Study Desk

With respect to the Good News they are hated for your sake. But with respect to being chosen they are loved for the Patriarchs' sake,

for God's free gifts and his calling are irrevocable.

For God has shut up all mankind together in disobedience, in order that he might show mercy to all.

For, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been his counselor?'

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical "Temple worship" for you.

For I am telling every single one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance. Instead, develop a sober estimate of yourself based on the standard which God has given to each of you, namely, trust.

For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don't all have the same function;

Love each other devotedly and with brotherly love; and set examples for each other in showing respect.

Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good.

Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God's anger; for in the Tanakh it is written, " Adonai says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.'"

On the contrary, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing this, you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head."

Everyone is to obey the governing authorities. For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God.

For rulers are no terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to be unafraid of the person in authority? Then simply do what is good, and you will win his approval;

for he is God's servant, there for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid! Because it is not for nothing that he holds the power of the sword; for he is God's servant, there as an avenger to punish wrongdoers.

Another reason to obey, besides fear of punishment, is for the sake of conscience.

This is also why you pay taxes; for the authorities are God's public officials, constantly attending to these duties.

Don't owe anyone anything — except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow human being has fulfilled Torah.

For the commandments, "Don't commit adultery," "Don't murder," "Don't steal," "Don't covet," and any others are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust.