And the others ¹  who became priests were numerous, because death prevented them ²  from continuing in office, ³ 

This brings you great joy, ¹  although you may have to suffer ²  for a short time in various trials.

But, according to his promise, we are waiting for ¹  new heavens and a new earth, in which ²  righteousness truly resides. ³ 

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 one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

David said to the priest, “Certainly women have been kept away from us, just as on previous occasions when I have set out. The soldiers’ ¹  equipment is holy, even on an ordinary journey. How much more so will they be holy today, along with their equipment!”

Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives – he who has prevented me from harming you – if you had not come so quickly to meet me, by morning’s light not even one male belonging to Nabal would have remained alive!”

But you should take careful note of this: If you put me to death, you will bring on yourselves and this city and those who live in it the guilt of murdering an innocent man. For the Lord has sent me to speak all this where you can hear it. That is the truth!” ¹ 

And so ¹  we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, ²  you accepted it not as a human message, ³  but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.

As he approached ¹  Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, ²  I know that you are a beautiful woman. ³ 

Then Abraham asked, “Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord ¹  (although I am but dust and ashes), ² 

Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come closer so I can touch you, ¹  my son, and know for certain if you really are my son Esau.” ² 

Then Laban said to him, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” ¹  So Jacob ²  stayed with him for a month. ³ 

But you ¹  said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper ²  and will make ³  your descendants like the sand on the seashore, too numerous to count.’” ⁴ 

But Hamor made this appeal to them: “My son Shechem is in love with your daughter. ¹  Please give her to him as his wife.

Doesn’t my master drink from this cup ¹  and use it for divination? ²  You have done wrong!’” ³ 

The first disappeared ¹  and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” I have not seen him since.

You and my brother Benjamin can certainly see with your own eyes that I really am the one who speaks to you. ¹ 

They replied, “You have saved our lives! You are showing us favor, ¹  and we will be Pharaoh’s slaves.” ² 

And now indeed ¹  the cry ²  of the Israelites has come to me, and I have also seen how severely the Egyptians oppress them. ³