Jesus ¹  called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ² 

So ¹  they answered Jesus, ²  “We don’t know.” ³  Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you ⁴  by what authority ⁵  I am doing these things.”

But when they bring you before the synagogues, ¹  the ²  rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you should make your defense ³  or what you should say,

just as you have given him authority over all humanity, ¹  so that he may give eternal life to everyone you have given him. ² 

Then ¹  comes the end, ²  when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power.

even for kings ¹  and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

they worshiped the dragon because he had given ruling authority ¹  to the beast, and they worshiped the beast too, saying: “Who is like the beast?” and “Who is able to make war against him?” ² 

The beast ¹  was given a mouth speaking proud words ²  and blasphemies, and he was permitted ³  to exercise ruling authority ⁴  for forty-two months.

The beast ¹  was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. ²  He was given ruling authority ³  over every tribe, people, ⁴  language, and nation,

For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. ¹  I say to this one, ‘Go’ and he goes, ²  and to another ‘Come’ and he comes, and to my slave ³  ‘Do this’ and he does it.” ⁴ 

For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. ¹  I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, ²  and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ³ 

No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down ¹  of my own free will. ²  I have the authority ³  to lay it down, and I have the authority ⁴  to take it back again. This commandment ⁵  I received from my Father.”

And that is what I did in Jerusalem: Not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons by the authority I received ¹  from the chief priests, but I also cast my vote ²  against them when they were sentenced to death. ³ 

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive ¹  I may not have to deal harshly with you ²  by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

They should gather all the excess food ¹  during these good years that are coming. By Pharaoh’s authority ²  they should store up grain so the cities will have food, ³  and they should preserve it. ⁴ 

Look, I have given you authority to tread ¹  on snakes and scorpions ²  and on the full force of the enemy, ³  and nothing will ⁴  hurt you.

So Pilate said, ¹  “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority ²  to release you, and to crucify you?” ³ 

So the person who resists such authority ¹  resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment

far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

The purpose of this enlightenment is that ¹  through the church the multifaceted wisdom ²  of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms.