TSK · Mark 12:14

“You must not follow a crowd in doing evil things; in a lawsuit you must not offer testimony that agrees with a crowd so as to pervert justice,

He said to his father and mother,“I have not seen him,” and he did not acknowledge his own brothers or know his own children, for they kept your word, and guarded your covenant.

Respect the LORD and make careful decisions, for the LORD our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.”

Its abundant produce goes to the kings you have placed over us due to our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they see fit, and we are in great distress!

His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords.

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.

Because of this, the LORD said,“You must repent of such words and thoughts! If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me. If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless, I will again allow you to be my spokesman. They must become as you have been. You must not become like them.

You are making a fatal mistake. For you sent me to the LORD your God and asked me,‘Pray to the LORD our God for us. Tell us what the LORD our God says and we will do it.’

But I am full of the courage that the LORD’s Spirit gives, and have a strong commitment to justice. This enables me to confront Jacob with its rebellion, and Israel with its sin.

Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Is it right for us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar or not?”

The person who speaks on his own authority desires to receive honor for himself; the one who desires the honor of the one who sent him is a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

For if I make you sad, who would be left to make me glad but the one I caused to be sad?

Paul’s Perseverance in Ministry Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged.

So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer.

But from those who were influential(whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)– those influential leaders added nothing to my message.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.