Chapter I: WISH ye would bear with me a little in my foolishness, yea indeed

bear with me. (2)For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ. (3)But I fear lest as the serpent beguiled Eve by his craftiness, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity which belongs to Christ. (4)For if he indeed that cometh preach another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not embraced, ye might well bear with him. (5)For I reckon myself to be nothing inferior to the very chief of the apostles. (6)For though I may be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but on every occasion we have been made manifest in all things among you.

(7)Am I chargeable with a fault (humbling myself that you might be exalted), that I preached to you the gospel of God freely? (8)I plundered other churches, receiving a provision from them, in order to minister to you. (9)And when I was with you, and in want, I was burdensome to no man; for my want the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied; and on every occasion I have kept myself from being burdensome, and will keep myself. (10)I protest, by the truth of Christ in me, that from this boasting no man shall seal up my lips in the regions of Achaia. (11)Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth. (12)But what I do, I will do also, that I may cut off occasion from those who desire occasion, that wherein they boast, they may be found even as we. (13)For such are fake apostles, deceitful labourers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14)And no marvel! For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15)It is no wonder therefore if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end will be according to their works. (16)I repeat it again, Let no man suppose that I am a fool; but if otherwise, then as a fool receive me, that I too may boast myself a little. (17)What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were in folly in this confidence of boasting. (18)Seeing many boast themselves after the flesh, I will boast also. (19)For ye bear with fools easily when you are wise yourselves. (20)For ye bear if a man enslave you, if a man eat you up, if a man receive from you, if a man is insolent, if a man smite you on the face. (21)I speak with reference to the reproach _cast on me_, as though we were feeble; but wherein any man is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. (22)Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. (23)Are they the ministers of Christ? (I speak foolishly) I am above _them_: in labours more abundantly, in stripes exceedingly more, in prisons more frequently, in the most immediate danger of death often. (24)Of the Jews five times I have received forty stripes save one. (25)Thrice I have been scourged with rods, once I have been stoned, thrice I have suffered shipwreck, a whole night and day I have passed in the deep; (26)in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own countrymen, in perils from the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the desert, in perils on the sea, in perils among false brethren; (27)in labour and travail, in watchings often, in fastings frequently, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness; (28)and beside all these things from without, that accumulated burden which cometh on me daily, the care of all the churches. (29)Who is feeble, and am I not feeble? Who is offended, and am I not on fire? (30)If I must glory, I will glory in the things which respect my infirmities. (31)The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. (32)In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, intending to seize me; (33)and through a window in a basket I was let down by the wall, and escaped out of his hands.

CHAP. XII.

IT is not expedient doubtless for me to boast. I will yet come to visions and revelations of the Lord. (2)I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I know not, or whether out of the body I know not: God knoweth;) such a one was caught up unto the third heavens. (3)And I knew such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not: God knoweth,) (4)that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words, which it is not permitted to man to speak. (5)Of such a one will I boast; but in myself will I not boast, save in my infirmities. (6)For though I should be disposed to boast, I shall not be a fool; for I shall speak truth: but I desist, lest any man think of me above what he seeth me to be, or what he heareth of me. (7)And that I might not be lifted up above measure by the transcendent greatness of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the angel Satan, to buffet me, that I might not be lifted up above measure. (8)For this thrice I besought the Lord, that he might depart from me. (9)And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may fix its residence in me. (10)Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.

(11)Have I become a fool in boasting? ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing have I been inferior to the very chief apostles, though I be nothing. (12)The signs indeed of an apostle have been wrought among you in all patience, in miracles, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (13)For what is there wherein ye have been inferior to the other churches, except that I have not been burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong. (14)Lo! I hold myself ready the third time to come unto you, and I will not burden you; for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up treasure for their parents, but the parents for the children. (15)And I will most cheerfully spend and be spent for your souls, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

(16)But admit it, I was not burdensome to you: but being crafty, I caught you with guile. (17)Did I make a gain of you by any one individual whom I sent unto you? (18)I entreated Titus _to go to you_, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

(19)Think ye that we are again making an apology to you? In the sight of God speak we in Christ: but all things, beloved, for your edification. (20)For I am afraid that when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found of you such as ye would not: lest haply there be contentions, jealousies, animosities, quarrels, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: (21)and lest when I come to you again, my God should bow me down, and I should lament over many who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurities, and whoredom, and lasciviousness which they have committed.

CHAP. XIII.

THIS third time I am coming to you: by the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every charge be established. (2)I have told you before, and I repeat it, as when I was present the second time, and now absent, I write to those who have sinned already, and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare you: (3)since ye demand a proof that Christ speaketh in me, who to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. (4)For though he was crucified in weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God: for we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God _displayed_ towards you.

