Consequently ¹  God sends on them a deluding influence ²  so that they will believe what is false.

if I have raised my hand ¹  to vote against the orphan, when I saw my support in the court, ² 

The man became wealthy. ¹  His influence continued to grow ²  until he became very prominent.

He had 700 royal wives ¹  and 300 concubines; ²  his wives had a powerful influence over him. ³ 

“How much less, ¹  then, can I answer him ²  and choose my words ³  to argue ⁴  with ⁵  him! ⁶ 

Your eyes will see strange things, ¹  and your mind will speak perverse things.

Sorrow ¹  is better than laughter, because sober reflection ²  is good for the heart. ³ 

So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Your wickedness affects only ¹  a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people. ² 

I have seen ruthless evil men ¹  growing in influence, like a green tree grows in its native soil. ² 

A city is exalted by the blessing provided from ¹  the upright, but it is destroyed by the counsel ²  of the wicked. ³ 

He said to them, “How then does David by the Spirit call him ‘Lord,’ saying,

Therefore many of them believed, along with quite a few ¹  prominent ²  Greek women and men.

My brothers and sisters, ¹  do not show prejudice ²  if you possess faith ³  in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ 

Mordecai was of high rank ¹  in the king’s palace, and word about him was spreading throughout all the provinces. His influence ²  continued to become greater and greater.

He generously gives ¹  to the needy; his integrity endures. ²  He will be vindicated and honored. ³ 

However, Ahikam son of Shaphan ¹  used his influence to keep Jeremiah from being handed over and executed by the people. ² 

Mourn for that nation, all you nations living around it, all of you nations that know of its fame. ¹  Mourn and say, ‘Alas, its powerful influence has been broken! Its glory and power have been done away!’ ² 

Then ¹  he looked up ²  at his disciples and said: “Blessed ³  are you who are poor, ⁴  for the kingdom of God belongs ⁵  to you.

Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ¹