If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid ¹  the profane chatter and absurdities ²  of so-called “knowledge.” ³ 

He ¹  opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat ²  in God’s temple, displaying himself as God. ³ 

Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, the father of those who live in Ge Harashim, who were craftsmen. ¹ 

I will denounce your so-called righteousness and your deeds, ¹  but they will not help you.

Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all. ¹ 

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh – who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body ¹  by human hands –

and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;

He shatters the great without inquiry, ¹  and sets up others in their place.

I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments ¹  that sound reasonable. ² 

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching ¹  (who have not learned the so-called “deep secrets ²  of Satan”), to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you.

For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise, he is more awesome than ¹  all gods.

He catches ¹  the wise in their own craftiness, ²  and the counsel of the cunning ³  is brought to a quick end. ⁴ 

For now ¹  you have become like these streams that are no help; ²  you see a terror, ³  and are afraid.

So how can you console me with your futile words? Nothing is left of your answers but deception!” ¹ 

For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise; he is more awesome than all gods. ¹ 

Surely ¹  I am more brutish ²  than any other human being, ³  and I do not have human understanding; ⁴ 

But ¹  indeed, ²  some are last ³  who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

if somehow I could provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them.

But you should be eager for the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison. ¹