Romans 12 Cross References - Twentieth_Century

¹ I entreat you, then, Brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, for this is your rational worship. ² Do not conform to the fashion of this world; but be transformed by the complete change that has come over your minds, so that you may discern what God's will is--all that is good, acceptable, and perfect. ³ In fulfillment of the charge with which I have been entrusted, I bid every one of you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think till he learns to think soberly--in accordance with the measure of faith that God has allotted to each. ⁴ For, just as in the human body there is a union of many parts, and each part has its own function, ⁵ So we, by our union in Christ, many though we are, form but one body, and individually we are related one to another as its parts. ⁶ Since our gifts differ in accordance with the particular charge entrusted to us, if our gift is to preach, let our preaching correspond to our faith; ⁷ If it is to minister to others, let us devote ourselves to our ministry; the teacher to his teaching, ⁸ The speaker to his exhortation. Let the man who gives in charity do so with a generous heart; let him who is in authority exercise due diligence; let him who shows kindness do so in a cheerful spirit. ⁹ Let your love be sincere. Hate the wrong; cling to the right. ¹⁰ In brotherly love, be affectionate to one another; in showing respect, set an example of deference to one another; ¹¹ Never flagging in zeal; fervent in spirit; serving the Master; ¹² Rejoicing in your hope; steadfast under persecution; persevering in prayer; ¹³ Relieving the wants of Christ's People; devoted to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless your persecutors--bless and never curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are weeping. ¹⁶ Let the same spirit of sympathy animate you all, not a spirit of pride; be glad to associate with the lowly. Do not think too highly of yourselves. ¹⁷ Never return injury for injury. Aim at doing what all men will recognize as honorable. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as rests with you, live peaceably with every one. ¹⁹ Never avenge yourselves, dear friends, but make way for the Wrath of God; for Scripture declares--'"It is for me to avenge, I will requite," says the Lord.' ²⁰ Rather--'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink. By doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head.' ²¹ Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

⁵ Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.

¹² Be glad and rejoice, because your reward in Heaven will be great; for so men persecuted the Prophets who lived before you.

³⁹ I, however, say to you that you must not resist wrong; but, if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also;

⁴⁴ I, however, say to you--Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,

² Therefore, when you do acts of charity, do not have a trumpet blown in front of you, as hypocrites do in the Synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. There, I tell you, is their reward! ³ But, when you do acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ So that your charity may be secret; and your Father, who sees what is in secret, will recompense you.

²⁵ That is why I say to you, Do not be anxious about your life here--what you can get to eat or drink; nor yet about your body-- what you can get to wear. Is not life more than food, and the body than its clothing? ²⁶ Look at the wild birds--they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns; and yet your heavenly Father feeds them! And are not you more precious than they?

⁵ The blind recover their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are made clean and the deaf hear, the dead, too, are raised to life, and the good news is told to the poor.

¹ On the same occasion the disciples came to Jesus, and asked him: "Who is really the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" ² Jesus called a little child to him, and placed it in the middle of them, and then said: ³ "I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all. ⁴ Therefore, any one who will humble himself like this child-- that man shall be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

²¹ "What is it that you want?" he asked. "I want you to say," she replied, "that in your Kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right, and the other on your left." ²² "You do not know what you are asking," was Jesus' answer. "Can you drink the cup that I am to drink?" "Yes," they exclaimed, "we can." ²³ "You shall indeed drink my cup," he said, "but as to a seat at my right and at my left--that is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." ²⁴ On hearing of this, the ten others were very indignant about the two brothers. ²⁵ Jesus, however, called the ten to him, and said: "The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them as you know, and their great men oppress them. ²⁶ Among you it is not so.

²⁶ Among you it is not so. ²⁷ No, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to take the first place among you, must be your slave; ²⁸ Just as the Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

³⁴ That is why I send you Prophets, wise men, and Teachers of the Law, some of whom you will crucify and kill, and some of whom you will scourge in your Synagogues, and persecute from town to town;

¹² and, owing to the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

⁴⁵ Who, then is that trustworthy, careful servant, who has been placed by his master over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this. ⁴⁷ I tell you that his master will put him in charge of the whole of his property.

²⁶ 'You lazy, worthless servant!' was his master's reply. 'You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather up where I have not winnowed?

³⁵ For, when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger, you took me to your homes;

⁴⁰ And the King will reply 'I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my Brothers, however lowly, you did it to me.'

¹¹ You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

⁴⁹ So he went up to Jesus at once, and exclaimed: "Welcome, Rabbi!" and kissed him;

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Faith of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

⁵⁰ Salt is good, but, if the salt should lose its saltiness, what will you use to season it? You must have salt in yourselves, and live at peace with one another."

⁵⁸ And her neighbors and relations, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy.

⁶ "I will give you all this power, and the splendor of them; for it has been given into my hands and I give it to whom I wish. ⁷ If you, therefore, will do homage before me, it shall all be yours." ⁸ And Jesus answered him: "Scripture says--'Thou shalt do homage to the Lord thy God, and worship him only.'" ⁹ The Devil next led him into Jerusalem, and, placing him on the parapet of the Temple, said: "If you are God's Son throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰ For Scripture says--'He will give his angels commands about thee, to guard thee safely,' ¹¹ And 'On their hands they will upbear thee, Lest ever thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone.'"

²⁰ Then, raising his eyes and looking at his disciples, Jesus spoke as follows: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.

²⁷ But to you who hear I say--Love your enemies, show kindness to those who hate you,

²⁷ But to you who hear I say--Love your enemies, show kindness to those who hate you,

²⁷ But to you who hear I say--Love your enemies, show kindness to those who hate you, ²⁸ Bless those who curse you, pray for those who insult you.

²⁸ Bless those who curse you, pray for those who insult you.

²⁸ Bless those who curse you, pray for those who insult you. ²⁹ When a man gives one of you a blow on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well; and, when any one takes away your cloak, do not keep back your coat either.

²⁹ When a man gives one of you a blow on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well; and, when any one takes away your cloak, do not keep back your coat either. ³⁰ Give to every one who asks of you; and, when any one takes away what is yours, do not demand its return.

⁴⁷ And for this, I tell you, her sins, many as they are, have been pardoned, because she has loved greatly; but one who has little pardoned him, loves but little."

¹⁵ But by that in the good ground are meant those who, having heard the Message, keep it in the good, rich soil of their hearts, and patiently yield a return.

⁵⁵ But Jesus turned and rebuked them. ⁵⁶ And they made their way to another village.

²⁰ Yet do not rejoice in the fact that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names have been enrolled in Heaven."

