And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a

certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:

which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent

man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of

God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation)

withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then

Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his

eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou

child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not

cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand

of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun

for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness;

and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the

deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the

doctrine of the Lord.

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga

in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But

when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and

went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after

the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue

sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of

exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and preached

unto them of Jesus and the resurrection. And when the Jews were gone

out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be

preached to them the next sabbath.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear

the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled

with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul,

contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and

said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been

spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves

unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath

the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the

Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the

earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified

the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life

believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the

region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and

the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and

Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off

the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the

disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. And they

came unto Lystra. And there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet,

being a cripple who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who

stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be

healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he

leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they

lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods

are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas,

Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then

the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and

garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their

clothes, and scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done

sacrifice unto them. And they departed to Derbe. And when they had

preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned

again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of

the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that

we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And

when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with

fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And

after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And

when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to

the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were

come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God

had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the

Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples. And Paul

said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every

city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them. And the contention was

so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other:

and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose

Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace

of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

CHAPTER 77

PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED

[Sidenote: The Acts 16]

NOW when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia,

they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;

There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into

Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately

we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord

had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing

from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the

next day to Neapolis; and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief

city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city

abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a

river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and

spake unto the women which resorted thither.

[Sidenote: The Acts 16]

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of

Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened,

that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when

she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye

have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and

abide there. And she constrained us.

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed

with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much

gain by soothsaying: the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying,

These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the

way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved,

turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus

Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her

masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and

Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought

them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly

trouble our city, and teach customs, which are not lawful for us to

receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up

together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and

commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them,

they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison,

and made their feet fast in the stocks.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and

the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so

that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the

doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper

of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors

open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing

that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice,

saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a

light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul

and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be

saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt

be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord,

and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of

the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his,

straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat

before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. And

when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those

men go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The

magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in

peace. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned,

being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust

us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch

us out. And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and

they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and

besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of

the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house

of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and

departed.

[Illustration: ST. PAUL AT ATHENS, BY RAPHAEL

IN THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, SOUTH KENSINGTON, LONDON]

CHAPTER 78

PAUL PREACHES AT THESSALONICA, ATHENS, AND CORINTH

NOW when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came

to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his

manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with

them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must

needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this

Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed,

and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great

multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them

certain fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all

the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought

to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they

drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying,

These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom

Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar,

saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the

people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

[Sidenote: The Acts 17]

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto

Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These

were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the

word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,

whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of

honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the

Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of

Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. And

then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the

sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. And they that conducted

Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas

and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in

him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Then Paul stood in

the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that

in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld

your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN

GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord

of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither

is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing

he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one

blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and

hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their

habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel

after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: for

in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your

own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as

we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is

like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all

men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the

which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath

ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath

raised him from the dead.

[Sidenote: The Acts 18]

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and

others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed

from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed:

among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named

Damaris, and others with them.

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and

found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from

Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded

all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he

was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their

occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every

sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and

Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit,

and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed

themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them,

Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will

go unto the Gentiles. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a

vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with

thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people

in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching

the word of God among them.

CHAPTER 79

GALLIO

AND when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection

with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the

law. And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto

the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews,

reason would that I should bear with you: but if it be a question of

words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge

of such matters. And he drave them from the judgment seat. Then all the

Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him

before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his

leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him

Priscilla and Aquila. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but

he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: and many that

believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them

also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned

them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it

fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and

prevailed.

CHAPTER 80

A PART OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS

[Sidenote: I. Corinthians 1]

PAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of

God, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are

sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every

place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and

our's: grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from

the Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto

the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I beseech you,

brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the

same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be

perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which

are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of

Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul

crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Eye hath

not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Who is Paul,

and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord

gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the

increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he

that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. For we are labourers

together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. For

other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus

Christ. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit

of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him

shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's; whether

Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things

present, or things to come; all are your's; and ye are Christ's; and

Christ is God's. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye

do, do all to the glory of God.

[Sidenote: I. Corinthians 10]

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not

charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And

though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and

all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove

mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all

my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and

have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long,

and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is

not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things,

hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but

whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues,

they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is

perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I

was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as

a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now

we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in

part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth

faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto

you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand. For I delivered

unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died

for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and

that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and

that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was

seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part

remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he

was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was

seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least

of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because

I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I

am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I

laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God

which was with me.

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some

among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be

no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ

be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they

also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life

only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now

is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that

slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection

of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be

made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;

afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end,

when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;

when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For

he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last

enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body

do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened,

except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body

that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other

grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every

seed his own body. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory

of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth

from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.

It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in

dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised

in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And as we have

borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the

heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit

the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. For

this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on

immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,

and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to

pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O

death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of

death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER 81

DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS

[Sidenote: The Acts 19]

AFTER these things Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed

through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have

been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them

that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed

in Asia for a season. And the same time there arose no small stir about

that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made

silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said,

Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see

and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia,

this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that

they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our

craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the

great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be

destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard

these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is

Diana of the Ephesians.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius

and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they

rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have

entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And

certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him,

desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly

was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come

together. And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he dismissed

the assembly. And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the

disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

CHAPTER 82

A PART OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS

[Sidenote: II. Cor. 1]

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our

brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the

saints which are in all Achaia: grace be to you and peace from God

our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of

all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be

able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted of God. For our light affliction, which

is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal

weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but

at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are

temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know

that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a

building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home

in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by

sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from

the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that,

whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all

appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive

the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether

it be good or bad. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we

thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he

died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto

themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Therefore

if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed

away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who

hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the

ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling

the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. Now

then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by

us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath

made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the

righteousness of God in him.

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive

not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a

time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:

behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: but

in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much

patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes,

in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy

Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God,

by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by

honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and

yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we

live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;

as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing

all things.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse

ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting

holiness in the fear of God. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus

Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,

that ye through his poverty might be rich. He which soweth sparingly

shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap

also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,

so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a

cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you;

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to

every good work.

CHAPTER 83

A PART OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

[Sidenote: Galatians 1]

PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and

God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) and all the brethren

which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you and

peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave

himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil

world, according to the will of God and our Father.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse

for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a

tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through

Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through

faith. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For

as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there

is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if

ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the

promise. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and

the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the

other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But the fruit of

the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they

that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and

lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

[Sidenote: Romans 1]

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying

one another. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law

of Christ. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man

soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall

of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall

of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well

doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have

therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto

them who are of the household of faith. God forbid that I should

glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world

is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus

neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new

creature. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your

spirit. Amen.

CHAPTER 84

A PART OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS

PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, to all that be in Rome, beloved of

God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father,

and the Lord Jesus Christ. As much as in me is, I am ready to preach

the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the

gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every

one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For

therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as

it is written, The just shall live by faith. There is no respect of

persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also

perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be

judged by the law; in the day when God shall judge the secrets of

men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Now we know that what

things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:

that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty

before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be

justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now

the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed

by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is

by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:

for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of

the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the

redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our

Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace

wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not

only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation

worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and

hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our

hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet

without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely

for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some

would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Wherefore, as by one man

sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all

men, for that all have sinned. As by one man's disobedience many were

made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it

in the lusts thereof. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves

servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin

unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But now being made free

from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the

gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Sidenote: Romans 5]

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ

Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For to be

carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and

peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not

subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. But ye are not in the

flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. For

as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The

Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children

of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with

Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified

together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not

worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. And

we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to his purpose. He that spared not

his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him

also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that

justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea

rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who

also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love

of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more

than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that

neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,

nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any

other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[Sidenote: The Acts 20]

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service. Let love be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly

affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring

one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the

Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in

prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them

that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one

toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low

estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for

evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved,

avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is

written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if

thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so

doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of

evil, but overcome evil with good. Owe no man any thing, but to love

one another. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is

the fulfilling of the law. For none of us liveth to himself, and no

man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and

whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or

die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose,

and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But

why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy

brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is

not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy

Ghost. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

CHAPTER 85

EUTYCHUS--THE ELDERS OF EPHESUS

AND when the Jews laid wait for Paul, as he was about to sail into

Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. And we sailed away

from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to Troas,

where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the

disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready

to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And

there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered

together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus,

being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he

sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken

up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said,

Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was

come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long

while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the

young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to

take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And

when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Miletus. And

from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the

first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you

at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with

many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of

the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,

but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to

house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance

toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold,

I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that

shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every

city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

[Sidenote: The Acts 20]

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto

myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry,

which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the

grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have

gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore

I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all

men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace.

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves

know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them

that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring

ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord

Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them

all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should

see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

CHAPTER 86

PAUL GOES UP TO JERUSALEM

[Sidenote: The Acts 21]

AND it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had

launched, we came with a straight course unto Patara: and finding a

ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth, and

landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And when

we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the

day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were

present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what

things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

And Paul and the men that were with him went into the temple. And the

Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up

all the people, and laid hands on him. And all the city was moved,

and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of

the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about

to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that

all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and

centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain

and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain

came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains;

and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one

thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know

the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the

castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne

of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of

the people followed after, crying, Away with him. And as Paul was to be

led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, I beseech thee,

suffer me to speak unto the people. And when he had given him licence,

Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people.

And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the

Hebrew tongue, and declared to them how he was converted to the faith

of Christ, and that he was sent to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their

voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is

not fit that he should live. And as they cried out, and cast off their

clothes, and threw dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him

to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by

scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that

stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and

uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief

captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a

Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great

sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. Then

straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and

the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman,

and because he had bound him. On the morrow, because he would have

known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him

from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council

to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

CHAPTER 87

PAUL SENT UNTO FELIX

AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I

have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the

high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on

the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited

wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to

be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest

thou God's high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he

was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of

the ruler of thy people. And when there arose a great dissension, the

chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of

them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from

among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following

the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou

hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at

Rome.

[Sidenote: The Acts 23]

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound

themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink

till they had killed Paul. And they came to the chief priests and

elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we

will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. And when Paul's sister's

son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle,

and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and

said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a

certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief

captain. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with

him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest

bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would

enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not thou yield unto

them: for there lie in wait for him more than forty men, which have

bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink

till they have killed him. So the chief captain then let the young man

depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed

these things to me. And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make

ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore

and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; and

provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto

Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this manner:

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth

greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed

of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood

that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore

they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: whom I

perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing

laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was told me

how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee,

and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they

had against him. Farewell.

[Sidenote: The Acts 24]

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought

him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen

to go with him, who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the

epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the

governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And

when he understood that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee, said he,

when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in

Herod's judgment hall.

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders,

and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor

against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse

him, saying, We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover

of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader

of the sect of the Nazarenes: who also hath gone about to profane the

temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But

the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him

away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by

examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things,

whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying that these

things were so.

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak,

answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge

unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: because

that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I

went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the

temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither

in the synagogues, nor in the city. But this I confess unto thee,

that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my

fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the

prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow,

that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and

unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience

void of offence toward God, and toward men.

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of

that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain

shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he

commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and

that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto

him. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla,

which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the

faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and

judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this

time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped

also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose

him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix,

willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

CHAPTER 88

PAUL ACCUSED BEFORE FESTUS

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he

ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief

of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, that he would

send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But

Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he

himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he,

which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if

there be any wickedness in him. And when he had tarried among them more

than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on

the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come,

the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid

many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said,

Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things

before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar's judgment seat, where I

ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well

knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy

of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things

whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto

Cæsar.

[Sidenote: The Acts 25]

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast

thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to

salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared

Paul's cause unto the king. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also

hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. And on

the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and

was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and

principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought

forth. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here

present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the

Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that

he ought not to live any longer. Of whom I have no certain thing to

write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and

specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I

might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send

a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

[Sidenote: The Acts 26]

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.

Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think

myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day

before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine

own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the

beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect

of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for

the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers. I verily thought

with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of

Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of

the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the

chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against

them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to

blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them

even unto strange cities.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the

chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven,

above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which

journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard

a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul,

Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against

the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus

whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have

appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a

witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things

in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people,

and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes,

and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan

unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance

among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly

vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and

throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they

should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Having

therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing

both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the

prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and

that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should

shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul,

thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he

said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of

truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom

also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are

hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa,

believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa

said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul

said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me

this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these

bonds.

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and

Bernice, and they that sat with them: and when they were gone aside,

they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy

of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might

have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.

CHAPTER 89

PAUL SENT TO ROME

AND when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they

delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a

centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium,

we launched, and the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius

courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his

friends to refresh himself. And when we had launched from thence, we

sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had

sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city

of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing

into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many

days, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against

Salmone; and, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called

the Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much

time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast

was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs,

I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not

only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the

centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than

those things which were spoken by Paul. And when the south wind blew

softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence,

they sailed close by Crete.

[Sidenote: The Acts 27]

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind. And when

the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her

drive. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day

they lightened the ship; and the third day we cast out with our own

hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many

days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should

be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood

forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened

unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm

and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall

be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there

stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God

hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of

good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

[Sidenote: The Acts 28]

But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down

in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some

country. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast

four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen

souls. And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered

a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if

it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And falling into a place

where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck

fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with

the violence of the waves. And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the

prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose;

and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first

into the sea, and get to land: and the rest, some on boards, and some

on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped

all safe to land.

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called

Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they

kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain,

and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks,

and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and

fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast

hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a

murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth

not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no

harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down

dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm

come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had

wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at

Syracuse, we tarried there three days: and so we went toward Rome. And

when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii

forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and

took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the

prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell

by himself with a soldier that kept him. And Paul dwelt two whole

years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern

the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

CHAPTER 90

A PART OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints

which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: grace be to

you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of his grace. For by grace are ye saved through

faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works,

lest any man should boast. For this cause I bow my knees unto the

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and

earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his

glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted

and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is

the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of

Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the

fulness of God.

[Sidenote: Ephesians 1]

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk

worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness

and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope

of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father

of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Wherefore

putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we

are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun

go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working

with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him

that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister

grace unto the hearers.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto

the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and

clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and

be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even

as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. And, ye

fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the

nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the

flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto

Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of

Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing

service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good

thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether

he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them,

forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven;

neither is there respect of persons with him.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his

might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil. Stand therefore, having your loins girt

about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and

your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all,

taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all

the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and

the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with

all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with

all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

CHAPTER 91

A PART OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS

[Sidenote: Philippians 1]

PAUL and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in

Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace

be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus

Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every

prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship

in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this

very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in

the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made

himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and

was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of

the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a

name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee

should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under

the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is

Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea

doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the

knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of

all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be

found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which

is of God by faith. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and

reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the

mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. For our

conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour,

the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be

fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby

he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Be careful

for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of

God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever

things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of

good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think

on these things. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Amen.

CHAPTER 92

A PART OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS

IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on

things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your

life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall

appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore

your members which are upon the earth. But now ye also put off all

these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of

your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the

old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed

in knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there is

neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,

Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on

therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,

kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one

another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against

any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these

things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the

peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in

one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you

richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms

and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the

Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him; knowing that of

the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve

the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong

which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

[Sidenote: Colossians 3]

CHAPTER 93

A PART OF THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY

[Sidenote: I. Timothy 1]

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our

Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my

own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and

Jesus Christ our Lord. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all

acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of

whom I am chief.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into

this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food

and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich

fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful

lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of

money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they

have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many

sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after

righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the

good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also

called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,

nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us

richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in

good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Wherefore I

put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in

thee by the putting on of my hands. Be not thou therefore ashamed of

the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who

hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to

our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given

us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by

the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless 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 unto him against that day.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Flee

also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Continue thou in

the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing

of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known

the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation

through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by

inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for

correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may

be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who

shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,

exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For I am now ready to be

offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good

fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth

there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the

righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but

unto all them also that love his appearing.

