Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was an adviser to the king ¹  in every matter pertaining to the people.

Do you not know that we will judge angels? Why not ordinary matters!

Because I was at a loss ¹  how I could investigate these matters, ²  I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried ³  there on these charges. ⁴ 

Now with regard to the issues you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” ¹ 

You will report to Amariah the chief priest in all matters pertaining to the Lord’s law, and to Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the family of Judah, in all matters pertaining to the king. ¹  The Levites will serve as officials before you. Confidently carry out your duties! ²  May the Lord be with those who do well!”

But if you want anything in addition, ¹  it will have to be settled ²  in a legal assembly. ³ 

A song of ascents, ²  by David. O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor do I have a haughty look. ³  I do not have great aspirations, or concern myself with things that are beyond me. ⁴ 

but since it concerns points of disagreement ¹  about words and names and your own law, settle ²  it yourselves. I will not be ³  a judge of these things!”

He instructed the messenger as follows: “When you finish giving the battle report to the king,

Esther’s command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded. ¹ 

For they do not try to make peace with others, ¹  but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting. ² 

So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

So if you have ordinary lawsuits, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? ¹ 

What follows ¹  is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priestly scribe. ²  Ezra was ³  a scribe in matters pertaining to the commandments of the Lord and his statutes over Israel:

In every matter of wisdom and ¹  insight the king asked them about, he found them to be ten times ²  better than any of the magicians and astrologers that were in his entire empire.

If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about other matters when I come.

And we are sending ¹  with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight – the only thing that matters is faith working through love. ¹ 

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. ¹