A warning to constancy. CHAP. II, III. False teachers described. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed put you always in remembrance of these his righteous soul from day to day with things, though ye know them, and be their unlawful deeds ;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am godly out of temptations, and to reserve in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting the unjust unto the day of judgment to be you in remembrance; punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, Christ hath shewed me. self-willed; they are not afraid to speak 15 Moreover, I will endeavour that ye may be able, after my decease, to have evil of dignities. these things always in remembrance. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater 16 For we have not followed cunningly in power and might, bring not railing acdevised fables, when we made known unto cusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil 17 For he received from God the Fa- of the things that they understand not; and ther honour and glory, when there came shall utterly perish in their own corruption: such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom righteousness, as they that count it pleasure I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 13 And shall receive the reward of un to riot in the day-time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and 19 We have also a more sure word of that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unprophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye stable souls: a heart they have exercised take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a with covetous practices; cursed children: dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. CHAP. II. BUT UT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of 3 And through covetousness shall they with the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the feigned words make merchandise of you :) whose judgment now of a long time lingereth pollutions of the world through the knownot, and their damnation slumbereth not. ledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 4 For if God spared not the angels that they are again entangled therein, and sinned, but cast them down to hell, and overcome, the latter end is worse with delivered them into chains of darkness, to them than the beginning. be reserved unto judgment; 21 For it had been better for them not to 5 And spared not the old world, but have known the way of righteousness, than, saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher after they have known it, to turn from the of righteousness, bringing in the flood up-holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them accordon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and ing to the true proverb, The dog is turned Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with to his own vomit again; and, The sow that CHAP. III. an overthrow, making them an ensample was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. unto those that after should live ungodly; IIS second epistle, beloved, I now 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with ecoto you; in both which I stir up the filthy conversation of the wicked: 197 8 (For that righteous man dwelling your pure minds by way of remembrance : John describes Christ. 1. JOHN. Comfort against sing. 2 That ye may be mindful of the words that are therein shall be burned up. which were spoken before by the holy pro- 11 Seeing then that all these things shall phets, and of the commandment of us the be dissolved, what manner of persons ought apostles of the Lord and Saviour: ye to be in all holy conversation and god 3 Knowing this first, that there shall liness, come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens 4 And saying, Where is the promise of being on fire shall be dissolved, and the his coming? for since the fathers fell elements shall melt with servent heat? asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and 6 Whereby the world that then was, blameless. being overflowed with water, perished: 15 And account that the long-suffering of 7 But the heavens and the earth, which our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved are now, by the same word are kept in brother Paul also, according to the wisdom store, reserved unto fire against the day of given unto him, hath written unto you; judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one them of these things; in which are some thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thou- things hard to be understood, which they sand years, and a thousand years as one day. that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his they do also the other scriptures, unto their promise, as some men count slackness; but own destruction. is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know that any should perish, but that all should these things before, beware lest ye also, come to repentance. being led away with the error of the wick 10 But the day of the Lord will come ed, fall from your own steadfastness. as a thief in the night; in the which 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowthe heavens shall pass away with a great ledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. noise, and the elements shall melt with To him be glory both now and for ever. fervent heat, the earth also and the works Amen. ¶ The First Epistle general of JOHN CHAP. I. THAT which was fard, the degrease was from the beginning, seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew ceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. and just to five us sms, sins, and to 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. CHAP. II. MY little children, these things write I unto you that eternal life which was with unto you, that ye sin not. And if the Father, and was manifested unto us ;) any man sin, we have an advocate with the 3 That which we have seen and heard Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: declare we unto you, that ye also may have 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: fellowship with us and truly our fellow- and not for ours only, but also for the sins ship is with the Father, and with his Son of the whole world. Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keep5 This then is the message which we have eth not his commandments, is a liar, and heard of him, and declare unto you, that God the truth is not in him. is light, and in him is no darkness at all.] 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him 6 If we say that we have fellowship with verily is the love of God perfected: hereby him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we de know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: The old commandment is the word To beware of seducers. CHAP. III. The singular love of God. which ye have heard from the beginning. hath promised us, even eternal life. 27 But the anointing which ye have re- 11 But he that hateth his brother is in him;, that when he shall appear, we may darkness, and walketh in darkness, and have confidence, and not be ashamed beknoweth not whither he goeth, because fore him at his coming. that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye 12 I write unto you, little children, be- know that every one that doeth righteouscause your sins are forgiven you for hisness is born of him. name's sake. CHAP. III. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye BEHOLD what manner of love the Fa have known him that is from the begin- ther hath bestowed upon us, that we ning. I write unto you, young men, be- should be called the sons of God! therefore cause ye have overcome the wicked one. the world knoweth us not, because it knew I write unto you, little children, because him not. ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the Just thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not com mit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same slew he him? Because his own works were hath not the Father: but he that acknow-evil, and his brother's righteous. ledzeth the Son hath the Father also.] 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which hate you. ye have heard from the beginning. If that 14 We know that we have passed from which ye have heard from the beginning death unto life, because we love the brethshall remain in you, ye also shall continue ren. He that loveth not his brother, in the Son, and in the Father. abideth in death. 25 And this is the promise that he 15 Whosoever hateth his brother, is a I. JOHN. In what the love of God consists. Of trying the spirits. murderer: and ye know that no murderer God, but that he loved us, and sent his hath eternal life abiding in him. Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love: and be that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 23 And this is his commandment; That 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect we should believe on the name of his Son love casteth out fear: because fear hath Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he torment. He that feareth, is not made gave us commandment. perfect in love. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. CHAP. IV. spirit, 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? 21 And this from Bbut uy the spirits whether they are him. That is wmmandment have we fris ELOVED, believe not of God: because many false prophets are brother also. gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: of Christ is come in the flesh, is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come inthe flesh, is not of God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God. He that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. CHAP. V. Hohe Christ, is born of God: and HOSOEVER believeth that Jesus every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by wateronly, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 9 In this was manifested the love of God 8 And there are three that bear witness toward us, because that God sent his only-in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the begotten Son into the world, that we might blood: and these three agree in one. live through him. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the 10 Herein is love, not that we loved witness of God is greater: for this is the wit II. & III. JOHN. Exhortation to Christian love. ness of God which he hath testified ofhis Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life: and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. To beware of seducers. have the petitions that we desired of him. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there 18 We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, 14 And this is the confidence that we that we may know him that is true; and we have in him, that if we ask any thing ac-are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. cording to his will, he heareth us: 21 Little children, keep yourselves from 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that welidols. Amen. ¶ The Second Epistle of JOHN. HE elder unto the elect lady, and her the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ Te elder, unto the tree in the truth; is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver, and not I only, but also all they that have and an antichrist. known the truth; 2 For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father,and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father,in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children talking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the, beginning, ye should walk in it. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of thy elect sister greet Amen. 7 For many deceivers are entered into thee. 1 The Third Epistle of JOHN. 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth. 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotre 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the breth-phes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence ren came and testified of the truth that is in among them, receiveth us not. thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: 10 Wherefore, ifI come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth levil hath not seen God. 201 |