But if ¹  that ²  slave should say to himself, ³  ‘My master is delayed ⁴  in returning,’ and he begins to beat ⁵  the other ⁶  slaves, both men and women, ⁷  and to eat, drink, and get drunk,

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels ¹  over one sinner who repents.”

So ¹  Jesus ²  said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ³ 

[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] ¹  Then ²  they threw dice ³  to divide his clothes. ⁴ 

Then ¹  he said to them, “What are these matters ²  you are discussing so intently ³  as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Jesus replied, ¹  “This is the deed ²  God requires ³  – to believe in the one whom he ⁴  sent.”

When Jesus was aware ¹  that his disciples were complaining ²  about this, he said to them, “Does this cause you to be offended? ³ 

If anyone does not remain ¹  in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, ²  and are burned up. ³ 

They will put you out of ¹  the synagogue, ²  yet a time ³  is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God. ⁴ 

I tell you the solemn truth, ¹  you will weep ²  and wail, ³  but the world will rejoice; you will be sad, ⁴  but your sadness will turn into ⁵  joy.

For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs ¹  that Moses handed down to us.”

This was the one who exploited ¹  our people ²  and was cruel to our ancestors, ³  forcing them to abandon ⁴  their infants so they would die. ⁵ 

But Saul was trying to destroy ¹  the church; entering one house after another, he dragged off ²  both men and women and put them in prison. ³ 

When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported ¹  all the things God ²  had done with them, and that he had opened a door ³  of faith for the Gentiles.

I replied, ¹  ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat those in the various synagogues ²  who believed in you.

But the centurion, ¹  wanting to save Paul’s life, ²  prevented them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land, ³ 

through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice ¹  in the hope of God’s glory.

Has the potter no right to make from the same lump of clay ¹  one vessel for special use and another for ordinary use? ² 

So then, dear brothers and sisters, ¹  be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, ¹  we do not become discouraged. ²