They turn to Baal; ¹  they are like an unreliable bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because their prayers to Baal ²  have made me angry. So people will disdain them in the land of Egypt. ³ 

“But you are profaning it by saying that the table of the Lord is common and its offerings ¹  despicable.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law ¹  and the Pharisees, ²  you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

For this reason I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, ¹  but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

and said, “I tell you the truth, ¹  unless you turn around and become like little children, ²  you will never ³  enter the kingdom of heaven!

He ¹  said to them, “Not everyone can accept this statement, except those to whom it has been given.

And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

He went away a second time and prayed, ¹  “My Father, if this cup ²  cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.”

“Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming! ¹  Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they perform a ritual washing, ¹  holding fast to the tradition of the elders.

And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved. But because of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut them ¹  short.

Nevertheless I must ¹  go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it is impossible ²  that a prophet should be killed ³  outside Jerusalem.’ ⁴ 

Jesus replied, ¹  “I tell you the solemn truth, ²  unless a person is born from above, ³  he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ⁴ 

Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, ¹  unless a person is born of water and spirit, ²  he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people ¹  see signs and wonders you will never believe!” ² 

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, ¹  and I will raise him up at the last day.

So Jesus added, ¹  “Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed him to come.” ² 

The thief comes only to steal and kill ¹  and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. ²