CHAPTER 94

A PART OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

GOD, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto

the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by

his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he

made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express

image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power,

when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of

the Majesty on high.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he

also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he

might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his

brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in

things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the

people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able

to succour them that are tempted.

[Sidenote: Hebrews 1]

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the

heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For

we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling

of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet

without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

And truly there were many priests, because they were not suffered to

continue by reason of death: but this man, because he continueth ever,

hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them

to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to

make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is

holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than

the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up

sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this

he did once, when he offered up himself. So Christ was once offered to

bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear

the second time without sin unto salvation.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take

away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice

and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in

burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then

said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to

do thy will, O God. By the which will we are sanctified through the

offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[Sidenote: Hebrews 11]

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the

blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated

for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an

high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil

conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast

the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that

promised.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things

not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by

the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things

which do appear. Without faith it is impossible to please God: for he

that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder

of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God

of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the

saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became

heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he

was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an

inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By

faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,

dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of

the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations,

whose builder and maker is God. By faith Abraham, when he was tried,

offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his

only begotten son. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused

to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer

affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin

for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than

the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the

reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:

for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of

Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also,

and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms,

wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of

weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight

the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life

again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they

might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel

mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they

were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with

the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being

destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:)

they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of

the earth.

[Sidenote: Hebrews 12]

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so

easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set

before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising

the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against

himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet

resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the

exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise

not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked

of him: for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every

son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you

as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Now

no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:

nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness

unto them which are exercised thereby. Follow peace with all men, and

holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:

for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Let your

conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things

as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake

thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not

fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over

you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,

considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same

yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

BOOK V--LETTERS OF JAMES, PETER, AND JOHN

CHAPTER 95

A PART OF THE EPISTLE OF JAMES

JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve

tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all

joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying

of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack

wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and

upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven

with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall

receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all

his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

but the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the

grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning

heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and

the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man

fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for

when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord

hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither

tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away

of his own lust, and enticed. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every

good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from

the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of

turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we

should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved

brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore

lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive

with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own

selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like

unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth

himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of

man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and

continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of

the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Pure religion and

undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless

and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the

world.

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of

glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a

man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor

man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay

clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to

the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not

then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this

world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to

them that love him?

[Sidenote: James 2]

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;

and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save

him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and

one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to

the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works,

is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have

works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my

faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest

well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain

man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father

justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith

made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham

believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he

was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is

justified, and not by faith only.

[Sidenote: I. Peter 1]

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the

greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man

offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to

bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that

they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the

ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds,

yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the

governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth

great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And

the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among

our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire

the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind

of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea,

is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man

tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we

God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after

the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and

cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain

send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig

tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no

fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued

with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his

works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife

in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. For where

envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But

the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,

and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without

partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is

sown in peace of them that make peace. Behold, we count them happy

which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the

end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,

neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be

yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among

you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any

sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them

pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the

prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;

and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your

faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Let him

know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way

shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

CHAPTER 96

A PART OF THE EPISTLES OF PETER

PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered

throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, grace unto

you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten

us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from

the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that

fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power

of God through faith unto salvation.

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner

of conversation. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and

hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes,

desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Honour

all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. This is

thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering

wrongfully. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also

suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his

steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when

he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not;

but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self

bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For

ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd

and Bishop of your souls. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having

compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise

blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit

a blessing. The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober,

and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among

yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Likewise, ye

younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject

one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the

proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be

vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh

about, seeking whom he may devour.

[Sidenote: I. Peter 2]

I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by

putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my

tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

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. The Lord

is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but

is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but

that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come

as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with

a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth

also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then

that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought

ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? Nevertheless we,

according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein

dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for

such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without

spot, and blameless.

