So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation ¹  do you bring against this man?” ² 

Jesus replied, ¹  “Are you saying this on your own initiative, ²  or have others told you about me?”

for it is impossible ¹  for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”

So he was staying with them, associating openly with them ¹  in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

But get up, ¹  go down, and accompany them without hesitation, ²  because I have sent them.”

Therefore we are sending ¹  Judas and Silas ²  who will tell you these things themselves in person. ³ 

But if you want anything in addition, ¹  it will have to be settled ²  in a legal assembly. ³ 

When ¹  they had heard my case, ²  they wanted to release me, ³  because there was no basis for a death sentence ⁴  against me.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, ¹  has discovered regarding this matter? ² 

Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

So then, ¹  it does not depend on human desire or exertion, ²  but on God who shows mercy.

Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?

We do not give anyone ¹  an occasion for taking an offense in anything, ²  so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.

Now on the topic of times and seasons, ¹  brothers and sisters, ²  you have no need for anything to be written to you.

not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined ¹  to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time ²  I will do as the king wishes. ³ 

Ask yourselves this and consider it carefully: ¹  Have you ever seen a man give birth to a baby? Why then do I see all these strong men grabbing their stomachs in pain like ²  a woman giving birth? And why do their faces turn so deathly pale?

“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Are you coming to seek me? As surely as I live, I will not allow you to seek me, ¹  declares the sovereign Lord.’

In every matter of wisdom and ¹  insight the king asked them about, he found them to be ten times ²  better than any of the magicians and astrologers that were in his entire empire.