Book of Common Prayer

¹⁷ These ones are waterless springs, and mists being driven by a storm, for whom the gloom of the darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For while uttering pompous^[a] words of ^[b] futility^[c], they entice by the desires of the flesh, by^[d] sensualities, the ones barely^[e] escaping-from the ones living in error, ¹⁹ promising them freedom, themselves being slaves of corruption. For by what one has been defeated, by this he has been enslaved.

Their Slavery Now Is Worse Than Ever

²⁰ For if— having escaped-from the defilements of the world by the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and again having been entangled by these things— they^[f] are defeated, then the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than having known, to turn-back from the holy commandment having been delivered to them. ²² The thing of the true proverb has happened to them— “The dog having returned to its own vomit”, and, “The sow having washed herself returns to a wallowing of the mire”.

John The Baptist Asks, Are You The King? Jesus Points Him To His Works

² Now John^[a], having in prison heard-of the works of the Christ, having sent through his disciples, ³ said to Him, “Are You the One coming^[b], or should we be looking-for a different one?” ⁴ And having responded, Jesus said to them, “Having gone, report to John the things which you are hearing and seeing^[c]— ⁵ blind ones are seeing-again and lame ones are walking. Lepers are being cleansed and deaf ones are hearing. And dead ones are being raised and poor ones are having-good-news-announced^[d] to them. ⁶ And blessed is whoever does not take-offense^[e] in Me”.

Jesus Says John The Baptist Is The Fulfillment of The Prophecies of Malachi

⁷ And while these ones were proceeding, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John— “What^[f] did you go out into the wilderness to look-at? A reed being shaken by the wind? ⁸ But what did you go out to see? A man having been dressed in soft garments? Behold— the ones wearing the soft garments are in the houses of kings! ⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This one is about whom it has been written [in Mal 3:1]: ‘Behold— I am sending-forth My messenger ahead of Your presence, who will make Your way ready in front of You’. ¹¹ Truly I say to you, a greater^[g] one than John the Baptist has not arisen among ones born of women. But the least^[h] one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater^[i] than he. ¹² But the kingdom of the heavens is being treated-violently^[j] from the days of John the Baptist until now, and violent ones are snatching it away. ¹³ For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, he himself is Elijah— the one going-to^[k] come. ¹⁵ Let the one having ears hear^[l].