all things, and by him all things subsist. 18 And he is the head of his body, the church: he is the beginning, the firstfruits from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. 19 21 225 For it seemed good, that in him all ful20 ness should dwell: and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, through him to reconcile all things unto himself; through him, alike, whether they be things on the earth, or things in the heavens. And you, who were at one time aliens and enemies by a mind intent on wicked 22 works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through his death, to present you holy and unblameable and unre23 proveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached in all the creation under the heavens; whereof I Paul am made a minister. 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and go on to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake which is the church: 25 of which I am become a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, fully to preach the 26 word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, 27 but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the 28 hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man 29 perfect in Christ: whereunto I also labour, striving according to the effectual working of him, who worketh in me mightily. FOR I would that ye knew what great concern I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not 2 seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto the richest and most assured understanding; unto a knowledge of the mystery of God the Father, and of Christ; 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of 4 wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with en5 ticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the 6 steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Jesus as Christ 7 the LORD, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 2 8 Beware lest any man insnare you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the principles of the world, and not 9 according to Christ. For in him dwelleth 10 all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and ye are complete in him, who is the head of 11 all principality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circum12 cision of Christ: ye, having been buried together with him in baptism, in which also ye have been raised up together with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead: 13 and you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he made alive together with him, having freely for given you all trespasses; blotting out the 14 handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and 15 having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in himself. Let no one therefore judge you in meats, 16 or in drinks, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath: which 17 are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man defraud 18 you of your reward by an affected humility and the worship of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his carnal mind, and not 19 holding the Head, from which all the body, nourished and connected by joints and ligaments, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye have died with Christ 20 to the principles of the world, why, as if ye were still living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste 21 not; handle not; all which tend to cor- 22 ruption by the abuse of them;) after the commands and doctrines of men? all which 23 things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and not sparing of the body; yet are not of any value against the gratification of the flesh. If then ye have been raised together 3 with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things? above, not on things on the earth. For 3 ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 4 Mortify therefore your members as to 5 things which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desires, and covetousness, which is idolatry: on account of which things the 6 wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience in which ye also walked at one? time, when ye lived in them. But now ye 8 also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, evil speaking, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, see- 9 ing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, 10 which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him who created him: in whom 11 there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, 12 holy and beloved, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and 13 forgiving one another, if any man have cause of complaint against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And 14 over all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace 15 of God, to which also ye are called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you rich- 16 ly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns sad spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to your LORD. And whatsoever ye 17 do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God, even the Father, by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your bus- 15 LORD, make known unto you: whom I 8 have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your state, and comfort your hearts; together with Onesimus, 9 a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known unto you all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth 10 you, and Mark, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received instructions: if he come unto you, receive him;) and 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These have been my only fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me. Epa- 12 phras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ. saluteth you, always wrestling fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For 1 bear him record, that he hath a great 13 concern for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke, the be- 14. loved physician, and Demas, salute you. Salute the brethren who are in Laodicea, 15 and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read 16 among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle sent from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed 17 to the ministry which thou hast received in the LORD, that thou fulfil it. The salutation of me Paul with mine 18 own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. PAUL, and Silas, and Timothy, unto the 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our LORD Jesus Christ, in the 4 sight of God and our Father: knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election by 5 him. For the Gospel preached by us came not unto you in word only, but also with power, and with the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for 6 your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the 7 Holy Spirit: so that ye were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the LORD not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith towards God is spread abroad; so that we need not 9 to speak any thing concerning it. For they themselves declare of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his 10 Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come. For ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: but even after we had suffered be- 2 fore, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God amidst much opposition. For our exhortation was 3 not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but as we were approved of God to 4 be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak it; not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. For neither at any 5 time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak for covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we honour, neither 6 of you, nor yet of others, though we might have used authority, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, 7 even as a nurse cherisheth her children so being affectionately desirous of 8 you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own lives, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our 9 labour and travail: how labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto 10 you the Gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among 11 you who believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you who believe. 14 For ye, brethren, are become followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as 15 they have of the Jews: who both killed the LORD Jesus, and the prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not 16 God, and are against all men: forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved: thus always filling up the measure of their sins: but wrath is coming upon them to the uttermost. 17 BUT we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, have endeavoured earnestly with 18 great desire to see your face. Wherefore we (even I Paul) would have come unto you once and again; but Satan hindered 19 us. For what will be our hope, or joy, or Will not even ye be crown of rejoicing? in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ 20 at his coming? For verily ye are our glory and joy. 3 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at 2 Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning 3 your faith: that no one should be moved by these my afflictions: for yourselves know 4 that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, as ye know. 5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter might have tempted you, and our labour have been in vain. 6 But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7 therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress 8 by your faith: for now we live, if ye stand 9 fast in the LORD. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for the exceeding great joy wherewith we joy for your 10 sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 11 Now God himself, even our Father, and our LORD Jesus Christ, direct our way 12 unto you. And may the LORD make you to increase and abound in love towards one another, and towards all men, even as we 13 do towards you: to the end that he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ with all his saints. FURTHERMORE then we beseech you, 4 brethren, and exhort you by the LORD Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye 2 know what commandments we gave you by the LORD Jesus. For this is the will 3 of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from impurity: that every 4 one of you should know how to keep his body in sanctification and honour; not 5 given up to lustful passions, even as the Gentiles who know not God: that no man 6 transgress and defraud his brother in this matter: because that the LORD is the avenger of all such things, as we also have For God 7 forewarned you and testified. hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore who despiseth 8 us, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But concerning brotherly love ye need 9 not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another and indeed ye do it toward all the 10 brethren who are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase therein more and more; and that ye study 11 to live quietly, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk 12 honestly towards those who are without, and that ye may have need of nothing. BUT I would not have you to be ignor- 13 ant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that 14 Jesus died and rose again, even so those also who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the 15 word of the LORD, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not rise before those who are asleep. For the LORD himself shall descend from 16 the heavens with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we who are alive and remain 17 shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD. Wherefore exhort and comfort one another 18 with these words. But of the times and the seasons, bre- 5 thren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that ? the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, 3 Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, 4 that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and 5 the children of the day: we are not children of the night, nor of darkness. There- 6 fore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they who 7 sleep sleep in the night; and they who are drunken are drunken in the night. But 8 let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, 9 but to obtain salvation through our LORD Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether 10 we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves 11 together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not pro- 19 20 phesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that 21 which is good. Abstain from every kind 22 of evil And the God of peace himself sanctify 23 you wholly; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved unblameably unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calleth you, 24 who also will do this. Brethren, pray for us. Salute all the 25 26 brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you 27 by the LORD that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be 28 with you. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. PAUL, and Silas, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our 2 Father and the LORD Jesus Christ: Grace and peace unto you, from God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all towards each other 4 aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God on account of your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 which is a manifest token of the righteous. judgment of God, that ye may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God, for 6 which ye also suffer. Seeing that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense 7 tribulation to those who trouble you: but to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD Jesus shall be revealed from 8 heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the Gospel of 9 our LORD Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction by the anger of the LORD, and by the glory 10 of his power; when he shall come in that day to be glorified by his saints, and to be admired by all those who believe, even as our testimony among you was believed. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would account you worthy of his calling, and fulfil in you all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of 12 faith with power: that the name of our LORD Jesus Christ may be glorified by you, and ye by him, according to the grace of Jesus Christ our God and LORD. 2 NOW we beseech you, brethren, concerning the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto 2 him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, as if the day of 3 Christ were at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there first come the falling away, and there be revealed the man of 4 sin, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself forth as a god. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet 5 with you, I told you these things? And 6 ye know what withholdeth him now that he may be revealed in his own time. For 7 the mystery of unrighteousness doth already work: only there is one who hindereth it, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall the unrighteous one 8 be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after 9 the working of Satan with all false miracles and signs and lying wonders, and 10 with all deceitfulness of unrighteousness among those who perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God 11 will send them strong delusion, so that they shall believe the lie: that they all 12 may be condemned who believe not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks always 13 to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our 14 Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ. who shall establish you, and keep you from 4 the evil one. And we have confidence in the LORD concerning you, that ye both do and will do the things which we com5 mand you. And may the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ. 6 Now we command you, brethren, by the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not after the 7 tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorder8 ly among you; neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and toil night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of 9 you not because we have not right, but that we might make ourselves an example 10 unto you to imitate us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are 11 some who walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and 12 exhort by our LORD Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary 13 in well doing. And if any man obey not 14 our word by our epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed: yet regard him not as 15 an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the LORD of peace himself give you 16 peace always in every condition. The LORD be with you all. The salutation of me Paul with mine 17 own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our 18 LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE ΤΟ TIMOTHY. PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the appointment of God our Saviour, and 2 LORD Jesus Christ, our hope; unto Timothy, mine own son by faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our LORD. 3 According as I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some 4 that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which promote disputes, rather than godly edifying which is through faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good 6 conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have been 7 turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; yet understanding neither what they say, nor whereof 8 they affirm. But we know that the law is 9 good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made against a righteous man, but against the lawless and disobedient, against the ungodly and against sinners, against unholy and profane, against murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, against manslay.. 10 ers, against whoremongers, against those who defile themselves with mankind, against menstealers, against liars, against perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my 12 trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our LORD, who hath strengthened me, because he accounted me faithful, having 13 put me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, because I acted ignorantly in 14 unbelief. But I obtained merey, and the grace of our LORD was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which is in 15 Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. However for this cause 16 I obtained mercy, that in me, a chief sinner, Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to those who should hereafter believe on him to everlasting life. Now unto the King eternal, immor- 17 tal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This charge I commit unto thee, son 18 Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before concerning thee, that thou by them may war the good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; 19 which some having put away have made shipwreck of faith: of whom are Hyme- 20 næus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. I EXHORT therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for 2 kings, and for all who are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this 3 is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who commandeth all men to 4 be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one 5 mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom 6 for all for a testimony to which, in due time, I have been ordained a preacher, 7 and an apostle, (I speak the truth, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every $ where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner 9 also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly garments; but (which 10 becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all 11 |