Chapter I: CHARGE thee before God, and Christ Jesus who will judge the living (2)

(22)But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (23)For if any one is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like to a man beholding his natural face in a mirror. (24)For he beheld himself, and has gone away; and immediately he forgot what manner of man he was. (25)But he who looked into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and remained thereby, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of work, this man shall be happy in his doing.

(26)If any one thinks that he is religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

(27)Religion, pure and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: To visit the orphans and widows in their affliction; to keep himself unspotted from the world.

II.

MY brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons. (2)For if there have come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in gay clothing, and there have come in also a poor man in mean clothing; (3)and ye have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say: Sit thou here in a good place, and say to the poor man: Stand thou there, or, Sit under my footstool; (4)were ye not partial in yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

(5)Hearken, my beloved brethren. Did not God choose the poor as to this world[2:5] to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love him? (6)But ye dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do not they drag you before the judgment-seats? (7)Do not they blaspheme the worthy name by which ye are called?

(8)If indeed ye fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well. (9)But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. (10)For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (11)For he who said: Do not commit adultery, said also: Do not kill. Now if thou commit not adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (12)So speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (13)For the judgment shall be without mercy, to him that showed no mercy. Mercy glories over judgment.

(14)What does it profit, my brethren, if any one say that he has faith, and have not works? Can the faith save him? (15)But if a brother or a sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16)and one of you say to them: Depart in peace, be warmed, and be filled, but ye give them not the things needful for the body, what does it profit? (17)So also faith, if it has not works, is dead in itself. (18)But some will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without the works, and I will show thee the faith by my works. (19)Thou believest that God is one. Thou doest well; the demons also believe, and tremble. (20)But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

(21)Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22)Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made complete. (23)And the scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness; and he was called, Friend of God.

(24)Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (25)And in like manner, was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she received the messengers, and sent them out by another way? (26)For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

III.

MY brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation. (2)For in many things we all offend. If any one offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle also the whole body.

(3)Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths[3:3], that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body. (4)Behold also the ships, though they are so great, and driven by fierce winds, are turned about by a very small helm, whithersoever the steersman may desire. (5)So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire kindles! (6)And the tongue is a fire, that world of iniquity! The tongue among our members is that which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of life, and is set on fire by hell. (7)For every nature of beasts and birds, of reptiles and things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed, by the nature of man. (8)But the tongue no man can tame; a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (9)Therewith we bless the Lord and Father; and therewith we curse men, who have been made after the likeness of God. (10)Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11)Does the fountain, out of the same opening, send forth the sweet and the bitter? (12)Can a fig-tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

(13)Who is wise and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show, out of his good deportment, his works in meekness of wisdom. (14)But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, do not glory, and lie against the truth. (15)This wisdom is not one that comes down from above, but earthly, sensual[3:16], devilish. (16)For where there is emulation and strife, there is confusion and every evil work. (17)But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, forbearing, easily persuaded, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18)And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, by those who work peace.

IV.

FROM whence are wars, and from whence are fightings among you? Are they not from hence, from your lusts that war in your members? (2)Ye desire, and have not; ye kill, and envy, and can not obtain; ye fight and war. Ye have not, because ye ask not; (3)ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

(4)Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore desires to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (5)Do ye think that the Scripture says in vain, the spirit he made to dwell in us has jealous longings? (6)But he gives the more grace. Wherefore he says:

God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.

(7)Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. (8)Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. (9)Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness. (10)Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

(11)Do not speak against one another, brethren. He that speaks against his brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law. But if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12)One is the lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?

(13)Come now, ye that say: To-day and to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend one year there, and buy and sell, and get gain; (14)(whereas ye know not what belongs to the morrow; for what is your life? for ye are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away;) (15)instead of saying: If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that. (16)But now ye glory in your boastings. All such glorying is evil. (17)Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

V.

COME now, ye rich, weep, wailing for your miseries that are coming upon you. (2)Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are become moth-eaten. (3)Your gold and silver is rusted; and the rust of them will be a witness against you, and will eat your flesh as fire. Ye heaped up treasure, in the last days.

