⁹ For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ^(A)‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’ ”

Avoid Divisive Persons

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brethren, note those ^(A)who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and ^(B)avoid them.

^14 (A)You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

Love and Joy Perfected

⁹ “As the Father ^(A)loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ^10 (B)If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

^17 (A)If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

²¹ and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, ²² but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the ^(A)place of which the Lord said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water,” your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’ ”

The Message of the Man of God

13 And behold, ^(A)a man of God went from Judah to Bethel ^[a]by the word of the Lord, ^(B)and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

²² So Samuel said: