And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,

For if that first covenant had been faultless, no one would have looked for a second one. ¹ 

In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators. ¹ 

This brings you great joy, ¹  although you may have to suffer ²  for a short time in various trials.

For this finds God’s favor, ¹  if because of conscience toward God ²  someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, ¹  than for doing evil.

And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of ¹  the ungodly and sinners? ² 

Therefore do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, ¹  if the world hates you. ² 

Dear friends, if God so loved us, then ¹  we also ought to love one another. ² 

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. ¹  No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides ²  to reveal him.

After noticing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to see if he could find any fruit ¹  on it. When he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

Remember what ¹  I told you, ‘A slave ²  is not greater than his master.’ ³  If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed ⁴  my word, they will obey ⁵  yours too.

If then I am in the wrong ¹  and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, ²  but if not one of their charges against me is true, ³  no one can hand me over to them. ⁴  I appeal to Caesar!” ⁵ 

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! Certainly, I ¹  would not have known sin except through the law. For indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else ²  if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” ³ 

For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Finally, brothers and sisters, ¹  whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

If ¹  anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths ²  and completely consumes ³  their enemies. If ⁴  anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed this way.

If anyone is meant for captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed by the sword, ¹  then by the sword he must be killed. This ²  requires steadfast endurance ³  and faith from the saints.

If ¹  you had known what this means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ ²  you would not have condemned the innocent.