Chapter I: THEN, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, that ye walk worthy of

the vocation with which ye are called, (2)with all humility and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; (3)careful to preserve unity of spirit, in the bond of peace. (4)There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye have been called to one hope of your calling; (5)one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6)one God, and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

(7)But to every one of us hath the grace been given, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (8)Wherefore the Scripture saith, "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men[116]." (9)Now this, that he ascended, what does it imply? but that he also first descended into the more internal parts of the earth? (10)He that descended is the same also, who ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

(11)And he himself appointed, some indeed apostles, and some prophets; and others preachers of the Gospel; and others pastors and teachers; (12)for the perfecting the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ: (13)until we all attain in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a state of complete manhood, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14)that we should be no longer infants, floating on the waves, and carried about with every wind of novel doctrine, by the juggling of men, by their craftiness after the delusive wiles of error; (15)but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, even Christ: (16)From whom the whole body nicely joined together, and firmly connected by every joint of exact proportion, according to the energy exerted in the measure of every several part, causeth the increase of the body unto the edification of itself in love.

(17)This then I urge and testify in the Lord, that ye walk no more as the other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, (18)darkened in understanding; alienated from the life of God through the ignorance which is in them; through the blindness of their hearts: (19)who insensible to remorse, have delivered themselves over in lasciviousness, to the practice of all impurity, with insatiable avidity. (20)But ye have not so learned Christ; (21)if indeed ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22)that ye put off respecting your former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful passions; (23)but be renewed in the spirit of your minds; (24)and put on the new man, which is created godlike, in righteousness and true holiness.

(25)Wherefore putting away lying, speak truth, every one with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

(26)Are ye provoked; and do you not sin? let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27)nor give place to the devil.

(28)Let him that stole steal no more; but rather labour hard, working with his hands that which is good, that he may have something to give to him that is in want.

(29)Let no loose discourse proceed out of your mouth, but whatever is good for useful edification, that it may communicate grace to the hearers. (30)And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye have been sealed unto the day of redemption. (31)Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and scandal, be removed from you, with all malice: (32)but be ye kind one to another, full of sensibility, forgiving mutually, even as God in Christ hath forgiven you.

CHAP. V.

BE ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; (2)and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us, an oblation and sacrifice to God, for an odour of a sweet smell. (3)But fornication and all impurity, or insatiable desire, let it not be mentioned among you, as becometh saints; (4)or obscenity, or foolish talk, or loose witticisms; things which become not _a Christian_, but rather thanksgiving. (5)For this ye know, that no whoremonger, or impure person, or avaricious, who is an idolater, hath an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (6)Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things, the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. (7)Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (8)For ye were formerly darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; (9)(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (10)proving what is acceptable to the Lord. (11)And have no society with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them. (12)For it is scandalous but to mention the things done of them in secret. (13)But all things which are rebukeable are made manifest by the light; for it is the light, by which every thing is made manifest. (14)Wherefore he saith, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light[117]."

(15)Take heed, then, that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16)redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17)Therefore be not unwise, but intelligent concerning what is the will of the Lord. (18)And be not drunk with wine, in which there is sottishness, but be filled with the Spirit; (19)speaking one to another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in the heart to the Lord; (20)giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God even the Father; (21)being subject one to another in the fear of God.

(22)Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23)For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and is himself the saviour of the body. (24)As then the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

(25)Husbands, love your own wives, as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26)that he might sanctify it, purifying it in the laver of water by the word, (27)that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having blemish, nor wrinkle, nor any such things; but that it may be holy and unblameable. (28)So ought husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself. (29)For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30)for we are the members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (31)For this reason shall a man forsake his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be as one flesh. (32)This mystery is great: but I am speaking with regard to Christ, and with regard to the church. (33)Nevertheless let every one of you individually see that each love his own wife even as himself; but the wife that she stand in awe of the husband.

CHAP. VI.

CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2)"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with a promise;) (3)that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest be long-lived upon earth[118]." (4)And, ye fathers, exasperate not your children: but educate them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

(5)Servants, be obedient to your masters after the flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as unto Christ; (6)not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul; (7)with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not unto men: (8)knowing that whatsoever good a man doeth, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be a bondman, or whether he be free.

