Reproaches to Unrepentant Towns. ^20 (A)Then he began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon,^[a] they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.^{(B) 22} But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ^23 [b]And as for you, Capernaum:

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”^(D)

^26 [a](A)If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins ²⁷ but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.^{(B) 28} Anyone who rejects the law of Moses^[b] is put to death without pity on the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{(C) 29} Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?^(D)

Chapter 3

Power of the Tongue.^{[a] 1} Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,

Chapter 3

Qualifications of Various Ministers. ^1 [a]This saying is trustworthy:^[b] whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.^{(A) 2} Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.^{(B) 4} He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; ⁵ for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? ⁶ He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil’s punishment.^{[c] 7} He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap.^(C)

⁴⁷ That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely;^{(A) 48} and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

Jesus: A Cause of Division.^[a]