I became a servant of this gospel ¹  according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by ²  the exercise of his power. ³ 

and to enlighten ¹  everyone about God’s secret plan ²  – a secret that has been hidden for ages ³  in God ⁴  who has created all things.

and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image ¹  – in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth. ² 

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. ¹ 

This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment, to make you worthy ¹  of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering.

nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. ¹  Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan ²  that operates by faith.

Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess ¹  through the laying on of my hands.

for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment ¹  as a criminal, but God’s message ²  is not imprisoned! ³ 

Now Moses was faithful in all God’s ¹  house ²  as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken.

For the one who enters God’s ¹  rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.

By faith we understand that the worlds ¹  were set in order at God’s command, ²  so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. ³ 

Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” ¹  and he was called God’s friend. ² 

who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

So as you come to him, ¹  a living stone rejected by men but ²  chosen and priceless ³  in God’s sight,

You ¹  once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, ²  but now you have received mercy.

but the inner person ¹  of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

This requires ¹  the steadfast endurance ²  of the saints – those who obey ³  God’s commandments and hold to ⁴  their faith in Jesus. ⁵ 

If you have no desire ¹  to worship ²  the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, ³  whether it be the gods whom your ancestors ⁴  worshiped ⁵  beyond the Euphrates, ⁶  or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family ⁷  will worship ⁸  the Lord!”

He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus whom he thought had defeated him. ¹  He reasoned, ²  “Since the gods of the kings of Damascus helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me.” But they caused him and all Israel to stumble.