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.
YOU also, being dead in trespasses and sins;--(2)in which ye once
walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of
disobedience; (3)among whom we also all walked in time past in the
desires of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the mind, and
were by nature children of wrath, even as others;--(4)but God, being
rich in mercy, on account of his great love wherewith he loved us,
made us, (5)even when we were dead in sins, alive with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved,) (6)and raised us with him, and made us sit with
him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus; (7)that he might show, in
the ages to come, the exceeding richness of his grace, in his kindness
toward us in Christ Jesus.
(8)For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God; (9)not of works, lest any one
should boast. (10)For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God before prepared that we should walk in
them.
(11)Wherefore remember, that in time past ye, the Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called
Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hand,--(12)that at that time ye
were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and
without God in the world. (13)But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who in
time past were afar off, were made near by the blood of Christ.
(14)For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle
wall of partition; (15)having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the
law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might make the
two one new man in himself, making peace; (16)and might reconcile both
to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.
(17)And he came and brought the good news of peace to you who were
afar off, and to those who were near. (18)Because through him we both
have the access in one Spirit to the Father.
(19)So then ye are no longer strangers and sojourners, but ye are
fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
(20)having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner-stone; (21)in
whom all the building, fitly framed together, grows unto a holy temple
in the Lord; (22)in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation
of God in the Spirit.
III.
FOR this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
Gentiles,--(2)if indeed ye heard of the dispensation of the grace of
God which was given me toward you, (3)that by revelation the mystery
was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words; (4)whereby, when
ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,
(5)which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men,
as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the
Spirit; (6)that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body,
and partakers with us of the promise, in Christ Jesus, through the
gospel; (7)whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God, which was given to me according to the working of his
power. (8)To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, was
this grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches
of Christ; (9)and to make all see what is the dispensation of the
mystery, which from ages has been hidden in God, who created all
things; (10)that now, to the principalities and powers in the heavenly
places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of
God, (11)according to the eternal purpose which he made[3:11] in
Christ Jesus our Lord, (12)in whom we have boldness and access[3:12]
with confidence through faith in him.
(13)Wherefore I entreat that ye faint not at my afflictions for you,
which is your glory. (14)For this cause I bow my knees to the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ[3:14], (15)from whom the whole family in
heaven and on earth is named, (16)that he would grant to you,
according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might
through his Spirit as to the inner man, (17)that Christ may dwell in
your hearts by faith; having been rooted and grounded in love,
(18)that ye may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is
the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, (19)and to know the
love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all
the fullness of God.
(20)Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (21)to him
be the glory in the church, in Christ Jesus, throughout all ages,
world without end. Amen.
IV.
I, THE prisoner in the Lord, exhort you, therefore, to walk worthy of
the calling with which ye were called, (2)with all lowliness and
meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love;
(3)endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(4)There is one body, and one Spirit, as also ye were called in one
hope of your calling; (5)one Lord, one faith, one immersion, (6)one
God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
(7)But to each one of us the grace was given according to the measure
of the gift of Christ. (8)Wherefore he says:
When he ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.
(9)Now this, he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into
the lower parts of the earth? (10)The one who descended, he is also
the one who ascended above all the heavens, that he may fill all
things. (11)And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as
evangelists, some as pastors and teachers; (12)for the perfecting of
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the
body of Christ; (13)till we all attain to the unity of the faith and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure
of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (14)that we may no longer be
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, by cunning craftiness after the wily
manner of error; (15)but holding the truth, may in love grow up into
him in all things, who is the head, Christ; (16)from whom all the
body, fitly framed together and compacted by means of every joint of
the supply, according to the working in the measure of each single
part, effects the increase of the body to the upbuilding of itself in
love.
(17)This therefore I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer
walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk[4:17], in the vanity of their
mind, (18)having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the
life of God because of the ignorance that is in then, because of the
hardness of their heart; (19)who, as being past feeling, gave
themselves up to wantonness, to work all uncleanness in
greediness[4:19]. (20)But ye did not so learn Christ, (21)if indeed ye
heard him, and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus; (22)that
ye put off, as concerns your former deportment, the old man who is
corrupted according to the lusts of deceit, (23)and be renewed in the
spirit of your mind, (24)and put on the new man, who was created after
God in the righteousness and holiness of the truth.
(25)Wherefore, having put away falsehood, speak truth each one with
his neighbor; because we are members one of another. (26)Be angry and
sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, (27)neither give
place to the Devil.
