Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs^(A) of Solomon:^(B)

Jesus Arrested^(A)

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas,^(B) one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”^(C) and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”^[a](D)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,^(E) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.^(F)

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.^{(G) 53} Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?^{(H) 54} But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled^(I) that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,^(J) and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”^(K) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Slaves to Righteousness

¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?^(A) By no means! ¹⁶ Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey^(B)—whether you are slaves to sin,^(C) which leads to death,^(D) or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God^(E) that, though you used to be slaves to sin,^(F) you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching^(G) that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin^(H) and have become slaves to righteousness.^(I)

¹⁹ I am using an example from everyday life^(J) because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness^(K) leading to holiness. ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin,^(L) you were free from the control of righteousness.^{(M) 21} What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!^{(N) 22} But now that you have been set free from sin^(O) and have become slaves of God,^(P) the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.^{(Q) 23} For the wages of sin is death,^(R) but the gift of God is eternal life^(S) in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.