and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, ¹  because he has nothing evil to say about us.

On this topic we have much to say ¹  and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish ²  in hearing.

But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation.

For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.

And above the ark ¹  were the cherubim ²  of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail.

For if we deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins is left for us, ¹ 

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.

Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly ¹  of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have.

Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. ¹ 

Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers ¹  of the field grow; they do not work ²  or spin.

When ¹  he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, ²  like sheep without a shepherd.

While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness ¹  to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ² 

I ¹  tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak.

How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!”

And about five o’clock that afternoon ¹  he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why are you standing here all day without work?’

“But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven ¹  – except the Father alone.

John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ¹ 

Jerusalem, ¹  Idumea, beyond the Jordan River, ²  and around Tyre ³  and Sidon ⁴  a great multitude came to him when they heard about the things he had done.

A crowd was sitting around him and they said to him, “Look, your mother and your brothers ¹  are outside looking for you.”

And looking at those who were sitting around him in a circle, he said, “Here ¹  are my mother and my brothers!