Chapter I: ALSO, brethren, was not able to speak to you as spiritual, but as (2)

(5)But if any has caused sorrow, he has not caused sorrow to me, but in part (that I be not too severe on him) to you all. (6)Sufficient for such a one is this punishment, which was inflicted by the many. (7)So that, on the contrary, ye ought rather to forgive and console him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (8)Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.

(9)For to this end also I wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things. (10)To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also; for what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes I forgave it in the person of Christ, (11)that no advantage might be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

(12)And when I came to Troas to preach the good news of Christ, and a door was opened to me in the Lord, (13)I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother; but taking leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia. (14)But thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest by us in every place the savor of the knowledge of him. (15)Because we are to God a sweet savor of Christ, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; (16)to the one a savor of death unto death, to the other a savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (17)For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

III.

DO we again begin to commend ourselves? Or need we, as some, letters of commendation to you, or of commendation from you? (2)Ye are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; (3)being made manifest that ye are a letter of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart.

(4)And such confidence have we through Christ, toward God. (5)Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (6)who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.

(7)But if the ministration of death, engraven with letters in stones, was made glorious, so that the sons of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away; (8)how shall not the ministration of the spirit be more glorious? (9)For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness abound in glory. (10)For even that which was made glorious has no glory in this respect, on account of the glory that excels. (11)For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which abides is glorious.

(12)Having therefore such hope, we use great plainness of speech; (13)and not as Moses put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the end of that which was to be done away. (14)But their understandings were hardened; for until this day the same vail on the reading of the old covenant remains, not being taken away; which vail is done away in Christ[3:14]. (15)But even unto this day, when Moses is read, a vail lies upon their heart. (16)But whenever it turns to the Lord, the vail is taken away.

(17)Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18)But we all, with unvailed face beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

IV.

THEREFORE, having this ministry, as we received mercy, we faint not. (2)But we renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor falsifying the word of God; but, by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (3)But if our gospel is vailed, it is vailed in those who perish; (4)in whom the god of this world blinded the understandings of the unbelieving, that they should not discern the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God[4:4]. (5)For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord; and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. (6)Because it is God, who commands light to shine out of darkness; who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

(7)But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be God's, and not of us; (8)being pressed in every way, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not despairing; (9)persecuted, yet not forsaken; cast down, yet not destroyed; (10)always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (11)For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (12)So that death works in us, but life in you.

(13)But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore did I speak, we also believe, therefore also speak; (14)knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will raise up us also with Jesus, and will present us with you. (15)For all things are for your sakes; that the grace, abounding through the greater number, might make the thanksgiving more abundant, to the glory of God.

(16)For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed day by day: (17)For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works out for us a far more exceeding, an eternal weight of glory; (18)while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

V.

FOR we know that, if our earthly house of the tabernacle[5:1] were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2)For in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven; (3)seeing that we shall be found clothed, not naked[5:3]. (4)For we who are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened; in that we do not desire to be unclothed, but to be clothed upon, that what is mortal might be swallowed up by life.

(5)Now he who wrought us out for this very thing is God, who also gave to us the earnest of the Spirit. (6)Being therefore always confident, and knowing that while at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, (7)(for we walk by faith, not by sight), (8)we are confident, and are well pleased rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

(9)Wherefore we also strive, that, whether at home or absent, we may be well pleasing to him. (10)For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to the things which he did, whether good or bad.

(11)Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but to God we have been made manifest, and I hope that we have been made manifest also in your consciences. (12)For we are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer those who glory in appearance and not in heart. (13)For whether we were beside ourselves, it was for God; or whether we are of sound mind, it is for you. (14)For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judged, that if one died for all, then they all died. (15)And he died for all, that they who live should live no longer to themselves, but to him who for them died and rose again. (16)So that we henceforth know no one according to the flesh; and if also we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer know him. (17)So that if any one is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, all things have become new. (18)And all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19)as that God was in Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.

(20)We are then ambassadors on behalf of Christ[5:20], as though God were beseeching by us; on behalf of Christ we pray: Be reconciled to God! (21)Him who knew not sin he made to be sin for us, that we might become God's righteousness in him.

VI.

AND, as workers together with him, we also beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain; (2)(for he says:

In an accepted time I heard thee,
And in the day of salvation I helped thee;

behold, now is the well accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation;) (3)giving no cause of offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed; (4)but as God's ministers, commending ourselves in everything, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (5)in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; (6)in pureness, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, (7)in the word of truth, in the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (8)through glory and dishonor, through evil report and good report; as deceivers, and true; (9)as unknown, and well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; (10)as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

(11)O Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart is enlarged. (12)Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (13)Now as a recompense in the same kind (I speak as to my children), be ye also enlarged.

