choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure.

“How much less, ¹  then, can I answer him ²  and choose my words ³  to argue ⁴  with ⁵  him! ⁶ 

I will rescue ¹  you from your own people ²  and from the Gentiles, to whom ³  I am sending you

So then, ¹  it does not depend on human desire or exertion, ²  but on God who shows mercy.

So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Is it your opinion ¹  that God ²  should recompense it, because you reject this? ³  But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know.

Though all the nations follow their respective gods, ¹  we will follow ²  the Lord our God forever.

But what if God, willing to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects ¹  of wrath ²  prepared for destruction? ³ 

And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, ¹  make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. ²  For by doing this ³  you will never ⁴  stumble into sin. ⁵ 

The one who rejects me and does not accept ¹  my words has a judge; ²  the word ³  I have spoken will judge him at the last day.

But now your kingdom will not continue! The Lord has sought out ¹  for himself a man who is loyal to him ²  and the Lord has appointed ³  him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the Lord commanded you.”

Saul became angry with Jonathan ¹  and said to him, “You stupid traitor! ²  Don’t I realize that to your own disgrace and to the disgrace of your mother’s nakedness you have chosen this son of Jesse?

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month (a date he had arbitrarily chosen) ¹  Jeroboam ²  offered sacrifices on the altar he had made in Bethel. ³  He inaugurated a festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to offer sacrifices.