⁵ Jesus also said to them: "Suppose that one of you who has a friend were to go to him in the middle of the night and say 'Friend, lend me three loaves, ⁶ For a friend of mine has arrived at my house after a journey, and I have nothing to offer him;' ⁷ And suppose that the other should answer from inside 'Do not trouble me; the door is already fastened, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'; ⁸ I tell you that, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is a friend, yet because of his persistence he will rouse himself and give him what he wants. ⁹ And so I say to you--Ask, and your prayer shall be granted: search, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. ¹⁰ For he that asks receives, he that searches finds, and to him that knocks the door shall be opened. ¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks him for a fish, will give him a snake instead, ¹² Or, if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you, then, naturally wicked though you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those that ask him!"

⁴⁹ That is why the Wisdom of God said--"I will send to them Prophets and Apostles,

⁴² "Who, then," replied the Master, "is that trustworthy steward, the careful man, who will be placed by his master over his establishment, to give them their rations at the proper time? ⁴³ Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this. ⁴⁴ His master, I tell you, will put him in charge of the whole of his property.

¹⁰ No, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place, so that, when he who has invited you comes, he may say to you 'Friend, come higher up'; and then you will be honored in the eyes of all your fellow-guests.

¹³ No, when you entertain, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;

⁵ And, when he has found it, he puts in on his shoulders rejoicing; ⁶ And, on reaching home, he calls his friends and his neighbors together, and says 'Come and rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' ⁷ So, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one outcast that repents, than over ninety-nine religious men, who have no need to repent. ⁸ Or again, what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And, when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, and says 'Come and rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I lost.' ¹⁰ So, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of God's angels over one outcast that repents."

¹ Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair. ² "There was," he said, "in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for man. ³ In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' ⁴ For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself 'Although I am without fear of God or regard for man, ⁵ Yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.'" ⁶ Then the Master added: "Listen to what this iniquitous judge says! ⁷ And God--will not he see that his own People, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them--though he holds his hand? ⁸ He will, I tell you, have justice done them, and that soon! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" ⁹ Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable-- ¹⁰ "Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way--'O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men-- thieves, rogues, adulterers--or even like this tax-gatherer.

¹¹ The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way--'O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men-- thieves, rogues, adulterers--or even like this tax-gatherer. ¹² I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.' ¹³ Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even 'to raise his eyes to Heaven'; but he kept striking his breast and saying 'O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' ¹⁴ This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted." ¹⁵ Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them. ¹⁶ Jesus, however, called the little children to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "and do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁷ I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all." ¹⁸ And one of the Presidents asked Jesus this question--"Good Teacher, what must I do if I am to gain Immortal Life?" ¹⁹ "Why do you call me good?" answered Jesus. "No one is good but God. ²⁰ You know the commandments--'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not say what is false about others, Honor thy father and thy mother.'" ²¹ "I have observed all these," he replied, "from childhood." ²² Hearing this, Jesus said to him: "There is one thing still lacking in you; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me." ²³ But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich. ²⁴ Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples: "How hard it is for men of wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God!" ²⁶ "Then who can be saved?" asked those who heard this. ²⁷ But Jesus said: "What is impossible with men is possible with God." ²⁸ "But we," said Peter, "we left what belonged to us and followed you." ²⁹ "I tell you," he answered, "that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, on account of the Kingdom of God, ³⁰ Who will not receive many times as much in the present, and in the age that is coming Immortal Life." ³¹ Gathering the Twelve round him, Jesus said to them: "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there everything that is written in the Prophets will be done to the Son of Man. ³² For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat upon; ³³ They will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again." ³⁴ The Apostles did not comprehend any of this; his meaning was unintelligible to them, and they did not understand what he was saying. ³⁵ As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road-side, begging. ³⁶ Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter; ³⁷ And, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing, ³⁸ He shouted out: "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!" ³⁹ Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder: "Son of David, take pity on me!" ⁴⁰ Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him: ⁴¹ "What do you want me to do for you?" "Master," he said, "I want to recover my sight." ⁴² And Jesus said: "Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you." ⁴³ Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.

¹ Looking up, Jesus saw the rich people putting their gifts into the chests for the Temple offerings. ² He saw, too, a widow in poor circumstances putting two farthings into them. ³ On this he said: "I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others; ⁴ For every one else here put in something from what he had to spare, while she, in her need, has put in all she had to live upon."

¹⁹ By your endurance you shall win yourselves Life.

²⁴ And a dispute arose among them as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵ Jesus, however, said: "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their oppressors are styled 'Benefactors.' ²⁶ But with you it must not be so. No, let the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who leads like him who serves. ²⁷ Which is the greater--the master at the table or his servant? Is not it the master at the table? Yet I myself am among you as one who serves.

³⁴ [Then Jesus said: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."] His clothes they divided among them by casting lots.

² This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: "Rabbi, we know that you are a Teacher come from God; for no one could give such signs as you are giving, unless God were with him."

³⁴ For he whom God sent as his Messenger gives us God's own teaching, for God does not limit the gift of the Spirit.

⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me, because I testify that its ways are evil.

¹⁹ A number of the Jews had come there to condole with Martha and Mary on their brother's death.

³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her weeping also, he groaned deeply, and was greatly distressed. ³⁴ "Where have you buried him?" he asked. "Come and see, Master," they answered. ³⁵ Jesus burst into tears. ³⁶ "How he must have loved him!" the Jews exclaimed;

⁶ He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and, being in charge of the purse, used to take what was put in it.

³⁴ I give you a new commandment--Love one another; love one another as I have loved you. ³⁵ It is by this that every one will recognize you as my disciples--by your loving one another."

³⁰ I shall not talk with you much more, for the Spirit that is ruling the world is coming. He has nothing in common with me;

¹⁷ I am giving you these commands that you may love one another.

¹⁹ If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world--that is why the world hates you.

¹⁴ I have given them thy Message; and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, even as I do not belong to the world.

²¹ That they all may be one--that as thou, Father, art in union with us--and so the world may believe that thou hast sent me as thy Messenger.

¹⁴ They all united in devoting themselves to Prayer, and so did some women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

¹⁷ 'It shall come about in the last days,' God says, 'That I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind; your sons and your daughters shall become Prophets, your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams;

⁴² They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and to the Common Life of the Church, to the Breaking of the Bread and to the Prayers.

⁴⁴ All who became believers in Christ held everything for the common use; ⁴⁵ They sold their property and their goods, and shared the proceeds among them all, according to their individual needs. ⁴⁶ Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the Temple Courts, and to the Breaking of Bread at their homes, while they partook of their food in simple-hearted gladness, praising God, and winning the good-will of all the people.

³² The whole body of those who had become believers in Christ were of one heart and mind. Not one of them claimed any of his goods as his own, but everything was held for the common use. ³³ The Apostles continued with great power to bear their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's blessing rested upon them all abundantly. ³⁴ Nor was there any one in need among them, for all who were owners of land or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the sales ³⁵ And laid them at the Apostles' feet; and then every one received a share in proportion to his wants.

³⁵ And laid them at the Apostles' feet; and then every one received a share in proportion to his wants.

