Philippians Cross References - NSB

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in union with Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and ministerial servants: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God for all my memories of you. ⁴ I always offer prayer filled with joy for you, ⁵ and for your fellowship in participation of the good news from the first day until now. ⁶ I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news you are all partakers with me of grace. ⁸ God is my witness, how I long for you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. ⁹ I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment. ¹⁰ This way you may approve (test) the things that are excellent (of more value). May you be sincere and without offense (blameless) to others till the day of Christ. ¹¹ Be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (John 15:5) (Galatians 5:22, 23) ¹² I would have you know, brothers that the things that happened to me turned out for the greater progress of the good news. ¹³ My imprisonment in Christ became known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard, and to all brothers. ¹⁴ Most of the brothers trust in the Lord and boldly speak the word of God without fear because of my bonds. ¹⁵ Some preach Christ from envy and strife and some from good will. ¹⁶ The latter ones do it out of love, knowing that I am set (appointed) (placed here) for the defense of the good news. ¹⁷ But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? That in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed! For that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice! ¹⁹ For I know that this will turn out to my redemption through your prayer and the provision of the spirit (vital principles) (mind) of Jesus Christ. ²⁰ I will not be put to shame according to my earnest expectation and hope. With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in me, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I live in the flesh this will bring fruit from my labor. I do not know what to choose. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better. ²⁴ Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵ Having this confidence, I know that I will remain. Yes, I will remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. ²⁶ Let your rejoicing abound in Christ Jesus through my presence with you again. ²⁷ Let your manner of life be worthy of the good news about Christ. Whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your conduct, that you stand fast in one spirit (common purpose) (mental disposition) (vital principle), with one mind striving together for the faith of the good news. ²⁸ Do not be frightened by opponents. This is evidence of destruction for them and salvation for you from God. ²⁹ It has been granted to you in behalf of Christ. Not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf. ³⁰ You have the same conflict that you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

⁵ »Abraham said that she was his sister. She said the same thing. I did this with a clear conscience. I have done no wrong!«

²⁶ Abimelech said: »I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.«

⁸ He refused, and said to her: »My master does not have to concern himself with anything in the house, because I am here. He has put me in charge of everything he has.

¹⁸ »I wait with hope for your salvation, O Jehovah.

¹¹ »Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all the other gods. It was proven when they treated the people with contempt.«

¹ The people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain. They gathered around Aaron. They said to him: »We do not know what has happened to Moses, the man who led us out of Egypt. Make gods to lead us.«

¹⁴ »‘Honor Jehovah and serve him sincerely and in truth. Get rid of the gods that your ancestors used to worship in Mesopotamia and in Egypt, and serve only Jehovah.

¹⁴ »I am in a desperate situation,« David told Gad. »Please let us fall into Jehovah’s hands because he is very merciful. But do not let me fall into human hands.«

¹ Now on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, when the time came for the king's order to be put into effect, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to rule over them the opposite occurred, and the Jews had rule over their enemies.

¹⁴ »A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes his reverence for the Almighty.

⁴ »I too could speak like you, if I were in your place. I could compose words against you. And I would shake my head at you.

¹¹ »Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?

⁹ »Yet, the righteous person clings to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.

²⁶ »Even after my skin is gone and this body destroyed, I will see God in my own flesh. ²⁷ »I will see him with my own eyes, not with someone else's. My heart fails inside me!

³ »For the ear tests words like the palate tastes food.

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water. It yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

¹⁰ You do not abandon me to the grave or allow your holy one to decay. ¹¹ You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. It is pleasant to be at your right hand forever.

¹⁵ I will see your face (be in your presence) when I am declared righteous. When I wake up, I will be satisfied to see (perceive) (comprehend) you.

² I trust you, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemy’s triumph over me.

¹⁵ But God will redeem me (buy me back) from the power of the grave because he will receive me.

¹⁹ Thanks be to Jehovah, who daily carries our burdens for us. God is our salvation. ²⁰ Our God is the God of deliverance. Jehovah of Hosts is our escape from death.

²⁶ For they persecute him whom you have wounded. They tell of the sorrow of those whom you have hurt.

¹⁸ And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare your strength to this generation, your power to all who are to come.

²⁴ You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward you give me honor (glory). ²⁵ Who have I in heaven but you? I desire none on earth except you. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail: God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.

²³ »Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God.«

⁶ God has spoken from his sanctuary: I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.

⁵ I will wait calmly for God alone, because my hope comes from him.

¹⁰ For the wrath of man shall praise you. You will fortify yourself with a remnant of wrath.

¹² Righteous people flourish like palm trees and grow tall like the cedars in Lebanon. ¹³ They are planted in Jehovah’s house. They blossom in our God's courtyards. ¹⁴ Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh. ¹⁵ They make it known that Jehovah is upright. He is my rock. He is never unrighteous.

¹¹⁶ Sustain me according to your word that I may live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless in your statutes so that I will not be ashamed.

³ Jerusalem is built to be a city where the people are united.

¹ ([Psalm of David]) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the shining light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the more perfect day.

⁸ Jehovah will do everything for me. O Jehovah, your mercy endures forever. Do not let go of what your hands have made.

²⁸ The hope of the righteous is joy. The prospect for the wicked is bleak.

²³ Jehovah will plead their cause and take the life of those who rob them.

¹⁸ Surely there is a future hope and you will not be disappointed.

¹ (The Beloved) »I came to my garden, my sister, my spouse. I gathered my myrrh with my spice. I ate my honeycomb with my honey and drank my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; drink, yes, drink abundantly, O beloved.« ² He dug the soil all around and removed its stones. He planted it with the choicest vine. And he built a tower in the middle of it and also hewed out a wine vat in it. Then he expected it to produce good grapes, but it only produced worthless ones.

¹⁵ He will eat butter and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. ¹⁶ But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

² »Truly God is my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid. Jehovah… Jehovah is my strength and my song! He has become my salvation.«

¹¹ That is why my heart mourns for Moab like a harp. I mourn for Kir Hareseth.

¹⁸ »For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise. Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. ¹⁹ »The living, yes the living praise you, as I am doing today! Fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.

⁷ The Lord Jehovah helps me. That is why I will not be ashamed. I have set my face like a flint (firm and resolute). I know that I will not be put to shame.

⁷ »Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts. Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults.

¹² »I, even I, am the one who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men? The sons of men are like grass!

⁴ »Do not be afraid. You will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace. You will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.«

¹⁷ Jehovah will save Israel with an everlasting salvation. You will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

¹ The righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. ² He will enter into peace. The honorable and honest will rest in his bed.

²¹ »Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land everlastingly. They will be the seedlings I have planted, the honored work of my hands.

³ to present a garland, instead of ashes, to those who mourn in Zion, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. They will be called oaks of righteousness. They are the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.

¹¹ For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

¹⁵ Look down and see from heaven, from your holy and beautiful dwelling. Where is your determination (zeal) and might? Where is the longing of your heart and your compassion? Do not hold back.

²⁰ »Ephraim, O Ephraim my dear delightful son! Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him. My heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy on him,« declares Jehovah.

³⁹ »I will give them the same attitude and the same purpose so that they will respect and reverence me as long as they live. This will be for their good and for the good of their children.

¹⁴ »Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have said. ¹⁵ »Hate evil, and love good! Establish justice in the gate. It may be that Jehovah, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.«

² »You hate good and love evil! You rip off their skin and their flesh from off their bones!

¹⁶ »Likewise, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

²⁸ »Do not fear those who kill the body. They are not able to take away your [everlasting] life. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both life and body in the ever-burning fires. (Greek: Gehenna: continuously burning trash fires in the valley of Hinnom.)

³¹ In another illustration Jesus said: »The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field. ³² »Mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when it grows it becomes as large as a tree. In fact the birds of heaven lodge in the branches.« ³³ He offered another illustration: »The kingdom of heaven is similar to leaven. A woman hid leaven in three measures of meal until it was all leavened.«

¹⁰ »Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ »Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. ¹² »Rejoice, and be filled with joy, for great is your reward in heaven. The prophets, who came before you, were also persecuted.

²⁵ Knowing their thoughts, he said to them: »Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed. Every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

⁶ »He who causes one of my faithful little ones to stumble is in trouble. It would be better for him to end up in the deep sea with a great stone tied to his neck. ⁷ »A curse is on the earth because of stumbling! It is necessary for stumbling to come. Unhappy is that man through whom the stumbling comes.

⁵ »They do everything to be seen by men. For example: they enlarge their scripture cases for their foreheads and lengthen the tassels on their garments.

¹³ »Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You close the kingdom of heaven to people. You do not invite others to enter nor do you enter.

¹⁷ Jesus answered him: »Bless you, Simon son of John. This knowledge came from my Father in heaven and not from man.

²³ He turned to Peter and said: »Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me. You think the things of men, not of God.«

³³ Peter answered: »Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.«

³⁸ John spoke up: »Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name. We tried to stop him because he does not follow us.« ³⁹ But Jesus said: »Do not stop him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰ »For whoever is not against us is on our side.

⁴⁰ »They devour widows’ houses and for pretence make long prayers. These shall receive greater condemnation.«

³⁴ »It is similar to a man traveling to another country. He leaves his house and gives authority to his servants to do the work. He commands them to watch.

⁷⁴ »He gave us deliverance out of the hand of our enemies so we could serve him without fear.

⁷⁸ »A rising of light will visit us from on high because of the tender mercy of our God.

²⁹ »Let your servant depart according to your word in peace. ³⁰ »My eyes have seen your salvation.

⁶ »All flesh shall see the salvation of God.« (Isaiah 40:3-6)

⁴⁵ They did not understand what he said. The meaning was concealed from them. They could not comprehend it. And they were afraid to ask him about it.

⁵⁰ Jesus said: »Do not forbid him for he that is not against you is for you.«

⁴ »I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body. After that they can do no more. ⁵ »I will show you the one to fear. Fear the one who, after he has killed, has power to destroy you (throw into the ever-burning trash fires of the valley of Hinnom) (Greek: Gehenna). This is one you should fear. ⁶ »Are not five sparrows sold for two coins of small value? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. ⁷ »Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear. You are worth more than many sparrows.

⁵⁰ »I have a baptism to experience and I am distressed until it is accomplished!

⁶ Jesus told them an illustration: »There was a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He looked for figs on it but found none. ⁷ »So he told his gardener, I have been coming here looking for figs on this tree for three years. I have not found any. So cut it down! Why should it continue using the soil? ⁸ »But the gardener said: Just give it one more year, sir. I will dig around it, fertilize it and leave it alone.

⁷ »It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.

¹⁰ »I tell you, it is the same for the angels of God who rejoice over one sinner who repents.«

³⁸ The man who once had demons asked him if he could go with him. Jesus sent him away saying:

⁹ »If the tree bears figs next year it will be good. If it does not you can have it cut down.«

¹² »Even before all these things, they will capture you, and persecute you. You will be delivered to synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³ »It will give you an opportunity to witness. ¹⁴ »Do not think about what you will say before it happens.

¹⁴ »Do not think about what you will say before it happens. ¹⁵ »I will give you ability to talk and words of wisdom, which your adversaries shall not be able to resist or refute. ¹⁶ »Parent, brothers and sisters and friends will turn you over and cause you to be put to death. ¹⁷ »Men will hate you because of my name. ¹⁸ »Yet not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ »You will gain your lives because of your endurance.

³² »I prayed for you that your faith would not fail. Once you have turned again strengthen your brothers.«

¹² He gave the right to become children of God to all who received him. Even to those who believe in his name. ¹³ They were born from God. It was not from blood, or the will of the flesh, or the will of man.

⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him. He said: »Look an Israelite indeed. There is no deceit in him!«

²⁰ »Every one who does evil hates the light. He does not come to the light because his works would be reproved.

⁴³ He replied: »Today I tell you this. You will be with me in paradise.«

²⁹ Jesus answered: »This is the work of God, that you have an active faith in the one whom he has sent.«

⁴⁴ »No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him. I will resurrect him (raise him up) in the last day. ⁴⁵ »It is written in the prophets: Jehovah shall teach them all. Every one who hears the Father and has learned comes to me. (Jeremiah 31:34)

²⁶ »If you want to serve me follow me! My servant will be where I am and the Father will honor my servant. ²⁷ »I am troubled! What should I say? Father, save me out of this hour? It is for this purpose that I came to this hour! (Hebrews 5:7) ²⁸ »Father, glorify your name.« A voice came from heaven: »I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.«

¹ Jesus knew before the feast of the Passover that the time had come for him to leave this world and return to his Father. He loved his own who were in the world to the very end.

³ »If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and I will receive you to myself, for where I am you may also be.

² »He takes away the branches in me that do not bear fruit. He cleans every branch that bears fruit. That way it may bear more fruit.

⁴ »Remain with me, and I with you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. It must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain with me. ⁵ »I am the vine and you are the branches. He that remains with me, and I with him, the same bears much fruit. You can do nothing apart from me.

⁸ »My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit. You will be my disciples.

¹⁶ »You did not choose me. I chose you and appointed you. You should go and bear fruit and your fruit should remain. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

⁷ »Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away. For if I do not go away the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send it to you. (Greek: autos: it)

²² »You have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your heart will rejoice and no one can take your joy from you.

²⁴ »Until now you have not asked a single thing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.

³³ »I spoke to you that in me you might have peace. In the world you have tribulation. Be of good cheer for I have conquered the world!«

²⁰ »I pray, not for these alone but for those who will believe in me through their word. ²¹ »May they all be united (in agreement) as one. Just as you, Father, are with me, and I am with you. Help them be united with us! That way the world may believe that you sent me.

²⁴ »Father, I desire that these whom you gave me may be with me where I am. I want them to see the glory you have given me. For you loved me before the creation of the world.

¹⁵ When they had eaten Jesus said to Simon Peter: »Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?« He said: »Yes Lord; you know I have affection for you.« Jesus said to him: »Feed my lambs.« ¹⁶ He spoke to him a second time: »Simon, son of John, do you love me?« He replied: »Yes Lord, you know I have affection for you.« Then Jesus said: »Shepherd my sheep.« ¹⁷ The third time Jesus said to him: »Simon, son of John, do you have affection for me?« Peter was grieved. Because he said to him the third time, do you have affection for me? Peter replied: »Lord, you know all things; you know I have affection for you!« Jesus said to him: »Feed my sheep.«

¹⁹ Now this he spoke, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. After he spoke he said: »Follow me.«

²⁰ »It is written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let his habitation be made desolate and let no man dwell there. Let another take his office.’ (Psalm 109:8)

⁴² They continued devoting themselves to doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

⁴⁶ They continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart.

¹⁷ »Brothers, I know you acted in ignorance just as your rulers did.

¹⁹ Peter and John answered: »You judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God. ²⁰ »We cannot stop speaking the things we have seen and heard.« ²¹ When they further threatened them, they let them go. They found no basis for punishment because of the people for all men glorified God for that which was done. ²² The man who received the miracle of healing was about forty years old. ²³ Being released, they went to their own and reported all that the chief priests and elders said to them. ²⁴ When they heard they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said: »Jehovah, you are God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all in them. ²⁵ »You spoke by the mouth of your servant David: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Psalm 2:1) ²⁶ »The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Jehovah, and against his Christ. (Psalm 2:2) ²⁷ Truly both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the people of the nations and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you have anointed. ²⁸ »They were there to do the things your hand and council foreordained to occur. ²⁹ »Now Jehovah behold their threats and grant that your servants keep speaking your word with boldness. ³⁰ »You extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders appear in the name of your holy servant Jesus.« ³¹ When they prayed, the place where they assembled together was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ³² The congregation that believed was of one heart and mind. No one claimed his or her own possessions for everything was common property.

⁵⁹ They stoned Stephen. He called out: »Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!«

⁴ They who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. ⁵ Then Philip went to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

³⁵ Then Philip began at the same Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

¹³ Ananias answered: »Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your holy ones at Jerusalem.

²⁰ He preached in the synagogues immediately. He preached Christ the Son of God.

⁴⁰ They agreed with him and called the apostles. They beat them and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go. ⁴¹ They left the council and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

⁴¹ They left the council and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. ⁴² They taught daily in the temple and in every house. They did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

⁴² They taught daily in the temple and in every house. They did not cease to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

¹ The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² The twelve called the congregation of the disciples to them. They said: »It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God and serve tables. ³ »Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business. ⁴ »We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.« ⁵ The idea pleased the whole congregation. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles. After they prayed, they laid their hands on them. ⁷ The word of God increased. The number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. Even a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

³⁶ »You know the Word of God was sent to the children of Israel. He (Jehovah God) presented peace through the anointed Lord (or Master) of all, Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36) (Jesus identified his father, Jehovah God, as Lord of all heaven and earth at Matthew 11:25)

¹⁸ When they heard this they objected no more and praised God, saying: »God has granted the people of the nations repentance to life.« ¹⁹ Those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution of Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word only to the Jews. ²⁰ Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene. When they came to Antioch they spoke to the Greeks and preached the Lord Jesus.

²⁰ Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene. When they came to Antioch they spoke to the Greeks and preached the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The hand (Spirit) of God was with them. A great number believed, and turned to the Lord.

²³ When he arrived he saw the grace of God and was glad. He exhorted them all to remain true to the Lord as their only purpose of heart.

²² They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith. They said, »We must enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation.«

²⁷ The congregation gathered and reported all God had done with them how he had opened the door of faith to the nations.

¹ Paul arrived at Derbe and Lystra where he saw a disciple named Timothy. He was the son of a Jewish woman, and his father was a Greek. ² The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to have him travel with him. So he had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in the area. For they knew that his father was a Greek.

⁷ When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go into the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

¹² From there we went inland to Philippi, a city of the first district of Macedonia. It is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there.

¹² From there we went inland to Philippi, a city of the first district of Macedonia. It is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there. ¹³ On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the river where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women who gathered there.

¹³ On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the river where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women who gathered there. ¹⁴ A woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple came from Thyatira. She worshipped God because God opened her heart to listen to the things spoken by Paul.

¹⁴ A woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple came from Thyatira. She worshipped God because God opened her heart to listen to the things spoken by Paul.

¹⁴ A woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple came from Thyatira. She worshipped God because God opened her heart to listen to the things spoken by Paul. ¹⁵ When she and her household were baptized she came to us saying, »If you judge me to be faithful to God, come to my house, and stay there.« She absolutely insisted that we come.

¹⁵ When she and her household were baptized she came to us saying, »If you judge me to be faithful to God, come to my house, and stay there.« She absolutely insisted that we come. ¹⁶ A young woman who had a spirit of divination met us as we were going to the place of prayer. She brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and cried out: »These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.« ¹⁸ She did this for many days. This troubled Paul. So he turned and said to the spirit, »I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!« And it came out that very hour. ¹⁹ When her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. ²⁰ They took them to the magistrates and said: »These men, being Jews, cause great trouble in our city. ²¹ »They offer customs that it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.« ²² The crowd rose up against them. The magistrates ripped their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. ²³ After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe.

²³ After they were severely beaten, they threw them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safe. ²⁴ Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.

²⁴ Receiving this command he threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. ²⁵ Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them.

²⁵ Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. The prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a massive earthquake. It was so great the foundations of the prison-house were shaken. All the doors were opened and everyone’s bands came off. ²⁷ The jailor, who was roused out of sleep and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ Paul cried with a loud voice: »Do not harm yourself for we are all here.« ²⁹ The jailer called for lights. He rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He brought them out and asked: »Sirs, what must I do to be saved?« ³¹ They said: »Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house.« ³² They spoke the Word of God to him and those in his house. ³³ That very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴ He took them to his house and fed them. They rejoiced along with his entire house, having believed in God. ³⁵ The next day the magistrates sent the officers saying: »Let those men go.« ³⁶ The jailor reported the words to Paul, saying: »The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore go in peace.« ³⁷ Paul said to them: »They have beaten us publicly uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison. Do they now throw us out privately? No I say, but let them come in person to bring us out.« ³⁸ The officers reported these words to the magistrates. They feared when they heard that they were Romans. ³⁹ They personally came to them and brought them out. They asked them to go away from the city. ⁴⁰ They left the prison and entered the house of Lydia. When they saw the brothers they comforted them and then left.

²³ »Holy Spirit warns me that in every city, prison and hardships are facing me there.

²³ »Holy Spirit warns me that in every city, prison and hardships are facing me there. ²⁴ »I do not consider my life of any account. It is not dear to me so that I may finish the race, and I may accomplish the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to preach the good news of the grace of God.

²⁴ »I do not consider my life of any account. It is not dear to me so that I may finish the race, and I may accomplish the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to preach the good news of the grace of God. ²⁵ »I know all of you and have preached the kingdom with you. But you will not see me again.

²⁸ »Be on guard for yourselves and the flock that the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Feed the Congregation of God that he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. ²⁹ »I know that after my departing grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ »Such men will arise from among you speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ »Be on guard! Remember I did not cease for three years to admonish you day and night with tears.

¹¹ Coming to us he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands. He said: »The Holy Spirit says, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this belt, and shall deliver him into the hands of the nations.« ¹² When we heard this everyone pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. ¹³ Why do you weep and break my heart? Paul answered: »For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.«

¹³ Why do you weep and break my heart? Paul answered: »For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.«

²⁸ They shouted: »Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and defiled this holy place.« ²⁹ They had previously been with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the Temple. ³⁰ The entire city was aroused, and the people ran together from all directions. They laid hold on Paul and dragged him out of the Temple. Immediately the doors were shut. ³¹ They were seeking to kill him when tidings came to the military commander of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² At once he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When they saw the military commander and the soldiers they quit beating Paul. ³³ Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done.

³³ Then the military commander came near and laid hold on him. He commanded that he be bound with two chains. He asked who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another. The commander could not find out the facts because of the uproar so he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. ³⁵ Paul reached the steps. The violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. ³⁶ The mob followed closely and shouted: »Away with him!«

¹ »Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to you now.«

¹ »Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to you now.« ² They heard him speak in the Hebrew tongue and became quiet. ³ »I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you. ⁴ »I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison. ⁵ »The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished. ⁶ »While I was traveling I came near Damascus about midday. Suddenly a bright light from the sky flashed around me. ⁷ »I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me: ‘Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ ⁸ »Who are you, Lord?« I asked. »I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute,« he said to me. ⁹ »Everyone with me saw the light. They did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. ¹⁰ »I asked: What shall I do, Lord? He said: ‘Go to Damascus. There you will be told what God wants you to do.’ ¹¹ »I was blind because of the bright light. So my companions took me by the hand and led me to Damascus. ¹² »A man named Ananias was in that city. He is a religious man who obeyed our Law and was highly respected by all the Jews living there. ¹³ »He came and stood by me, and said: ‘Brother Saul, see again!’ At that very moment I saw again and looked at him. ¹⁴ »He said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will. You are to see his righteous servant, and to hear him speak with his own voice. ¹⁵ ‘You will be a witness for him to tell everyone what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ ‘Wait no longer! Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.’ ¹⁷ »I went back to Jerusalem. Then I have a vision while I prayed in the temple. ¹⁸ »I saw the Lord. He said to me: ‘Hurry and leave Jerusalem because the people here will not accept your witness about me.’ ¹⁹ »I answered, ‘Lord they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in you. ²⁰ ‘»When your witness Stephen was put to death, I was there, approving of his murder and taking care of the coats of his murderers.’« ²¹ »The Lord said: ‘Go! I will send you far away to the people of the nations.’ ²² The people listened to Paul until he said this. Then they shouted at the top of their voices: »Away with him! Kill him! He is not fit to live!« ²³ They were screaming, throwing off their clothes, and throwing dust up in the air. ²⁴ The Roman commander ordered his men to take Paul into the barracks. He told them to whip him in order to find out why the Jews were screaming like this against him. ²⁵ When they tied him up to be whipped Paul said to the officer standing there, »Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman citizen who has not been tried for a crime?« ²⁶ When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked him: »What are you doing? That man is a Roman citizen!« ²⁷ The commander went to Paul and asked him: »Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?« »Yes,« answered Paul. ²⁸ The commander said: »I became one by paying a large amount of money.« »I am one by birth,« Paul answered. ²⁹ At once the men who were going to question Paul drew back from him. The commander was frightened when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains. ³⁰ The commander wanted to find out for sure what the Jews were accusing Paul of. The next day he had Paul’s chains taken off and ordered the chief priests and the whole Council to meet. Then he took Paul and made him stand before them.

