The Place of Sacrifice

17 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. If any one of the house of Israel (A)kills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp, and (B)does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man (C)shall be cut off from among his people. This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice (D)in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them (E)as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord. And the priest shall (F)throw the blood on the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat (G)for a pleasing aroma to the Lord. So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they (H)whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

“And you shall say to them, Any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who (I)offers a burnt offering or sacrifice and (J)does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it to the Lord, (K)that man shall be cut off from his people.

Laws Against Eating Blood

10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them (L)eats any blood, I will (M)set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. 11 (N)For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar (O)to make atonement for your souls, (P)for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall (Q)pour out its blood and (R)cover it with earth. 14 For the life of every creature[a] is its (S)blood: its blood is its life.[b] Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off. 15 (T)And every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, (U)whether he is a native or a sojourner, (V)shall wash his clothes and (W)bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean. 16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, (X)he shall bear his iniquity.”

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Footnotes

  1. Leviticus 17:14 Hebrew all flesh
  2. Leviticus 17:14 Hebrew it is in its life

Eating Blood Forbidden

17 The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and his sons(A) and to all the Israelites and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: Any Israelite who sacrifices an ox,[a] a lamb(B) or a goat(C) in the camp or outside of it instead of bringing it to the entrance to the tent of meeting(D) to present it as an offering to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord(E)—that person shall be considered guilty of bloodshed; they have shed blood and must be cut off from their people.(F) This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the Lord, at the entrance to the tent of meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings.(G) The priest is to splash the blood against the altar(H) of the Lord(I) at the entrance to the tent of meeting and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(J) They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols[b](K) to whom they prostitute themselves.(L) This is to be a lasting ordinance(M) for them and for the generations to come.’(N)

“Say to them: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice and does not bring it to the entrance to the tent(O) of meeting(P) to sacrifice it to the Lord(Q) must be cut off from the people of Israel.

10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood,(R) and I will cut them off from the people. 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood,(S) and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.[c](T) 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth,(U) 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”(V)

15 “‘Anyone, whether native-born or foreigner, who eats anything(W) found dead or torn by wild animals(X) must wash their clothes and bathe with water,(Y) and they will be ceremonially unclean till evening;(Z) then they will be clean. 16 But if they do not wash their clothes and bathe themselves, they will be held responsible.(AA)’”

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Footnotes

  1. Leviticus 17:3 The Hebrew word can refer to either male or female.
  2. Leviticus 17:7 Or the demons
  3. Leviticus 17:11 Or atonement by the life in the blood

The Shunammite's Land Restored

Now Elisha had said to the woman (A)whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord (B)has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for (C)seven years.” So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. Now the king was talking with (D)Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” And while he was telling the king how (E)Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”

Hazael Murders Ben-hadad

Now Elisha came to (F)Damascus. (G)Ben-hadad the king of Syria was sick. And when it was told him, “The man of God has come here,” the king said to (H)Hazael, (I)“Take a present with you and go to meet the man of God, (J)and inquire of the Lord through him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’” So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, all kinds of goods of Damascus, forty camels' loads. When he came and stood before him, he said, (K)“Your son Ben-hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’” 10 And Elisha said to him, (L)“Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover,’ but[a] the Lord has shown me that (M)he shall certainly die.” 11 And he fixed his gaze and stared at him, (N)until he was embarrassed. And the man of God wept. 12 And Hazael said, “Why does my lord weep?” He answered, “Because I know (O)the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set on fire their fortresses, and you will kill their young men with the sword (P)and dash in pieces their little ones and rip open their pregnant women.” 13 And Hazael said, “What is your servant, (Q)who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” Elisha answered, (R)“The Lord has shown me that you are to be king over Syria.” 14 Then he departed from Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he answered, “He told me (S)that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day he took the bed cloth[b] and dipped it in water and spread it over his face, till he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

Jehoram Reigns in Judah

16 In the fifth year of (T)Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah,[c] Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, began to reign. 17 He was (U)thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for (V)the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 19 Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, (W)since he promised to give (X)a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

