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From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”
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He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
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The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
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“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
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“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
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So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—
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He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.
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Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
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He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
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The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.
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Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
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Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
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Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
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Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
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Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
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Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper
Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
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Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
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Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
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Do Everything Without Grumbling
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
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Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
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Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—
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Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation.
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And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
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You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