¹ Agrippa said to Paul, »You are permitted to speak for yourself.« Then Paul stretched out his arm and began his defense,

²⁴ While he was defending himself, Festus said with a loud voice: »Paul, you are beside yourself. Much learning has made you mad.«

²⁹ Paul replied, »I pray to God, that you and also all that hear me this day were altogether such as I am, except for these bonds.«

³¹ As they left they talked between themselves, saying, »This man does nothing worthy of death or of prison.«

³⁹ »Through him all who believe are justified from all things. You could not be justified through the Law of Moses.

¹⁶ »I exercise myself always, to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men.

²⁴ A few days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ.

¹ When we made it to shore safely we learned that the island was called Malta. ² The natives there were very friendly to us. It started to rain and was cold, so they built a fire and made us all welcome. ³ Paul gathered an armful of sticks and put them on the fire. A snake came out on account of the heat and fastened itself to his hand. ⁴ The natives saw the snake hanging on Paul’s hand and said to one another: »This man must be a murderer, but Fate will not let him live, even though he escaped from the sea.« ⁵ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire without being harmed at all. ⁶ The people were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. They waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him. They changed their minds and said he was a god. ⁷ A man named Publius, who was the governor of the island, had property around the area. He welcomed us and treated us kindly. We were his guests for three days. ⁸ His father was sick in bed. He suffered from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed, placed his hands on him, and made him well. ⁹ After that happened, other sick people on the island went to Paul and were made well. ¹⁰ They honored us with many gifts. When we were going to set sail, they put whatever we needed on board. ¹¹ After three months we sailed on an Alexandrian ship that wintered at the island. The ship had the gods Castor and Pollux carved on its front. ¹² We stopped at the city of Syracuse and stayed there three days. ¹³ We sailed from Syracuse and arrived at the city of Rhegium. The next day a south wind began to blow, and two days later we arrived at the city of Puteoli. ¹⁴ We came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we arrived at Rome. ¹⁵ When the brothers had news for us they came out from town as far as Appius Forum (Market place on the Appian Road) and the Three Taverns to have a meeting with us. Paul saw them and praised God. He was encouraged. ¹⁶ When we arrived at Rome they allowed Paul to have a house for himself and the armed man who kept watch over him. ¹⁷ Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews. When they assembled, he said to them: »My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

¹⁷ Then after three days he sent for the chief men of the Jews. When they assembled, he said to them: »My brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the ways of our fathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸ »They questioned me and were ready to set me free, for they found me not guilty of any crime deserving death. ¹⁹ »When the Jews brought charges against me again I presented my cause to Caesar for I said nothing against my nation. ²⁰ The reason I sent for you is to talk with you. I am in these chains because of the hope of Israel.«

²⁰ The reason I sent for you is to talk with you. I am in these chains because of the hope of Israel.« ²¹ They said to him: »We have not had letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers have come to us to give an account or say any evil about you. ²² »We desire to hear your opinion concerning this sect. We have knowledge that it is attacked in all places.« ²³ So they set a date with Paul. A large number of them came that day to the place where Paul was staying. From morning till night he explained his message about the Kingdom of God to them. He tried to convince them about Jesus by quoting from the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets. ²⁴ Some of them were convinced by his words, but others did not believe. ²⁵ So they left, disagreeing among themselves, after Paul had said this one thing: »How well the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your ancestors!« ²⁶ He said, »Go and say to this people, ‘You will listen and listen, but not understand. You will look and look, but not see. ²⁷ ‘»These people have closed their mind and are hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. They never turn to me for healing.’ ²⁸ »You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. They will listen.«

²⁸ »You need to know that God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. They will listen.« ²⁹ After he said this the Jews left arguing among themselves. ³⁰ Paul rented a place to live for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to him.

³⁰ Paul rented a place to live for two full years and welcomed everyone who came to him. ³¹ He spread the message about God’s Kingdom and taught boldly about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one stopped him!

¹ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed (set apart) for the good news of God,

⁵ Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, respecting his name.

⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be holy ones: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ First, I thank my God for all of you through Jesus Christ, for your faith is reported throughout the whole world. ⁹ God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (whole heart and mind) in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

⁹ God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (whole heart and mind) in the good news of his Son. Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

¹¹ I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened, ¹² that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. ¹³ I want you to know, brothers, that I was often determined to come to you, but was hindered until now, that I might have some fruit among you as well as the rest of the nations. ¹⁴ I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise. ¹⁵ I am ready to preach the good news to you in Rome also. ¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the good news; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who exerts active faith (believes), to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the good news; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who exerts active faith (believes), to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ It reveals the righteousness of God from faith-to-faith for it is written: »The righteous shall live by faith.«

¹⁸ you know his will. You approve the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law.

⁹ Are we Jews in any better condition than the people of the nations? Not at all! I have already shown that Jews and the people of the nations are all under the power of sin.

¹³ Also do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. Present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness for God.

¹⁵ What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid!

¹⁷ But thanks to God, that you were the servants of sin yet you became obedient from the heart to the teachings delivered to you.

¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. You once presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to sin. Now you present your members as servants to righteousness and sanctification (purification) (holiness).

²² Now you are free from sin and are servants to God. You have your fruit in holiness, and the end everlasting (eternal) life.

¹⁶ But if what I do not want to do, I do, I consent to the law that it is right.

²² My inner person delights in the law of God.

⁷ This is because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God. It is not subject to the law of God for it cannot be.

⁹ But you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit dwells in you. If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to him.

¹⁷ If children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with him we may also be glorified with him.

¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation (revelation) (disclosure) of the sons of God.

²⁸ We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

²⁸ We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ Those he first recognized, he ordained in advance that they be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ He ordained in advance the ones he called. He declared righteous the ones he called. He also glorified those he declared righteous.

³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ It is written: »For your sake we are put to death all day long. We are considered as sheep for the slaughter.« (Psalm 44:22)

³⁶ It is written: »For your sake we are put to death all day long. We are considered as sheep for the slaughter.« (Psalm 44:22) ³⁷ In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

³⁷ In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

³⁷ In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ 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. (Ephesians 6:12)

¹ I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie! My conscience bears witness with me in Holy Spirit.

³³ It is written: »Behold, I place in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence and he that believes on him will not be ashamed.« (Isaiah 8:14)

⁸ But what does it say? »The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.« It is the »word« of faith, which we preach. (Deuteronomy 30:8-20)

² God has not rejected his people whom he first knew. Do you remember what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he made intercession to God against Israel?

¹⁷ Some of the branches are broken off. You, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them. Therefore you partake of the root and fatness of the olive tree with them.

¹ I request (urge) (implore) you brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² Do not be conformed to this world (religious, social, political, and economic arrangement). But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

⁴ For we have many members in one body and all members do not have the same function. ⁵ These many members are one body in Christ, and every one, individually, is a member one of the other.

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor evil and cling to good.

¹³ Contribute to the needs of the holy ones and practice hospitality.

¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brothers, mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them.

¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brothers, mark those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them. ¹⁸ They do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unaware.

¹ This letter is from Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother. ² To the congregation of God at Corinth. To you, who are sanctified in Christ Jesus. You who are called to be holy ones, with all whom in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. He is both their Lord and ours.

⁴ I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God that is given you by Jesus Christ.

⁸ He will also confirm (establish) you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹⁰ I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there are no divisions among you. You should be perfectly joined together (united) in the same mind and thought.

²³ We preach Christ impaled. It is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the nations!

³⁰ It is because of him you are united with Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

² We have access to grace (God’s favor) by faith through him. This is where we stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we also rejoice in our tribulations knowing that tribulation produces endurance.

