Deacons likewise must be dignified, ¹  not two-faced, ²  not given to excessive drinking, ³  not greedy for gain,

If then I am in the wrong ¹  and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, ²  but if not one of their charges against me is true, ³  no one can hand me over to them. ⁴  I appeal to Caesar!” ⁵ 

He also said, “Worthy of praise is ¹  the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem! ² 

Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price ¹  of wisdom is more than pearls. ² 

For ¹  the Lord’s decrees ²  are just, ³  and everything he does is fair. ⁴ 

Listen, for I will speak excellent things, ¹  and my lips will utter ²  what is right.

Many people profess their loyalty, ¹  but a faithful person ²  – who can find? ³ 

In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad ¹  tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit.

You have heard the blasphemy! What is your verdict?” ¹  They all condemned him as deserving death.

But the Lord said to him, ‘Take the sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. ¹ 

Though ¹  they found ²  no basis ³  for a death sentence, ⁴  they asked Pilate to have him executed.

This saying ¹  is trustworthy: ²  If we died with him, we will also live with him.

I have competed well; ¹  I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? ¹ 

Although they fully know ¹  God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, ²  they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them. ³ 

By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, ¹  you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ² 

How much greater punishment do you think that person deserves who has contempt for ¹  the Son of God, and profanes ²  the blood of the covenant that made him holy, ³  and insults the Spirit of grace?

Otherwise the blood avenger will chase after the killer in the heat of his anger, eventually overtake him, ¹  and kill him, ²  though this is not a capital case ³  since he did not hate him at the time of the accident.

This failure on your part isn’t good! ¹  As surely as the Lord lives, you people who have not protected your lord, the Lord’s chosen one, are as good as dead! ²  Now look where the king’s spear and the jug of water that was by his head are!”