¹ About this time, when the number of the disciples was constantly increasing, complaints were made by the Jews of foreign birth against the native Jews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

⁴ While we, for our part, will devote ourselves to Prayer, and to the delivery of the Message."

⁶⁰ Falling on his knees, he called out loudly: "Lord! do not charge them with this sin;" and with these words he fell asleep.

³⁶ At Jaffa there lived a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which is in Greek 'Dorcas'--a Gazelle. Her life was spent in doing kind and charitable actions. ³⁷ Just at that time she was taken ill, and died; and they had washed her body and laid it out in an upstairs room. ³⁸ Jaffa was near Lydda, and the disciples, having heard that Peter was at Lydda, sent two men with the request that he would come on to them without delay. ³⁹ Peter returned with them at once. On his arrival, he was taken upstairs, and all the widows came round him in tears, showing the coats and other clothing which Dorcas had made while she was among them. ⁴⁰ But Peter sent everybody out of the room, and knelt down and prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said: "Tabitha! stand up." She opened her eyes, and, seeing Peter, sat up. ⁴¹ Giving her his hand, Peter raised her up, and, calling in the widows and others of Christ's People, presented her to them alive.

⁴ Cornelius fixed his eyes on him and, in great alarm, said: "What is it, Lord?" "Your prayers and your charities," the angel answered, "have been an acceptable offering to God.

²³ On coming there he saw to his great joy these tokens of the loving-kindness of God, and encouraged them all to make up their minds to be faithful to the Lord--

²⁷ During this time, some Prophets came to Antioch from Jerusalem. ²⁸ One of them, named Agabus, came forward and, under the influence of the Spirit, foretold a great famine that was to spread over all the world--a famine which occurred in the reign of Claudius.

²⁸ One of them, named Agabus, came forward and, under the influence of the Spirit, foretold a great famine that was to spread over all the world--a famine which occurred in the reign of Claudius. ²⁹ So the disciples, without exception, determined, in proportion to their means, to send something to help the Brethren living in Judea. ³⁰ And this they did, sending it to the Officers of the Church by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but meanwhile the prayers of the Church were being earnestly offered to God on his behalf.

¹ Among the members of the Church at Antioch there were several Prophets and Teachers--Barnabas, Simeon who was known by the name of 'Black', Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, foster-brother of Prince Herod, and Saul.

¹² When the Governor saw what had happened, he became a believer in Christ, being greatly impressed by the teaching about the Lord.

¹⁵ After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the President of the Synagogue sent them this message--"Brothers, if you have any helpful words to address to the people, now is the time to speak."

³² Judas and Silas, who were themselves Prophets, further encouraged the Brethren by many an address, and strengthened their faith.

²⁴ Meanwhile there had come to Ephesus an Alexandrian Jew, named Apollos, an eloquent man, who was well-versed in the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been well-instructed in the Cause of the Lord, and with burning zeal he spoke of, and taught carefully, the facts about Jesus, though he knew of no baptism but John's.

²⁵ He had been well-instructed in the Cause of the Lord, and with burning zeal he spoke of, and taught carefully, the facts about Jesus, though he knew of no baptism but John's. ²⁶ This man began to speak out fearlessly in the Synagogue; and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the Cause of God to him more carefully still. ²⁷ When he wanted to cross to Greece, the Brethren furthered his plans, and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival he proved of great assistance to those who had, through the loving-kindness of God, become believers in Christ, ²⁸ For he vigorously confuted the Jews, publicly proving by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

² After going through those districts and speaking many encouraging words to the disciples, he went into Greece, where he stayed three months.

¹⁹ Serving the Lord, as I did, in all humility, amid the tears and trials which fell to my lot through the plots of the Jews. ²⁰ I never shrank from telling you anything that could be helpful to you, or from teaching you both in public and in private.

²⁸ Be watchful over yourselves, and over the whole flock, of which the Holy Spirit has placed you in charge, to shepherd the Church of God, which he won for himself at the cost of his life.

³⁴ You, yourselves, know that these hands of mine provided not only for my own wants, but for my companions also. ³⁵ I left nothing undone to show you that, laboring as I labored, you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said himself-- 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, who had the gift of prophecy.

⁵ Through him we received the gift of the Apostolic office, to win submission to the Faith among all nations for the glory of his Name.

¹¹ For I long to see you, in order to impart to you some spiritual gift and so give you fresh strength--

⁴ Or do you think lightly of his abundant kindness, patience, and forbearance, not realizing that his kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

⁷ To those who, by perseverance in doing good, aim at glory, honor, and all that is imperishable, he will give Immortal Life;

² It is through him that, by reason of our faith, we have obtained admission to that place in God's favor in which we not stand. So let us exult in our hope of attaining God's glorious ideal. ³ And not only that, but let us also exult in our troubles; ⁴ For we know that trouble develops endurance, and endurance strength of character, and strength of character hope,

² Heaven forbid! We became dead to sin, and how can we go on living in it?

¹³ Do not offer any part of your bodies to Sin, in the cause of unrighteousness, but once for all offer yourselves to God (as those who, though once dead, now have Life), and devote every part of your bodies to the cause of righteousness.

¹⁶ Surely you know that, when you offer yourselves as servants, to obey any one, you are the servants of the person whom you obey, whether the service be that of Sin which leads to Death, or that of Duty which leads to Righteousness.

¹⁹ I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness.

¹² And so the Law is holy, and each Commandment is also holy, and just, and good.

¹⁴ We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am earthly-sold into slavery to Sin.

²² At heart I delight in the Law of God;

²⁵ But when we hope for what is not before our eyes, then we wait for it with patience.

²³ So as to make known his surpassing glory in dealing with the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared beforehand for glory,

²⁰ True; it was because of their want of faith that they were broken off, and it is because of your faith that you are standing. Do not think too highly of yourself, but beware.

²⁵ Brothers, for fear that you should think too highly of yourselves, I want you to recognize the truth, hitherto hidden, that the callousness which has come over Israel is only partial, and will continue only till the whole Gentile world has been gathered in.

³⁰ Just as you at one time were disobedient to him, but have now found mercy in the day of their disobedience; ³¹ So, too, they have now become disobedient in your day of mercy, in order that they also in their turn may now find mercy.

¹ I entreat you, then, Brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, for this is your rational worship. ² Do not conform to the fashion of this world; but be transformed by the complete change that has come over your minds, so that you may discern what God's will is--all that is good, acceptable, and perfect. ³ In fulfillment of the charge with which I have been entrusted, I bid every one of you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think till he learns to think soberly--in accordance with the measure of faith that God has allotted to each. ⁴ For, just as in the human body there is a union of many parts, and each part has its own function,

⁶ Since our gifts differ in accordance with the particular charge entrusted to us, if our gift is to preach, let our preaching correspond to our faith; ⁷ If it is to minister to others, let us devote ourselves to our ministry; the teacher to his teaching, ⁸ The speaker to his exhortation. Let the man who gives in charity do so with a generous heart; let him who is in authority exercise due diligence; let him who shows kindness do so in a cheerful spirit.