⁵ Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. It comes through Holy Spirit, which is God’s gift to us.

⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live to God and if we die, we die to God. Therefore should we live or die, we are God’s. ⁹ To this end Christ both died, and rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living.

²⁰ Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense. ²¹ It is good neither to eat food, nor to drink wine, nor any thing that causes your brother to stumble or be offended and weakened.

¹³ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁶ That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the nations, ministering the good news of God, that the offering of these nations might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ I will not dare to speak of any of those things that Christ has not accomplished through me. I will lead the nations to obey God in word and deed.

²⁶ It pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor holy ones in Jerusalem.

²⁸ After I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come to you in Spain. ²⁹ I am sure that, when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the good news of Christ.

³ You are still fleshly! There is envy, strife, and divisions among you. Do you not walk as ordinary men? ⁴ While one said, »I belong to Paul;« and another, »I belong to Apollos;« are you not fleshly human beings?

²² Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours!

⁹ For I think that God has placed us apostles last as men appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ. But you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honorable, but we are despised. ¹¹ Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst. We are naked. We are treated badly and we are homeless. ¹² We labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; ¹³ being slandered, we answer kindly. We are made as the filth of the world and are the refuse of all things to this day. ¹⁴ I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

¹⁷ I send Timothy, my beloved son faithful in the Lord, to you for this purpose. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ, just as I teach it in every congregation.

²⁰ You are bought with a price! Therefore glorify God in your body.

³⁴ There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. She who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

¹³ If food makes my brother stumble I will eat no food at all so I do not make my brother stumble.

¹² For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many and are one body, so also is Christ. ¹³ For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or people of the nations, whether we are bond or free; we were all made to drink of one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say: »Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body;« is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁶ If the ear should say: »Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body;« is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where is the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where is the smelling? ¹⁸ Has God set the members of the body, every one of them, just as it pleased him? ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be? ²⁰ But now they are many members, yet they are one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, »I have no need of you:« nor again the head to the feet, »I have no need of you.« ²² Those members of the body, which seem to be weaker, are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body that we think to be less honorable, we offer these more honors. Our less acceptable parts have more abundant acceptability. ²⁴ For our acceptable parts have no need. But God has assembled the body together, having given more abundant honor to the part that was lacking. ²⁵ There should be no division in the body. So the members should have the same care for each other. ²⁶ When one member suffers all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ²⁸ God has appointed some in the congregation: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, abilities to direct, different tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Zealously seek (earnestly desire) the best gifts. Yet I show you a more excellent way.

³ And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding (Greek: nous: mind) also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding (mind) also.

²⁰ Brothers, do not be like children in understanding. When it comes to evil be innocent children but in your thinking be mature adults.

¹¹ Therefore whether they preached or I preached, you believed.

¹¹ You also helped with your prayer on our behalf. Many may give thanks for the gift granted to us. ¹² This is our pride and testimony of conscience. In holiness and Godly sincerity we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you. It was not by fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.

¹⁴ as also you did acknowledge us in part, that we are your reason to be proud, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. ¹⁵ In this confidence I was willing to come to you first that you might have a second benefit.

¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we, preached among you even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him is yes.

²⁴ We do not control your faith. We are fellow workers for your joy: for you stand fast in faith.

³ I wrote this very thing that when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice. I have confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

¹⁴ Thanks to God, who always leads us in triumph (triumphal procession) in Christ. He makes known through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God. We are an aroma for those who are saved and those who perish. ¹⁶ To the one an aroma of death leading to death and to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷ For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but sincere and from God. We speak in Christ in the sight of God.

² You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men.

¹ We have this ministry to do, even as we obtained mercy, we do not lose heart. ² We have renounced the hidden things of shame. And we do not walk in craftiness and deceit. We do not adulterate the word of God. But by the manifestation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

⁴ The god of this age (world) (religious, social, political, and economic arrangement) has blinded the minds of unbelievers that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine on them. ⁵ We do not preach about ourselves, but about Christ Jesus as Lord. We are your servants for Jesus' sake.

¹⁰ We always carry in the body the death of Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

¹ We know that if our earthly house (human body) (habitation of life) is destroyed; we have a building from God. It is an everlasting house in the heavens, not made with human hands.

⁶ We are always confident for we know that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.

⁸ We are of good courage, I say, and are willing to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

¹² We are not again commending ourselves to you. But we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us. That way you may have an answer for those who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

¹⁵ He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for their sakes and rose again.

³ Give no occasion for stumbling (offence) in anything that our ministry may not be blamed (discredited).

¹² We do not restrict you, but you are restricted by your own affections.

³ I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.

⁶ Nevertheless he who comforts the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

¹⁴ If in anything I have boasted about him to you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our boasting also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. ¹⁵ His affection is even greater for you as he remembers your obedience and how with reverence and trembling you received him. ¹⁶ I rejoice that in everything I am encouraged because of you.

¹ We make known to you brothers the grace of God that has been given to the congregations of Macedonia.

⁷ But as you have plenty of everything, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you have plenty of this undeserved kindness also. ⁸ I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.

¹⁶ Though I preach the good news I do not brag about it. Preaching the good news is my duty (obligation) and I must do it! It would be terrible if I did not preach the good news! ¹⁷ For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward. But if I do it against my will, I am just performing the trust of the good news committed to me.

²³ And this I do for the sake of the good news that I might be a partaker of it with others.

¹⁹ What do I mean? That the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything?

³¹ Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God. ³² Do not stumble or offend (do not lead into sin), neither to the Jews, nor to the nations, nor to the congregation of God.

³⁰ Why do we stand in jeopardy (in danger) every hour? ³¹ I face death daily even as I rejoice over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.

³¹ I face death daily even as I rejoice over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage was it to me if the dead do not rise? Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and unmovable. Always have plenty to do in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

¹⁰ Now if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear, for he works the work of God, as I also do.

¹³ Be alert (be watchful) and stand fast (be vigilant) (persevere) in the faith, carry on as men (be courageous), be strong. (Ps 31:24) ¹⁴ Do everything with love.

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the congregation of God at Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia: ² May you have grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our trouble, that we may be able to comfort those who also have trouble, through the comfort with which we are comforted from God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort. It works through patience and longsuffering and is the same sufferings that we also suffer. ⁷ Our hope for you is steadfast; knowing that, as you are partakers of the sufferings, so you also partake of the comfort.

⁴ Lest by any means, if any from Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to speak of you, should be put to shame in this respect.

¹⁰ The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

¹³ The proof of this ministry is that they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the good news of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men.

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

⁸ I should boast a great deal concerning the authority the Lord gave us to build you up, and not to tear you down, I would not be put to shame.

¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.

¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder for even Satan fashions himself into an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.

⁴ This occurred because of the false brothers brought in secretly. They came to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus. This was so they might bring us into bondage.

⁷ On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the good news to people who are not circumcised. Just as Peter had been entrusted with the good news to the people who are circumcised. ⁸ The one who made Peter an apostle to the Jewish people (who are circumcised) also made me an apostle to the people of the nations (who are not circumcised).

²⁰ I have been impaled with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I now live in the flesh (physical body) I live by faith. This is the faith that is in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself up for me.

⁶ Because you are sons, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

¹⁹ My little children, of whom I am again in labor pains until Christ is formed in you

⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision means anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

¹⁰ I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. And he that troubles you will bear his judgment, who ever he is. ¹¹ But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then has the stumbling block of the stake been done away?

²² The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ meekness (mildness), self-control; against such there is no law.

¹⁴ Never should I boast except in the stake (symbolic: self-denial and atonement) of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through this stake that the world has been impaled to me, and I to the world.

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the holy ones who are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

¹² We who were first to hope in Christ should serve to the praise of his glory. ¹³ You have heard the word of the truth in Christ. It is the good news about your salvation. You also believed and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is a guarantee that we will receive our inheritance. This assures us that God will set us free to the praise of his glory.

¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is a guarantee that we will receive our inheritance. This assures us that God will set us free to the praise of his glory. ¹⁵ For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus that is among you, and the love you show all the holy ones.

¹⁵ For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus that is among you, and the love you show all the holy ones.

¹⁵ For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus that is among you, and the love you show all the holy ones. ¹⁶ I continually give thanks for you in my prayers.

¹⁶ I continually give thanks for you in my prayers. ¹⁷ May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit (mental disposition) of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ Have the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know the hope of his calling, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the holy ones, ¹⁹ and what the exceeding greatness of his power is toward us who believe, according to the operation of his mighty strength. ²⁰ He operated in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places. ²¹ It is far above all governments and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. ²² He (God) put all things in subjection under his feet, and made him head over all things to the congregation, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills (accomplishes) (completes) all in all.

⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. For by grace (loving-kindness) you have been saved. ⁶ God raised us up with him and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, with Christ Jesus. ⁷ So in the ages to come he, with Christ Jesus, might show the exceeding (surpassing) (exceptional) riches of his grace with kindness toward us. ⁸ By grace (Greek: charis, divine favor, loving-kindness) you have been saved through faith. It is not from you. It is the gift from God!

⁸ By grace (Greek: charis, divine favor, loving-kindness) you have been saved through faith. It is not from you. It is the gift from God! ⁹ It is not the result of works. So no man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship created with Christ Jesus for good works. God prepared these works in advance that we should walk in them.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship created with Christ Jesus for good works. God prepared these works in advance that we should walk in them.

¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens. You are fellow citizens with the holy ones and of the household of God. ²⁰ You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus is the chief corner stone. ²¹ In him each building fits together and grows into a »holy Temple for Jehovah.« (Zechariah 6:12) ²² In Christ you are assembled together as a place for God’s Spirit to dwell.

¹ For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you people of the nations.

⁶ The Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the good news.

¹³ So I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory.

¹ I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, invite you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called.

³ Diligently try to keep the unity (oneness) of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. ⁶ There is one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.

¹¹ He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers. ¹² This is for the perfecting (equipping) (preparing) of the holy ones, for the work of ministering, for the building up of the body of Christ:

¹² This is for the perfecting (equipping) (preparing) of the holy ones, for the work of ministering, for the building up of the body of Christ: ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁵ By speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in all things to him. For he, Christ, is the head.

⁹ for the fruit of the light (life) (spirit) consists of all goodness and righteousness and truth. ¹⁰ Learn what is well pleasing to the Lord.

¹⁷ Do not be foolish, but understand (perceive) what the will of Jehovah is.

²⁷ So he will be able to present the congregation to himself as a glorious congregation, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. It should be holy and without blemish.

²⁴ I trust in the Lord that I also will come shortly.

²⁶ He longed to see you and was worried because you had heard that he was sick.

¹ Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not a bother, but for you it is a safeguard.

³ We are those with true circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God. We glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature have this attitude. If you have a different attitude God will show you how to think. ¹⁶ However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far.

¹⁸ Many live as enemies of the stake of Christ. I often wept as I told you about them.

¹⁸ Many live as enemies of the stake of Christ. I often wept as I told you about them.

¹ Therefore, my beloved brothers I long to see you. You are my joy and crown. In this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!

¹⁰ I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me. You did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.

¹⁴ You did well that you share with me in my affliction.

¹⁴ You did well that you share with me in my affliction. ¹⁵ You also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news, when I departed from Macedonia, no other congregation shared their money with me. Only you shared with me.

¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift but I seek the fruit that adds to your account.

²² All the holy ones greet you, especially they who are of Caesar's household.

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² to the holy ones and faithful brothers in Christ that live in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. ³ We always pray for you, and thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for you. ⁴ We have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all the holy ones.

⁴ We have heard about your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all the holy ones.

⁶ It came to you even as it did. Everywhere in the entire world it bears fruit and it increases in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace (loving-kindness) of God in truth.

⁹ Since the day we heard about you, we have not ceased to pray and make request for you. We pray for you to be filled with the [intimate accurate] knowledge (discernment) (recognition) of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Philippians 1:9) (John 17:3) ¹⁰ Walk worthily of God, fully pleasing him. Bear fruit in every good work, and increase in the knowledge (Greek: epignosis: full discernment, recognition) of God.

²⁰ I am afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be, and that you may find me different from what you want me to be. I fear that there may be rivalry, jealousy, hot tempers, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct.

⁹ We are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong. We also pray that you be readjusted.

¹¹ Finally brothers, farewell: Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

⁷ Yet this is not another good news. But there are some who trouble (agitate) you, and they would pervert the good news of Christ.

²⁰ What I write is true. God knows I do not lie.

¹¹ Put on the full armor (every implement) of God, that you may be able to stand against the cunning (inventive) (clever) methods of the devil. ¹² Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. ¹³ For that reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore and gird your loins with truth. Put on the breastplate of righteousness. ¹⁵ Shod your feet with the preparation of the good news of peace. ¹⁶ Also take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ With prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit. Watch with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.

¹⁸ With prayer and supplication pray at all times in the Spirit. Watch with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones. ¹⁹ Pray on my behalf, that ability to speak may be given to me, to make known with boldness the secret of the good news.

¹⁹ Pray on my behalf, that ability to speak may be given to me, to make known with boldness the secret of the good news. ²⁰ I am an ambassador in chains who should speak boldly.

²⁰ I am an ambassador in chains who should speak boldly.

²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an incorruptible (sincere) (principled) (unending) love.

⁵ and for your fellowship in participation of the good news from the first day until now. ⁶ I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart. Both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news you are all partakers with me of grace.

⁹ I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment. ¹⁰ This way you may approve (test) the things that are excellent (of more value). May you be sincere and without offense (blameless) to others till the day of Christ.

¹⁰ This way you may approve (test) the things that are excellent (of more value). May you be sincere and without offense (blameless) to others till the day of Christ. ¹¹ Be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (John 15:5) (Galatians 5:22, 23) ¹² I would have you know, brothers that the things that happened to me turned out for the greater progress of the good news.

¹⁴ Most of the brothers trust in the Lord and boldly speak the word of God without fear because of my bonds.

¹⁴ Most of the brothers trust in the Lord and boldly speak the word of God without fear because of my bonds. ¹⁵ Some preach Christ from envy and strife and some from good will. ¹⁶ The latter ones do it out of love, knowing that I am set (appointed) (placed here) for the defense of the good news.

¹⁶ The latter ones do it out of love, knowing that I am set (appointed) (placed here) for the defense of the good news.

¹⁶ The latter ones do it out of love, knowing that I am set (appointed) (placed here) for the defense of the good news. ¹⁷ But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment.

¹⁷ But the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition without pure motives, thinking to cause me great suffering and distress in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? That in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed! For that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice!

²⁰ I will not be put to shame according to my earnest expectation and hope. With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in me, whether by life or by death.

²² If I live in the flesh this will bring fruit from my labor. I do not know what to choose. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better.

²³ I am hard pressed between the two. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ for it is far better. ²⁴ Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

²⁴ Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. ²⁵ Having this confidence, I know that I will remain. Yes, I will remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. ²⁶ Let your rejoicing abound in Christ Jesus through my presence with you again.

²⁹ It has been granted to you in behalf of Christ. Not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf.

¹ If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender affection (tender mercy) and compassions,

¹ If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender affection (tender mercy) and compassions, ² make my joy full by being of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one purpose.

² make my joy full by being of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one purpose. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others more important than you.

¹² My beloved, you have always obeyed, not just in my presence, but now much more in my absence. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ It is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

¹⁶ Hold fast to the word of life so I may rejoice in the day of Christ. That way I will not have labored in vain. ¹⁷ If I am offered for the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice with you all.

¹⁷ If I am offered for the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ You should also rejoice in the same manner.

²¹ They all seek their own interest and not the things of Jesus Christ.

²¹ You were in the past alienated and enemies because your minds were on your evil works. ²² But he (Christ) reconciled you in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and without accusation before Him (God). ²³ Provided that you continue in the faith, grounded (on the foundation) and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the good news you heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven. For this I, Paul, was made a minister. ²⁴ I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. I do my share in behalf of his body, the congregation, to provide what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ.

