Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle. I'll bet each one of you a piece of fine linen and a change of fine clothes that you can't tell me its meaning before the seven days of the wedding feast are over." "Tell us your riddle," they said. "Let's hear it."

Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Reason is making herself heard.

"Mortal man," he said, "tell the Israelites a parable

Jesus used parables to tell all these things to the crowds; he would not say a thing to them without using a parable.

"How terrible for you Pharisees! You love the reserved seats in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces.

"Be on your guard against the teachers of the Law, who like to walk around in their long robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplace; who choose the reserved seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts;

They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues;

As he taught them, he said, "Watch out for the teachers of the Law, who like to walk around in their long robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplace,

who choose the reserved seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts.

Simon saw that the Spirit had been given to the believers when the apostles placed their hands on them. So he offered money to Peter and John,

and said, "Give this power to me too, so that anyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit."

Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves.

I wrote a short letter to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to be their leader, will not pay any attention to what I say.