“Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? ¹ 

He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of their reproductive power. ¹ 

Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! ¹  Revive me with your word! ² 

We will swallow them alive ¹  like Sheol, ²  those full of vigor ³  like those going down to the Pit.

The glory ¹  of young men is their strength, and the splendor ²  of old men is gray hair. ³ 

Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. ¹ 

In the womb he attacked his brother; in his manly vigor he struggled ¹  with God.

But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

You be on guard against him ¹  too, because he vehemently opposed our words.

But the one who will rescue them ¹  is strong. He is known as the Lord who rules over all. ²  He will strongly ³  champion their cause. As a result ⁴  he will bring peace and rest to the earth, but trouble and turmoil ⁵  to the people who inhabit Babylonia. ⁶ 

I repeat, ¹  be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, ²  for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” ³ 

Any man who rebels against what you say and does not obey all your commands will be executed. ¹  But ²  be strong and brave!”

Today I am still as strong as when Moses sent me out. I can fight and go about my daily activities with the same energy I had then. ¹ 

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine ¹  in the inner rooms of your house; your children ²  will be like olive branches, as they sit all around your table.

So remember ¹  your Creator in the days of your youth – before ²  the difficult ³  days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Take the choice bone of the flock, heap up bones under it; boil rapidly, and boil its bones in it.

And they will be like warriors trampling the mud of the streets in battle. They will fight, for the Lord will be with them, and will defeat the enemy cavalry. ¹ 

“Exert every effort ¹  to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

You learned the gospel ¹  from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave ²  – a ³  faithful minister of Christ on our ⁴  behalf –

rooted ¹  and built up in him and firm ²  in your ³  faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.