Are you so foolish? Although you began ¹  with ²  the Spirit, are you now trying to finish ³  by human effort? ⁴ 

in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

But reject those myths ¹  fit only for the godless and gullible, ²  and train yourself for godliness.

But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened.

But would you like evidence, ¹  you empty fellow, ²  that faith without works is useless? ³ 

He also built high places on the hills of Judah; he encouraged the residents of Jerusalem to be unfaithful to the Lord ¹  and led Judah away from the Lord. ² 

Surely ¹  one sees ²  that even wise people die; ³  fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away ⁴  and leave their wealth to others. ⁵ 

Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. ¹  Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. ² 

When Ephraim ¹  spoke, ²  there was terror; ³  he was exalted ⁴  in Israel, but he became guilty by worshiping Baal and died.

“Blessed are you when people ¹  insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely ²  on account of me.

But Jesus ¹  said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, ²  but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” ³ 

“All things are lawful for me” ¹  – but not everything is beneficial. “All things are lawful for me” – but I will not be controlled by anything.

So then, the one who marries ¹  his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better. ² 

If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.

Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. ¹  If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. ² 

For some of these insinuate themselves ¹  into households and captivate weak women ²  who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

It trains us ¹  to reject godless ways ²  and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

so that you may not be sluggish, ¹  but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.

But ¹  concerning the one who lacks such things ²  – he is blind. That is to say, he is ³  nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins.

Then the people ¹  of Judah and the people of Israel will be gathered together. They will appoint for themselves one leader, ²  and will flourish in the land. ³  Certainly, ⁴  the day of Jezreel will be great!