²⁹ I work hard to get this done. I use the mighty strength Christ supplies. It is at work in me.

¹ Let me tell you how hard I worked for you, for the people in Laodicea, and for all others who do not personally know me.

⁵ Even though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit (mental disposition). I am glad when I see the resolute firmness with which you stand together in your faith in Christ.

¹² You have been buried with him in baptism. You were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

⁴ When Christ, who is our life, will be made known, then you will also be made known with him in glory.

¹⁰ You put on the new self that is being renewed to a true knowledge (full discernment) according to the image of the one who created him.

¹² As God’s chosen, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness (humility), meekness (mildness), and long-suffering (patience).

³ Pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned.

³ Pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned. ⁴ Let me make it known, as I ought to speak.

⁴ Let me make it known, as I ought to speak. ⁵ Behave with wisdom toward those who are outside, making the most of the time. ⁶ Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ⁷ Tychicus will make known all my affairs to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

⁷ Tychicus will make known all my affairs to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our situation, and that he may comfort your hearts. ⁹ He will be with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things that are done here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him), ¹¹ and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, men that have been comfort (encouragement) (consolation) to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. ¹³ I testify for him, that he has worked hard for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the congregation that is in her house. ¹⁶ When this letter has been read among you, make sure it is read also in the congregation of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Say to Archippus, »Take heed to the ministry you received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.« ¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the congregation of the Thessalonians united with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. ² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. ³ We continually remember your work of faith, labor of love, and patience, and your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

³ We continually remember your work of faith, labor of love, and patience, and your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

³ We continually remember your work of faith, labor of love, and patience, and your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. ⁴ We know your calling brothers, beloved of God. ⁵ We preached the good news to you, not in words only but with power from Holy Spirit and with conviction of its truth. You know how we lived when we were with you. It was for your own good.

⁸ For not only did the message about God go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing that we need to say. ⁹ All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God,

¹ For you know brothers that our coming to you was not in vein. ² After we suffered and were mistreated in Philippi, we had the boldness (confidence) in our God to speak the good news of God to you amid much opposition.

⁵ You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk (praise for selfish gain). We did not use words to cover up greed (insatiable desire for wealth). God is our witness!

⁸ Having much affection for you, we were well pleased to impart the good news of God to you and also to share our lives with you. You have become very dear to us.

¹¹ You know how we dealt with each one of you. It was like a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging and showing you. ¹² You should walk worthily of God, who called you into his own kingdom and glory. ¹³ For this purpose we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe. ¹⁴ You brothers became imitators of the congregations of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus. You also suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews. ¹⁵ They killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They did not please God and are contrary to all men.

¹⁹ Who is our hope, or joy, or crown of exultation? Is it not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy!

² So we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the good news of Christ. He came to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith. ³ We do not want anyone to be discouraged by these troubles. You know we were bound to suffer persecution. ⁴ When we were with you, we told you that we would suffer tribulation and affliction. It happened, as you know.

⁶ Timothy came from you to us, and brought us good news about your faith and love. We want you to have good memories of us always, and that you desire to see us just as we also desire to see you.

⁹ What thanks can we render to God for you and for all the joy we have for your sakes before our God?

¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. ¹³ May he resolutely strengthen your hearts without blame in holiness before God, our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his holy ones.

¹ Furthermore, we encourage you, brothers, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you ought to walk, and to please God, so you would abound more and more.

⁹ I do not need to write you about brotherly love. For God taught you to love one another. ¹⁰ Indeed, you do it toward all the brothers in all Macedonia: but we encourage you to increase more and more.

¹³ I do not want you to be ignorant brothers, concerning those who are asleep (in death). You do not need to sorrow like others who have no hope. ¹⁴ If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ We tell you this by God’s Word, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep.

¹⁷ We that are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so will we ever be with the Lord.

⁵ You are all the children (sons) of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, not of darkness.

²¹ Prove all things; hold fast to what is good.

²³ May the very God of peace completely sanctify you (make you holy). I pray to God that your entire spiritual being, your mind and body, is preserved blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²³ May the very God of peace completely sanctify you (make you holy). I pray to God that your entire spiritual being, your mind and body, is preserved blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Faithful is he who calls you. He will also make it happen.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the people of the congregation in Thessalonica, who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

³ Our friends, we should thank God at all times for you. It is right for us to do so, because your faith is growing so much and the love each of you has for the other abounds toward each other.

⁵ All of this proves that God’s judgment is just, and as a result, you will become worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. ⁶ It is a righteous thing for God to repay with affliction (great suffering and distress) those who afflict you.

¹⁰ He will then come to be glorified in his holy ones, and to be marveled at by all those who believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ We pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith with power. ¹² May the name of our Lord Jesus be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹³ We always have to thank God for you, brothers. Jehovah loves you and we thank God that in the beginning he chose you to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ¹⁴ It was for this he called you through our good news. This is so you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹² Fight the good fight of the faith! Lay hold on everlasting life! You were called and confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

³ I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my forefathers did, that without ceasing, I remember you in my prayers, day and night. ⁴ I greatly desire to see you, being mindful of your tears, for this will fill me with joy.

⁷ God has not given us a spirit of timidity (fear), but of power and love and discipline. ⁸ Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me his prisoner. Join me in suffering for the good news according to the power of God.

⁸ Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me his prisoner. Join me in suffering for the good news according to the power of God.

¹¹ I was appointed to be a messenger of this good news, an apostle, and a teacher. ¹² It is for this reason that I suffer these things. But I am still full of confidence, because I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to keep safe until that day what he has entrusted to me.

⁹ I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal. But the word of God is not imprisoned. ¹⁰ For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ¹¹ This is a faithful saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. ¹² If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny him, He will deny us!

⁶ I am already being offered (poured out as an offering), and the time of my departure has come.

⁶ I am already being offered (poured out as an offering), and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight! I have finished the course! I have kept the faith!

⁷ I have fought the good fight! I have finished the course! I have kept the faith!

¹² I send him back to you, like sending my heart.

¹⁷ If you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

²⁰ Yes, brother, let me have joy in you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. ²¹ I have confidence in your obedience. I write you, knowing that you will do beyond what I say.

¹ Holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus.

¹⁴ For we have become companions (partners) with Christ if indeed we hold the beginning of our firm trust to the end.

⁴ We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

² to Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

¹¹ Sound teaching (doctrine) is according to the good news of the glory of the blessed (happy) God. This was committed to my trust.

¹⁹ Keep the faith and maintain a good conscience! Some have rejected these things and have suffered shipwreck to their faith.

⁷ Because of this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle. What I say is true, not false, and I am a teacher of the nations in the true faith.

¹ Faithful is the saying: If a man seeks the office of overseer, he desires a good work. ² The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach;

⁸ Ministerial servants should likewise be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain.

¹⁰ Let these be tested first. Then let them serve as servants, if they are blameless. ¹¹ Women in like manner must be serious, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ¹³ For they that have served well as servants gain to themselves a good standing and great confidence (boldness of speech) in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ The secret of godliness is great and it is without controversy. ‘He (Jesus Christ) was manifested (revealed) in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, and seen by angels. He preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, and received up in glory.’

¹⁶ At first no one defended me. They all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.

¹ Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness.

⁷ The overseer must be blameless as God's steward. He must not be self-willed, not prone to anger, not a brawler, and not violent (quarrelsome) (pugnacious), not greedy of dishonest gain.

¹⁰ They should not steal from them, but should show good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

⁴ When the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, ⁵ not by works done in righteousness, which we did, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration (restoration) (spiritual rebirth) and renewing (renovation) of the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He poured Spirit out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

⁴ I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers. ⁵ I hear about your love, and about the faith you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the holy ones.

⁵ I hear about your love, and about the faith you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the holy ones. ⁶ May the fellowship of your faith operate in the knowledge of every good thing that is in you for Jesus Christ. ⁷ For I have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed through you, brother.

¹² At this time you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again from the beginning the elementary truths from the Word of God. You need milk, not solid food. ¹³ Everyone who drinks milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to mature people. It belongs to those who by reason of use have their senses trained to know the difference between good and evil.