(4)Behold, the hire of the laborers who reaped your fields, which is fraudulently kept back by you, cries out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth[5:4]. (5)Ye have been luxurious on the earth, and lived in pleasure; ye have nourished your hearts, in the day of slaughter. (6)Ye have condemned, ye have killed the just; he does not resist you.

(7)Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, till it shall have received the early and latter rain. (8)Be ye also patient; establish your hearts, because the coming of the Lord draws nigh. (9)Murmur not against one another, brethren, that ye be not judged. Behold, the judge stands before the door. (10)Take, my brethren, the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, for an example of affliction, and of patience. (11)Behold, we count those happy who endure. Ye heard of the patience of Job, and saw the end of the Lord[5:11]; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

(12)But above all things, my brethren, swear not; neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under condemnation.

(13)Is any afflicted among you, let him pray. Is any cheerful, let him sing praise. (14)Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15)And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and even if he have committed sins, it will be forgiven him.

(16)Confess therefore your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man avails much. (17)Elijah was a man of like nature with us; and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. (18)And again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

(19)Brethren, if any one among you be led astray from the truth, and one convert him; (20)let him know, that he who converts a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will hide a multitude of sins.

THE FIRST GENERAL LETTER OF PETER.

I.

PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered[1:1] through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia; (2)chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you.

(3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy begot us again unto a living hope[1:3] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; (4)unto an inheritance imperishable, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, (5)who by the power of God are kept through faith, unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (6)Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little time, if need be, made sorrowful by manifold trials; (7)that the proof of your faith, much more precious than gold that perishes, but is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (8)whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; (9)receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(10)Concerning which salvation the prophets diligently sought and searched, who prophesied of the grace toward you; (11)searching as to what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them signified, when it testified beforehand the sufferings destined for Christ, and the glories that should follow; (12)to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you they were ministering them, which now have been announced to you, through those who brought you the good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

(13)Wherefore, girding up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope perfectly for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14)as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance; (15)but as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves holy in all your deportment; (16)because it is written: Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.

(17)And if ye call him Father[1:17], who without respect of persons judges according to each one's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear; (18)knowing that not with perishable things, silver and gold, ye were redeemed from your vain course of life received by tradition from your fathers, (19)but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; (20)who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for you, (21)who through him believe on God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope are on God.

(22)Having purified your souls in obeying the truth unto unfeigned brotherly love, love one another from the heart fervently; (23)being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever. (24)Because,

All flesh is as grass,
And all its glory as the flower of grass.
The grass withered, and its flower fell off;
(25)But the word of the Lord abides forever.

And this is the word which was preached to you.

II.

LAYING aside therefore all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all backbitings, (2)as newborn babes, long for the spiritual, unadulterated milk, that ye thereby may grow unto salvation; (3)if indeed ye tasted that the Lord is gracious; (4)to whom coming, a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but with God chosen, honored, (5)ye yourselves also, as living stones, are built up[2:5] a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6)Because it is contained in the Scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner-stone, chosen, honored; and he that believes on him shall not be put to shame.

(7)To you therefore who believe is the honor; but to the disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is become the head of the corner, (8)and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, who stumble, being disobedient to the word; to which they were also appointed.

(9)But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for a possession; that ye should show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; (10)who once were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

(11)Beloved, I exhort you as sojourners and strangers, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (12)having your deportment honorable among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may from your good works, beholding them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(13)Submit yourselves to every human institution, for the Lord's sake; whether to the king, as pre-eminent, (14)or to governors as being sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and the praise of those who do well. (15)For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men; (16)as free, and as not having your freedom for a vail of wickedness, but as God's servants.

(17)Honor all men; love the brotherhood; fear God; honor the king; (18)ye servants, being in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and reasonable, but also to the perverse. (19)For this is acceptable, if a man for conscience toward God[2:19] endures griefs, suffering wrongfully. (20)For what glory is it, if when ye are beaten for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (21)For to this ye were called; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps; (22)who committed no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; (23)who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed it to him who judges righteously; (24)who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to our sins, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. (25)For ye were going astray like sheep; but have returned now unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

III.

IN like manner, ye wives, being in subjection to your own husbands; that even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be won by the deportment of their wives, (2)when they behold your chaste deportment coupled with fear. (3)Whose adorning, let it not be the outward one of braiding the hair, and of wearing golden ornaments, or of putting on apparel; (4)but the hidden man of the heart, in that which is imperishable of the meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price. (5)For so in the old time the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands, (6)(as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; of whom ye became children,) doing good, and fearing no alarm.

(7)Ye husbands, in like manner, dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the female, as the weaker vessel, as also heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

(8)Finally, all being of one mind, sympathizing, loving the brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded; (9)not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but on the contrary blessing, because to this end ye were called, that ye might inherit blessing.

(10)For he who desires to love life, and to see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile; (11)let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it. (12)Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their supplications; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (13)And who is he that shall harm you, if ye are followers of that which is good? (14)But if ye even suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; but fear not with their fear, nor be troubled; (15)but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts; ready always to give an answer to every one that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16)having a good conscience, that wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good deportment in Christ. (17)For it is better, if it be the will of God, that ye suffer for well-doing, than for evil-doing. (18)Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit; (19)in which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison, (20)who were disobedient in times past, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; (21)which in an antitype, immersion, now saves us also (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the requirement of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; (22)who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

IV.

CHRIST then having suffered for us in the flesh, do ye also arm yourselves with the same mind; because he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; (2)that ye no longer may live the remaining time in the flesh by the lusts of men, but by the will of God. (3)For the time past suffices us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in wantonness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, carousings, and unhallowed idolatries; (4)at which thing they are astonished, as ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you; (5)who shall give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6)For to this end was the good news preached also to those who are dead, that they might indeed be judged according to men in the flesh, but may live according to God in the spirit.

(7)But the end of all things is at hand. Be therefore sober, and watch unto prayer; (8)but above all things having your love toward one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins; (9)hospitable to one another, without grudging; (10)according as each received a gift, ministering the same to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; (11)if any one speaks, as [uttering] God's oracles; if any one ministers, as of the ability which God bestows; that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

(12)Beloved, be not astonished at the fiery test taking place among you to prove you, as though a strange thing were befalling you; (13)but, in so far as ye share in Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that also, at the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. (14)If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; [on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.][4:14]

(15)For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters; (16)but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. (17)Because the time is come that judgment should begin from the house of God; but if it begin first from us, what shall be the end of those who obey not the gospel of God? (18)And if the righteous is with difficulty saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

(19)Wherefore let those also, who suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.

V.

THE elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; (2)tend the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but with good will; (3)neither as being lords over the heritage, but being examples to the flock. (4)And when the chief Shepherd is manifested, ye shall receive the unfading crown of glory.

(5)In like manner, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yea, all of you submitting to one another, gird yourselves with humility; because, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (6)Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; (7)casting all your care upon him, because he cares for you.

(8)Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; (9)whom resist, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

(10)But the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a little while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. (11)To him be the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

(12)By Silvanus, the faithful brother, as I consider, I wrote to you in few words, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein ye stand.

(13)The [church that is] in Babylon, chosen with you, salutes you[5:13]; and Mark, my son.

(14)Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all, that are in Christ.

THE SECOND GENERAL LETTER OF PETER.

I.

SIMON PETER, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: (2)Grace and peace be multiplied to you, in the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

(3)Seeing that his divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and might; (4)through which he has given us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust; (5)yea for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith fortitude; and to fortitude, knowledge[1:5]; (6)and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness; (7)and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. (8)For if these things are in you, and abound, they cause that ye shall not be inactive nor unfruitful in attaining to the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9)But he that lacks these things is blind, not seeing afar off, having forgotten the cleansing away of his old sins.