20 In his days Edom revolted from the rule of Judah and set up (Y)a king of their own. 21 Then Joram[d] passed over to Zair with all his chariots and rose by night, and he and his chariot commanders struck the Edomites who had surrounded him, but his army (Z)fled home. 22 (AA)So Edom revolted from the rule of Judah to this day. Then (AB)Libnah revolted at the same time. 23 Now the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 24 So Joram slept with his fathers and was buried (AC)with his fathers in the city of David, and (AD)Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 8:10 Some manuscripts say, ‘You shall certainly not recover,’ for
  2. 2 Kings 8:15 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  3. 2 Kings 8:16 Septuagint, Syriac lack when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah
  4. 2 Kings 8:21 Joram is an alternate spelling of Jehoram (the son of Jehoshaphat) as in verse 16; also verses 23, 24

The Shunammite’s Land Restored

Now Elisha had said to the woman(A) whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine(B) in the land that will last seven years.”(C) The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years.

At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.” Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored(D) the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land.

Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” The king asked the woman about it, and she told him.

Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”

Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad

Elisha went to Damascus,(E) and Ben-Hadad(F) king of Aram was ill. When the king was told, “The man of God has come all the way up here,” he said to Hazael,(G) “Take a gift(H) with you and go to meet the man of God. Consult(I) the Lord through him; ask him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him as a gift forty camel-loads of all the finest wares of Damascus. He went in and stood before him, and said, “Your son Ben-Hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

10 Elisha answered, “Go and say to him, ‘You will certainly recover.’(J) Nevertheless,[a] the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact die.” 11 He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael was embarrassed.(K) Then the man of God began to weep.(L)

12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael.

“Because I know the harm(M) you will do to the Israelites,” he answered. “You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash(N) their little children(O) to the ground, and rip open(P) their pregnant women.”

13 Hazael said, “How could your servant, a mere dog,(Q) accomplish such a feat?”

“The Lord has shown me that you will become king(R) of Aram,” answered Elisha.

14 Then Hazael left Elisha and returned to his master. When Ben-Hadad asked, “What did Elisha say to you?” Hazael replied, “He told me that you would certainly recover.” 15 But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died.(S) Then Hazael succeeded him as king.

Jehoram King of Judah(T)

16 In the fifth year of Joram(U) son of Ahab king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram(V) son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. 17 He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. 18 He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter(W) of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. 19 Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy(X) Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp(Y) for David and his descendants forever.

20 In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah and set up its own king.(Z) 21 So Jehoram[b] went to Zair with all his chariots. The Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, but he rose up and broke through by night; his army, however, fled back home. 22 To this day Edom has been in rebellion(AA) against Judah. Libnah(AB) revolted at the same time.

23 As for the other events of Jehoram’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 24 Jehoram rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the City of David. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Kings 8:10 The Hebrew may also be read Go and say, ‘You will certainly not recover,’ for.
  2. 2 Kings 8:21 Hebrew Joram, a variant of Jehoram; also in verses 23 and 24

Judah's Captivity Symbolized

12 The word of the Lord came to me: (A)“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of (B)a rebellious house, (C)who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are (D)a rebellious house. As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself (E)an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day (F)in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place (G)in their sight. (H)Perhaps they will understand, though[a] they are a rebellious house. You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself (I)at evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. In their sight (J)dig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you (K)a sign for the house of Israel.”

(L)And I did as I was commanded. (M)I brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight.

In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: (N)“Son of man, has not the house of Israel, (O)the rebellious house, said to you, (P)‘What are you doing?’ 10 Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: This oracle concerns[b] (Q)the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.’[c] 11 Say, (R)‘I am a sign for you: (S)as I have done, so shall it be done to them. They shall go into exile, into captivity.’ 12 (T)And the prince who is among them shall lift his baggage upon his shoulder at dusk, and shall go out. (U)They shall dig through the wall to bring him out through it. (V)He shall cover his face, that he may not see the land with his eyes. 13 (W)And I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And (X)I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, (Y)yet he shall not see it, and he shall die there. 14 (Z)And I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops, (AA)and I will unsheathe the sword after them. 15 (AB)And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16 (AC)But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, (AD)and may know that I am the Lord.”

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Footnotes

  1. Ezekiel 12:3 Or will see that
  2. Ezekiel 12:10 Or This burden is
  3. Ezekiel 12:10 Hebrew in the midst of them

The Exile Symbolized

12 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people.(A) They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.(B)

“Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps(C) they will understand,(D) though they are a rebellious people.(E) During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile.(F) While they watch, dig through the wall(G) and take your belongings out through it. Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign(H) to the Israelites.”

