received the word of God heard from us, ye received not the word of
men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you
that believe. (14)For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches
of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus; for ye also suffered the
same things of your own countrymen, as they have of the Jews; (15)who
both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us forth, and
please not God, and are contrary to all men; (16)hindering us from
speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their
sins always; and the wrath came upon them to the utmost.
(17)But we, brethren, having been severed from you for a short time,
in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your
face, with great desire. (18)Wherefore we would fain have come to you,
even I, Paul, once and again; and Satan hindered us. (19)For what is
our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not also ye, in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (20)For ye are our
glory and joy.
III.
WHEREFORE, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be
left behind at Athens alone; (2)and sent Timothy, our brother, and a
fellow-worker with God in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and
to exhort you concerning your faith; (3)that no one should be shaken
by these afflictions, for yourselves know that unto this we are
appointed. (4)For even when we were with you, we told you before that
we are to suffer affliction; as also it came to pass, and ye know.
(5)For this cause, when I too could no longer forbear, I sent to know
your faith, lest by some means the tempter tempted you, and our labor
should be in vain.
(6)But now, when Timothy came to us from you, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of
us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you; (7)for
this cause we were consoled, brethren, over you in all our affliction
and distress, through your faith; (8)because now we live, if ye stand
fast in the Lord. (9)For what thanks can we render to God for you, for
all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sakes before our God;
(10)night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and
may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
(11)Now God and our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct
our way to you. (12)And the Lord make you increase and abound in love
toward one another, and toward all, as we also do toward you; (13)to
the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God
and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his
saints.
IV.
FURTHERMORE then, brethren, we beseech you, and exhort you in the Lord
Jesus, that as ye received from us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, as also ye are walking, ye would abound yet more. (2)For ye know
what commands we gave you, through the Lord Jesus. (3)For this is the
will of God, your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;
(4)that each one of you know how to possess[4:4] his vessel in
sanctification and honor; (5)not in lustful passion, as also the
Gentiles who know not God. (6)That no one go beyond and defraud his
brother in any matter[4:6]; because the Lord is the avenger for all
these things, as we also told you before, and testified. (7)For God
did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification. (8)Therefore he
that rejects, rejects not man, but God, who also gave to you his Holy
Spirit.
(9)But concerning brotherly love ye need not that I write to you; for
ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. (10)For indeed ye
do it, toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we
beseech you, brethren, to abound yet more; (11)and to study to be
quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands,
as we commanded you; (12)that ye may walk becomingly toward those
without, and may have need of nothing.
(13)But we desire that you should not be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who are sleeping, that ye sorrow not, as others who
have no hope. (14)For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so
also those who fell asleep through Jesus will God bring with him.
(15)For this we say to you, in the word of the Lord, that we the
living, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not precede
those who fell asleep. (16)Because the Lord himself will descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God; and the dead in Christ will first rise. (17)Then we the
living, who remain, will be caught up together with them in clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18)Wherefore, encourage one another with these words.
V.
BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write to you. (2)For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the
Lord so comes as a thief in the night. (3)For when they shall say,
Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail
upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
(4)But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake
you as a thief. (5)For all ye are sons of light, and sons of day; we
are not of night, nor of darkness. (6)So then let us not sleep, as
others; but let us watch and be sober. (7)For they that sleep, sleep
in the night; and they that are drunken, are drunken in the night.
(8)But let us, being of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate
of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation; (9)because
God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our
Lord Jesus Christ; (10)who died for us, that, whether we wake or
sleep, we should live together with him. (11)Wherefore encourage each
other, and edify one the other, as also ye do.
(12)And we beseech you, brethren, to know those who labor among you,
and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (13)and to esteem
them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among
yourselves.
(14)Now we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the
feeble-minded, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all. (15)See
that none render evil for evil to any one but ever follow that which
is good, both toward one another, and toward all.
(16)Rejoice always. (17)Pray without ceasing. (18)In everything give
thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, toward you.
(19)Quench not the Spirit. (20)Despise not prophesyings; (21)but prove
all things, hold fast that which is good. (22)Abstain from every form
of evil. (23)And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may
your spirit and soul and body be preserved whole without blame at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24)Faithful is he who calls you, who
also will do it.
(25)Brethren, pray for us.
(26)Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
(27)I adjure you by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the holy
brethren.
(28)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS.
I.
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians,
in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: (2)Grace to you, and
peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(3)We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet,
because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you
all toward one another abounds; (4)so that we ourselves glory in you
in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your
persecutions and the afflictions which ye endure; (5)a token of the
righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer; (6)since it is a righteous
thing with God to recompense affliction to those who afflict you,
(7)and to you who are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the
Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power, (8)in flaming
fire, taking vengeance on those who know not God, and those who obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; (9)who shall suffer justice,
eternal destruction, from the presence of the Lord and from the glory
of his power; (10)when he shall come to be glorified in his saints,
and to be admired in all who believed (because our testimony to you
was believed), in that day.
(11)To which end we also pray for you always, that our God may count
you worthy of the calling, and accomplish all the good pleasure of
goodness and the work of faith, with power; (12)that the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to
the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II.
NOW we beseech you, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and our gathering together to him, (2)that ye be not hastily
shaken in mind[2:2a], or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word,
nor by letter, as through us, as that the day of the Lord is at
hand[2:2b]. (3)Let not any one deceive you in any manner; because
[that day will not come], except there come first the falling away,
and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4)he that
opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God, or that is
worshiped; so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that
he is God.
(5)Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these
things? (6)And now ye know what withholds, in order that he may be
revealed in his own time. (7)For the mystery of iniquity is already
working; only until he who now withholds shall be out of the way.
(8)And then will the Lawless One be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will
consume with the breath of his mouth, and will destroy with the
manifestation of his coming; (9)[him,] whose coming is after the
working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders, (10)and in
all deceit of unrighteousness for those who perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11)And
for this cause God sends them a working of delusion, in order that
they may believe the lie; (12)that they may all be judged, who
believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(13)But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you to
salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth;
(14)whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (15)So then, brethren, stand fast, and
hold the traditions[2:15] which ye were taught, whether by word, or by
our letter.
(16)Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who
loved us, and gave us everlasting consolation and good hope through
grace, (17)encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good work
and word.
III.
FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run, and
be glorified, as also with you; (2)and that we may be delivered from
perverse and evil men; for all have not the faith. (3)But faithful is
the Lord, who will establish you, and guard you from evil[3:3]. (4)And
we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that ye both do, and
will do, the things which we command you. (5)And the Lord direct your
hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.
(6)Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and
not after the tradition[3:6] which they received from us. (7)For
yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; that we were not disorderly
among you, (8)nor did we eat bread of any one for naught, but with
labor and toil, working night and day that we might not be burdensome
to any of you; (9)not because we have not power, but to make ourselves
an example to you, that ye should follow us. (10)For also when we were
with you, this we commanded you: If any will not work, neither let him
eat. (11)For we hear of some who walk among you disorderly, working
not at all, but are busy-bodies. (12)Now such we command, and exhort,
in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness working, they eat their
own bread.
(13)But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (14)And if any one
obeys not our word by this letter, mark that man, and keep not company
with him, that he may be shamed. (15)And count him not as an enemy,
but admonish him as a brother.
(16)Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always, in every way.
The Lord be with you all.
(17)The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a token in every
letter; so I write.
(18)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.
I.
PAUL, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to the commandment of God
our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope, (2)to Timothy, a true child in
the faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus
our Lord.
(3)As I besought thee to remain still in Ephesus, when I was going
into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain ones not to teach
other doctrine, (4)nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies,
which further disputes rather than God's dispensation, which is in
faith, [so do.]
(5)Now the end of the commandment is love, out of a pure heart and a
good conscience and faith unfeigned; (6)from which some swerving
turned aside to idle prattling; (7)desiring to be teachers of the law,
understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (8)But
we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; (9)knowing
this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the
lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and
profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers[1:9]; for
man-slayers, (10)for fornicators, for those who defile themselves with
mankind, for enslavers of men, for liars, for false swearers, and
whatever else is contrary to the sound teachings; (11)according to the
glorious gospel of the blissful God, with which I was entrusted.
(12)And I thank him who gave me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, that
he accounted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, (13)who was
formerly a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and overbearing. But I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief; (14)and the
grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly, with faith and love which is
in Christ Jesus.
(15)Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (16)But
for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first[1:16a] Christ Jesus
might show forth all his long-suffering[1:16b], for a pattern to those
who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
(17)Now to the King eternal, the imperishable, invisible, only God, be
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
(18)This charge I commit to thee, my child Timothy, according to the
prophecies which went before concerning thee, that thou mayest wage in
them the good warfare; (19)having faith, and a good conscience, which
some thrusting away made shipwreck concerning the faith. (20)Of whom
is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered over to Satan, that they
might be taught not to blaspheme.
II.
I EXHORT then, first of all, that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; (2)for kings, and
all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and decorum. (3)For this is good and acceptable in
the sight of our Savior God; (4)who desires that all should be saved,
and come to the knowledge of the truth.
(5)For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus; (6)who gave himself a ransom for all, to be
testified in due time; (7)whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an
apostle (I speak truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith
and truth.
(8)I desire, therefore, that the men pray in every place, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and disputing; (9)in like manner also that
women, in becoming apparel, adorn themselves with modesty and
sobriety; not in braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly raiment;
(10)but, which becomes women professing godliness, by means of good
works.
(11)Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. (12)But I
permit not the woman to teach, nor to have authority over the man, but
to be in silence. (13)For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (14)And
Adam was not deceived; but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into
transgression. (15)But she shall be saved through child-bearing, if
they continue in faith, and love, and holiness, with sobriety.
III.
