For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.

无论是希腊人、化外人、聪明人、愚拙人，我都欠他们的债，

无论是希腊人、未开化的人、聪明人、愚拙人，我都欠他们的债，

无论是希腊人、未开化的人、聪明人、愚拙人，我都欠他们的债，

不论是希腊人、非希腊人、智者、愚人，我对他们都有义务。

无论是希腊人或是未开化的人，聪明的人或是愚笨的人，我都欠他们的债。

无论是希腊人或是外族人，有智慧的或是无知的，我都对他们有责任。

無論是希臘人、化外人、聰明人、愚拙人，我都欠他們的債，

無論是希臘人、未開化的人、聰明人、愚拙人，我都欠他們的債，

無論是希臘人、未開化的人、聰明人、愚拙人，我都欠他們的債，

不論是希臘人、非希臘人、智者、愚人，我對他們都有義務。

無論是希臘人或是未開化的人，聰明的人或是愚笨的人，我都欠他們的債。

不但對於希利尼人、也對於蠻野人，不但對於有智識的人、也對於無知識的人，我都是欠債的；

無論是希臘人或是外族人，有智慧的或是無知的，我都對他們有責任。

我於希利尼人、化外人、智者愚者、皆負其債、

蓋我傳道於希利尼及化外人、或智或愚、若償負焉、

無論希拉人、化外人、智人、愚人、我皆如負其債、

吾對希臘人與化外人、智與不智、皆負有傳道之義務。

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

I have a duty both to Greeks and to non- Greeks. I have a duty both to wise people and to foolish people.

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to the uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish.

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.

But the Lord said,“ Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,“ Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

“ But the Lord said to me,‘ Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”

So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentilesto open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other,“ A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”

And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

As the Scriptures say,“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.

Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.

Owe nothing to anyone— except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said,“ O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.

Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.

The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying?

Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say.

After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools!

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer:“ O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.

“ How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.