(14)Be not yoked unequally with unbelievers; for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (15)And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (16)And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ye are a temple of the living God; as God said: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people.

(17)Wherefore, come out from among them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and touch not anything unclean; and I will receive you, (18)and will be to you a Father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

VII.

HAVING therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

(2)Receive us; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we defrauded no one. (3)I say it not for condemnation; for I have before said, that ye are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. (4)Great is my confidence toward you, great is my glorying on account of you; I am filled with the consolation, I am made to abound with the joy, in all our affliction.

(5)For indeed, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way; without were fightings, within were fears. (6)But God, who consoles those who are cast down, consoled us by the coming of Titus; (7)and not by his coming only, but also by the consolation with which he was consoled in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more. (8)Because, though I made you sorry with the letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it; for I perceive that that letter made you sorry, though but for a season. (9)Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might in nothing receive harm from us. (10)For godly sorrow works repentance unto salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world works out death.

(11)For behold this very thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly manner, what earnestness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what longing desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what avenging! In every thing ye commended yourselves as pure in the matter. (12)So then, though I wrote to you, it was not on account of him who did the wrong, nor of him who suffered wrong, but that your care for us might be made manifest to you in the sight of God.

(13)For this cause we were consoled; but in our consolation[7:13], we rejoiced abundantly more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. (14)For if in any thing I have boasted to him of you, I was not made ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus was found to be truth. (15)And his tender affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

(16)I rejoice, that in every thing I have confidence in you.

VIII.

AND we made known to you, brethren, the grace of God which has been bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2)that in much trial of affliction was the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. (3)For according to their power, I bear witness, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; (4)with much entreaty beseeching of us the grace, and the participation in the ministering to the saints; (5)and not as we expected, but themselves they gave first to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. (6)So that we exhorted Titus, that as he had before begun, so he would also finish among you this grace also.

(7)But, as in everything ye abound, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and all diligence, and your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. (8)I say it not by way of command, but through the forwardness of others proving also the sincerity of your love. (9)For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (10)And I give an opinion in this matter; for this is expedient for you, who began before others, not only to do, but also to will, a year ago. (11)And now perform the doing of it also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the performance according to what ye have.

(12)For if there be first the willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man has, not according to what he has not. (13)For it is not that others may be eased, and ye burdened; (14)but, by the rule of equality, at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want, that also their abundance may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality; as it is written: (15)He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little did not lack.

(16)But thanks be to God, who put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. (17)For he accepted indeed the exhortation; but being very zealous, he went to you of his own accord. (18)And together with him we sent the brother, whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the churches; (19)and not that only, but who was also appointed by the churches, as our fellow-traveler with this gift[8:19] which is administered by us, to further the glory of the Lord, and our zeal; (20)being careful of this, that no one should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us; (21)for we provide for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

(22)And we sent with them our brother, whom we have often in many things proved to be diligent, but now much more diligent, through the great confidence which he has toward you. (23)As to Titus, he is my partner, and in regard to you a fellow-laborer; as to our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. (24)Therefore show toward them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

IX.

FOR concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. (2)For I know your readiness of mind, of which I boast for you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been prepared since a year ago; and your zeal stirred up the greater part of them. (3)But I sent the brethren, that our boasting of you might not be made in vain in this respect; that, as I said, ye may be prepared; (4)lest haply, if Macedonians come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in respect to this confidence.

(5)I thought it necessary, therefore, to exhort the brethren, that they should go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty before promised, that this may be ready, in manner as a bounty and not as covetousness. (6)But as to this, he that sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows with blessings shall also reap with blessings; (7)but each as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(8)And God is able to make every grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound toward every good work; (9)(as it is written:

He dispersed abroad, he gave to the poor;
His righteousness abides forever;)

(10)and he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; (11)being enriched in everything to all liberality, which works through us thanksgiving to God. (12)Because the ministration of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints, but also abounds through many thanksgivings to God; (13)while by the proof of this ministration they glorify God for the obedience to your profession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of the contribution to them, and to all; (14)they also, with supplication for you, longing after you on account of the exceeding grace of God in you. (15)Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

X.

NOW I, Paul, myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you; (2)but I entreat, that I may not when I am present be bold with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, who think of us as walking according to the flesh. (3)For though walking in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; (4)(for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty before God to the pulling down of strongholds) (5)casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (6)and being in readiness to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is made perfect.