FAITHFUL is the saying, if any one desires the office of
overseer[3:1], he desires a good work. (2)The overseer then must be
blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, discreet, orderly,
hospitable, apt in teaching; (3)not given to wine, not a striker, but
forbearing, averse to strife, not a lover of money; (4)presiding well
over his own house, having his children in subjection with all
decorum; (5)(but if one knows not how to preside over his own house,
how shall he take care of the church of God?) (6)not a novice[3:6],
lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
Devil. (7)But he must also have a good testimony from those without,
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.
(8)Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given
to much wine, not greedy of gain; (9)holding the mystery of the faith
in a pure conscience. (10)And let these also first be proved; then let
them serve as deacons, being without reproach. (11)[Their] wives in
like manner must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all
things.
(12)Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding well over their
children and their own houses. (13)For they that have served well as
deacons obtain for themselves a good degree[3:13], and great boldness
in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(14)These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee shortly;
(15)but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to
conduct thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (16)And confessedly, great is
the mystery of godliness; God was manifested[3:16] in the flesh, was
justified in the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the
Gentiles, was believed on in the world, was received up in glory.
IV.
NOW the Spirit says expressly, that in after-times some will depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and teachings of
demons; (2)of those who speak lies in hypocrisy, having their
conscience seared with a hot iron; (3)forbidding to marry, commanding
to abstain from food, which God created to be received with
thanksgiving, for those[4:3] who believe and know the truth. (4)For
every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be
received with thanksgiving; (5)for it is sanctified by the word of God
and prayer.
(6)If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a
good minister of Christ Jesus, nurtured in the words of the faith and
of the good teaching, which thou hast strictly followed. (7)But the
profane and silly fables[4:7] avoid, and exercise thyself unto
godliness. (8)For bodily exercise is profitable for little; but
godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life
that now is, and of that which is to come. (9)Faithful is the saying,
and worthy of all acceptance. (10)For to this end we both labor and
suffer reproach, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the
Savior of all men, especially of believers.
(11)These things command and teach. (12)Let no one despise thy youth;
but become an example of the believers, in word, in deportment, in
love, in faith, in purity. (13)Till I come, give attention to reading,
to exhortation, to teaching. (14)Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee through prophecy, with the laying on of the hands
of the eldership. (15)Meditate on these things[4:15]; give thyself
wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest to all. (16)Give
heed to thyself, and to the teaching; continue in them; for in doing
this thou wilt save both thyself, and those who hear thee.
V.
REBUKE not an elder, but entreat him as a father; younger men as
brethren; (2)elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all
purity. (3)Honor as widows those who are widows indeed. (4)But if any
widow has children or grand-children, let these learn first to show
piety to their own household, and to requite their parents, for this
is acceptable before God.
(5)Now she that is a widow indeed, and left alone, has set her hope on
God, and continues in supplications and prayers, night and day. (6)But
she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. (7)And these
things command, that they may be blameless. (8)But if any one provides
not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has
denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
(9)Let not one be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old,
having been the wife of one husband; (10)well reported of for good
works; if she brought up children, if she lodged strangers, if she
washed the feet of the saints, if she relieved the afflicted, if she
diligently followed every good work.
(11)But younger widows refuse; for when they have become wanton
against Christ, they desire to marry; (12)having condemnation, because
they broke their first faith. (13)And at the same time they also learn
to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but
tattlers also and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not.
(14)I desire therefore that younger widows marry, bear children, guide
the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
(15)For already, some turned aside after Satan.
(16)If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them,
and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve those who are
widows indeed.
(17)Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor,
especially they who labor in the word and teaching. (18)For the
Scripture says: Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while treading out the
grain; and, The laborer is worthy of his hire.
(19)Against an elder receive not an accusation, except before two or
three witnesses[5:19].
(20)Those who sin rebuke before all, that the rest also may fear.
(21)I charge thee before God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels,
that thou observe these things without prejudging, doing nothing with
partiality.
(22)Lay hands hastily on no one, neither share in other men's sins.
Keep thyself pure.
(23)No longer drink water only, but use a little wine for thy
stomach's sake, and for thy frequent infirmities.
(24)The sins of some men are openly manifest, going before to
judgment; and some men they follow after. (25)In like manner also the
good works are openly manifest; and those that are otherwise can not
be hidden.
VI.
LET as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters
worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the teaching be not
blasphemed. (2)And they that have believing masters, let them not
despise them because they are brethren; but the rather do them
service, because they who receive the benefit are faithful and
beloved. These things teach and exhort.
(3)If any one teaches otherwise, and assents not to sound words, the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is according
to godliness, (4)he is puffed up with pride, knowing nothing, but
doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy,
strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5)vain disputings of men corrupted
in mind, and robbed of the truth, supposing that godliness is a means
of gain. (6)But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain.
(7)For we brought nothing into the world; it is certain we can also
carry nothing out; (8)and having food and raiment, let us be therewith
content. (9)But they who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which sink men into
destruction and perdition. (10)For the love of money is a root of all
evils; which some coveting after wandered away from the faith, and
pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(11)But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness of spirit.
(12)Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the eternal life,
unto which thou wast called, and didst make the good profession before
many witnesses.