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

Claudius Lysias to His Excellency Governor ¹  Felix, ²  greetings.

But Paul replied, ¹  “I have not lost my mind, most excellent Festus, ²  but am speaking ³  true and rational ⁴  words.

Thus he became ¹  so far better than the angels as ²  he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

So ¹  it seemed good to me as well, ²  because I have followed ³  all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account ⁴  for you, most excellent Theophilus,

Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him for his surpassing greatness!

Have I not written thirty sayings ¹  for you, sayings ²  of counsel and knowledge,

Most excellent Felix, ¹  we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way ²  with all gratitude. ³ 

But ¹  now Jesus ²  has obtained a superior ministry, since ³  the covenant that he mediates is also better and is enacted ⁴  on better promises. ⁵ 

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

This also comes from the Lord who commands armies, who gives supernatural guidance and imparts great wisdom. ¹ 

Solomon’s ¹  Most Excellent ²  Love Song. ³ 

As for God’s chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much ¹  –

Excessive ¹  speech ²  is not becoming for a fool; ³  how much less are lies ⁴  for a ruler! ⁵ 

Sing to the Lord, for he has done magnificent things, let this be known ¹  throughout the earth!

O Lord, our Lord, ¹  how magnificent ²  is your reputation ³  throughout the earth! ⁴ 

You shine brightly and reveal your majesty, as you descend from the hills where you killed your prey. ¹ 

so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,

and know his will ¹  and approve the superior things because you receive instruction from the law, ² 

I have heard about you, how there is a spirit of the gods in you, and how you have ¹  insight, discernment, and extraordinary wisdom.