(9)And ye masters, do the same things to them, avoiding menacing language: knowing that you also yourselves have a master in heaven; and there is no respect of persons with him.

(10)Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11)Be clothed in the panoply of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12)For our conflict is not merely against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and against powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against wicked spirits in the aerial regions. (13)Therefore take the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all things to stand. (14)Stand therefore, girded about your loins with truth, and putting on the breastplate of righteousness; (15)and underneath your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16)and over all lifting up the shield of faith, with which ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17)And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18)praying at every opportunity with all prayer and supplication in Spirit, and watching for this very purpose with perseverance and intercession for all the saints; (19)and for me that there may be given unto me utterance to open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20)for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

(21)But that ye also may know the things which concern me, and what I am doing, Tychicus will inform you of the whole, a beloved brother, and faithful in the Lord: (22)whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

(23)Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (24)Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

Written to the Ephesians from Rome by Tychicus.

THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE, TO THE PHILIPPIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (2)grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3)I give thanks to my God on every remembrance of you, (4)always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy, (5)for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day even until now; (6)being confident of this very thing, that he who hath wrought in you the good work will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: (7)as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I bear you on my heart, both in my bonds and in my defence and the confirmation of the gospel, as being all of you sharers in my grace. (8)For God is my witness, how earnestly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. (9)And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all understanding; (10)that ye may prove the things that are excellent, in order that ye may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ; (11)filled with fruits of righteousness, which by Jesus Christ are to the glory and praise of God.

(12)Now I wish you, brethren, to know, that the things which have befallen me have rather conduced to the progress of the gospel; (13)so that my bonds are manifest in Christ through the whole palace, and all other places; (14)and very many of our brethren in the Lord, assuming confidence from my chains, are more abundantly bold, fearlessly to preach the word. (15)Some indeed do it in a spirit of envy and strife; but some also preach Christ with cordial good-will: (16)the one indeed preach Christ out of contention, not with purity of intention, thinking to add affliction to my bonds: (17)but the others of love, knowing that I am exposed for the defence of the gospel. (18)What then? if Christ is preached in whatever manner it be, whether in pretext or reality, even in this do I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (19)For I know that this shall issue in my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20)according to my firm expectation and hope, that I shall be confounded by no event, but that with all boldness, as always hitherto, Christ shall now also be magnified in my body, whether by my life or death. (21)For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22)But if it be his will, that I should live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my travail: and what to chuse I know not. (23)For I am in a strait between the two, having an earnest longing to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, for this is far, far better: (24)but to abide in the flesh may be more necessary for you. (25)And being so persuaded, I know that I shall stay and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith; (26)that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus for me by my coming again unto you.

(27)Only conduct yourselves worthily as becometh the gospel of Christ; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul wrestling together in the faith of the gospel; (28)and not dismayed on any occasion by your adversaries; which is indeed the proof of perdition to them, but of salvation to you, and that from God. (29)For this favour on the part of Christ is granted you, not only that ye should believe on him, but also that ye should suffer for his sake; (30)experiencing the same conflict which ye have seen in me, and now hear to be in me.

CHAP. II.

IF there be then any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any communion of spirit, if any bowels and compassions, (2)fulfil ye my joy, that ye may be united in sentiment, having the same love, of one soul, of one mind. (3)Let nothing be done contentiously or vain-gloriously; but in humility reckoning others superior to yourselves. (4)Let not each aim at their own particular interests, but every man at those of others.

(5)Let the same sentiment of mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6)who being in the form of God counted it no usurpation to claim equality with God: (7)but emptied himself, assuming the form of a servant, made after the similitude of mortal men; (8)and found in fashion as man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even to the death of the cross. (9)Wherefore God also hath transcendently exalted him, and bestowed on him a name which is above every name: (10)that to the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of beings celestial and terrestrial, and infernal; (11)and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus _is_ Messiah, to the glory of God the Father.

