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.

¹ The Lord deserves praise ²  forevermore! We agree! We agree! ³ 

Here is ¹  another ²  enigma ³  that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, ⁴  and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. ⁵  I said, “This also is an enigma.”

But the one who did not know his master’s will ¹  and did things worthy of punishment ²  will receive a light beating. ³  From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, ⁴  and from the one who has been entrusted with much, ⁵  even more will be asked. ⁶ 

A third time he said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I have found him guilty ¹  of no crime deserving death. ²  I will therefore flog ³  him and release him.”

And why not say, “Let us do evil so that good may come of it”? – as some who slander us allege that we say. ¹  (Their ²  condemnation is deserved!)

for I really was kidnapped ¹  from the land of the Hebrews and I have done nothing wrong here for which they should put me in a dungeon.”

You must not do anything to the young woman – she has done nothing deserving of death. This case is the same as when someone attacks another person ¹  and murders him,

I, the Lord, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. ¹  I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.

And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹ 

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

For the Lord says, “If even those who did not deserve to drink from the cup of my wrath must drink from it, do you think you will go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must certainly drink from the cup of my wrath. ¹ 

There ¹  the wicked ²  cease ³  from turmoil, ⁴  and there the weary ⁵  are at rest.

The Lord deserves praise, ¹  for he has heard my plea for mercy! ² 

Sing praises about the majesty of his reputation! ¹  Give him the honor he deserves! ² 

From east to west ¹  the Lord’s name is deserving of praise.

You deserve praise, ¹  O Lord! Teach me your statutes!

The Lord deserves praise in Zion ¹  – he who dwells in Jerusalem. ²  Praise the Lord!

If the righteous are recompensed on earth, ¹  how much more ²  the wicked sinner! ³ 

He ¹  will reward ²  each one according to his works: ³