Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹  to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!

Do not address an older man harshly ¹  but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, ² 

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹  bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly.

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.

Now I, Paul, appeal to you ¹  personally ²  by the meekness and gentleness ³  of Christ (I who am meek ⁴  when present among ⁵  you, but am full of courage ⁶  toward you when away!) –

If I am guilty, ¹  why then ²  weary myself ³  in vain? ⁴ 

Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted ¹  to release Jesus.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹  by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree together, ²  to end your divisions, ³  and to be united by the same mind and purpose. ⁴ 

I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say.

I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.

Dear friends, although I have been eager to write to you ¹  about our common salvation, I now feel compelled ²  instead to write to encourage ³  you to contend earnestly ⁴  for the faith ⁵  that was once for all ⁶  entrusted to the saints. ⁷ 

Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive ¹  become queen in place of Vashti.” This seemed like a good idea to the king, ²  so he acted accordingly.

Finally, brothers and sisters, ¹  rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you:

“But ²  as for me, ³  I would seek ⁴  God, ⁵  and to God ⁶  I would set forth my case. ⁷ 

and ¹  he contends with God on behalf of man as a man ²  pleads ³  for his friend.

The Lord has heard my appeal for mercy; the Lord has accepted ¹  my prayer.

Listen to my appeal for mercy! ¹  Deliver me, as you promised. ² 

I spoke to the prophets; I myself revealed many visions; ¹  I spoke in parables ²  through ³  the prophets.”

And in this way, ¹  with many other exhortations, John ²  proclaimed good news to the people.