²³ Your Majesty, Araunah^[a] gives^(A) all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.”

⁴⁰ For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel,^(A) declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings^(B) and your choice gifts,^[a] along with all your holy sacrifices.^{(C) 41} I will accept you as fragrant incense^(D) when I bring you out from the nations and gather^(E) you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy^(F) through you in the sight of the nations.^(G)

⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built^(A) into a spiritual house^[a](B) to be a holy priesthood,^(C) offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.^(D)

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(A) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(B) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(C) and holiness.

³⁰ I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,^(A) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.^{(B) 31} Pray that I may be kept safe^(C) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution^(D) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people^(E) there,