(12)Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always been obedient, not only during my presence with you, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling work out your own salvation. (13)For it is God who worketh effectually in you both to will and to perform of his good pleasure.

(14)Do all things without murmurings or disputes: (15)that ye may be blameless and harmless, the children of God, inoffensive, in the midst of an untoward and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as luminaries in the world; (16)holding up the word of life, that I may glory in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain. (17)Yea, and should I become the victim, in the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (18)In like manner do ye also joy and rejoice with me.

(19)But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be refreshed in spirit, when I know your affairs. (20)For I have no one like minded with him, who will genuinely care for your affairs. (21)For all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. (22)But ye have known the trial of him, that, as a son with a father, he hath served with me in the gospel. (23)Him therefore I hope to send immediately as soon as I see clearly what will become of me. (24)But I have confidence in the Lord that I myself shall come shortly. (25)But I have thought it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, my brother, and fellow-labourer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and the minister who supplied my want. (26)For indeed he greatly longed after you all, and was very sorry that ye had heard that he had been sick. (27)For sick indeed he was, nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow. (28)I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that seeing him once more ye may rejoice, and I be less sorrowful. (29)Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and honourably treat those that are such: (30)for in the work of Christ he was nigh unto death indifferent about life, that he might afford me that service which it was not in your power to render me.

CHAP. III.

MOREOVER, brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but is safe for you. (2)Beware of dogs, beware of the malicious labourers, beware of the concision. (3)For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. (4)Though I too might have confidence in the flesh; if any other man thinks that he may have confidence in the flesh, I may claim more: (5)circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; (6)respecting the law, a Pharisee; with regard to zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is by the law, blameless. (7)But what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. (8)Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the transcendently excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as offals of ordure, that I may gain Christ, (9)and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is by the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10)that I may know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and communion with his sufferings, being conformed to his death; (11)if haply I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12)Not that I have already attained, or am now perfect: but I pursue, that I may overtake that for which also by his apprehension of me I am destined by Christ Jesus.

(13)Brethren, I count not myself to have overtaken it; but this one object I pursue, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching out to those which are before, (14)I press towards the mark for the prize of the divine calling from on high in Christ Jesus.

(15)Let as many of us therefore as are perfect, be thus minded: and if ye entertain any other sentiment, God also will unveil this unto you. (16)Nevertheless, so far as we have advanced, be it our care to walk by the same rule, to mind the same thing.

(17)Be ye imitators, brethren, of me, and eye attentively those who walk so as ye have us for an example. (18)For many walk, whom I have often mentioned to you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19)whose end is perdition, whose God is their belly, and their glory in their shame, whose minds are occupied with earthly things. (20)But our conversation is in heaven as its citizens, from whence also we are expecting the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21)who shall transform our body of humiliation, that it may be conformed to his body of glory, according to the effectual working of him who is able to subdue even all things to himself.

CHAP. IV.

WHEREFORE, my brethren, beloved, and very dear to me, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, O beloved.

(2)I beseech Euodias, and I beseech Syntiche to be of one mind in the Lord. (3)And I beseech thee also, my genuine associate, assist those women who laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and my other fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

(4)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.

(5)Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand. (6)Be not anxious about any thing, but in every case by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known unto God. (7)And the peace of God which surpasseth all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

(8)Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are serious, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are amiable, whatsoever things are laudable, if there be any virtue, or any thing praise-worthy, pay attention to these things. (9)Whatsoever things also ye have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these practise, and the God of peace shall be with you.

(10)Now I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now once more your thoughtful attention about me hath again sprung up, to which also your mind had been disposed, but ye had not found the opportunity. (11)Not that I mention this with a view to my indigence: for I have learned in whatever circumstances I am, to be content. (12)I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in every state and in all situations I am instructed either to be full or famishing, either to enjoy abundance, or to suffer want: (13)I am enabled for all things by Christ who strengtheneth me. (14)Nevertheless ye have done nobly in your communications to me during my affliction.

