but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.

Although they claimed ¹  to be wise, they became fools

By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. ¹  Grace be with you all. ² 

They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

Amos replied ¹  to Amaziah, “I was not a prophet by profession. ²  No, ³  I was a herdsman who also took care of ⁴  sycamore fig trees. ⁵ 

Compete well ¹  for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession ²  for ³  in the presence of many witnesses.

Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.

“Should not this ¹  abundance of words be answered, ²  or should this ³  talkative man ⁴  be vindicated? ⁵ 

Many people profess their loyalty, ¹  but a faithful person ²  – who can find? ³ 

They will maintain the outward appearance ¹  of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. ² 

So tell them: ‘This is a nation that has not obeyed the Lord their God and has not accepted correction. Faithfulness is nowhere to be found in it. These people do not even profess it anymore. ¹ 

Amaziah then said to Amos, “Leave, you visionary! ¹  Run away to the land of Judah! Earn your living ²  and prophesy there!

Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’ ¹ 

and ¹  Jason has welcomed them as guests! They ²  are all acting against Caesar’s ³  decrees, saying there is another king named ⁴  Jesus!” ⁵ 

Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. ¹  For a person ²  will reap what he sows,

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes ¹  and the man of lawlessness ²  is revealed, the son of destruction. ³ 

I charge you ¹  before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession ²  before Pontius Pilate,

Here is another way that our people ¹  can learn ²  to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, ¹  partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, ²