For they loved praise ¹  from men more than praise ²  from God.

For by it the people of old ¹  received God’s commendation. ² 

“I do not accept ¹  praise ²  from people, ³ 

And these all were commended ¹  for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. ² 

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, ¹  or of God? Or am I trying to please people? ²  If I were still trying to please ³  people, ⁴  I would not be a slave ⁵  of Christ!

Better is open ¹  rebuke than hidden ²  love.

For there is no partiality with God.

The priest said to them, “Go with confidence. ¹  The Lord will be with you on your mission.” ² 

For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people. ¹ 

For there must in fact be divisions among you, so that those of you who are approved may be evident. 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 

(for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation,

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith ¹  he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith ²  he still speaks, though he is dead.

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission ¹  no one ²  will move his hand or his foot ³  in all the land of Egypt.”

“Woe to you ¹  when all people ²  speak well of you, for their ancestors ³  did the same things to the false prophets.

So you testify that you approve of ¹  the deeds of your ancestors, ²  because they killed the prophets ³  and you build their ⁴  tombs! ⁵ 

And when the blood of your witness ¹  Stephen was shed, ²  I myself was standing nearby, approving, ³  and guarding the cloaks ⁴  of those who were killing him.’ ⁵ 

Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you ¹  and give you peace.”’