(15)But know also, Philippians, that at my first preaching the gospel, when I went from Macedonia, no church communicated to me in the way of giving and receiving but ye alone. (16)For in Thessalonica also ye sent me once, yea twice, a supply for my want. (17)Not that I am anxious for a gift; but I am anxious to see fruit abounding on your account. (18)But I have now all things, and abound: I am full, having received from Epaphroditus your bounty, an odour of sweet smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. (19)But my God will fully supply all your want, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus. (20)Now to God, even our Father, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(21)Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren that are with me salute you. (22)All the saints salute you, specially those who are of Caesar's household.

(23)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Unto the Philippians, written from Rome by Epaphroditus.

THE EPISTLE of PAUL the APOSTLE, TO THE COLOSSIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy a brother, (2)to the saints at Colosse, and to the faithful brethren in Christ: grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3)We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you, (4)having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love ye show to all the saints; (5)because of the hope laid up for you in the heavens, which ye have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, (6)which is come unto you, as it is also unto all the world; and beareth fruit, as also among you, from the day that ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth; (7)even as ye have learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-labourer, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you; (8)who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. (9)For this cause we also from the day we heard it have not ceased praying for you, and beseeching God that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10)that ye may walk worthy of the Lord, well pleasing him in all things, in every good work fruitful, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11)strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joy; (12)giving thanks to God, even the Father, who hath made us meet for a portion in the inheritance of the saints in light; (13)who hath plucked us out from the dominion of darkness, and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love: (14)in whom we have redemption through his blood, and forgiveness of sins. (15)Who is the image of the invisible God, the prime author of all creation: (16)for by him were all things created, celestial and terrestrial, visible or invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers, all were created by him, and for him: (17)and he is before all, and by him all things subsist. (18)And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first begotten from the dead, that he might be in all things pre-eminent. (19)For it hath pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell; (20)and by him to reconcile all things to himself, making peace by the blood of his cross: by him, I say, whether they be things on earth, or things in the heavens. (21)And you who in time past were all aliens, and enemies in mind by wicked works, hath he now reconciled, (22)by the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreprehensible in his presence: (23)if ye abide in faith grounded and firm, and never moved aside from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which hath been preached to the whole creation which is under heaven, of which I Paul am a minister.

(24)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh the measure of afflictions for Christ which remains to be endured for his body, which is the church, (25)of which I am a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which was given me for you to fulfil the ministry of the word of God--(26)the mystery which was hid from ages and from generations, but is now unveiled to his saints; (27)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 hope of glory: (28)whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; (29)for which also I am labouring, conflicting in the energy of his might, which worketh in me powerfully.

CHAP. II.

FOR I wish you to know how great a struggle I sustain for you, and those at Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2)that their hearts may be comforted, firmly united together in love, and unto all riches of full assurance of understanding, in the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (3)in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

(4)Now this I say, lest any man pervert you with specious discourse. (5)For though I am absent from you in person, yet I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing and beholding your regular order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. (6)As therefore ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him: (7)rooted and built up on him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8)Beware that no man make a prey of you by means of philosophy and vain delusion, after the tradition of men, after the principles of the world, and not after Christ: (9)for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily; (10)and ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power: (11)in whom also ye have been circumcised with the circumcision not made with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, through the circumcision of Christ: (12)buried with him in baptism, in which also ye have been raised up together with him by faith, the energy of God, who raised him from the dead.

(13)And you, who were dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened with him, freely forgiving you all trespasses; (14)and hath blotted out the handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was the obstacle to us, and took it from the midst, nailing it to the cross; (15)spoiling principalities and powers, he exposed them to view openly, triumphing over them on it. (16)Let no man therefore judge you concerning what you eat, or what you drink, or the observance of a feast, or new moon, or the sabbaths; (17)which are _merely_ shadows of things to come: but the body is Christ's. (18)Let no man juggle you out of your prize, voluntary in _his_ humility and the worship of angels, intruding into things which he never saw, vainly puffed up by his carnal imagination; (19)and not firmly attached to the head, from which the whole body, by joints and ligaments, harmoniously adjusted and closely compacted, increaseth with increase from God.

