So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations ¹  that come against Jerusalem.”

When ¹  the chief priests and the Pharisees ²  heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them.

Instead, pursue ¹  his ²  kingdom, ³  and these things will be given to you as well.

I am not trying to get ¹  praise for myself. ²  There is one who demands ³  it, and he also judges. ⁴ 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. ¹ 

Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.

Then Elisha ¹  told the king of Israel, “Aim the bow.” ²  He did so, ³  and Elisha placed his hands on the king’s hands.

They were hiring advisers to oppose them, so as to frustrate their plans, throughout the time ¹  of King Cyrus of Persia until the reign of King Darius ²  of Persia. ³ 

You men, ¹  how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? ²  How long ³  will you love what is worthless ⁴  and search for what is deceptive? ⁵  (Selah)

For look, the wicked ¹  prepare ²  their bows, ³  they put their arrows on the strings, to shoot in the darkness ⁴  at the morally upright. ⁵ 

Use your spear and lance ¹  against ²  those who chase me! Assure me with these words: ³  “I am your deliverer!”

Their tongues are like deadly arrows. ¹  They are always telling lies. ²  Friendly words for their neighbors come from their mouths. But their minds are thinking up ways to trap them. ³ 

But above all pursue his kingdom ¹  and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the person who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit ¹  will not be forgiven. ² 

And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation,

The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, ¹  but each will receive his reward according to his work.

just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit ¹  of many, so that they may be saved.

Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

and in all of this, ¹  by taking up the shield ²  of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.