⁸ The speaker to his exhortation. Let the man who gives in charity do so with a generous heart; let him who is in authority exercise due diligence; let him who shows kindness do so in a cheerful spirit.

¹³ Relieving the wants of Christ's People; devoted to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless your persecutors--bless and never curse.

¹⁶ Let the same spirit of sympathy animate you all, not a spirit of pride; be glad to associate with the lowly. Do not think too highly of yourselves. ¹⁷ Never return injury for injury. Aim at doing what all men will recognize as honorable.

¹⁹ Never avenge yourselves, dear friends, but make way for the Wrath of God; for Scripture declares--'"It is for me to avenge, I will requite," says the Lord.'

²¹ Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

⁴ For they are God's servants appointed for your good. But, if you do what is wrong, you may well be afraid; for the sword they carry is not without meaning! They are God's servants to inflict his punishments on those who do wrong.

⁶ This, too, is the reason for your paying taxes; for the officials are God's officers, devoting themselves to this special work. ⁷ In all cases pay what is due from you--tribute where tribute is due, taxes where taxes are due, respect where respect is due, and honor where honor is due.

¹⁴ No! Arm yourselves with the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, and spend no thought on your earthly nature, to satisfy its cravings.

¹⁶ Do not let what is right for you become a matter of reproach. ¹⁷ For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and gladness through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ Therefore our efforts should be directed towards all that makes for peace and the mutual building up of character.

⁴ Whatever was written in the Scriptures in days gone by was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance, and through the encouragement drawn from the Scriptures, we might hold fast to our hope. ⁵ And may God, the giver of this patience and this encouragement, grant you to be united in sympathy in Christ,

¹³ May God, who inspires our hope, grant you perfect happiness and peace in your faith, till you are filled with this hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁵ But in parts of this letter I have expressed myself somewhat boldly--by way of refreshing your memories-- ¹⁶ Because of the charge with which God has entrusted me, that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to go to the Gentiles--that I should act as a priest of God's Good News, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be an acceptable sacrifice, consecrated by the Holy Spirit.

¹⁶ Because of the charge with which God has entrusted me, that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to go to the Gentiles--that I should act as a priest of God's Good News, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be an acceptable sacrifice, consecrated by the Holy Spirit.

²⁵ Just now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem, to take help to Christ's People there. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Greece have been glad to make a collection for the poor among Christ's People at Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were glad to do so; and indeed it is a duty which they owe to them. For the Gentile converts who have shared their spiritual blessings are in duty bound to minister to them in the things of this world. ²⁸ When I have settled this matter, and have secured to the poor at Jerusalem the enjoyment of these benefits, I shall go, by way of you, to Spain.

³⁰ I beg you, then, Brothers, by Jesus Christ, our Lord, and by the love inspired by the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf.

⁵ For through union with him you were enriched in every way-in your power to preach, and in your knowledge of the Truth; ⁶ And so became yourselves a confirmation of my testimony to the Christ. ⁷ And thus there is no gift in which you are deficient, while waiting for the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ But I appeal to you, Brothers, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you profess, and not to allow divisions to exist among you, but to be united-of one mind and of one opinion.

¹⁰ In fulfillment of the charge which God had entrusted to me, I laid the foundation like a skillful master-builder; but another man is now building upon it. Let every one take care how he builds;

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you imagines that, as regards this world, he is a wise man, let him become a 'fool,' that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For in God's sight this world's wisdom is folly. Scripture tells of-'One who catches the wise in their own craftiness,'

⁶ All this, Brothers, I have, for your sakes, applied to Apollos and myself, so that, from our example, you may learn to observe the precept-'Keep to what is written,' that none of you may speak boastfully of one teacher to the disparagement of another. ⁷ For who makes any one of you superior to others? And what have you that was not given you? But if you received it as a gift, why do you boast as if you had not?

⁷ For who makes any one of you superior to others? And what have you that was not given you? But if you received it as a gift, why do you boast as if you had not? ⁸ Are you all so soon satisfied? Are you so soon rich? Have you begun to reign without us? Would indeed that you had, so that we also might reign with you!

¹⁰ We, for Christ's sake, are 'fools,' but you, by your union with Christ, are men of discernment. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are despised.

¹² We work hard, toiling with our own hands. We meet abuse with blessings, we meet persecution with endurance, ¹³ We meet slander with gentle appeals. We have been treated as the scum of the earth, the vilest of the vile, to this very hour.

⁷ Get rid entirely of the old leaven, so that you may be like new dough-free from leaven, as in truth you are. For our Passover Lamb is already sacrificed-Christ himself; ⁸ Therefore let us keep our festival, not with the leaven of former days, nor with the leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

⁵ Can it be that there is not one man among you wise enough to decide between two of his Brothers? ⁶ Must Brother go to law with Brother, and that, too, before unbelievers? ⁷ To begin with, it is undoubtedly a loss to you to have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather let yourselves be wronged? Why not rather let yourselves be cheated?

¹³ Food exists for the stomach, and the stomach for food; but God will put an end to both the one and the other. The body, however, exists, not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body; ¹⁴ And, as God has raised the Lord, so he will raise up us also by the exercise of his power. ¹⁵ Do not you know that your bodies are Christ's members? Am I, then, to take the members that belong to the Christ and make them the members of a prostitute? Heaven forbid! ¹⁶ Or do not you know that a man who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body (for 'the two,' it is said, 'will become one'); ¹⁷ While a man who is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit? ¹⁸ Shun all immorality. Every other sin that men commit is something outside the body; but an immoral man sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Again, do not you know that your body is a shrine of the Holy Spirit that is within you-the Spirit which you have from God? ²⁰ Moreover, you are not your own masters; you were bought, and the price was paid. Therefore, honor God in your bodies.

⁷ I should wish every one to be just what I am myself. But every one has his own gift from God-one in one way, and one in another.

¹⁵ However, if the unbeliever wishes to be separated, let him be so. Under such circumstances neither the Brother nor the Sister is bound; God has called you to live in peace.

¹⁷ In any case, a man should continue to live in the condition which the Lord has allotted to him, and in which he was when God called him. This is the rule that I lay down in every Church.

²² For the man who was a slave when he was called to the master's service is the Master's freed-man; so, too, the man who was free when called is Christ's slave.

² If a man thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet reached that knowledge which he ought to have reached.

¹⁷ The Bread is one, and we, though many, are one body; for we all partake of that one Bread.

³³ For I, also, try to please everybody in everything, not seeking my own advantage, but that of men in general, that they may be saved.