(5)Examine yourselves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your ownselves: know ye not your ownselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate? (6)But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate. (7)Now I pray unto God that ye do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you may do that which is laudable, though we should be as reprobates. (8)For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (9)For we rejoice when we are weak, but ye are strong: and this also we pray for, even your perfect establishment. (10)For this cause, though absent, I have written these things, that when I am present I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.

(11)Finally, brethren, rejoice: be perfectly united together, be comforted, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (12)Salute one another with a holy kiss. (13)All the saints salute you. (14)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.

The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Luke.

THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE, TO THE GALATIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL the apostle (not _sent_ from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and our Father who raised him from the dead), (2)and all the brethren with me, to the churches of Galatia: (3)grace unto you, and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ; (4)who gave himself for our sins, that he might pluck us out of this present wicked world, according to the will of God and our Father: (5)to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(6)I marvel that ye are so quickly departed from him that called you, by the grace of Christ into another gospel (7)which is not another; but there are certain persons who trouble you, and desire to pervert the gospel of Christ. (8)But though even we, or an angel from heaven, preach unto you another gospel, different from that which we have preached to you, let him be an anathema. (9)As we have before spoken, and I now repeat it again, If any man preach a gospel different from that ye have received, let him be anathema. (10)For do I now use persuasions from men, or from God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

(11)But I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not a merely human ministry. (12)For I neither received it from man, nor was taught, but by immediate revelation from Jesus Christ. (13)For ye have heard of my former manner of life, when I professed Judaism, that in the most outrageous manner I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (14)and signalized myself in Judaism above many of those of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers. (15)But when it pleased God, who selected me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (16)to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach the glad tidings of him to the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, (17)nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. (18)Afterwards at the expiration of three years I went up unto Jerusalem to pay a visit to Peter, and I abode with him fifteen days. (19)But I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (20)Now respecting the things which I write unto you, behold, in the presence of God, I lie not. (21)Afterwards I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (22)and I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea, which are in Christ: (23)only they had heard, that he who persecuted us in time past, now preaches the faith which he once laid waste. (24)And they glorified God on my behalf.

CHAP. II.

FOURTEEN years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also along with us. (2)And I went up then by revelation, and laid before them that gospel which I preach among the Heathen, but in private conference with those who were of the first importance, that haply I might not run, nor had run in vain. (3)And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: (4)but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (5)to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you. (6)But from those who appeared men of the greatest importance, (what sort of men soever they were it maketh no difference to me: God accepteth not a man's person;) for these important personages in conference added nothing to me; (7)but contrariwise when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcision, as Peter was to the circumcision: (8)(for he that wrought powerfully by Peter in his apostolic mission to the circumcision, wrought mightily also by me among the Gentiles.) (9)And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars _of the church_, gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision: (10)only desiring that we would remember the poor--the very thing which I have also been diligent to perform.

(11)But when Peter came to Antioch I withstood him to his face, because he was blameable. (12)For before certain persons came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision. (13)And the other Jews were guilty of the same dissimulation with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. (14)But when I saw that they walked not directly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to judaize? (15)We who are Jews by descent, and not sinners sprung from Gentiles, (16)knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law; because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (17)For if seeking to be justified by Christ, we also ourselves should be found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? God forbid. (18)For if I build up again the very same things which I have pulled down, I stamp myself a transgressor.

(19)For I through the law am dead to the law, that I should live unto God. (20)I am crucified with Christ, yet I live; though no more I, but Christ liveth in me: and my present life in the flesh, is a life by faith in the Son of God, who hath loved me, and delivered up himself for me. (21)I do not set at nought the grace of God; for if righteousness came by the law, truly Christ hath died in vain.

CHAP. III.

O INFATUATED Galatians, who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth? To whom Jesus Christ has been described, as before your eyes, crucified among you. (2)This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or from hearing of the faith? (3)Are ye so senseless? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh? (4)have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

(5)He therefore who ministereth to you a supply of the Spirit, and powerfully worketh miracles among you, doth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith? (6)as Abraham believed in God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. (7)Know then that they who are of faith, these are the children of Abraham. (8)And the scripture foreseeing that by faith God would justify the Gentiles, preached the gospel before unto Abraham, saying, that "In thee shall all the nations be blessed[108]." (9)Wherefore they who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

(10)For as many as are of the works of the law, are under a curse: for it is written, "Cursed is every one who continueth not in all the things written in the book of the law to do them[109]." (11)But that by the law no man is justified before God is evident: because "The just by faith shall live[110]." (12)Now the law is not by faith: but "The man that doeth these things shall live by them[111]." (13)Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, "Cursed is every one who is hanged on a tree[112]:" (14)that unto the Gentiles the benediction pronounced on Abraham might come by Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

(15)Brethren, I speak humanly; to use a similitude, a man's testament, if it be passed in legal form, no man can vacate, or add thereunto. (16)But to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, To seeds, as unto many persons; but as to an individual, and to thy seed, which is Christ. (17)Now this I say, the covenant confirmed of God to Christ, the law, which was given three hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, so as to vacate the promise. (18)For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more by promise; but to Abraham God gave it freely by promise.