(7)Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trusts to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself consider this again, that, as he is Christ's, so also are we. (8)For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification, and not for your destruction[10:8], I shall not be put to shame; (9)that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. (10)For his letters, says one, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. (11)Let such a one consider this, that such as we are in word by letters when absent, such will we be also in deed when present.

(12)For we venture not to reckon ourselves among, or to compare ourselves with, some of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves among themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise. (13)But we will not boast of things without measure, but according to the measure of the line which God apportioned to us, a measure to reach even to you. (14)For we do not stretch ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not to you; for as far as to you also did we come, in the gospel of Christ; (15)not boasting of things without measure in other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith increases, that we shall be enlarged among you according to our line abundantly, (16)to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, not to make our boast, in another's line, of things made ready to our hand. (17)But he that boasts, let him boast in the Lord. (18)For not he that commends himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.

XI.

WOULD that ye could bear with me in a little folly! Nay, ye do bear with me. (2)For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy; for I espoused you to one husband, that I may present a chaste virgin to Christ. (3)But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve by his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from your simplicity toward Christ. (4)For if indeed he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we preached not, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye received not, or a different gospel, which ye accepted not, ye might well bear with it. (5)For I reckon that I am in no respect behind these overmuch apostles. (6)And though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but in everything we have been made manifest among all, in respect to you.

(7)Did I commit an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God without charge. (8)I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, in order to do you service. (9)And when I was present with you, and in want, I was a charge to no one; for what was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied; and in every thing I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will keep myself.

(10)As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting shall not be shut up against me in the regions of Achaia. (11)Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knows. (12)But what I do, and will do, is that I may cut off the occasion of those who desire an occasion, that wherein they boast they may be found even as we. (13)For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14)And no wonder; for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (15)It is no great thing then, if also his ministers transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

(16)I say again, let no one think me foolish; but if it can not be so, yet receive me even if as foolish, that I too may boast myself a little. (17)What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. (18)Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I also will boast. (19)For ye gladly bear with the foolish, being yourselves wise. (20)For ye bear with it, if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes you, if one exalts himself, if one smites you on the face.

(21)I say it as a reproach, that we were weak. But in whatever any one is bold (I say it in foolishness), I also am bold. (22)Are they Hebrews? So am I Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's seed? So am I. (23)Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as beside myself,) I am more; in labors more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in prisons more abundantly, in deaths often; (24)of the Jews five times I received forty stripes save one; (25)thrice I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; thrice I suffered shipwreck; a night and a day I have spent in the deep; (26)by journeyings often, by perils of rivers, by perils of robbers, by perils from my countrymen, by perils from the heathen, by perils in the city, by perils in the wilderness, by perils in the sea, by perils among false brethren; (27)by weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. (28)Beside those things that are without, there is that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (29)Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I do not burn? (30)If I must needs boast, I will boast of things which belong to my infirmity. (31)God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I lie not. (32)In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king kept guard over the city of the Damascenes, wishing to apprehend me; (33)and through a window I was let down in a basket through the wall, and escaped his hands.

XII.

TO boast is surely not expedient for me; for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

(2)I know 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 knows) such a one caught up even to the third heaven. (3)And I know such a man (whether in the body or without the body I know not, God knows), (4)that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

(5)Of such a one I will boast; but of myself I will not boast, save in my infirmities. (6)For if I should desire to boast, I shall not be foolish, for I shall speak truth; but I forbear, lest any one should reckon of me above what he sees me to be, or hears from me.

(7)And that I might not be exalted overmuch through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch. (8)Concerning this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9)And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may abide upon me.

(10)Wherefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.

(11)I have become foolish; ye compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind these overmuch apostles, though I am nothing. (12)Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs, and wonders, and miracles. (13)For what is there, wherein ye were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not a charge to you? Forgive me this wrong.

(14)Behold, I am ready to come to you the third time; and I will not be a charge to you; for I seek not yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (15)And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. (16)But be it so, I was not myself a charge to you[12:16]; but yet, being crafty, I caught you with guile. (17)Did I make gain of you, by any of those whom I have sent to you? (18)I exhorted Titus [to go], and sent with him the brother. Did Titus make gain of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit; did we not in the same steps?

(19)Do ye again suppose that we are excusing ourselves to you[12:19]? Before God in Christ we speak; and all, beloved, for your edification. (20)For I fear, lest haply, when I come, I shall find you not such as I would, and I too shall be found by you such as ye would not; lest there be wranglings, envyings, wraths, rivalries, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults; (21)lest, when I come again, my God shall humble me among you, and I shall bewail many of those who have sinned before, and repented not of the uncleanness, and fornication, and wantonness, which they committed.

XIII.