(20)If then ye have been dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye dogmatically taught, (21)eat not, nor talk, nor touch, (22)(all which things tend to corruption by abuse) according to the injunctions and doctrines of men? (23)Which things indeed hold forth an appearance of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and bodily mortification, _though_ not of any value, _but_ a gratification to the flesh.

CHAP. III.

IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (2)Fix your minds on things above, not on things on the earth. (3)For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4)When Christ shall appear, who is our life, then shall you also with him be manifested in glory. (5)Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth, fornication, impurity, the vile passion, evil concupiscence, and insatiable desire, which is idolatry: (6)for which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience; (7)in which ye also walked formerly when ye lived among them: (8)but now ye have put away all these things, anger, asperity, malice, scandal, obscenity, out of your mouth.

(9)Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his practices; (10)and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. (11)Where there is no difference whether a man be Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or freeman: but Christ is all and in all.

(12)Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; (13)forbearing one another, and freely forgiving one another, if any man hath a complaint against another: even as Christ hath freely forgiven you, so also do ye. (14)But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (15)And let the peace of God set up its throne in your hearts, whereunto also ye have been called in one body; and be ye thankful.

(16)Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing with grace in your heart unto the Lord. (17)And everything that ye do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

(18)Wives be subject to your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord.

(19)Husbands, love your wives, and use no asperity against them.

(20)Children, be obedient to your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

(21)Parents, irritate not your children, lest their spirit be broken.

(22)Servants, obey in all things your masters after the flesh, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but, in simplicity of heart, fearing God. (23)And in every thing that ye do, labour from the soul, as for the Lord, and not man; (24)knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye are servants to the Lord Christ. (25)But he that is guilty of injustice shall receive punishment for the wrong he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

CHAP. IV.

MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.

(2)Persevere in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; (3)praying also at the same time for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, that I may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains: (4)that I may make it evident, as I ought to speak.

(5)Walk wisely with regard to those without, redeeming the time. (6)Let your discourse be always gracious, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to reply to every man.

(7)All my affairs will Tychicus make known unto you, a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord: (8)whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that he might know your affairs, and comfort your hearts; (9)with Onesimus, that faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you: they will make known unto you all things that have passed here.

(10)There salute you Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner, and Mark nephew to Barnabas, concerning whom ye have received injunctions; if he come unto you, receive him, (11)and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-labourers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.

(12)Epaphras, one of you, saluteth you, a servant of Christ, always wrestling for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (13)For I bear him witness that he hath great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

(14)Luke, the beloved physician, saluteth you, and Demas.

(15)Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is at his house. (16)And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it also be read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye also read that from Laodicea. (17)And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received from the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

(18)The salutation of Paul with mine own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Written to the Colossians from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE, TO THE THESSALONIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2)We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (3)without ceasing calling to mind your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; (4)knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election. (5)For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in great fulness of assurance; as ye know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. (6)And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost; (7)so that ye became models for all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (8)For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only into Macedonia and Achaia, but into every region also your fidelity towards God is gone out, so that we have no need to say any thing. (9)For they publish concerning you what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve the living and true God, (10)and to wait for his Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.

CHAP. II.

FOR ye yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in to you, that it was not in vain. (2)But though we had suffered before, and were infamously treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to preach unto you the gospel of God amidst a great conflict. (3)And our exhortation originated not from delusion, or impurity, or from guile; (4)but as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. (5)For neither at any time used we insinuating language, as ye know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness: (6)not seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, though we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ. (7)But we were gentle in the midst of you, as a nurse cherisheth her own infants. (8)So, tenderly affected towards you, we could with pleasure have imparted to you not the gospel of God only, but our own lives also, because ye were beloved by us. (9)For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: for night and day working hard, that we might be no burden to any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (10)Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and faultlessly we conducted ourselves among you that believe: (11)as ye know how _we treated_ every one of you, as a father doth his children, exhorting you, and admonishing, and conjuring you, (12)that ye should walk worthy of God, as calling you into his kingdom and glory.

