Book of Common Prayer

¹³ We thank God without ceasing, because when you received from us the word whereby God was preached, you received it not as the word of man, but even as it was indeed: the word of God, which works in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brethren, took after the congregations of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. For you have suffered similar things from your countrymen as we ourselves have suffered from the Jews. ¹⁵ As they killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, even so have they persecuted us. And they do not please God, and are contrary to all men, ¹⁶ and oppose us preaching to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, to fulfil their sins always. For the wrath of God has come on them, even to the utmost.

¹⁷ But since, brethren, we have been kept from you for a season (as to bodily presence, but not in the heart), we tried all the more to see you personally, with great desire. ¹⁸ And therefore we would have gone to you – I, Paul, once and again – but Satan withstood us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? ²⁰ Yes, you are our pride and joy.

²¹ You have heard how it was said to the people of the old time, You shall not kill. For whosoever kills will be liable to judgment. ²² But I say to you, whosoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. Whosoever says to his brother, Racha! will be liable to a council. But whosoever says, You fool! will be liable to hell fire.

²³ Therefore, when you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you, ²⁴ leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way first and be reconciled to your brother; and then come and offer your gift.

²⁵ Reconcile with your adversary quickly while you are in the way with him, lest the adversary commit you to the judge, and the judge commit you to the officer, and then you be cast into prison. ²⁶ Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there till you have paid the last penny.