Whoever tries to keep ¹  his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life ²  will preserve it.

If ¹  anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths ²  and completely consumes ³  their enemies. If ⁴  anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed this way.

For the ear assesses ¹  words as the mouth ²  tastes food.

For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’ ¹ 

The Levites must surround the king. Each of you must hold his weapon in his hand. Whoever tries to enter the temple ¹  must be killed. You must accompany the king wherever he goes.” ² 

Honesty has disappeared; the one who tries to avoid evil is robbed. The Lord watches and is displeased, ¹  for there is no justice.

But if he should nullify them after he has heard them, then he will bear her iniquity.” ¹ 

A quick-tempered person ¹  stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger ²  calms ³  a quarrel. ⁴ 

The crucible ¹  is for refining ²  silver and the furnace ³  is for gold, likewise ⁴  the Lord tests ⁵  hearts.

All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, ¹  but the Lord evaluates ²  the motives. ³ 

The stingy person ¹  hastens after riches and does not know that poverty will overtake him. ² 

Many people seek the face ¹  of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one receives justice. ² 

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ ¹  or ‘There he is!’ do not believe him.

The one who is spiritual discerns ¹  all things, yet he himself is understood ²  by no one.

May the evil deeds of the wicked ¹  come to an end! ²  But make the innocent ³  secure, ⁴  O righteous God, you who examine ⁵  inner thoughts and motives! ⁶ 

“Bring a plan, make a decision! ¹  Provide some shade in the middle of the day! ²  Hide the fugitives! Do not betray ³  the one who tries to escape!

If anyone dares to ¹  challenge you, it will not be my doing! Whoever tries to challenge you will be defeated. ² 

Then ¹  if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ ²  or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe him.

“The law and the prophets were in force ¹  until John; ²  since then, ³  the good news of the kingdom of God ⁴  has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it. ⁵ 

At that time Joshua made this solemn declaration: ¹  “The man who attempts to rebuild ²  this city of Jericho ³  will stand condemned before the Lord. ⁴  He will lose his firstborn son when he lays its foundations and his youngest son when he erects its gates!” ⁵