“Indeed, there are wicked scoundrels among my people. They lie in wait like bird catchers hiding in ambush. ¹  They set deadly traps ²  to catch people.

Lord, we know that people do not control their own destiny. ¹  It is not in their power to determine what will happen to them. ² 

You who live in Aroer, ¹  stand by the road and watch. Question the man who is fleeing and the woman who is escaping. Ask them, ‘What has happened?’

They engaged in prostitution in Egypt; in their youth they engaged in prostitution. Their breasts were squeezed there; lovers ¹  fondled their virgin nipples there.

“‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Because they are saying to you, “You are a devourer of men, and bereave your nation of children,”

Nineveh ¹  is taken into exile ²  and is led away; ³  her slave girls moan ⁴  like doves ⁵  while they beat ⁶  their breasts. ⁷ 

You made people like fish in the sea, like animals in the sea ¹  that have no ruler.

For in those days before the flood, people ¹  were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark.

For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels ¹  in heaven.

Then ¹  as they went into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe ²  sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

and Joanna the wife of Cuza ¹  (Herod’s ²  household manager), ³  Susanna, and many others who provided for them ⁴  out of their own resources.

Then ¹  when she has found it, she calls together her ²  friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice ³  with me, for I have found the coin ⁴  that I had lost.’

But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, ¹  do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves ²  and for your children.

But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.

With regard to the question about people who have never married, ¹  I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.

For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man.

For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman. But all things come from God.

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!”

For every high priest is taken from among the people ¹  and appointed ²  to represent them before God, ³  to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

With it we bless the Lord ¹  and Father, and with it we curse people ²  made in God’s image.