THIS third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two witnesses, and of three, shall every word be established. (2)I have before said, and now say beforehand, as when present the second time, so also now when absent, to those who heretofore have sinned, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare; (3)since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who toward you is not weak, but is mighty in you. (4)For even if he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

(5)Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye are reprobate? (6)But I trust that ye shall know, that we are not reprobate.

(7)Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye may do what is good, though we be as reprobate. (8)For we have no power against the truth, but for the truth. (9)For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are powerful; this also we pray for, even your perfection.

(10)For this cause I write these things being absent, that when present I may not use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord gave me for edification, and not for destruction.

(11)Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of the same mind, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will 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 Spirit, be with you all.

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS.

I.

PAUL, an apostle, not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised him from the dead, (2)and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: (3)Grace to you, and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ; (4)who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of the present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father; (5)to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

(6)I marvel that ye are so soon removing from him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel; (7)which is not another, except that there are some who trouble you, and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. (8)But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach a gospel to you contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. (9)As we have said before, so I now say again, if any one preaches a gospel to you contrary to that which ye received, let him be accursed. (10)For do I now seek the favor of men or of God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be Christ's servant.

(11)Now I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man; (12)for I also did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ. (13)For ye heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism; that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and was destroying it, (14)and pressed forward in Judaism beyond many companions of the same age in my nation, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers.

(15)But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, (16)to reveal his Son in me, that I should make known the glad news of him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; (17)neither went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but went away[1:17] into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

(18)Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. (19)But no other of the apostles did I see, save James, the brother of the Lord. (20)Now as to the things which I write to you, behold before God, I lie not.

(21)Afterward, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (22)and was unknown by face to the churches of Juda which were in Christ; (23)but they were only hearing, that he who was once our persecutor now preaches the faith which once he was destroying; (24)and they glorified God in me.

II.

THEN, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus with me. (2)And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately, to those of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain. (3)But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; (4)and that because of the false brethren stealthily brought in, who crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; (5)to whom not even for an hour did we yield by the [required] submission, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. (6)But from those reputed to be something,--whatever they were[2:6], it matters not to me, God accepts not man's person,--for to me those of reputation communicated nothing in addition. (7)But, on the contrary, seeing that I have been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision; (8)(for he who wrought for Peter in behalf of the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought also for me in behalf of the Gentiles;) (9)and having learned the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right hands of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; (10)only, that we should remember the poor, which very thing also I was forward to do.

(11)But when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was blamed. (12)For before certain ones came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. (13)And the other Jews also dissembled with him, so that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (14)But when I saw that they walk not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles and not that of Jews, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to become as Jews? (15)We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles; (16)but knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we also believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of law; because by works of law no flesh shall be justified. (17)But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is then Christ a minister of sin? Far be it! (18)For if the things which I pulled down these I build up again, I make myself a transgressor. (19)For I through law died to law, that I might live to God. (20)I have been crucified with Christ; and no longer do I live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (21)I do not set aside the grace of God; for if there be righteousness through law, then Christ died without cause.

III.

O FOOLISH Galatians, who bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was evidently set forth[3:1], crucified among you? (2)This only I desire to learn from you: Was it from works of law that ye received the Spirit, or from the hearing of faith? (3)Are ye so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are ye now being made perfect[3:3] with the flesh? (4)Did ye suffer so many things in vain? If indeed it be in vain. (5)Does he, therefore, who supplies to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you[3:5], do it from works of law, or from the hearing of faith? (6)As Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. (7)Know then that they who are of faith, these are sons of Abraham. (8)And the Scripture, foreseeing that God justifies the Gentiles by faith, announced beforehand the glad tidings to Abraham, saying: In thee shall all the nations be blessed. (9)So that they who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

(10)For as many as are of works of law are under a curse; for it is written: Cursed is every one that continues not in all the things written in the book of the law, to do them. (11)And that in the law no one is justified with God, is evident; because, the just shall live by faith. (12)Now the law is not of faith; but, he that has done them shall live in them. (13)Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; because it is written: Cursed is every one that is hanged on a tree; (14)that unto the Gentiles the blessing of Abraham might come in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

(15)Brethren, I speak after the manner of men. If a covenant has been confirmed, though it be a man's, no one sets it aside, or adds thereto. (16)Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He says not, and to seeds, as concerning many; but as concerning one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. (17)But this I say, that a covenant before confirmed by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, to make the promise of no effect. (18)For if the inheritance is of law, it is no more of promise; but God has freely given it to Abraham by promise.

