As the war continued between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was becoming more influential ¹  in the house of Saul.

Is it of any special benefit ¹  to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless? ² 

This is another misfortune: ¹  Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

all will be put to shame ¹  because of a nation that cannot help them, who cannot give them aid or help, but only shame and disgrace.”

You must not oppress the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, or the poor, nor should anyone secretly plot evil against his fellow human being.’

The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” ¹ 

but one thing ¹  is needed. Mary has chosen the best ²  part; it will not be taken away from her.”

This was the one who exploited ¹  our people ²  and was cruel to our ancestors, ³  forcing them to abandon ⁴  their infants so they would die. ⁵ 

because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a significant number of people ¹  were brought to the Lord.

So what benefit ¹  did you then reap ²  from those things that you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death.

But now, freed ¹  from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit ²  leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life.

But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. ¹  For apart from the law, sin is dead.

Now if their transgression means riches for the world and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration ¹  bring?

In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers.

Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do.

For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including ¹  more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase ²  to the glory of God.

But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!

Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, ¹  is no different from a slave, though he is the owner ²  of everything.

So then, ¹  whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith. ² 

For we never appeared ¹  with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –