Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good profession,
(14)that thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; (15)which in his own times[6:15]
he will show, who is the blissful and only Potentate, the King of
kings, and Lord of lords; (16)who only has immortality, dwelling in
light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, or can see; to whom be
honor and power everlasting. Amen.
(17)Charge those who are rich in this world, that they be not
high-minded, nor place their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but in
God, who gives us all things richly for enjoyment; (18)that they do
good, be rich in good works, be free in imparting, willing to
communicate; (19)laying up in store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.
(20)O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the
profane babblings, and oppositions of that which is falsely called
knowledge; (21)which some professing erred concerning the faith. Grace
be with thee.
THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.
I.
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2)to Timothy, a beloved
child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord.
(3)I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience,
that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night
and day; (4)longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be
filled with joy; (5)calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is
in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother
Eunice; and I am persuaded that it dwells in thee also. (6)For which
cause I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God,
which is in thee by the laying on of my hands. (7)For God did not give
us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of chastisement.
(8)Be not then ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner; but endure hardship with me for the gospel, according to the
power of God; (9)who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose, and the
grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before eternal ages, (10)but
now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who
abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through
the gospel; (11)for which I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle,
and a teacher of the Gentiles. (12)For which cause I suffer also these
things. But I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him,
unto that day.
(13)Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou heardest from me, in
faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (14)The good thing committed
to thee keep, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
(15)Thou knowest this, that all those in Asia turned away from me; of
whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (16)The Lord give mercy to the
house of Onesiphorus; because he often refreshed me, and was not
ashamed of my chain; (17)but when he was in Rome, he sought me out
very diligently, and found me. (18)The Lord grant to him, that he may
find mercy of the Lord in that day! And in how many things he
ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
II.
THOU therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus. (2)And the things that thou heardest from me by many
witnesses[2:2], the same commit thou to faithful men, who will be able
to teach others also. (3)Endure hardship with me, as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ. (4)No one serving as a soldier entangles himself with
the affairs of life, that he may please him who chose him to be a
soldier. (5)And if a man also contends in the games, he is not
crowned, unless he contends lawfully. (6)The husbandman that labors
must first partake of the fruits. (7)Consider what I say; for the Lord
will give thee understanding in all things.
(8)Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, of the seed of David,
according to my gospel; (9)in which I endure hardship, even unto
bonds, as an evil-doer; but the word of God is not bound. (10)For this
cause, I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, that they also
may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
(11)Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also
live with him; (12)if we endure, we shall also reign with him; if we
shall deny him, he also will deny us; (13)if we are faithless, he
remains faithful, for he can not deny himself.
(14)Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the
Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the subverting of the
hearers.
(15)Endeavor to present thyself approved to God, a workman not made
ashamed, rightly dividing[2:15] the word of truth. (16)But shun the
profane babblings; for they will go on to more ungodliness. (17)And
their word will eat as does a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and
Philetus; (18)who erred concerning the truth, saying that the
resurrection has already taken place, and overturn the faith of some.
(19)Nevertheless, God's firm foundation stands, having this seal: The
Lord knew those who are his; and, Let every one that names the name of
the Lord depart from iniquity. (20)But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and
some for honor and some for dishonor. (21)If a man therefore cleanse
himself from these, he shall be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful
for the master, prepared for every good work.
(22)But flee youthful lusts; and follow righteousness, faith, love,
peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (23)But
the foolish and ignorant questionings avoid, knowing that they beget
strifes. (24)And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle
toward all, apt in teaching, patient of evil; (25)in meekness
admonishing those who oppose themselves; if haply God may give them
repentance unto the full knowledge of the truth; (26)and that they may
awake to soberness out of the snare of the Devil, being taken captive
by him, to do his will[2:26].
III.
BUT know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. (2)For
men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3)without
natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
without love to the good, (4)betrayers, headlong, puffed up, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God; (5)having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof; and from these turn away. (6)For of these
are they who creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden
with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7)ever learning, and never
able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.
(8)Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so also do these
withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the
faith. (9)But they shall proceed no further; for their folly shall be
fully manifest to all, as was also theirs.
(10)But thou didst strictly follow my teaching, manner of life,
purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, (11)persecutions,
afflictions; what things came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, at
Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of all the Lord delivered
me. (12)Yea, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution. (13)But evil men and seducers will grow worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14)But do thou continue in the
things which thou learnedst and wast assured of, knowing of whom thou
didst learn; (15)and that from a child thou didst know the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(16)All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable[3:16] for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness; (17)that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.
IV.
I CHARGE thee before God, and Christ Jesus who will judge the living
and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom, (2)preach the
word; apply thyself in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort,
with all long-suffering and teaching. (3)For the time will come when
they will not endure the sound teaching, but according to their own
desires will to themselves heap up teachers, having itching ears;
(4)and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn
aside to fables.
(5)But be thou watchful in all things, endure hardship, do the work of
an evangelist, fully accomplish thy ministry. (6)For I am now about to
be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7)I have fought
the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;
(8)henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me in that day; and not
to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
(9)Endeavor to come to me shortly. (10)For Demas forsook me, having
loved the present world, and departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to
Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. (11)Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and
bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for the ministry. (12)But
Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
(13)The cloak, which I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest
bring, and the books, especially the parchments.
(14)Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him
according to his works. (15)Of whom do thou also beware; for he has
greatly withstood our words.
(16)At my first answer no one came forward with me, but all forsook
me. May it not be laid to their charge! (17)But the Lord stood by me,
and strengthened me; that through me the preaching might be fully
accomplished, and all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out
of the mouth of the lion. (18)The Lord will deliver me from every evil
work, and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the
glory, forever and ever. Amen.
(19)Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
(20)Erastus remained in Corinth, but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.
(21)Endeavor to come before winter. Eubulus salutes thee, and Pudens,
and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.
(22)The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.
THE LETTER OF PAUL TO TITUS.
I.
PAUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith
of God's chosen, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to
godliness; (2)upon hope of eternal life, which God, who can not lie,
promised before eternal ages, (3)but in its own[1:3] times manifested
his word in the preaching, with which I was entrusted according to the
commandment of our Savior God; (4)to Titus, a true child according to
the common faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ
Jesus our Savior.
(5)For this cause I left thee behind in Crete, that thou shouldest set
in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in each city,
as I directed thee; (6)if any one is without reproach, the husband of
one wife, having believing children not accused of rioting or unruly.
(7)For the overseer[1:7] must be, without reproach, as God's steward;
not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not
greedy of gain; (8)but hospitable, a lover of the good, discreet,
just, holy, temperate; (9)holding fast the faithful word according to
the teaching, that he may be able with the sound teaching both to
exhort, and to refute the gainsayers. (10)For there are many unruly
vain talkers and deceivers, chiefly they of the circumcision;
(11)whose mouths must be stopped, who overturn whole houses, teaching
things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain. (12)One of
themselves, a prophet of their own, said: Cretans are always liars,
evil beasts, lazy gluttons. (13)This testimony is true. For which
cause reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(14)not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, who
turn away from the truth.
(15)To the pure all things are pure; but to the defiled and
unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and conscience are
defiled. (16)They profess that they know God; but by their works they
deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and for every good work
reprobate.
II.
BUT do thou speak the things which become the sound teaching; (2)that
aged men be sober, grave, discreet, sound in the faith, in love, in
patience; (3)that aged women likewise be in behavior as becomes
holiness, not false accusers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of
that which is good; (4)that they may teach the young women to love
their husbands, to love their children, (5)to be discreet, chaste,
keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word
of God be not blasphemed.
(6)The younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. (7)In all
things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in teaching, showing
uncorruptness, gravity, (8)sound speech, that can not be condemned;
that he that is of the contrary part may be put to shame, having no
evil thing to say of us.
(9)Exhort servants to submit themselves to their own masters, to be
well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting, (10)not purloining,
but showing all good faith; that they may adorn the teaching of our
Savior God in all things,
(11)For the saving grace of God appeared to all men, (12)teaching us
that, having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13)looking
for the blissful hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and
our Savior Jesus Christ; (14)who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and cleanse for himself a people to be
his own, zealous of good works.
(15)These things speak, and exhort, and reprove with all authority.
Let no one despise thee.
III.
PUT them in mind to submit themselves to governments, to authorities,
to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2)to speak evil
of no one, to be averse to strife, forbearing, showing all meekness to
all men.
(3)For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, going astray,
serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
hateful, hating one another. (4)But when the kindness and the love
toward man of our Savior God appeared, (5)not by works of
righteousness which we did, but according to his mercy he saved us,
through the bathing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;
(6)which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
(7)that, having been justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.
(8)Faithful is the saying; and concerning these things I will that
thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed God may be careful
to take the lead in good works. These things are good and profitable
to men. (9)But avoid foolish questionings, and genealogies, and
strifes, and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and
vain.
(10)A man that causes divisions, after a first and second admonition,
avoid[3:10]; (11)knowing that he that is such is perverted, and sins,
being self-condemned.
(12)When I shall send Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, endeavor to come
to me to Nicopolis; for I have determined there to winter.
(13)Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, send forward on their journey
zealously, that nothing may be wanting to them. (14)And let ours also
learn to take the lead in good works for necessary wants, that they
may not be unfruitful.
(15)All that are with me salute thee. Salute those who love us in the
faith. Grace be with you all.
THE LETTER OF PAUL TO PHILEMON.
PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, to Philemon
the beloved and our fellow-laborer, (2)and to Apphia the beloved[1:2],
and Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:
(3)Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
(4)I thank my God always, making mention of thee in my prayers,
(5)hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord
Jesus, and unto all the saints; (6)that the fellowship of thy
faith[1:6] may become effectual in the knowledge of every good thing
which is in us, unto Christ Jesus. (7)For I had[1:7] much joy and
consolation in thy love, because the hearts of the saints have been
refreshed by thee, brother. (8)Wherefore, though having much boldness
in Christ to enjoin upon thee that which is becoming, (9)yet for
love's sake I beseech rather; being such a one, as Paul an old man,
and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ, (10)I beseech thee for my
child, whom I begot in my bonds, Onesimus; (11)who in time past was
unprofitable to thee, but is now profitable to thee and to me;
(12)whom I sent back to thee. But do thou receive him, that is, my own
flesh; (13)whom I would have retained with myself, that in thy stead
he might minister to me in the bonds of the gospel. (14)But without
thy consent I desired to do nothing; that thy benefit may not be as it
were of necessity, but willingly. (15)For perhaps he departed for a
season to this end, that thou shouldest receive him as thine forever;
(16)no longer as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved,
specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh, and in
the Lord!
