The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, ¹  but the righteous person is as confident ²  as a lion.

A wicked person ¹  shows boldness with his face, ²  but as for the upright, ³  he discerns ⁴  his ways.

And Isaiah is even bold enough to say, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.” ¹ 

So, although I have quite a lot of confidence in Christ and could command you to do what is proper,

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!) –

now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving ¹  according to human standards. ² 

(To my disgrace ¹  I must say that we were too weak for that!) ²  But whatever anyone else dares to boast about ³  (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing. ⁴ 

When ¹  I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me. ² 

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, ¹ 

and most of the brothers and sisters, ¹  having confidence in the Lord ²  because of my imprisonment, now more than ever ³  dare to speak the word ⁴  fearlessly.

So she grabbed him and kissed him, and with a bold expression ¹  she said to him,

“‘How sick is your heart, declares the sovereign Lord, when you perform all of these acts, the deeds of a bold prostitute.

Dear friends, if our conscience does not condemn us, we have confidence in the presence of God,

especially those who indulge their fleshly desires ¹  and who despise authority. Brazen and insolent, ²  they are not afraid to insult ³  the glorious ones, ⁴ 

Toward the end of their rule, when rebellious acts ¹  are complete, a rash ²  and deceitful ³  king will arise. ⁴ 

But I have written more boldly to you on some points so as to remind you, because of the grace given to me by God

“‘After all of your evil – “Woe! Woe to you!” declares the sovereign Lord –

When ¹  Jesus ²  saw their ³  faith he said, “Friend, ⁴  your sins are forgiven.” ⁵ 

See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand!

But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, ¹  as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God ²  in spite of much opposition.