The reason I left you in Crete was to set in order the remaining matters and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a little while, so that you would have him back eternally, ¹ 

For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, ¹  have not ceased praying for you and asking God ²  to fill ³  you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

So ¹  when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.

But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that ¹  in me as the worst, ²  Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

(See what sort of love the Father has given to us: that ¹  we should be called God’s children – and indeed ²  we are! ³  For this reason ⁴  the world does not know us: because it did not know him. ⁵ 

And you will bear no sin concerning it when you offer up the best of it. And you must not profane the holy things of the Israelites, or else you will die.’” ¹ 

I tried ¹  to understand, examine, and comprehend ²  the role of ³  wisdom in the scheme of things, ⁴  and to understand the stupidity of wickedness ⁵  and the insanity of folly. ⁶ 

Then some Pharisees ¹  came to him in order to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful ²  to divorce a wife for any cause?” ³ 

Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you deceived ¹  for this reason, because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God?

The one who belongs to ¹  God listens and responds ²  to God’s words. You don’t listen and respond, ³  because you don’t belong to God.” ⁴ 

So he was addressing ¹  the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles ²  in the synagogue, ³  and in the marketplace every day ⁴  those who happened to be there.

When they reached Ephesus, ¹  Paul ²  left Priscilla and Aquila ³  behind there, but he himself went ⁴  into the synagogue ⁵  and addressed ⁶  the Jews.

For this reason a woman should have a symbol of authority ¹  on her head, because of the angels. ² 

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

For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, ¹  and so ²  he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, ³ 

But I wish to speak ¹  to the Almighty, ²  and I desire to argue ³  my case ⁴  with God.

Does he argue ¹  with useless ²  talk, with words that have no value in them?

Do not accuse ¹  anyone ²  without legitimate cause, ³  if he has not treated you wrongly.

For this reason I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people ¹  who will produce its fruit.