Book of Common Prayer

And We Thank God You Accepted Our Message As God’s Word, Even Amidst Persecution

¹³ And for this^[a] reason we are indeed^[b] giving-thanks to God unceasingly: because having received the word of God heard from us^[c], you accepted not the word of humans, but, as it truly is, the word of God, which also is at-work^[d] in you, the ones believing. ¹⁴ For you became imitators, brothers, of the churches of God existing in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you also suffered the same things by your own countrymen as they also by the Jews— ¹⁵ the ones also^[e] having killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and having driven us out, and not being pleasing to God, and being contrary^[f] to all people, ¹⁶ forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles in order that they might be saved, so that they fill-up^[g] the measure of their sins always. But the wrath^[h] came^[i] upon them to the uttermost^[j].

We Sent Timothy To Establish You Amidst Your Afflictions, And That I Might Know Your Faith

¹⁷ And we, brothers, having been orphaned from you for a season of an hour in face, not in heart, were more eager^[k] with great desire to see your face. ¹⁸ Because we wanted^[l] to come to you— I, Paul, both once and twice^[m]— and Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what^[n] is our hope or joy or crown of boasting— or is it not indeed you!— before our Lord Jesus at His coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

Some Say Do Not Murder. I Say Do Not Get Angry

²¹ “You heard that it was said to^[a] the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder’, and ‘Whoever murders shall be liable^[b] to the judgment’. ²² But I say to you that everyone being angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca’^[c], shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. And whoever says, ‘Fool’^[d], shall be liable to the Gehenna^[e] of ^[f] fire. ²³ Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then, having come, be offering your gift. ²⁵ Be settling with your adversary quickly— until^[g] you are with him on the way [to court]— that your adversary might not perhaps hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I say to you, you will by no means come out from there until you pay the last quadrans^[h].