It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all those who are descended from Israel are truly Israel, ¹ 

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless. ¹ 

What I am saying is this: The law that came four hundred thirty years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, ¹  so as to invalidate the promise.

But if we are afflicted, ¹  it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer.

But even if it were ¹  true that I have erred, ²  my error ³  remains solely my concern!

They acted like fools in their rebellious ways, ¹  and suffered because of their sins.

With pride ¹  comes only ²  contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised. ³ 

Plans ¹  are established by counsel, so ²  make war ³  with guidance.

For this reason the sovereign master, ¹  the Lord, says: “It will not take place; it will not happen.

I will angrily seek vengeance on the nations that do not obey me.” ¹ 

because these are days of vengeance, ¹  to fulfill ²  all that is written.

In this way the word of the Lord ¹  continued to grow in power ²  and to prevail. ³ 

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, ¹  about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. ² 

Reinforce ¹  these commands, ²  so that they will be beyond reproach.

And so by persevering, Abraham ¹  inherited the promise.

So even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. ¹ 

Do we then nullify ¹  the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead ²  we uphold the law.

For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified. ¹ 

and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty.