conscientious objectors

³⁹But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also.

³⁶Jesus responded: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my ministers would certainly strive so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not now from here.”

²And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect.

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.

¹The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, in order to make known to his servants the things that must soon occur, and which he signified by sending his Angel to his servant John;

⁵²Then Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation for all believers, the Jew first, and the Greek.

⁶For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given. And leadership is placed upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called: wonderful Counselor, mighty God, father of the future age, Prince of Peace.

⁶Jesus said to him: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

³⁸Yet truly, Peter said to them: “Do penance; and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁴Then the soldiers also questioned him, saying, “And what should we do?” And he said to them: “You should strike no one, and you should not make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh.

²⁰But our way of life is in heaven. And from heaven, too, we await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁴These shall fight against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall conquer them. For he is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. And those who are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

¹For I want you to know the kind of solicitude that I have for you, and for those who are at Laodicea, as well as for those who have not seen my face in the flesh. ²May their hearts be consoled and instructed in charity, with all the riches of a plenitude of understanding, with knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ Jesus. ³For in him are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴Now I say this, so that no one may deceive you with grandiose words. ⁵For though I may be absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit. And I rejoice as I gaze upon your order and its foundation, which is in Christ, your faith. ⁶Therefore, just as you have received the Lord Jesus Christ, walk in him.

³And he will judge among the many peoples, and he will correct strong nations, even from afar. And they will cut up their swords into plows, and their spears into hoes. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will no longer learn to wage war.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance,

¹Where do wars and contentions among you come from? Is it not from this: from your own desires, which battle within your members?

³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh. ⁴For the weapons of our battles are not carnal, yet still they are powerful with God, unto the destruction of fortifications: tearing down every counsel

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him.

⁶For you will hear of battles and rumors of battles. Take care not to be disturbed. For these things must be, but the end is not so soon.

¹Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who have been ordained by God. ²And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves. ³For leaders are not a source of fear to those who work good, but to those who work evil. And would you prefer not to be afraid of authority? Then do what is good, and you shall have praise from them. ⁴For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil. ⁵For this reason, it is necessary to be subject, not solely because of wrath, but also because of conscience. ⁶Therefore, you must also offer tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving him in this.

¹Therefore, if you have risen together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Consider the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. ³For you have died, and so your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. ⁵Therefore, mortify your body, while it is upon the earth. For because of fornication, impurity, lust, evil desires, and avarice, which are a kind of service to idols, ⁶the wrath of God has overwhelmed the sons of unbelief.

¹Then, seeing the crowds, he ascended the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples drew near to him, ²and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: ³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. ⁵Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled. ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

¹⁹And so, let us pursue the things that are of peace, and let us keep to the things that are for the edification of one another.

²And so, whoever resists authority, resists what has been ordained by God. And those who resist are acquiring damnation for themselves.

¹⁵If you love me, keep my commandments.