(17)If thou countest me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
(18)But if he wronged thee in any thing, or owes aught, put that to my
account. (19)I, Paul, wrote it with my own hand, I will repay. Not to
say to thee, that to me thou owest also thine own self besides.
(20)Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord. Refresh my
heart in Christ. (21)Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote to
thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
(22)But at the same time be preparing for me also a lodging; for I
hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
(23)There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus;
(24)Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-laborers.
(25)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
LETTER TO THE HEBREWS.
I.
GOD, who in many parts and in many ways spoke of old to the fathers by
the prophets, (2)in these last days spoke to us by his Son, whom he
appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds; (3)who,
being the brightness of his glory and the impress of his substance,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by
himself[1:3] made a cleansing of sins, sat down on the right hand of
the Majesty on high; (4)having become so much superior to the angels,
as he has inherited a more excellent name than they.
(5)For to whom of the angels said he ever:
Thou art my Son,
I this day have begotten thee;
and again: I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.
(6)But when he has again brought in[1:6] the first-begotten into the
world, he says And let all the angels of God worship him. (7)And of
the angels he says:
Who makes his angels winds,
And his ministers a flame of fire;
(8)but of the Son:
Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom;
(9)Thou lovedst righteousness, and hatedst iniquity;
Therefore God, thy God, anointed thee,
With the oil of gladness, above thy fellows;
(10)and:
Thou, Lord, in the beginning, didst found the earth,
And the heavens are the works of thy hands;
(11)They will perish, but thou remainest;
And they all will become old, as does a garment,
(12)And as a vesture thou wilt fold them up,
and they will be changed;
But thou art the same,
And thy years will not fail.
(13)But to whom of the angels has he ever said:
Sit on my right hand,
Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
(14)Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth for ministration,
for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
II.
ON this account, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things
heard, lest haply we should let them slip[2:1]. (2)For if the word
spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received just retribution, (3)how shall we escape, having
neglected so great a salvation; which began to be spoken by the Lord,
and was confirmed to us by those who heard, (4)God also bearing
witness, with signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and
distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
(5)For not to the angels did he put in subjection the world to come,
of which we are speaking. (6)But one in a certain place testified,
saying:
What is man, that thou art mindful of him,
Or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
(7)Thou madest him a little lower than the angels;
Thou crownedst him with glory and honor;
(8)Thou didst put all things in subjection under his feet.
For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that
is not put under him.
But now we do not yet see all things put under him. (9)But we behold
him, who was made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, on account of
the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, in order that he
by the grace of God might taste death for every one. (10)For it became
him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing
many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect
through sufferings.
(11)For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of
one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
(12)saying:
I will declare thy name to my brethren;
In the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to thee.
(13)And again: I will put my trust in him. And again: Behold, I and
the children whom God gave me. (14)Forasmuch then as the children are
partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner took part
in the same; that through death he might destroy him who had the power
of death, that is, the Devil; (15)and might deliver those who, through
fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
(16)For surely he does not succor angels; but he succors the seed of
Abraham. (17)Wherefore, in all things it became him to be made like to
his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the
people. (18)For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is
able to help those who are tempted.
III.
WHEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Jesus, (2)who was
faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all His house.
(3)For he has been accounted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch
as he who has built the house has more honor than the house. (4)For
every house is builded by some one; but he who built all things is
God. (5)And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant,
as a testimony of the things which were to be afterward spoken; (6)but
Christ as son over His house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the
boldness and the joyousness of the hope firm unto the end[3:6].
(7)Wherefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
To-day, if ye will hear his voice,
(8)Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation,
In the day of the temptation in the wilderness;
(9)Where your fathers tempted me,
Proved me, and saw my works, forty years.
(10)Wherefore, I was offended with that generation;
And I said: They always go astray in their heart,
And they knew not my ways;
(11)As I swore in my wrath,
They shall not enter into my rest.
(12)Take heed, brethren, lest there shall be in any one of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13)But exhort
one another daily, as long as it is called To-day, that no one of you
may be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14)For we have
become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our
confidence firm unto the end. (15)When it is said: To-day, if ye will
hear his voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation; (16)who
then, when they had heard, provoked? Nay, was it not all who came
forth out of Egypt by Moses? (17)But with whom was he offended forty
years? Was it not with those who sinned? whose carcasses fell in the
wilderness. (18)And to whom did he swear, that they should not enter
into his rest, but to those who believed not? (19)And we see that they
were not able to enter in, because of unbelief.
IV.