(19)What then is the law? It was added because of the transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made; having been ordained through angels, by the hand of a mediator. (20)Now the mediator is not of one; but God is one. (21)Is then the law against the promises of God? Far be it! For if a law had been given which is able to make alive, truly righteousness would have been of law. (22)But the Scripture shut up all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (23)But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up unto the faith which was to be revealed. (24)So that the law has become our schoolmaster, unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25)But faith having come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (26)For ye are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27)For all ye who were immersed unto Christ[3:27], did put on Christ. (28)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29)And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise.

IV.

NOW I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in nothing from a servant though he is lord of all; (2)but is under guardians and stewards, until the time appointed by the father. (3)So also we, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements[4:3] of the world. (4)But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under law, (5)that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6)And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7)So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God. (8)But at that time indeed, when ye knew not God, ye served those which are not in their nature gods. (9)But now, after having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that ye turn back again to the weak and poor elements[4:9], to which ye desire to be in bondage again anew? (10)Do ye carefully observe days, and months, and seasons, and years? (11)I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

(12)Become as I am, for I also became as ye are, brethren, I beseech you. Ye injured me in nothing. (13)Nay, ye know that by reason of weakness of the flesh I preached the glad tidings to you the former time; (14)and my trial[4:14], which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor spurned, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. (15)Where is[4:15] then the happiness of which ye spoke? For I bear you witness, that if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. (16)So then, have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (17)They zealously seek you, not well; but they wish to exclude you, that ye may zealously seek them. (18)But it is good to be zealously sought in a good cause always, and not only when I am present with you. (19)My little children, of whom I travail again in birth, until Christ be formed in you! (20)And I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed on account of you.

(21)Tell me, ye who desire to be under law, do ye not hear the law? (22)For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman, and one by the freewoman. (23)But the one by the bondwoman was born after the flesh, and the one by the freewoman through the promise. (24)Which things are an allegory[4:24]. For these women are two covenants, one from mount Sinai, bearing children into bondage, (25)which is Hagar (for the word Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia), and answers to the Jerusalem that now is, for she is in bondage with her children. (26)But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all[4:26]. (27)For it is written:

Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not;
Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not;
Because many are the children of the desolate, rather than of her
who has the husband.

(28)But ye, brethren, after the manner of Isaac, are children of promise. (29)But as then, the one born after the flesh persecuted the one born after the spirit, so also is it now. (30)But what says the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. (31)So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the freewoman.

V.

STAND fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ made us free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage. (2)Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3)Now I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised, that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. (4)Ye are separated from Christ, whoever of you are justified in the law; ye are fallen away from grace. (5)For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (6)For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith working by love.

(7)Ye were running well; who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth? (8)The persuasion is not from him who calls you. (9)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (10)I have confidence toward you in the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded; but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be. (11)But as for me, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then has the offense of the cross ceased. (12)I would that they were even cut off who unsettle you.

(13)For ye were called unto liberty, brethren; only use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (14)For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (15)But if ye bite and devour one another, beware lest ye be consumed by one another.

(16)But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the desire of the flesh. (17)For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, that ye may not do those things that ye would. (18)But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.

(19)Now the works of the flesh are manifest; which are, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, (20)idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, emulation, wraths, contentions, divisions, factions, (21)envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings; and things like these; of which I tell you beforehand, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

(22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, (23)meekness, temperance; against such things there is no law. (24)And they that are Christ's crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25)If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (26)Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

VI.

BRETHREN, even if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2)Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill[6:2] the law of Christ. (3)For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (4)But let each one prove his own work, and then shall he have ground of glorying in reference to himself alone, and not to another. (5)For each one shall bear his own load.

(6)But let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches, in all good things. (7)Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (8)Because he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (9)And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10)So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

(11)See with what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand.

(12)As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these constrain you to be circumcised; only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (13)For neither do they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but they desire that ye should be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (14)But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. (15)For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (16)And as many as walk by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of God.

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

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

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.

I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and believers in Christ Jesus: (2)Grace to 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 has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; (4)as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love; (5)having predestined us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6)to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the beloved; (7)in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (8)which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding; (9)making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself, (10)in reference to the dispensation of the fullness of times, to gather for himself into one all things in the Christ, the things which are in the heavens, and the things on the earth; (11)in him, in whom we obtained also the inheritance[1:11], being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will, (12)that we should be to the praise of his glory who before have hoped in the Christ; (13)in whom ye also, after having heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, in whom [I say] having also believed[1:13], ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise; (14)which is an earnest of our inheritance until the redemption[1:14] of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.

(15)For this cause I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints, (16)cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17)that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give to you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the full knowledge of him; (18)the eyes of your heart being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19)and what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20)which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21)far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; (22)and subjected all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, (23)which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all[1:23].

II.