⁹ Another reason I wrote you^(A) was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.^{(B) 10} Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan^(C) might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.^(D)

¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(A) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(B) against the powers^(C) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^(D)

² Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers,^(A) saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub,^(B) the god of Ekron,^(C) to see if I will recover^(D) from this injury.”

³ But the angel^(E) of the Lord said to Elijah^(F) the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel^(G) that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’