(10)Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. (11)For so shall be richly ministered to you the entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(12)Wherefore, I will not neglect to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth that is with you. (13)But I think it right, so long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (14)knowing that I must soon put off my tabernacle[1:14], as also our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. (15)Moreover I will endeavor that at all times ye may be able after my departure to call these things to mind.

(16)For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but had been eye-witnesses of his majesty. (17)For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when such a voice was borne to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; (18)and this voice we heard borne from heaven, being with him in the holy mount. (19)And we have more sure the prophetic word; to which ye do well that ye take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts; (20)knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture comes of private interpretation; (21)for prophecy was never brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God.

II.

BUT there were false prophets also among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who stealthily will bring in destructive factions, even denying as Master him who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2)And many will follow their dissolute ways; by reason of whom the way of truth will be evil spoken of. (3)And in covetousness will they with feigned words make merchandise of you; for whom the judgment from of old lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.

(4)For if God spared not angels, having sinned, but casting them down to hell delivered them over to chains of darkness[2:4], reserved unto judgment; (5)and spared not the old world, but kept Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing the flood on the world of ungodly men, (6)and turning to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah condemned them to overthrow, having made them an example of those who should afterward live ungodly; (7)and delivered righteous Lot, wearied out with the lewd conduct of the lawless; (8)(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, with seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (9)the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust under punishment to the day of judgment; (10)but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise dominion. Presumptuous, self-willed, they are not afraid to rail at dignities; (11)whereas angels, being greater in strength and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord.

(12)But these, as natural brute beasts born to be taken[2:12] and destroyed, railing at things that they understand not, shall utterly perish in their own corruption, (13)receiving the wages of unrighteousness, as they who account reveling for a day pleasure; spots, and blemishes, reveling in their own deceits while feasting with you; (14)having eyes full of the adulteress, and that cease not from sin; alluring unstable souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of a curse; (15)forsaking the right way, they went astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, (16)but was rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, forbade the madness of the prophet.

(17)These are wells without water, mists driven by a tempest, to whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever. (18)For, speaking swelling words of vanity, in lusts of the flesh they allure, by wanton ways, such as partly escape those who live in error; (19)promising them liberty, while they themselves are servants of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by the same he is also brought into bondage. (20)For if, having escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christy but having again become entangled therein they are overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. (21)For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22)But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog, returned to his own vomit; and, A sow that was washed, to the wallowing in the mire.

III.

THIS second letter, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure mind by putting you in remembrance; (2)that ye may be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the Lord and Savior by your apostles; (3)knowing this first, that there shall come in the last of the days scoffers, in their scoffings, walking after their own lusts, (4)and saying: Where is the promise of his coming? for from the day the fathers fell asleep, all things so continue, from the beginning of the creation. (5)For of this they willingly are ignorant, that by the word of God there were heavens of old, and earth framed out of water and by means of water, (6)whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished; (7)but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by his word are kept in store, being reserved for fire unto the day of judgment and of perdition of ungodly men.

(8)But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9)The Lord is not tardy in respect to the promise, as some account tardiness; but is long-suffering toward us[3:9], not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10)But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will be dissolved with burning heat, and the earth and the works therein will be burned up.

(11)Seeing then that all these things are dissolving, what manner of men ought ye to be, in all holy deportment and godliness; (12)looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with burning heat? (13)But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.

(14)Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, be diligent that ye may be found without spot and blameless in his sight, in peace. (15)And the long-suffering of our Lord account salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you; (16)as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which things are some that are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

(17)Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the lawless, ye fall from your own steadfastness. (18)But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and forever. Amen.

THE FIRST GENERAL LETTER OF JOHN.

I.

THAT which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we looked upon, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life; (2)(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and report to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;) (3)that which we have seen and have heard we report to you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (4)And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.

(5)And this is the message which we have heard from him, and announce to you, That God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

(6)If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; (7)but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ[1:7] his Son cleanses us from all sin.

(8)If we say that we have not sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, that he may forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10)If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

II.