⁴ Gifts differ, but the Spirit is the same;

⁴ Gifts differ, but the Spirit is the same; ⁵ Ways of serving differ, yet the Master is the same; ⁶ Results differ, yet the God who brings about every result is in every case the same. ⁷ To each man there is given spiritual illumination for the general good. ⁸ To one is given the power to speak with wisdom through the Spirit; to another the power to speak with knowledge, due to the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another power to cure diseases by the one Spirit; to another supernatural powers; ¹⁰ To another the gift of preaching; to another the gift of distinguishing between true and false inspiration; to another varieties of the gift of 'tongues'; to another the power to interpret 'tongues.' ¹¹ All these result from one and the same Spirit, who distributes his gifts to each individually as he wills. ¹² For just as the human body is one whole, and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many though they are, form but one body, so it is with the Christ; ¹³ For it was by one Spirit that we were all baptized to form one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free men, and were all imbued with one Spirit. ¹⁴ The human body, I repeat, consists not of one part, but of many.

²⁰ But in fact, although it has many parts, there is only one body.

²⁶ If one part suffers, all the others suffer with it, and if one part has honor done it, all the others share its joy. ²⁷ Together you are the Body of Christ, and individually its parts.

²⁷ Together you are the Body of Christ, and individually its parts. ²⁸ In the Church God has appointed, first, Apostles, secondly Preachers, thirdly Teachers; then he has given supernatural powers, then power to cure diseases, aptness for helping others, capacity to govern, varieties of the gift of 'tongues.'

²⁸ In the Church God has appointed, first, Apostles, secondly Preachers, thirdly Teachers; then he has given supernatural powers, then power to cure diseases, aptness for helping others, capacity to govern, varieties of the gift of 'tongues.'

²⁸ In the Church God has appointed, first, Apostles, secondly Preachers, thirdly Teachers; then he has given supernatural powers, then power to cure diseases, aptness for helping others, capacity to govern, varieties of the gift of 'tongues.' ²⁹ Can every one be an Apostle? can every one be a Preacher? can every one be a Teacher? can every one have supernatural powers? ³⁰ Can every one have power to cure diseases? can every one speak in 'tongues'? can every one interpret them? ³¹ Strive for the greater gifts. Yet I can still show you a way beyond all comparison the best.

² Even though I have the gift of preaching, and fathom all hidden truths and all the depths of knowledge; even though I have such faith as might move mountains, yet have not Love, I am nothing!

⁴ Love is long-suffering, and kind; Love is never envious, never boastful, never conceited, never behaves unbecomingly; ⁵ Love is never self-seeking, never provoked, never reckons up her wrongs;

¹³ Meanwhile Faith, Hope, and Love endure-these three, but the greatest of these is Love.

¹ Seek this Love earnestly, and strive for spiritual gifts, above all for the gift of preaching.

³ But he who preaches is speaking to his fellow men words that will build up faith, and give them comfort and encouragement.

³ But he who preaches is speaking to his fellow men words that will build up faith, and give them comfort and encouragement. ⁴ He who, when speaking, uses the gift of 'tongues' builds up his own faith, while he who preaches builds up the faith of the Church. ⁵ Now I want you all to speak in 'tongues,' but much more I wish that you should preach. A Preacher is of more account than he who speaks in 'tongues,' unless he interprets his words, so that the faith of the Church may be built up.

²⁴ While, if all those present use the gift of preaching, and an unbeliever, or a man without the gift, comes in, he is convinced of his sinfulness by them all, he is called to account by them all;

²⁹ Of preachers two or three should speak, and the rest should weigh well what is said.

³¹ For you can all preach in turn, so that all may learn some lesson and all receive encouragement. ³² (The spirit that moves the preachers is within the preachers' control;

¹⁰ But it is through the love of God that I am what I am, and the love that he showed me has not been wasted. No, I have toiled harder than any of them, and yet it was not I, but the love of God working with me.

¹ With reference to the Collection for Christ's People, I want you to follow the instructions that I gave to the Churches in Galatia. ² On the first day of every week each of you should put by what he can afford, so that no collections need be made after I have come.

¹⁵ I have another request to make of you, Brothers. You remember Stephanas and his household, and that they were the first-fruits gathered in from Greece, and set themselves to serve Christ's People.

¹² Indeed, our main ground for satisfaction is this--Our conscience tells us that our conduct in the world, and still more in our relations with you, was marked by a purity of motive and a sincerity that were inspired by God, and was based, not on worldly policy, but on the help of God.

³ So I wrote as I did, for fear that, if I had come, I should have been pained by those who ought to have made me glad; for I felt sure that it was true of you all that my joy was in every case yours also.

¹ Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.

⁴ Men whose minds have been blinded by the God of this Age, unbelievers as they are, so that the light from the Good News of the glory of the Christ, who is the very incarnation of God, should not shine for them.

¹⁶ Therefore, as I said, we do not lose heart. No, even though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

¹⁴ It is the love of the Christ which compels us, when we reflect that, as one died for all, therefore all died; ¹⁵ And that he died for all, so that the living should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose for them.

¹⁷ Therefore, if any one is in union with Christ, he is a new being! His old life has passed away; a new life has begun!

²⁰ It is, then, on Christ's behalf that we are acting as ambassadors, God, as it were, appealing to you through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf--Be reconciled to God.

¹ Therefore, as God's fellow-workers, we also appeal to you not to receive his loving-kindness in vain.

⁶ By purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindliness, by holiness of spirit, by unfeigned love;

¹⁴ Do not enter into inconsistent relations with those who reject the Faith. For what partnership can there be between righteousness and lawlessness? or what has light to do with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial? or what can those who accept the Faith have in common with those who reject it? ¹⁶ What agreement can thee be between a temple of God and idols? And we are a temple of the Living God. That is what God meant when he said--'I will dwell among them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷ Therefore "Come out from among the nations, and separate yourselves from them," says the Lord, "and touch nothing impure; And I will welcome you;

¹ We would remind you, Brothers, of the love that God has shown to the Churches in Macedonia--

¹ We would remind you, Brothers, of the love that God has shown to the Churches in Macedonia-- ² How, tired though they were by many a trouble, their overflowing happiness, and even their deep poverty, resulted in a flood of generosity.

² How, tired though they were by many a trouble, their overflowing happiness, and even their deep poverty, resulted in a flood of generosity. ³ I can bear witness that to the full extent of their power, and even beyond their power, spontaneously,

³ I can bear witness that to the full extent of their power, and even beyond their power, spontaneously, ⁴ And with many an appeal to us for permission, they showed their love, and contributed their share towards the fund for their fellow-Christians.

⁴ And with many an appeal to us for permission, they showed their love, and contributed their share towards the fund for their fellow-Christians. ⁵ And that, not only in the way we had expected; but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us also, in accordance with God's will. ⁶ And this led us to urge upon Titus that, as he had started the work for you, he should also see to the completion of this expression of your love. ⁷ And, remembering how you excel in everything--in faith, in teaching, in knowledge, in unfailing earnestness, and in the affection that we have awakened in you--I ask you to excel also in this expression of your love. ⁸ I am not laying a command upon you, but I am making use of the earnestness shown by others to test the genuineness of your affection.

