¹⁰ For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying ^(A)to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a ^(B)servant^[a] of Christ.

⁴ but just as we have been approved by God ^(A)to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not ^(B)to please man, but to please God ^(C)who tests our hearts.

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, ^(A)“We must obey God rather than men.

⁶ not by the way of eye-service, as ^(A)people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

^4 (A)You adulterous people!^[a] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? ^(B)Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

¹⁶ And they sent ^(A)their disciples to him, along with ^(B)the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, ^(C)we know that you are true and teach ^(D)the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for ^(E)you are not swayed by appearances.^[a]

²² Bondservants, obey ^(A)in everything those who are your earthly masters,^[a] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to ^(A)please him. ¹⁰ For ^(B)we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ^(C)so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Therefore, knowing ^(D)the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But ^(E)what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

²⁹ But a Jew is one ^(A)inwardly, and ^(B)circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. ^(C)His praise is not from man but from God.