MY little children, these things I write to you, that ye may not sin. And if any one have sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (2)And he is a propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

(3)And in this we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4)He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (5)But whoever keeps his word, of a truth in him the love of God is perfected. In this we know that we are in him. (6)He that says he abides in him ought, as he walked, himself also so to walk.

(7)Beloved, I write not to you a new commandment, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning[2:7]. (8)Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light now shines. (9)He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in the darkness until now. (10)He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him. (11)But he that hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and knows not where he goes, because the darkness blinded his eyes.

(12)I write to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for his name's sake. (13)I write to you, fathers, because ye know him that was from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one.

I wrote to you, little children, because ye know the Father. (14)I wrote to you, fathers, because ye know him that was from the beginning. I wrote to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.

(15)Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any one loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16)Because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the empty pomp of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17)And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abides forever.

(18)Little children, it is the last time; and as ye heard that antichrist should come, even now many antichrists have arisen; from whence we know that it is the last time. (19)They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but it was in order that they might be made manifest, that all are not of us.

(20)And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and know all things. (21)I wrote not to you because ye do not know the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth. (22)Who is the liar, but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. (23)Every one that denies the Son, the same has not the Father; he that acknowledges the Son has also the Father.

(24)What ye heard from the beginning, let it abide in you. If what ye heard from the beginning shall abide in you, ye also will abide in the Son, and in the Father. (25)And this is the promise which he himself promised to us, the life eternal.

(26)These things I wrote to you concerning those who seduce you. (27)And the anointing which ye received from him abides in you, and ye have no need that any one teach you; but, as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, and even as it taught you, abide in him.

(28)And now, little children, abide in him; that, if he should be manifested, we may have confidence, and not turn away from him with shame at his coming. (29)If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that does righteousness has been begotten of him.

III.

BEHOLD what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. For this cause the world knows not us, because it knew not him. (2)Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it was never yet manifested what we shall be. We know that if it shall be manifested, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (3)And every one, that has this hope on him, purifies himself even as he is pure. (4)Every one that commits sin also commits transgression of law; and sin is transgression of law. (5)And ye know that he was manifested that he might take away our[3:5] sins; and in him is no sin. (6)Every one that abides in him sins not; whoever sins has not seen him, neither has known him. (7)Little children, let no one deceive you. He that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (8)He that commits sin is of the Devil; because the Devil sins from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil. (9)Whoever has been begotten of God does not commit sin; because his seed abides in him; and he can not sin, because he has been begotten of God. (10)In this are manifest the children of God, and the children of the Devil. Every one that does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother; (11)because this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another (12)Not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (13)Wonder not, brethren, if the world hates you.

(14)We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother[3:14] abides in death. (15)Every one that hates his brother is a murderer[3:15]; and ye know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (16)In this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (17)But whoever has the world's sustenance, and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his pity from him, how abides the love of God in him?

(18)Little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (19)And in this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (20)Because if our heart accuse us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things[3:20]. (21)Beloved, if our heart accuse us not, we have confidence toward God. (22)And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. (23)And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and should love one another, as he gave us commandment. (24)And he that keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him. And in this we know that he abides in us, from the Spirit which he gave us.

IV.

BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. (2)In this ye know the Spirit of God: (3)Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God; and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus, is not of God; and this is that of the antichrist, of which ye have heard that it should come; and now, it is already in the world.

(4)Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world. (5)They are of the world; for this cause they speak of the world, and the world hears them. (6)We are of God; he that knows God, hears us; he that is not of God, hears us not. From this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

(7)Beloved, let us love one another; because love is of God, and every one that loves has been begotten of God, and knows God. (8)He that loves not, knew not God; because God is love. (9)In this was manifested the love of God in respect to us, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10)Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son, a propitiation for our sins.