⁸ I am not laying a command upon you, but I am making use of the earnestness shown by others to test the genuineness of your affection. ⁹ For you do not forget the loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ--how that for your sakes, although he was rich, he became poor, so that you also might become rich through his poverty.

¹² For, where there is willingness, a man's gift is valued by its comparison with what he has, and not with what he has not.

²⁰ What we are specially guarding against is that any fault should be found with us in regard to our administration of this charitable fund; ²¹ For we are trying to make arrangements which shall be right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

¹ With reference, indeed, to the Fund for your fellow-Christians, it is quite superfluous for me to say anything to you.

⁷ Let every one give as he has determined before hand, not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves 'a cheerful giver.'

¹¹ Rich in all things yourselves, you will be able to show liberality to all, which, with our help, will cause thanksgiving to be offered to God. ¹² For the rendering of a public service such as this, not only relieves the needs of your fellow-Christians, but also results in the offering to God of many a thanksgiving. ¹³ Through the evidence afforded by the service thus rendered, you cause men to praise God for your fidelity to your profession of faith in the Good News of the Christ, as well as for the liberality of your contributions for them and for all others.

¹ Now, I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ--I who, "in your presence, am humble in my bearing towards you, but, when absent, am bold in my language to you"--

³ Yet I fear that it may turn out that, just as the Serpent by his craftiness deceived Eve, so your minds may have lost the loyalty and purity due from you to the Christ.

²⁹ Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led astray without my burning with indignation?

⁷ It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh--an instrument of Satan to discipline me--so that I should not think too highly of myself. ⁸ About this I three times entreated the Lord, praying that it might leave me.

¹³ In what respect, I ask, were you treated worse than the other Churches, unless it was that, for my part, I refused to become a burden to you? Forgive me the wrong I thus did you!

¹¹ And now, brothers, good-bye. Aim at perfection; take courage; agree together; live in peace. And then God, the source of all love and peace, will be with you.

⁴ Gave himself for our sins, in accordance with the will of God and Father,

⁸ For he who gave Peter power for his mission to the Jews gave me, also, power to go to the Gentiles. ⁹ Recognizing the charge entrusted to me, James, Peter, and John, who were regarded as pillars of the Church, openly acknowledged Barnabas and me as fellow-workers, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

⁶ If a man is in union with Christ Jesus, neither is circumcision nor the omission of it anything, but faith, working through love, is everything.

¹³ Remember, Brothers, to you the Call came to give you freedom. Only do not make your freedom an opportunity for self-indulgence, but serve one another in a loving spirit.

²² But the fruit produced by the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindliness, generosity, trustfulness, gentleness, self-control.

²² But the fruit produced by the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindliness, generosity, trustfulness, gentleness, self-control. ²³ Against such things there is no law!

³ If a man imagines himself to be somebody, when he is really nobody, he deceives himself.

⁶ He, however, who is being instructed in the Message ought always to share his blessings with the man who instructs him.

¹⁰ Therefore, I say, as the opportunity occurs, let us treat every one with kindness, and especially members of the Household of the Faith.

¹⁸ That your minds may be so enlightened that you may realize the hope given by God's Call, the wealth of the glory of his heritage among Christ's People,

²³ For the Church is Christ's Body, and is filled by him who fills all things everywhere with his presence.

² For at one time you lived in sin, following the ways of the world, in subjection to the Ruler of the Powers of the air--the Spirit who is still at work among the disobedient.

⁴ Yet God, in his abundant compassion, and because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ Even though we were 'dead' because of our offenses, gave Life to us in giving Life to the Christ. (By God's loving-kindness you have been saved.) ⁶ And, through our union with Christ Jesus, God raised us with him, and caused us to sit with him on high, ⁷ In order that, by his goodness to us in Christ Jesus, he might display in the ages to come the boundless wealth of his loving- kindness. ⁸ For it is by God's loving-kindness that you have been saved, through your faith. It is not due to yourselves; the gift is God's. ⁹ It is not due to obedience to Law, lest any one should boast. ¹⁰ For we are God's handiwork, created, by our union with Christ Jesus, for the good actions in doing which God had pre-arranged that we should spend our lives.

² For you have heard, I suppose, of the responsible charge with which God entrusted me for your benefit,

⁴ And, by reading what I have written, you will be able to judge how far I understand this hidden purpose of God in Christ. ⁵ In former generations it was not made known to mankind, as fully as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to the Apostles and Prophets among Christ's People--

⁷ Of this Good News I became a minister, in virtue of the charge with which God entrusted me in the exercise of his power-- ⁸ Yes, to me, who am less than the least of all Christ's People, was this charge entrusted!--to tell the Gentiles the Good News of the boundless wealth to be found in the Christ,

¹ I urge you, then--I who am a prisoner in the Master's cause-- to live lives worthy of the Call that you have received;

¹ I urge you, then--I who am a prisoner in the Master's cause-- to live lives worthy of the Call that you have received; ² Always humble and gentle, patient, bearing lovingly with one another, ³ And striving to maintain in the bond of peace the unity given by the Spirit.

³ And striving to maintain in the bond of peace the unity given by the Spirit. ⁴ There is but one Body and one Spirit, just as there was but one hope set before you when you received your Call.

⁷ Every one of us, however, has been entrusted with some charge, each in accordance with the extent of the gift of the Christ. ⁸ That is why it is said--'When he went up on high, he led his captives into captivity. And gave gifts to mankind.' ⁹ Now surely this 'going up' must imply that he had already gone down into the world beneath. ¹⁰ He who went down is the same as he who went up--up beyond the highest Heaven, that he might fill all things with his presence. ¹¹ And he it is who gave to the Church Apostles, Prophets, Missionaries, Pastors, and Teachers,

¹¹ And he it is who gave to the Church Apostles, Prophets, Missionaries, Pastors, and Teachers, ¹² To fit his People for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the Body of the Christ. ¹³ And this shall continue, until we all attain to that unity which is given by faith and by a fuller knowledge of the Son of God; until we reach the ideal man--the full standard of the perfection of the Christ.

¹⁵ But holding the truth in a spirit of love, we shall grow into complete union with him who is our Head--Christ himself. ¹⁶ For from him the whole Body, closely joined and knit together by the contact of every part with the source of its life, derives its power to grow, in proportion to the vigor of each individual part; and so is being built up in a spirit of love.

