³ Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

³² They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

God’s Judgment of Sin

2 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.

³ When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”

³³ Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?

⁵⁸ After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

⁵³ Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands^[a] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

¹⁹ “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”

As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

¹⁸ For the king of Israel disregarded his treaty and broke it after swearing to obey; therefore, he will not escape.