(19)To what end then was the law given? It was given on account of transgressions, until that seed should come to whom the promise was made, being delivered through the ministry of angels into the hand of a mediator. (20)But the mediator of the one _seed_ he is not, though God is one.

(21)Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which was capable of procuring life, verily righteousness would have been by the law. (22)But the scripture hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

(23)But before the faith came, we were in ward under the law, shut up together for the faith that should be revealed. (24)Wherefore the law was our conductor, as of children, to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25)But when faith was come, we were no longer under a paedagogue. (26)For ye are all the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27)For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ, have been invested with Christ. (28)There is no more Jew or Gentile, there is no more slave or freeman, there is no more male or female: but ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29)But if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

CHAP. IV.

NOW I affirm, that as long as the heir is an infant, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be master of all; (2)but is under tutors and trustees until the time fixed by his father. (3)So we also, when we were infants, were in bondage under the first elementary principles of the world: (4)but when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, (5)that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6)But because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father! (7)Therefore thou art no more a slave, but a son, and if a son, an heir also of God through Christ.

(8)But at that time when ye knew not God, ye served those who by nature are not gods. (9)But now after having known God, or rather being known of God, how turn ye back again to those weak and beggarly elements, to which again a second time ye desire to be in bondage? (10)Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (11)I am afraid for you, lest haply I have bestowed on you labour in vain.

(12)Be as I am, for I also am as ye are, brethren--this is my request to you: ye have not injured me in the least. (13)Ye know that with infirmity of flesh I preached to you the gospel at the first. (14)And my temptation, which was in my flesh, ye despised not, nor rejected with disgust; but as an angel of God ye received me, even as Christ Jesus himself. (15)What then was your blessedness, for I bear witness to you that, if it were possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. (16)Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

(17)They affect zeal for you, not honourably; but they wish to exclude us, that you may be zealously attached to them. (18)It is good indeed to be zealously affected in a good cause always, and not only when I am present with you.

(19)My little children of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you, (20)I wish I could be with you now, and change my address; for I am in doubt about you.

(21)Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22)For it is written[113] that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free. (23)Now the son of the bond-maid was born after the flesh, but that by the free woman was by promise. (24)Which things are allegorical; for these are the two covenants, the one from mount Sinai, gendering unto bondage, which is represented by Agar. (25)For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds with Jerusalem that now is, and is in bondage with her children. (26)But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. (27)For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren who bearest not, cry out and shout for joy, thou that travailest not, for more are the children of her that was desolate, than of her which had an husband[114]." (28)So we, brethren, as Isaac, are the children of the promise. (29)But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so is it now. (30)But what saith the scripture? "Cast out the bond-woman and her son for the son of the bond-maid shall in no wise inherit with the son of the free woman[115]." (31)So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

CHAP. V.

STAND fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made you free, and be not again held under a yoke of bondage. (2)Behold, I Paul declare to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ will be of no advantage to you. (3)And again, I testify to every man who is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to keep the whole law. (4)Ye have vacated all expectations from Christ, as many of you as are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (5)For we in spirit by faith expect the hope of righteousness. (6)For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith exerting its energy by love. (7)Ye were running well: who hath hindered you that ye should not obey the truth? (8)This persuasion cometh not from him who called you. (9)A little leaven leaveneth the whole mass. (10)I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear condign punishment whosoever he be.

(11)But I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then indeed the offence of the cross is at an end. (12)I wish that they who trouble you were cut off from you. (13)For ye have been called unto liberty, brethren; only use not that liberty as a pretext for carnality, but in love be subject one to another. (14)For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (15)But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed by one another.

(16)But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17)For the flesh hath appetites contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these act in opposition the one to the other: so that ye do not the things which ye would. (18)But if ye are under the conduct of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

(19)Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are these: adultery, whoredom, impurity, lasciviousness, (20)idolatry, magical charms, enmities, strifes, jealousies, animosities, quarrels, divisions, heresies, (21)envyings, murders, drunkenness, revels, and the like of these, concerning which I tell you now, as I have told you already, that they who live in such practices shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

(22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, (23)meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. (24)But they who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and irregular appetites. (25)If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (26)Let us not be vain-glorious, irritating one another, envying one another.

