt,(X)
    by a prophet he cared for him.(Y)
14 But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger;
    his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed(Z)
    and will repay him for his contempt.(AA)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:2 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he takes advantage of or he deceives.
  2. Hosea 12:12 That is, Northwest Mesopotamia

15 (A)In the light of a king's face there is life,
    and his (B)favor is like (C)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 (D)How much better to get wisdom than (E)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than (F)silver.
17 The highway of the upright (G)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 (H)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 (I)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to (J)divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[a] (K)will discover good,
    and blessed is he (L)who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech (M)increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is (N)a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 (O)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 (P)Gracious words are like (Q)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and (R)health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.[b]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his (S)mouth urges him on.
27 (T)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech[c] is like (U)a scorching fire.
28 (V)A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and (W)a whisperer (X)separates close friends.
29 A man of violence (Y)entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[d] (Z)dishonest things;
    he who (AA)purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 (AB)Gray hair is (AC)a crown of glory;
    it (AD)is gained in a righteous life.
32 (AE)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 (AF)The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is (AG)from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter
  2. Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death
  3. Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
  4. Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan

15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;(A)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.(B)

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(C) rather than silver!(D)

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(E)

18 Pride(F) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit(G) before a fall.(H)

19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](I)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(J)

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[b](K)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(L)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(M)
    and their lips promote instruction.[c](N)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(O)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(P)

25 There is a way that appears to be right,(Q)
    but in the end it leads to death.(R)

26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

27 A scoundrel(S) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(T)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(U)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(V)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(W)

30 Whoever winks(X) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(Y)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast(Z) into the lap,
    but its every decision(AA) is from the Lord.(AB)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
  2. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  3. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

The Words of Eternal Life

60 (A)When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, (B)knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see (C)the Son of Man (D)ascending to (E)where he was before? 63 (F)It is the Spirit who gives life; (G)the flesh is no help at all. (H)The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But (I)there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus (J)knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and (K)who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you (L)that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 (M)After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to (N)the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have (O)the words of eternal life, 69 and (P)we have believed, and have come to know, that (Q)you are (R)the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, (S)“Did I not choose you, (T)the twelve? And yet one of you is (U)a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas (V)the son of Simon Iscariot, for (W)he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

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Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples(A) said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”(B)

61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?(C) 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man(D) ascend to where he was before!(E) 63 The Spirit gives life;(F) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known(G) from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.(H) 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”(I)

66 From this time many of his disciples(J) turned back and no longer followed him.

67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.(K)

68 Simon Peter answered him,(L) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.(M) 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”(N)

70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you,(O) the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”(P) 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot,(Q) who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)(R)

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Footnotes

  1. John 6:63 Or are Spirit; or are spirit

Remember (A)your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and (B)imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is (C)the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be (D)led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, (E)not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar (F)from which those who serve the tent[a] have no right to eat. 11 For (G)the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned (H)outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also (I)suffered (J)outside the gate in order to sanctify the people (K)through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear (L)the reproach he endured. 14 For (M)here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 (N)Through him then let us continually offer up (O)a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, (P)the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and (Q)to share what you have, for such (R)sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey (S)your leaders and submit to them, (T)for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to (U)give an account. (V)Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 (W)Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order (X)that I may be restored to you the sooner.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 13:10 Or tabernacle

Remember your leaders,(A) who spoke the word of God(B) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate(C) their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.(D)

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.(E) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened(F) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,(G) which is of no benefit to those who do so.(H) 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle(I) have no right to eat.(J)

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,(K) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.(L) 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate(M) to make the people holy(N) through his own blood.(O) 13 Let us, then, go to him(P) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.(Q) 14 For here we do not have an enduring city,(R) but we are looking for the city that is to come.(S)

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice(T) of praise—the fruit of lips(U) that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others,(V) for with such sacrifices(W) God is pleased.

17 Have confidence in your leaders(X) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you(Y) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

18 Pray for us.(Z) We are sure that we have a clear conscience(AA) and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.(AB)

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