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?