¹⁴ But solid food belongs to mature people. It belongs to those who by reason of use have their senses trained to know the difference between good and evil.

⁹ Even though we speak this way, beloved, we are convinced that you will have better things, things that belong to salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous (unjust) to forget your work and the love you showed for his name. You ministered to the holy ones and continue to minister.

³² Remember the former days in which, after being enlightened, you endured great struggle with afflictions. ³³ You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated. Other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way.

³³ You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated. Other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. ³⁴ You shared the sufferings of prisoners. When all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly. This is because you knew that you possessed something much better, which would last forever. ³⁵ Do not lose your courage (confidence) (boldness). It brings a great reward with it.

² Look to (consider without distractions) Jesus, the Leader (Predecessor) and Finisher (Perfecter) of our faith. He despised the shame. He endured the stake for the joy that was set before him. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

⁴ You have not yet resisted by shedding blood in your striving against sin.

¹¹ Now no discipline for the present seems to be joyous. In fact it seems grievous! Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained.

⁶ So that with good confidence (courage) we say: »Jehovah is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do to me?« (Psalm 56:11)

¹⁵ Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God through him [Jesus], that is, the fruit of lips that make confession (give thanks and offer praise) to his name. ¹⁶ Do not forget (neglect) to do good and to communicate (fellowship) (share), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

²⁰ Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, ²¹ make you perfect (mature) in every good thing. May you do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²³ Do you know that brother Timothy has been released? If he comes shortly, I will see you.

¹ This letter is from James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes that are scattered. ² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials.

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. It comes down from the Father of lights (truth and spiritual purity), with whom there is no variation. He does not change like shifting shadows.

² You who are chosen and foreknown by God the Father. You have been sanctified by the Spirit to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. Grace and peace be greatly increased to you.

² You who are chosen and foreknown by God the Father. You have been sanctified by the Spirit to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. Grace and peace be greatly increased to you. ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

⁷ The proof of your faith is more precious than gold that perishes. Though it is tested by fire, it may be found in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ You love him without seeing him. Though you do not see him, you believe in him. Full of glory, you rejoice greatly with indescribable joy.

⁸ You love him without seeing him. Though you do not see him, you believe in him. Full of glory, you rejoice greatly with indescribable joy. ⁹ You receive your salvation as the outcome of your faith.

¹¹ searching what time or what manner of time the spirit of Christ that was in them did point to, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.

²² You have purified your hearts by obeying the truth. You have genuine affection for the brothers and sisters. So always love one another intensely (extremely) (deeply) from the heart.

⁵ You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

⁹ You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession, that you may show the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

¹² Maintain fine behavior among the nations. That way when they speak badly about you, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation (inspection).

⁶ Include self-control with your knowledge. Supply patience to your self-control. Your patience should be helped by godliness.

⁶ Include self-control with your knowledge. Supply patience to your self-control. Your patience should be helped by godliness. ⁷ Add brotherly kindness to your godliness. And to your brotherly kindness add love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound in you they will keep you from being inactive or unfruitful regarding the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these qualities is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

¹² I will always be ready to remind you of these things. Even though you know them, and are established in the truth that is present with you. ¹³ I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by reminding you.

¹³ I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by reminding you. ¹⁴ I know that putting off my earthly dwelling is imminent, even as our Lord Jesus Christ indicated to me. ¹⁵ I will be diligent so that every time after my departure you will remember these things.

¹⁰ The day of Jehovah will come as a thief. The heavens will pass away with a great noise. The elements shall be dissolved with intense heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up (destroyed). (Joel 2:31) (Zephaniah 1:14) ¹¹ Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved (destroyed), what manner of persons should you be in all holy living and godliness?

¹⁴ Seeing that you anticipate these things, be diligent that you may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.

¹⁸ Grow in the unmerited favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

³ We declare to you what we have seen and heard. This way you may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ!

⁷ If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

¹⁸ Using his own will, he gave us birth through the word of truth. This way we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable (yielding), full of mercy and good fruits, without discord (partiality), without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

⁵ Or do you think the scripture speaks to no purpose? Does the attitude of the heart (mental disposition) that he induced to live in us cause us to envy? ⁶ But he gives more grace. The scripture said, »God resists the proud, but gives grace (loving-kindness) to the humble.«

²⁵ For you were straying like sheep. But now you have returned to your shepherd and overseer.

² From now on you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires (lusts).

¹⁰ According to the gift you have received, minister among yourselves, as good stewards of the increased grace (divine influence) (love) of God. ¹¹ If any man speaks, speak as it were utterances of God. If any man ministers, minister with the strength which God supplies! May God be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. The glory and dominion belong to God forever and ever. Amen. ¹² Beloved ones do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, for it comes upon you like a test, as though some strange thing were happening to you.

¹² Beloved ones do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, for it comes upon you like a test, as though some strange thing were happening to you. ¹³ As much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

¹³ As much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

¹³ As much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people’s business. ¹⁶ If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

¹⁶ If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

¹ I exhort the elders among you. I too am an older man and a witness of the sufferings of Christ. I am also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. ² Shepherd the flock of God in your care. Exercise the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God. Do not do it for dishonest gain, but eagerly. ³ Do not lord it over your charge, but make yourselves examples to the flock. ⁴ When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

¹⁰ After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will perfect, establish, and strengthen you.

¹ Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ:

⁴ He offered us his precious and exceedingly great promises. Through these you may become partakers of the divine nature. You will escape from the corruption that is in the lust-filled world. ⁵ Yes, for this very reason you do your part with all diligence. Supply virtue to your faith. Add knowledge to your virtue.

⁵ Yes, for this very reason you do your part with all diligence. Supply virtue to your faith. Add knowledge to your virtue.

²⁸ Now, my little children dwell (Greek: meno: stay, dwell, be present) with him. If he shall be made known we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming (presence) (being near).

¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love abides in death.

¹⁷ Whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?

¹ Beloved, do not believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This is because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

¹ THE REVELATION GOD GAVE TO JESUS CHRIST, so that he could tell his servants the things that must soon take place. Christ then sent his angel to communicate the symbolic message to his servant John.

²⁰ »This is the secret of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven congregations. The seven lamp stands that you saw are the seven congregations.«

² »'I know your works, and your labor, and your patience. I also know how you cannot tolerate those who are evil. You tested those who say they are apostles. They are not apostles. You found them to be liars.

⁸ »To the angel of the congregation in Smyrna write: This is the message from the one who is the 'First and the Last', who died and came to life again.

¹⁰ »'Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil (false accuser) (Devil) is about to throw you into prison, that you may be tested. You will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful even if you must die, and I will give you the crown of life.

¹⁰ »'Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil (false accuser) (Devil) is about to throw you into prison, that you may be tested. You will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful even if you must die, and I will give you the crown of life. ¹¹ »'He who can hear should listen to what the Spirit says to the congregations. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.' ¹² »To the angel of the congregation in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:

¹¹ They conquered (overcame) him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives when faced with death.

¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say: »Write: Blessed are the dead who die in union with the Lord from this time forward: Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works follow them.«

¹⁰ I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me: »Do not do that. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers. You have the witness from Jesus: worship God! For the witness from Jesus is the spirit (mind-set) of prophecy.«

⁴ I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father.

⁹ Whoever pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God! He who dwells in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ Do not receive anyone into your house who comes to you and does not bring this teaching. Give him no greeting! ¹¹ He who greets him partakes of his evil works.

³ For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and witnessed about the truth that is in you and that you walk in truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.

¹ Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:

³ Beloved, I diligently wrote you about our common salvation. I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the holy ones.

¹⁴ I said to him: »Sir, you know.« He said to me: »These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ »Because of this they are before the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over (dwell among) them. ¹⁶ »They will hunger no more, nor thirst any more; neither shall the sunlight beat down on them, nor any heat. ¹⁷ »The Lamb who is in the middle of the throne will feed them and lead them to living fountains of water. God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.«

⁹ He said to me: »Do not do that, for I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and of those who obey the words of this book: worship God.«