Through Silvanus, ¹  whom I know to be a faithful brother, ²  I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify ³  that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. ⁴ 

Therefore I urge you to take some food, for this is important ¹  for your survival. ²  For not one of you will lose a hair from his head.”

not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day ¹  drawing near. ² 

I collapse ¹  from grief. Sustain me by your word! ² 

Bloodthirsty people ¹  hate someone with integrity; ²  as for the upright, they seek his life. ³ 

They help one another; ¹  one says to the other, ‘Be strong!’

and are advocating ¹  customs that are not lawful for us to accept ²  or practice, ³  since we are ⁴  Romans.”

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, ¹ 

ע (Ayin) I weep because of these things; my eyes ¹  flow with tears. ²  For there is no one in sight who can comfort me ³  or encourage me. ⁴  My children ⁵  are desolated ⁶  because an enemy has prevailed.

if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.

He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, ¹  so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching ²  and correct those who speak against it.

When ¹  I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me. ² 

Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! ¹  Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow! ² 

that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, ¹  both yours and mine.

Do not address an older man harshly ¹  but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, ² 

or to governors as those he commissions ¹  to punish wrongdoers and praise ²  those who do good.

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses, saying, “Let us go up ¹  and occupy it, ²  for we are well able to conquer it.” ³ 

Lord, you have heard ¹  the request ²  of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer. ³ 

If she is a wall, ¹  we will build on her a battlement ²  of silver; but if she is a door, we will barricade ³  her with boards ⁴  of cedar. ⁵ 

so that now instead ¹  you should rather forgive and comfort him. ²  This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair. ³