(28)Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor,
working with his hands that which is good, that he may have to impart
to him that has need. (29)Let no corrupt discourse proceed out of your
mouth, but whatever is good for needful edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers. (30)And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. (31)Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be
put away from you, with all malice; (32)and be kind to one another,
tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as also God in Christ forgave
you.
V.
BECOME therefore followers of God, as beloved children (2)and walk in
love, as also Christ loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering
and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweet smell.
(3)But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not
even be named among you, as becomes saints, (4)and filthiness, and
foolish talking, and jesting, which are not becoming, but rather
giving of thanks. (5)For this ye know, being aware that no fornicator,
nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has an
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (6)Let no one deceive
you with vain words; for because of these things comes the wrath of
God upon the sons of disobedience.
(7)Become not therefore partakers with them. (8)For ye were once
darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,--
(9)for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and
truth,--(10)proving what is acceptable to the Lord; (11)and have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather also
reprove them. (12)For it is a shame even to speak of the things done
by them in secret. (13)But all things, when reproved, are by the light
made manifest; for whatever makes manifest is light. (14)Wherefore he
says: Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ
will give thee light.
(15)See to it then, how ye walk with exactness, not as unwise, but as
wise, (16)redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17)Therefore
be not foolish, but understanding what is the will of the Lord.
(18)And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with
the Spirit; (19)speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
(20)giving thanks always for all things, to God and the Father, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21)submitting yourselves to one
another in the fear of Christ; (22)wives to their own husbands, as to
the Lord. (23)Because a husband is the head of the wife, as also
Christ is the head of the church; himself the Savior of the body.
(24)But as the church is subjected to Christ, so also are the wives to
their own husbands in everything.
(25)Husbands, love your wives, as also Christ loved the church, and
gave himself up for it; (26)that he might sanctify it, having cleansed
it by the bathing of water in the word, (27)that he might himself
present to himself the church, glorious, having no spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing, but that it may be holy and blameless. (28)So
husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves
his wife loves himself. (29)For no one ever hated his own flesh; but
nourishes and cherishes it, as also Christ the church; (30)because we
are members of his body, [being] of his flesh, and of his bones.
(31)For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.
(32)This mystery is great; but I am speaking of Christ and of the
church. (33)Nevertheless, do ye also, severally, each so love his wife
even as himself; and let the wife see that she reverence her husband.
VI.
CHILDREN, obey your parents, in the Lord; for this is right. (2)Honor
thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise,
(3)that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the
earth.
(4)And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(5)Servants, obey your masters according to the flesh, with fear and
trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; (6)not with
eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart; (7)with good will doing service, as to the
Lord, and not to men; (8)knowing that whatever good thing each may
have done, that shall he receive from the Lord, whether bond or free.
(9)And masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening;
knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no
respect of persons with him.
(10)Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
(11)Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the Devil. (12)For to us, the contest is not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the
spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places[6:12]. (13)Therefore
take on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in
the evil day, and having fully done all, to stand. (14)Stand
therefore, having girded your loins about with truth, and having put
on the breastplate of righteousness; (15)and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16)in addition to all,
having taken on the shield of faith, in which ye will be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17)And receive the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God; (18)praying at every fitting season in the Spirit, with all
prayer and supplication, and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints; (19)and for me, that utterance
may be given to me, in the opening of my mouth with boldness, to make
known the mystery of the gospel, (20)for which I am an ambassador in
bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(21)But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the
beloved brother and a faithful minister in the Lord, will make all
known to you; (22)whom I sent to you for this very thing, that ye
might know our affairs, and that he might encourage your hearts.
(23)Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(24)Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS.
I.
PAUL and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in
Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[1:1] and deacons:
(2)Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
(3)I thank my God on every remembrance of you,--(4)always, in every
supplication of mine, making the supplication for you all with joy,--
(5)for your fellowship in respect to the gospel[1:5] from the first
day until now; (6)being confident of this very thing, that he who
began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus
Christ. (7)As it is just for me to think this of you all, because I
have you in my heart[1:7]; being all of you, both in my bonds, and in
the defense and confirmation of the gospel, partakers of the grace
with me. (8)For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all,
with the tender affection of Jesus Christ.
(9)And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in
knowledge and all discernment; (10)in order that ye may approve the
things that are most excellent[1:10], that ye may be pure and without
offense unto the day of Christ; (11)being filled with the fruit of
righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of
God.
(12)But I desire that ye should know, brethren, that the things which
befell me have resulted rather in the furtherance of the gospel;
(13)so that my bonds have become manifest in Christ in all the
Praetorium, and to all the rest; (14)and that the greater part of the
brethren, made confident in the Lord by my bonds, are much more bold
to speak the word without fear.