Book of Common Prayer

¹³ And here is another reason why we always thank God all the time. When you heard God's word from us, you did not say, `That is men's word.' But you said, `That is God's word.' And it really is God's word. The word is working in you Christians.

¹⁴ My brothers, you were like the churches of God in Judea which belong to Christ Jesus. The people of your own country troubled you in the same way that the Jews troubled them.

¹⁵ The Jewish leaders killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets. And they drove us out of their country. They do not please God and they are against all other people.

¹⁶ They try to stop us from talking to those people who are not Jews. They do not want them to be saved. So they are always doing wrong things. And now at last, God has become very angry with them. have been away from you for a short time in body, but not in heart. We wanted very much to see you face to face, and we tried hard to come.

¹⁷ We wanted to come to you. Twice, I, Paul, wanted to come. But Satan stopped us.

¹⁸ What is our hope when our Lord Jesus comes? What will make us happy and proud then? It is you people!

¹⁹ You are ones of whom we are proud. You make us happy.

²¹ `You have heard this said to men long ago, "Do not kill. Anyone who kills will be judged in court."

²² `But I tell you this. Anyone who is angry with his brother without having a good reason, will be judged in court. Anyone who says wrong things to his brother will be judged for it in the big court. Anyone who says "You fool!" will be judged to go into hell fire.

²³ `Perhaps you are bringing your gift to God at his altar. There you remember that your brother has something against you.

²⁴ If so, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go to your brother and make things right with him. Then come and give your gift to God.

²⁵ `If someone wants to take you to court, make an agreement with him quickly on the way. If you do not, he will take you to the judge. The judge will give you to the guard, and the guard will put you in prison.

²⁶ I tell you the truth, you will not get out of prison until you have paid every piece of money.'