And he added, ¹  “I tell you the truth, ²  no prophet is acceptable ³  in his hometown.

but in every nation ¹  the person who fears him ²  and does what is right ³  is welcomed before him.

So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, ¹  by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God ²  – which is your reasonable service.

Is this really the kind of fasting I want? ¹  Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, ²  bowing their heads like a reed and stretching out ³  on sackcloth and ashes? Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the Lord?

if it is to be acceptable for your benefit ¹  it must be a flawless male from the cattle, sheep, or goats.

“‘If what is vowed is a kind of animal from which an offering may be presented ¹  to the Lord, anything which he gives to the Lord from this kind of animal ²  will be holy.

If what is vowed is an unclean animal from which an offering must not be presented to the Lord, then he must stand the animal before the priest,

to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, ¹  to console all who mourn,

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty ¹  toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. ²  For this is what pleases God. ³ 

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith ¹  he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith ²  he still speaks, though he is dead.

“‘When you sacrifice a peace offering sacrifice to the Lord, you must sacrifice it so that it is accepted for you. ¹ 

If, however, it is eaten ¹  on the third day, it is spoiled, ²  it will not be accepted,

Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged.” ¹ 

For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. ¹ 

He must lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted for him to make atonement ¹  on his behalf.

Of Asher he said: Asher is blessed with children, may he be favored by his brothers and may he dip his foot in olive oil. ¹ 

so that they may be offering incense to the God of heaven and may be praying for the good fortune of the king and his family. ¹ 

The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit ¹  – O God, a humble and repentant heart ²  you will not reject. ³ 

If a man presents a peace offering sacrifice to the Lord for a special votive offering ¹  or for a freewill offering from the herd or the flock, it must be flawless to be acceptable; ²  it must have no flaw. ³