"I have no demon," Jesus answered. "I honor my Father, but you dishonor me.

It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.

When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge.

Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you.

But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you,

"Claudius Lysias to His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.

We welcome this everywhere and at all times, and we are deeply grateful to you.

And so, Your Excellency, because I have carefully studied all these matters from their beginning, I thought it would be good to write an orderly account for you.

He must hold firmly to the message which can be trusted and which agrees with the doctrine. In this way he will be able to encourage others with the true teaching and also to show the error of those who are opposed to it.

In all things you yourself must be an example of good behavior. Be sincere and serious in your teaching.

Use sound words that cannot be criticized, so that your enemies may be put to shame by not having anything bad to say about us.