¹⁶ For from him the whole Body, closely joined and knit together by the contact of every part with the source of its life, derives its power to grow, in proportion to the vigor of each individual part; and so is being built up in a spirit of love. ¹⁷ This, then, as one in union with the Lord, I say to you and urge upon you: Do not continue to live such purposeless lives as the Gentiles live, ¹⁸ With their powers of discernment darkened, cut off from the Life of God, owing to the ignorance that prevails among them and to the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ Lost to all sense of shame, they have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, in order to practice every kind of impurity without restraint. ²⁰ But far different is the lesson you learned from the Christ-- if, that is, you really listened to him,

²² For you learned with regard to your former way of living that you must cast off your old nature, which, yielding to deluding passions, grows corrupt; ²³ That the very spirit of your minds must be constantly renewed; ²⁴ And that you must clothe yourselves in that new nature which was created to resemble God, with the righteousness and holiness springing from the Truth. ²⁵ Since, therefore, you have cast off what is false, 'you must every one of you speak the truth to your neighbors.' For we are united to one another like the parts of a body.

²⁸ Let the man who steals steal no longer, but rather let him toil with his hands at honest work, so that he may have something to share with any one in want.

⁹ For the outcome of life in the Light may be seen in every form of goodness, righteousness, and sincerity-- ¹⁰ Always trying to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.

¹⁰ Always trying to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.

¹⁷ Therefore do not grow thoughtless, but try to understand what the Lord's will is.

²³ For a man is the Head of his wife, as the Christ is the Head of the Church--being indeed himself the Savior of his Body.

³⁰ For we are members of his Body.

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters, with anxious care, giving them ungrudging service, as if obeying the Christ;

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters, with anxious care, giving them ungrudging service, as if obeying the Christ; ⁶ Not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had merely to please men, but as slaves of Christ, who are trying to carry out the will of God. ⁷ Give your service heartily and cheerfully, as working for the Master and not for men; ⁸ For you know that every one will be rewarded by the Master for any honest work that he has done, whether he is a slave or a freeman.

¹⁸ Pray in spirit at all times. Be intent upon this, with unwearying perseverance and supplication for all Christ's People- - ¹⁹ And on my behalf also, that, when I begin to speak, words may be given me, so that I may fearlessly make known the inmost truth of the Good News,

²⁰ And this will fulfil my earnest expectation and hope that I shall have no cause for shame, but that, with unfailing courage, now as hitherto, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by my life or by my death,

²⁷ Under all circumstances let your lives be worthy of the Good News of the Christ: so that, whether I come and see you, or whether I hear of your affairs at a distance, I may know that you are standing firm, animated by one spirit, and joining with one heart in a common struggle for the Faith taught by the Good News,

¹ If, then, any encouragement comes through union with Christ, if there is any persuasive power in love, if there is any communion with the Spirit, if there is any tenderness or pity, ² I entreat you to make my happiness complete--Live together animated by the same spirit and in mutual love, one in heart, animated by one Spirit.

² I entreat you to make my happiness complete--Live together animated by the same spirit and in mutual love, one in heart, animated by one Spirit. ³ Nothing should be done in a factious spirit or from vanity, but each of you should with all humility regard others as of more account than himself,

³ Nothing should be done in a factious spirit or from vanity, but each of you should with all humility regard others as of more account than himself,

³ Nothing should be done in a factious spirit or from vanity, but each of you should with all humility regard others as of more account than himself,

³ Nothing should be done in a factious spirit or from vanity, but each of you should with all humility regard others as of more account than himself, ⁴ And one and all should consider, not only their own interests, but also the interests of others.

⁴ And one and all should consider, not only their own interests, but also the interests of others. ⁵ Let the spirit of Christ Jesus be yours also.

⁵ Let the spirit of Christ Jesus be yours also. ⁶ Though the divine nature was his from the beginning, yet he did not look upon equality with God as above all things to be clung to, ⁷ But impoverished himself by taking the nature of a servant and becoming like men; ⁸ He appeared among us as a man, and still further humbled himself by submitting even to death--to death on a cross!

¹⁷ And yet, even if, when your faith is offered as a sacrifice to God, my life-blood must be poured out in addition, still I shall rejoice and share the joy of you all;

¹⁷ And yet, even if, when your faith is offered as a sacrifice to God, my life-blood must be poured out in addition, still I shall rejoice and share the joy of you all; ¹⁸ And do you also rejoice and share my joy.

²⁶ For he has been longing to see you all, and has been distressed because you heard of his illness.

²⁸ I am all the more ready, therefore, to send him, so that the sight of him may revive your spirits and my own sorrow be lightened.

¹ In conclusion, my Brothers, all joy be yours in your union with the Lord. To repeat what I have already written does not weary me, and is the safe course for you.

¹⁵ Let all of us, then, whose faith is mature, think thus. Then, if on any matter you think otherwise, God will make that also plain to you. ¹⁶ Only we are bound to order our lives by what we have already attained.

² I entreat Euodia, and I entreat Syntyche, to live in harmony, in union with the Lord;

⁴ All joy be yours at all times in your union with the Lord. Again I repeat--All joy be yours.

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything; but under all circumstances, by prayer and entreaty joined with thanksgiving, make your needs known to God. ⁷ Then the Peace of God, which is beyond all human understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and thoughts, through your union with Christ Jesus. ⁸ In conclusion, Brothers, wherever you find anything true or honorable, righteous or pure, lovable or praiseworthy, or if 'virtue' and 'honour' have any meaning, there let your thoughts dwell. ⁹ All that you learned and received and heard and saw in me put into practice continually; and then God, the giver of peace, will be with you.

¹¹ Do not think that I am saying this under the pressure of want. For I, however I am placed, have learned to be independent of circumstances. ¹² I know how to face humble circumstances, and I know how to face prosperity. Into all and every human experience I have been initiated--into plenty and hunger, into prosperity and want. ¹³ I can do everything in the strength of him who makes me strong!

¹⁸ My wants are fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts which you sent me--the sweet fragrance of a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

⁴ Now that we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all his People,

¹¹ You will be made strong at all points with a strength worthy of the power manifested in his Glory--strong to endure with patience, and even with gladness, whatever may befall you;

²¹ And it pleased God that you, once estranged from him and hostile towards him in your thoughts, intent only on wickedness-- ²² But now he has reconciled you to himself by the sacrifice of Christ's earthly body in death--it has pleased God that you should stand in his presence holy, pure, and blameless,

²⁴ Now at last I can rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and in my own person I supplement the afflictions endured by the Christ, for the sake of his Body, the Church;

²⁷ To whom it was his pleasure to make known the surpassing glory of that hidden Truth when proclaimed among the Gentiles--'Christ among you! Your Hope of glory!' ²⁸ This is the Christ whom we proclaim, warning every one, and instructing every one, with all the wisdom that we possess, in the hope of bringing every one into God's presence perfected by union with Christ. ²⁹ It is for that I toil, struggling with all the energy which he inspires and which works powerfully within me.

²⁹ It is for that I toil, struggling with all the energy which he inspires and which works powerfully within me.

¹³ And to you, who once were 'dead,' by reason of your sins and your uncircumcised nature--to you God gave Life in giving life to Christ! He pardoned all our sins!