(11)Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (12)No man has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and the love of him is perfected in us. (13)In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (14)And we have seen, and bear witness, that the Father has sent forth the Son, a Savior of the world. (15)Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16)And we have known, and have believed, the love that God has in respect to us. God is love; and he that abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

(17)In this has love been perfected with us[4:17], that we have confidence in the day of judgment; because as he is, we also are in this world. (18)There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment[4:18]; and he that fears is not made perfect in love. (19)We love, because he first loved us. (20)If any one say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (21)And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God love also his brother.

V.

EVERY one who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten of God; and every one that loves him who begot, loves also him that has been begotten of him. (2)In this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and do his commandments. (3)For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome; (4)because all that is begotten of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. (5)Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

(6)This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus the Christ; not in the water only, but in the water and in the blood. And the Spirit is that which bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. (7)For there are three who bear witness; the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; (8)and the three agree in the one[5:8]. (9)If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God, that he has borne witness concerning his Son. (10)He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself; he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he has not believed in the witness which God has borne concerning his Son. (11)And this is the witness, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12)He that has the Son has the life; he that has not the Son of God has not the life.

(13)These things I wrote to you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, who believe on the name of the Son of God.

(14)And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (15)And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

(16)If any one see his brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and he will give him life,--to those who sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death; for that I do not say that he shall pray.

(17)All unrighteousness is sin; and there is a sin not unto death.

(18)We know that every one who has been begotten of God sins not; but he that was begotten of God keeps himself; and the evil one touches him not.

(19)We know that we are of God, and the whole world is lying in the evil one. (20)And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us understanding, that we may know the True one; and we are in the True One, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

(21)Little children, keep yourselves from the idols.

THE SECOND LETTER OF JOHN.

THE elder to the elect lady, and to her children, whom I love in truth,--and not I alone but also all that know the truth,--(2)for the sake of the truth, which abides in us, and will be with us forever: (3)Grace, mercy, peace, shall be with you, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

(4)I rejoiced greatly, that I have found of thy children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. (5)And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. (6)And this is love, that we walk according to his commandment; and this is the commandment, as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it. (7)Because many deceivers went out into the world, who acknowledge not that Jesus Christ comes in the flesh. This is the deceiver, and the antichrist.

(8)Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we wrought, but receive a full reward. (9)Every one who transgresses, and abides not[1:8] in the teaching of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

(10)If any one comes to you, and brings not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and do not bid him good speed; (11)for he that bids him good speed shares in his evil deeds.

(12)Having many things to write to you, I would not [write] with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you, and to speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (13)The children of thy elect sister salute thee.

THE THIRD LETTER OF JOHN.

THE elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.

(2)Beloved, concerning all things I pray that thou mayest prosper and be in health, as thy soul prospers. (3)For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bore witness to thy truth, as thou walkest in the truth. (4)I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

(5)Beloved, thou doest a faithful thing, in whatever thou doest to the brethren, and that to strangers, (6)who bore witness to thy love before the church; whom if thou send forward on their journey worthily of God, thou wilt do well; (7)for on behalf of the NAME they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (8)We therefore ought to sustain such persons, that we may become fellow-workers for the truth.

(9)I wrote somewhat to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to have the pre-eminence among them, receives us not. (10)Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his deeds which he does, prating against us with evil words. And not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and those who are willing he forbids, and casts them out of the church.

(11)Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He that does good, is of God; he that does evil, has not seen God.

(12)To Demetrius, testimony has been borne by all, and by the truth itself; yea, we also bear witness, and thou knowest that our witness is true.

(13)I had many things to write to thee, but I wish not to write to thee with ink and pen; (14)but I hope immediately to see thee, and we shall speak face to face.

Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends, by name.

THE GENERAL LETTER OF JUDE.

JUDE, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept by Jesus Christ[1:1]: (2)Mercy, and peace, and love, be multiplied to you.

(3)Beloved, while giving all diligence to write to you concerning the common salvation, I found it needful for me to write to you exhorting to contend earnestly for the faith, delivered once for all to the saints. (4)For there crept in stealthily certain men, who of old were appointed beforehand to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into wantonness, and denying the only Master, and our Lord Jesus Christ.