"But we desireto hearfrom you whatyour viewsare; for concerningthissect,it is knownto us that it is spoken againsteverywhere."
You have seenmanythings,but you do not observe[them]; [Your] earsare open,but nonehears.
And Simeonblessedthem and saidto MaryHis mother,"Behold,this[Child] is appointedfor the falland riseof manyin Israel,and for a signto be opposed--
But someof the sectof the Phariseeswho had believedstoodup, saying,"It is necessaryto circumcisethem and to directthem to observethe Lawof Moses."
"But thisI admitto you, that accordingto the Waywhichthey calla sectI do servethe Godof our fathers,believingeverythingthat is in accordancewith the Lawand that is writtenin the Prophets;
since they have knownabout me for a long time,ifthey are willingto testify,that I lived[as] a Phariseeaccordingto the strictestsectof our religion.
But the high priestroseup, alongwith allhis associates(that is the sectof the Sadducees),and they were filledwith jealousy.
First,I thankmy GodthroughJesusChristfor you all,becauseyour faithis being proclaimedthroughoutthe wholeworld.
For there mustalsobe factionsamongyou, sothat thosewho are approvedmay becomeevidentamongyou.
Keepyour behaviorexcellentamongthe Gentiles,sothat in the thing in whichthey slanderyou as evildoers,they may becauseof your gooddeeds,as they observe[them], glorifyGodin the dayof visitation.
and keepa goodconsciencesothat in the thing in whichyou are slandered,thosewho revileyour goodbehaviorin Christwill be put to shame.
