(because they said, “He has an unclean spirit” ¹ ).

or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly.

I will therefore have him flogged ¹  and release him.” ² 

So Abimelech commanded all the people, “Whoever touches ¹  this man or his wife will surely be put to death.” ² 

warn ¹  them of the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they must walk ²  and the work they must do. ³ 

And now, I am about to go ¹  back to my own people. Come now, and I will advise you as to what this people will do to your people in the future.” ² 

and had warned him about this very thing, so that he would not follow other gods. ¹  But he did not obey ²  the Lord’s command.

The Lord sent prophets among them to lead them back to him. ¹  They warned ²  the people, but they would not pay attention.

From earliest times, the prophets who preceded you and me invariably ¹  prophesied war, disaster, ²  and plagues against many countries and great kingdoms.

With many other words he testified ¹  and exhorted them saying, “Save yourselves from this perverse ²  generation!”

Then the commanding officer ¹  sent the young man away, directing him, ²  “Tell no one that you have reported ³  these things to me.”

These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did.

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. ¹ 

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, ¹  to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Preach the message, ¹  be ready ²  whether it is convenient or not, ³  reprove, rebuke, exhort ⁴  with complete patience and instruction.

But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception.

not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day ¹  drawing near. ² 

By his treachery ¹  he will succeed through deceit. ²  He will have an arrogant attitude, ³  and he will destroy many who are unaware of his schemes. ⁴  He will rise up against the Prince of princes, yet he will be broken apart – but not by human agency. ⁵ 

Then the Lord God commanded ¹  the man, “You may freely eat ²  fruit ³  from every tree of the orchard,

“Be careful ¹  never to take my son back there!” Abraham told him. ²