¹⁴ But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”^(A)

¹³ ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord^(A)—and I must say only what the Lord says’?^(B)

¹⁸ But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God.^(A)

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?^(A) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;^(A) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.^(B) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience^(C) in the sight of God.

¹⁷ Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.^(A) On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,^(B) as those sent from God.^(C)

²⁶ Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.^{(A) 27} For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.^(B)

¹⁷ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman^(A) for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.^{(B) 18} When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,^(C)’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for^[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.^{(D) 19} But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn^(E) from their wickedness^(F) or from their evil ways, they will die^(G) for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.^(H)

⁴ The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.^(A) Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’^{(B) 5} And whether they listen or fail to listen^(C)—for they are a rebellious people^(D)—they will know that a prophet has been among them.^{(E) 6} And you, son of man, do not be afraid^(F) of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns^(G) are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.^{(H) 7} You must speak^(I) my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.^{(J) 8} But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel^(K) like that rebellious people;^(L) open your mouth and eat^(M) what I give you.”