CHAP. VI.

BRETHREN, if a man also be surprised into any act of offence, ye that are spiritual, replace such a one in the spirit of meekness; keeping an attentive eye on thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2)Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (3)For if any man conceits that he is something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (4)But let every man bring his own work to the test, and then shall he have glorying in himself alone, and not _by comparison_ with another. (5)For every man shall bear his own burden.

(6)Let him who is a learner of the word communicate to his instructor in all good things. (7)Be not deceived; God is not to be trifled with: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8)For he that soweth unto his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, and he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (9)Let us not then be weary of well-doing; for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. (10)Well then, whilst we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, but especially unto those who are of the household of faith.

(11)Ye see in how many words I have written unto you with my own hand. (12)As many as wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (13)For even they who are themselves circumcised do not keep the law, but desire you to be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (14)But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world, (15)For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (16)And as many as shall walk after this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

(17)Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ in my body.

(18)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

To the Galatians, written from Rome.

THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE, TO THE EPHESIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (2)grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly things in Christ; (4)as he hath elected us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love: (5)having predestinated us for his adopted children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6)to the praise of the glory of his grace, whereby he hath made us acceptable in that beloved one; (7)in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (8)wherein he hath abounded towards us with all wisdom and intelligence, (9)having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself; (10)at the dispensation of the fulness of the appointed times to gather together under one head all things in Christ, whether they be things in heaven or things in earth, in him: (11)in whom also we have obtained our inheritance, predestinated according to the purpose of him who effectually worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will: (12)that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first had hope in Christ. (13)In whom ye also _trusted_ after ye had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, ye have been sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, (14)which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the final redemption, acquired by him, come, to the praise of his glory.

(15)For this cause I also, since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love ye have to all saints, (16)have not ceased offering up my praises for you, making mention of you in my prayers, (17)that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation by the knowledge of him; (18)the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he hath called you, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance for the saints, (19)and what the transcendent greatness of his power in us, who believe, according to the energy of his mighty strength (20)which he displayed in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly regions, (21)far above all principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; (22)and hath put all things under his feet, and hath appointed him head over all to the church, (23)which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

CHAP. II.

AND you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2)wherein in times past ye walked after the fashion of this world, after the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now worketh with energy in the children of disobedience: (3)among whom also we all have had our conversation in time past, in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as well as the rest. (4)But God, being rich in mercy, through the great love with which he hath loved us, (5)though we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved,) (6)and hath raised us up together with him, and made us sit down together in the heavenly regions in Christ Jesus. (7)That he might shew forth in the ages to come the transcendent riches of his grace, in the kindness shewed to us in Christ Jesus. (8)For by grace ye are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: (9)not by works, lest any man should boast; (10)for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, for which God hath before prepared us, that we should walk therein.

(11)Wherefore remember that ye in time past were Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that called circumcision made by hands in the flesh; (12)that ye were at that time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and atheists in the world: (13)but now in Christ Jesus, ye who formerly were far off, are become nigh by the blood of Christ. (14)For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of separation, (15)destroying the enmity in his flesh, even the law of precepts, in ordinances, that he might from the two create in himself one new man, making peace, (16)and might reconcile them both in one body to God by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; (17)and coming, hath preached peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were nigh: (18)for through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (19)So then ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20)built up on the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21)in whom the whole building exactly cemented together groweth into a holy temple in the Lord: (22)by whom also ye have been built up together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

CHAP. III.

FOR this cause _am_ I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (2)if so be, that ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you: (3)that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote unto you before briefly; (4)wherein when ye read, ye may be able to perceive my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, (5)which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it hath been now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (6)that the Gentiles should be co-heirs, and of the same body, and sharers with them of his promise in Christ by the Gospel: (7)of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which was given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (8)To me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9)and to make all men see what the communication of that mystery means, which was hid from the beginning in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10)that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly regions, the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church, (11)according to the purpose from everlasting, which he formed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12)in whom we have boldness and access with confidence to God by the faith of him.

(13)Wherefore 1 beseech you, that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. (14)For this end I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (15)of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named; (16)that he would give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man; (17)that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that rooted and grounded in love, (18)ye may be strengthened to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth; (19)and to know the love of Christ, transcendently surpassing knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God.

(20)Now to him that is able to do above all things, exceeding abundantly, beyond what we ask or think, according to the power which effectually worketh in us; (21)to him be glory in the church, in Christ Jesus, unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.

CHAP. IV.