CHAPTER 97

A PART OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

[Sidenote: I. John 1]

THAT which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may

have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father,

and with his Son Jesus Christ. This then is the message which we have

heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is

no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and

walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the

light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and

the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say

that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not

sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ

the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for

ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do

know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I

know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth

is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love

of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he

abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. He

that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness

even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and

there is none occasion of stumbling in him. I write unto you, little

children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. Love

not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man

love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is

in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the

pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world

passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God

abideth for ever.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we

should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,

because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it

doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall

appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every

man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the

transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take

away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen

him, neither known him. Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of

God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message

that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for

us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath

this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his

bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My

little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in

deed and in truth. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of

God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that

loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested

the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not

that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the

propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also

to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one

another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby

know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of

his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the

Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus

is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have

known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he

that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our

love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:

because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love;

but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that

feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first

loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a

liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he

love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him,

that he who loveth God love his brother also.

CHAPTER 98

JOHN TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

[Sidenote: Rev. 1]

JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and

peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from

Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of

the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved

us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us

kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they

also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail

because of him. Even so, Amen.

[Sidenote: Rev. 4]

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and

in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is

called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus

Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me

a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the

first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send

it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto

Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto

Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that

spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and

in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man,

clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with

a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white

as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto

fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound

of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of

his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the

sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as

dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not;

I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and,

behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of

death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are,

and the things which shall be hereafter.

CHAPTER 99

THE THRONE AND THE LAMB

AFTER this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the

first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me;

which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be

hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne

was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to

look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow

round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about

the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four

and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on

their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings

and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning

before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and

in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four

beasts full of eyes before and behind. And I saw in the right hand of

him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside,

sealed with seven seals. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst stood a

Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are

the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and

took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty

elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and

golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they

sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open

the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by

thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on

the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round

about the throne: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten

thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy

is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature

which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as

are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing,

and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the

throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. After this I beheld, and,

lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and

kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before

the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried

with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon

the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about

the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before

the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Blessing, and

glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,

be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

[Sidenote: Rev. 7]

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which

are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him,

Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of

great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in

the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God,

and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the

throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither

thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For

the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall

lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all

tears from their eyes.

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a

cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the

sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: and he had in his hand a little

book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot

on the earth, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and

when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the

seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I

heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which

the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel which I

saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven,

and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that

therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there

should be time no longer.

[Sidenote: Rev. 17]

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an

hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in

their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many

waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of

harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song

before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no

man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand,

which were redeemed from the earth. And in their mouth was found no

guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the

everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to

every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud

voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment

is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and

the fountains of waters. Here is the patience of the saints: here are

they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I

heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead

which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that

they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. And

I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like

unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand

a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with

a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and

reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the

earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on

the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the

temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another

angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried

with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy

sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for

her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the

earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great

winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without

the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse

bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that

had gotten the victory stand on the sea of glass, having the harps

of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the

song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God

Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall

not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy.

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye

his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard

as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many

waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for

the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. And I saw a great white throne, and

him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and

great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book

was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of

those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell

delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every

man according to their works.

CHAPTER 100

THE NEW JERUSALEM

AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the

first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John

saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice

out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and

he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself

shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears

from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor

crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things

are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make

all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true

and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the

fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit

all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. And the city

had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the

glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And

the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no

night there. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that

defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but

they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

[Sidenote: Rev. 21]

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,

proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of

the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree

of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit

every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the

nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and

of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they

shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there

shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the

sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever

and ever.

[Sidenote: Rev. 22]

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the

Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants

the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed

is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I

John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen,

I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me

these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy

fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep

the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not

the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He

that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let

him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous

still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come

quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his

work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the

first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that

they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the

gates into the city. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you

these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David,

and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say,

Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst

come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. He

which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even

so, come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

[Illustration]

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes: Only the most obvious punctuation errors repaired.

All King James spelling was retained; this includes things such as

"their's" and "instucter".

Page 343, Sidenote: Luke 3 was deleted as the page is Luke 1 and 2.

Luke 3 does not begin until page 345 and has its own Luke 3 note.