(13)For this cause do we also give thanks to God unceasingly, because when ye received the word reported by us from God, ye received it not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which worketh also effectually in you that believe. (14)For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for ye suffered the same things also yourselves from your own countrymen, as they too have of the Jews; (15)who both murdered the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are in opposition to all mankind; (16)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the extremity.

(17)But we, brethren, bereaved of you for a short moment, in person, not in heart, have more abundantly longed to see your face with great desire. (18)Therefore we wished to have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan prevented us. (19)For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (20)For ye are our glory and joy.

CHAP. III.

WHEREFORE when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone: (2)and sent Timothy our brother, and a minister of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might stablish you, and comfort you concerning your faith: (3)that no man might be shaken by these tribulations; for ye yourselves know that thereunto we are appointed. (4)For when we were with you, we told you before that we were about to suffer tribulation; as also it came to pass, and ye know. (5)For this cause also, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your fidelity, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labour should be in vain. (6)But now when Timothy returned to us from you, and brought us the glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye retain a kind remembrance of us always, earnestly desirous to see us, as we are also to see you: (7)for this cause we have felt consolation, brethren, in you under all our tribulation and distress, because of your fidelity. (8)For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (9)For what sufficient thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God, (10)night and day most fervently praying that we may see your face, and amply supply the deficiencies of your faith?

(11)Now God himself, and our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ direct our way unto you. (12)And the Lord cause you to abound and overflow with love one to another, and towards all men, as we also do to you: (13)to the end that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before God and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

CHAP. IV.

FINALLY, brethren, we beseech you therefore, and conjure you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and please God, so ye would abound more and more. (2)For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. (3)For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from whoredom; (4)that every one of you may know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour, (5)not in the vile passion of lewdness, as the Gentiles which know not God; (6)that no man transgress against, or act dishonestly to his brother in this matter because the Lord is the avenger of all such things, as we have told you before, and testified. (7)For God hath not called us unto impurity, but unto holiness. (8)Therefore he that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.

(9)Now concerning brotherly love, I have no need to write unto you: for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another. (10)And indeed ye practise it towards all the brethren that are throughout Macedonia: but we conjure you, brethren, to abound more and more; (11)and that you make it your study to live peaceably, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we have enjoined you; (12)that ye walk becomingly towards those without, and need no assistance from any person.

(13)Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are fallen asleep, that ye be not afflicted, as the rest _of mankind_ who have no hope. (14)For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, so also those that have fallen asleep for Jesus shall God bring with him. (15)For this I say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent those who are fallen asleep. (16)For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17)then we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with the Lord. (18)Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

CHAP. V.

NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you: (2)for yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3)For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape. (4)But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. (5)Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not the children of night, nor of darkness. (6)Let us not then sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7)For they who sleep, sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, are drunken in the night; (8)but 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. (9)For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (10)who died for us, that whether we sleep, or whether we wake, we may live together with him. (11)Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.

(12)Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (13)and to account of them very highly in love for their work's sake. And live in peace among yourselves.

(14)Now we conjure you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient with all men. (15)See that no man return evil for evil to any man; but always pursue that which is good, both towards one another, and towards all men.

(16)Rejoice evermore. (17)Pray without ceasing. (18)In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-wards. (19)Quench not the Spirit. (20)Despise not prophesyings. (21)Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (22)Abstain from all appearance of evil.

(23)Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24)Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

(25)Brethren, pray for us. (26)Salute all the brethren with an holy kiss.

(27)I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

(28)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE, TO THE THESSALONIANS.

CHAP. I.

PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: (2)grace unto you and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (3)We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as it is fit, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth: (4)so that we ourselves make our boast of you among the churches of God, for your patience and fidelity under all your persecutions and afflictions which ye endure: (5)which is a manifest proof of the righteous judgment of God, that ye should be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: (6)seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; (7)and to you who are troubled, rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven with his mighty angels, (8)in a flame of fire, taking vengeance of them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9)who shall receive punishment, even eternal perdition, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power: (10)when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired by all those who believe; because our testimony was believed among you in that day. (11)Wherefore also we pray continually for you, that our God would count you worthy of the calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: (12)that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

CHAP. II.