So I did as I was commanded.(I) During the day I brought out my things packed for exile. Then in the evening I dug through the wall with my hands. I took my belongings out at dusk, carrying them on my shoulders while they watched.

In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, did not the Israelites, that rebellious people, ask you, ‘What are you doing?’(J)

10 “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This prophecy concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the Israelites who are there.’ 11 Say to them, ‘I am a sign(K) to you.’

“As I have done, so it will be done to them. They will go into exile as captives.(L)

12 “The prince among them will put his things on his shoulder at dusk(M) and leave, and a hole will be dug in the wall for him to go through. He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.(N) 13 I will spread my net(O) for him, and he will be caught in my snare;(P) I will bring him to Babylonia, the land of the Chaldeans,(Q) but he will not see(R) it, and there he will die.(S) 14 I will scatter to the winds all those around him—his staff and all his troops—and I will pursue them with drawn sword.(T)

15 “They will know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations(U) and scatter them through the countries. 16 But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the Lord.(V)

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Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

A Psalm.

98 Oh sing to the Lord (A)a new song,
    for he has done (B)marvelous things!
His (C)right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has (D)made known his salvation;
    he has (E)revealed his righteousness in (F)the sight of the nations.
He has (G)remembered his (H)steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All (I)the ends of the earth have seen
    (J)the salvation of our God.

(K)Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    (L)break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the (M)sound of melody!
With (N)trumpets and the sound of (O)the horn
    (P)make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

(Q)Let the sea roar, and (R)all that fills it;
    (S)the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers (T)clap their hands;
    let (U)the hills sing for joy together
before the Lord, for he comes
    to (V)judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

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Psalm 98

A psalm.

Sing to the Lord(A) a new song,(B)
    for he has done marvelous things;(C)
his right hand(D) and his holy arm(E)
    have worked salvation(F) for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known(G)
    and revealed his righteousness(H) to the nations.(I)
He has remembered(J) his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth(K) have seen
    the salvation of our God.(L)

Shout for joy(M) to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,(N)
    with the harp and the sound of singing,(O)
with trumpets(P) and the blast of the ram’s horn(Q)
    shout for joy(R) before the Lord, the King.(S)

Let the sea(T) resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.(U)
Let the rivers clap their hands,(V)
    let the mountains(W) sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.(X)

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Women Accompanying Jesus

Soon afterward he went on (A)through cities and villages, proclaiming and (B)bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also (C)some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: (D)Mary, called Magdalene, (E)from whom seven demons had gone out, and (F)Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them[a] out of their means.

The Parable of the Sower

(G)And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, (H)“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, (I)it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among (J)thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded (K)a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, (L)“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 8:3 Some manuscripts him

The Parable of the Sower(A)

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.(B) The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene)(C) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s(D) household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”(E)

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Paul's Change of Plans

12 For our boast is this, (A)the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity[a] and (B)godly sincerity, (C)not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did (D)partially understand us—that (E)on the day of our Lord Jesus (F)you will boast of us as (G)we will boast of you.

15 Because I was sure of this, (H)I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have (I)a second (J)experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you (K)on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans (L)according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as (M)God is faithful, (N)our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For (O)the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, (P)Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but (Q)in him it is always Yes. 20 For (R)all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our (S)Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and (T)has anointed us, 22 and who has also (U)put his seal on us and (V)given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.[b]

23 But (W)I call God to witness against me—it was (X)to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we (Y)lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm (Z)in your faith.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Some manuscripts holiness
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:22 Or down payment

Paul’s Change of Plans

12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience(A) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[a](B) and godly sincerity.(C) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom(D) but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.(E)

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you(F) first so that you might benefit twice.(G) 16 I wanted to visit you on my way(H) to Macedonia(I) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way(J) to Judea.(K) 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner(L) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

18 But as surely as God is faithful,(M) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God,(N) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[b](O) and Timothy(P)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always(Q) been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises(R) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”(S) is spoken by us to the glory of God.(T) 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm(U) in Christ. He anointed(V) us, 22 set his seal(W) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(X)

23 I call God as my witness(Y)—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you(Z) that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over(AA) your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.(AB)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Many manuscripts holiness
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas