as some superstition that requires you to fear and shun trifles of clothing. 6 Was not Naaman the Syrian, the great general of the army, justified when he received the blessing of Elisha the man of God to go with his king into the temple of Rimmon, as he had to do? 7 If he had the blessing of God to enter an idol's temple, how much more shall God bless him who merely wears some piece of adornment?
8 But know this, brothers and sisters: in the last days, persecutions will increase, even as you have heard we endured. 9 Someone will ask, "May we not take arms to defend ourselves and our families, even our faith lest it perish from the earth?" 10 God forbid, for this is a struggle we must wage with weapons that are by no means worldly. 11 Our true citizenship lies in heaven, and we must not refuse with sword and club to return there, or all will know we have no faith in what we profess to believe. 12 We shall have won the victory by our endurance, and this victory is hidden to human eyes in bloody defeat. 13 But we walk by faith, not by sight.
14 Moreover, Christ has provided us an example by yielding to the cross. 15 When we are persecuted for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are offered up as sacrifices to God. 16 Indeed those who persecute us have no priestly intention, but we are sacrifices nonetheless. 17 And just as our Lord Jesus was both priest and sacrifice, so is the one delivered up to death for his sake. 18 Such a one has left earthly concerns behind. And thus he has no right to bear the sword, as we have seen.
4 1 So we see it as a law: to the extent that one retains obligations to this world, he cannot serve Christ with undivided devotion, and to give one's body unto death is the greatest devotion that can be offered. 2 If husband and wife alike face persecution with resolve, they are no more husband and wife but brother and sister looking toward a common sacrifice. 3 But as to their children, they shall not be summarily handed over to death. For no one can volunteer another for martyrdom. 4 If the child be of age and willing to die for his Lord, so be it. He is, like Samuel, a saint already in his youth. 5 But if the child is too young to have had his own faith, he yet binds his parents in a tie of obligation, 6 and they must see to his protection, otherwise they are like those in Israel who offered up their firstborn to Moloch. 7 Do not make Christ a demon to receive child sacrifices! Only in this case may the parents take arms to defend their children. 8 But if it is possible, it is better to entrust the child to some relative or brother and sister in the Lord.
9 And must we take sword in hand to preserve the name of Christ? 10 You may say, "If God has left it to us to spread the name of his Son through the world, might he not also make it our task to defend that name against those Powers who seek to blot it out?" 11 Such zeal is praiseworthy, but it is in vain. Such a one is reasoning after the fashion of men, not of God. 12 For just as the power of God is hidden in weakness, the victory of God hides within defeat. 13 Just as Jesus Christ came to the world to save and was rejected, and in that very rejection did save all who believe, 14 so must those who are his preach his gospel to the world and, if need be, suffer rejection as he did. 15 And if we, too, are to die, I mean the full number of believers, then that very rejection must issue forth in the final redemption of the world, 16 for then the consummation would come, the full number of witnesses to the faith having been offered up.
17 Bearing all these things in mind, brothers and sisters, let us train ourselves in the use of the weapons of the Spirit which no enemy can withstand. 18 These are the bold witness to the gospel, meditation on such Scripture as you may know, the sharing in the body and blood of the Lord, daily prayer, and uplifting talk. 19 With these you may both fortify your spirits and prepare yourselves for the arena of our daily conflict against the sin that seeks ever to conquer the kingdom of our members. 20 Let everyone see your advancement in the things of the Spirit so they may give glory to the God who is at work in you. 21And make my joy in you complete as you continue to seek the truth and to live by it.
22 Greet all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ and share the hope in his resurrection with a holy kiss. 23 Those with me, especially Sosthenes and Barnabas, greet you in the Lord. Luke greets you also. 24 And now may the Lord himself secure your devotion with his unyielding love. Peace be yours. Amen.
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