NOW we entreat you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him: (2)that ye be not hastily agitated with apprehension, nor troubled, neither by spirit, nor by discourse, nor by letter, as coming from us, as though the day of the Lord was instantly approaching. (3)Let no man deceive you in any way: because that cannot be till the apostasy come first, and the man of sin appear, the son of perdition, (4)who opposeth himself against, and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is the object of adoration; so that he in the temple of God sitteth as God, exhibiting himself in public that he is God. (5)Do ye not remember that when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6)And now ye know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his own time. (7)For the mystery of iniquity is already powerfully working; only he that withholdeth hitherto, will do so till he is removed. (8)And then that lawless person will appear, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; (9)whose appearing is known by fanatical energy, displayed in all power, and signs, and lying miracles, (10)and in every unrighteous delusion among those who perish: in consequence of which things they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11)And for this cause God shall send unto them the energy of delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12)that they all might be damned who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in unrighteousness. (13)But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath elected you from the beginning unto salvation, by sanctification of the Spirit, and faith in the truth: (14)whereunto also he called you by our gospel, in order to your acquisition of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (15)Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and firmly hold the injunctions delivered to you, as ye have been taught, whether by our discourse, or by letter.

(16)Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God, and Father, who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace, (17)comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

CHAP. III.

FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run, and be glorified, even as among you; (2)and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for there is not faith in all. (3)But the Lord is faithful, who will stablish you, and keep you from the wicked one. (4)But we have confidence in the Lord towards you, that the things which we have enjoined you, ye both do, and will do. (5)And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.

(6)Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw yourselves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not according to the injunction which he hath received from us. (7)For ye yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you, (8)neither did we eat bread with any man unpaid for, but with labour and toil worked night and day, that we might be burdensome to none of you: (9)not that we have not such power, but that we might be ourselves an example for you to imitate. (10)For when we were with you, this we enjoined you, that if a man would not work, neither should he eat. (11)For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, doing no work, but being busy-bodies. (12)Now such we command, and conjure, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they labour, and eat their own bread.

(13)But ye, brethren, be not weary of well doing. (14)And if any man obey not our word by letter, mark that man, and maintain no society with him, that he may be ashamed. (15)Yet regard him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (16)And the Lord of peace himself give you peace, by every means, in every situation.

The Lord be with you all.

(17)The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is my sign in every letter: so I write.

(18)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The second epistle was written to the Thessalonians from Athens.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL TO TIMOTHY.

CHAP. I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the order of God, our Saviour, and Lord, Jesus Christ, who is our hope; (2)to Timothy, my genuine son in faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord.

(3)As I exhorted thee to abide at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest enjoin certain persons to introduce no different doctrine, (4)nor to attend to fables and endless genealogies, which give occasion to disputes rather than godly edification, which is by faith; _so do_. (5)For the end of the commandment is love out of a clean heart, and good conscience, and faith unfeigned: (6)from which some, having swerved, have turned aside to vain babbling; (7)affecting to be doctors of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (8)But we know that the law is good if a man use it according to its institution; (9)knowing this, that the law is not made for the just man, but for the lawless and disorderly, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for men-slayers, (10)for whoremongers, for sodomites, for stealers of men, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing which is contrary to sound doctrine, (11)according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been put in trust. (12)And I render thanks to him who hath strengthened me, even to Christ Jesus our Lord, that he hath counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (13)who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and insolently violent, But I was admitted to mercy, for I did it ignorantly in unbelief; (14)but the grace of our Lord hath exceedingly abounded with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. (15)It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. (16)But for this end obtained I mercy, that in me, the chief, Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to those who should after believe in him unto eternal life. (17)Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(18)This commandment, son Timothy, I give thee, according to the prophecies which were before delivered concerning thee, that by them thou mightest war a good warfare; (19)holding faith and a good conscience, which some having renounced, as touching the faith, have been shipwrecked: (20)of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over unto Satan, that they may be corrected, so as to blaspheme no more.

CHAP. II.