Yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.'"

"If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us so." "If I tell you," replied Jesus, "you will not believe me;

"You," they retorted, "were born totally depraved; and are you trying to teach us?" So they expelled him.

When the Jews gathered round him, and said: "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us so frankly."

This is so, because what can be known about God is plain to them; for God himself has made it plain.

The rest grew callous; as Scripture says--'God has given them a deadness of mind--eyes that are not to see and ears that are not to hear--and it is so to this very day.'

We are not "commending ourselves" again to you, but rather are giving you cause for pride in us, so that you may have an answer ready for those who pride themselves on appearances and not on character.

As so many are boasting of earthly things, I, too, will boast.

Yes, I am confident that this is so, and therefore I am sure that I shall stay, and stay near you all, to promote your progress and joy in the Faith;

Because the Good News that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good.

It is through this that love has attained its perfection in us, so that we may have confidence on the Day of Judgment, because what Christ is that we also are in this world.