An honorable man makes honorable plans; his honorable character gives him security. ¹ 

A fool will no longer be called honorable; a deceiver will no longer be called principled.

Think about the circumstances of your call, ¹  brothers and sisters. ²  Not many were wise by human standards, ³  not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. ⁴ 

It is terrible ¹  to punish ²  a righteous person, and to flog ³  honorable men is wrong. ⁴ 

and the rest of nations whom the great and noble Ashurbanipal ¹  deported and settled in the cities ²  of Samaria and other places in Trans-Euphrates. ³ 

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

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

Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to? ¹ 

Then let this clothing and this horse be given to one of the king’s noble officials. Let him ¹  then clothe the man whom the king wishes to honor, and let him lead him about through the plaza of the city on the horse, calling ²  before him, ‘So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!’”

These Jews ¹  were more open-minded ²  than those in Thessalonica, ³  for they eagerly ⁴  received ⁵  the message, examining ⁶  the scriptures carefully every day ⁷  to see if these things were so.

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

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

This saying ¹  is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, ²  he desires a good work.”

Who can find ²  a wife ³  of noble character? ⁴  For her value ⁵  is far more than rubies.

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, ¹  and your princes feast at the proper time ²  – with self-control and not in drunkenness. ³ 

I planted you in the land like a special vine of the very best stock. Why in the world have you turned into something like a wild vine that produces rotten, foul-smelling grapes? ¹ 

In a good field, by abundant waters, it was planted to grow branches, bear fruit, and become a beautiful vine.

And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger!

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

Then the survivors ¹  came down ²  to the mighty ones; ³  the Lord’s people came down to me ⁴  as ⁵  warriors.