Friday, September 19, 2025

^4:8However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods. ⁹But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? ¹⁰You observe days, months, seasons, and years. ¹¹I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. ¹²I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, ¹³but you know that because of weakness in the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time. ¹⁴That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. ¹⁸But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you— ²⁰but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. ²¹Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law?

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^6:45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. ⁴⁶After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. ⁴⁸Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them, ⁴⁹but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; ⁵⁰for they all saw him and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” ⁵¹He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; ⁵²for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. ⁵³When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.

WEB, public domain