Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, ¹  there is freedom.

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing,

We do not give anyone ¹  an occasion for taking an offense in anything, ²  so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. ¹ 

It is necessary to go on boasting. ¹  Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

in whom we have boldness and confident access ¹  to God ²  because of ³  Christ’s ⁴  faithfulness. ⁵ 

Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard ¹  that we have already attained. ² 

For he did not put the world to come, ¹  about which we are speaking, ²  under the control of angels.

But we are not among those who shrink back and thus perish, but are among those who have faith and preserve their souls. ¹ 

And by this ¹  we will know that we are of the truth and will convince ²  our conscience ³  in his presence, ⁴ 

The men of Judah said, “Why are you attacking ¹  us?” The Philistines ²  said, “We have come up to take Samson prisoner so we can do to him what he has done to us.”

Our God, will you not judge them? For we are powerless against this huge army that attacks us! We don’t know what we should do; we look to you for help.” ¹ 

I responded to them by saying, “The God of heaven will prosper us. We his servants will start the rebuilding. ¹  But you have no just or ancient right in Jerusalem.” ² 

For the sound of wailing is soon to be heard in Zion. They will wail, ¹  ‘We are utterly ruined! ²  We are completely disgraced! For our houses have been torn down and we must leave our land.’” ³ 

But now we have been released from the law, because we have died ¹  to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code. ² 

We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!

We are not trying to commend ¹  ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, ²  so that you may be able to answer those who take pride ³  in outward appearance ⁴  and not in what is in the heart.

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea ¹  through us. We plead with you ²  on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”

Nor do we boast beyond certain limits ¹  in the work ²  done by others, but we hope ³  that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded ⁴  among you according to our limits, ⁵ 

The Ephraimites assembled ¹  and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you go and fight ²  with the Ammonites without asking ³  us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you!” ⁴