¹⁹ He fails to maintain union with the Head, to whom it is due that the whole body, nourished and knit together by the contact and Keynesian of every part, grows with a divine growth.

¹⁰ And clothe yourselves with that new self, which, as it gains in knowledge, is being constantly renewed 'in resemblance to him who made it.'

¹⁴ Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the girdle which makes all complete. ¹⁵ Let the Peace that the Christ gives decide all doubts within your hearts; for you also were called to the enjoyment of peace as members of one Body. And show yourselves thankful.

²² Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please men, but giving them ungrudging service, in your reverence for the Master.

²² Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please men, but giving them ungrudging service, in your reverence for the Master. ²³ Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for men, ²⁴ Since you know that it is from the Master that you will receive the inheritance which will be your recompense. You are serving Christ, the Master.

¹ Masters, do what is right and fair by your slaves, for you know that you also have a Master--in Heaven. ² Devote yourselves to prayer. Give your whole mind to it, and also offer thanksgiving;

⁵ Show tact in your behavior to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God's will.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, sends you his greeting. He is a servant of Christ Jesus, and is always most earnest in your behalf in his prayers, praying that you may stand firm, with a matured faith and with a sure conviction of all that is in accordance with God's will. ¹³ I can bear testimony to the deep interest he takes in you, as well as in the Brethren at Laodicea and at Hierapolis.

¹⁷ Give this message to Archippus--'Take care to discharge to the best of your ability the office to which you were appointed in the Master's Cause.'

³ Recalling continually before our God and Father the efforts that have resulted from your faith, the toil prompted by your love, and the patient endurance sustained by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Our appeal to you was not based on a delusion, nor was it made from unworthy motives, or with any intention of misleading you.

⁸ In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God's Good news, but our very lives as well--so dear had you become to us.

¹ Further, Brothers, we beg and exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus to carry out more fully than ever--as indeed you are already doing--all that you have heard from us as to what your daily life must be, if it is to please God.

³ For this is God's purpose--that you should be pure; abstaining from all immorality;

⁶ None of you over-reaching or taking advantage of his Brother in such matters. 'The Lord takes vengeance' upon all who do such things, as we have already warned you and solemnly declared.

⁹ As to love for the Brethren there is no need to write to you; for you have yourselves been taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰ And indeed you do act in this spirit towards all the Brethren throughout Macedonia. Yet, Brothers, we urge you to still further efforts. ¹¹ Make it your ambition to live quietly, and to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we directed you; ¹² So that your conduct may win respect from those outside the Church, and that you may not want for anything.

¹² So that your conduct may win respect from those outside the Church, and that you may not want for anything.

⁸ But let us, who belong to the Day, control ourselves, and put on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of Salvation as a helmet.

¹² We beg you, Brothers, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord's service, and give you counsel.

¹² We beg you, Brothers, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord's service, and give you counsel. ¹³ Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

¹³ Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another. ¹⁴ We entreat you also, Brothers--warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with every one. ¹⁵ Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one. ¹⁶ Always be joyful; ¹⁷ Never cease to pray;

²⁰ Do not make light of preaching. ²¹ Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good; ²² Shun every form of evil.

³ Brothers, it is our duty always to thank God about you, as is but right, considering the wonderful growth of your faith, and because, without exception, your love for one another is continually increasing. ⁴ So much is this the case that we ourselves speak with pride, before the Churches of God, of the patience and faith which you have shown, in spite of all the persecutions and troubles that you are enduring.

¹⁶ And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and, in his loving-kindness, gave us unfailing consolation and good ground for hope, ¹⁷ Console your hearts, and strengthen you to do and to say all that is right.

⁵ May the Lord bring you to the love of God, and to the patience of the Christ. ⁶ We urge you, Brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to avoid any Brother who is living an ill-ordered life, which is not in agreement with the teaching that you received from us. ⁷ For you know well that you ought to follow our example. When we were with you, our life was not ill-ordered, ⁸ Nor did we eat any one's bread without paying for it. Night and day, laboring and toiling, we used to work at our trades, so as not to be a burden upon any of you. ⁹ This was not because we had not a right to receive support, but our object was to give you a pattern for you to copy. ¹⁰ Indeed, when we were with you, what we urged upon you was-- 'If a man does not choose to work, then he shall not eat.' ¹¹ We hear that there are among you people who are living ill- ordered lives, and who, instead of attending to their own business, are mere busy-bodies. ¹² All such people we urge, and entreat, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to attend quietly to their business, and earn their own living.

⁵ The object of all instruction is to call forth that love which comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

¹⁴ and the loving-kindness of our Lord was boundless, and filled me with that faith and love which come from union with Christ Jesus.

³ This will be good and acceptable in the eyes of God, our Savior,

⁷ and it was for this that I was myself appointed a Herald and an Apostle (I am telling the simple truth and no lie)--a Teacher of the Gentiles in the Faith and Truth.

⁹ I also desire that women should adorn themselves with appropriate dress, worn quietly and modestly, and not with wreaths or gold ornaments for the hair, or pearls, or costly clothing,

¹⁵ But women will find their salvation in motherhood, if they never abandon faith, love, or holiness, and behave with modesty.

² The Presiding-Officer should be a man of blameless character; a faithful husband; living a temperate, discreet, and well-ordered life; hospitable, and a skillful teacher,

⁴ he should be a man who rules his own household well, and whose children are kept under control and are well-behaved. ⁵ If a man does not know how to rule his own household, how can he take charge of the Church of God?

¹³ Till I come, apply yourself to public reading, preaching, and teaching.

¹⁶ Look to yourself as well as to your teaching. Persevere in this, for your doing so will mean Salvation for yourself as well as for your hearers.

⁴ but, if a widow has children or grand-children, let them learn to show proper regard for the members of their own family first, and to make some return to their parents; for that is pleasing in God's sight.

¹⁰ and be well spoken of for her kind actions. She should have brought up children, have shown hospitality to strangers, have washed the feet of her fellow Christians, have relieved those who were in distress, and devoted herself to every kind of good action.

¹³ And not only that, but they learn to be idle as they go about from house to house. Nor are they merely idle, but they also become gossips and busy-bodies, and talk of what they ought not. ¹⁴ Therefore I advise young widows to marry, bear children, and attend to their homes, and so avoid giving the enemy an opportunity for scandal.

¹⁷ Those Officers of the Church who fill their office well should be held deserving of especial consideration, particularly those whose work lies in preaching and teaching.

⁶ And a great source of gain religion is, when it brings contentment with it! ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, because we cannot even carry anything out of it. ⁸ So, with food and shelter, we will be content. ⁹ Those who want to be rich fall into the snares of temptation, and become the prey of many foolish and harmful ambitions, which plunge people into Destruction and Ruin.

¹¹ But do you, Servant of God, avoid all this. Aim at righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.

² and what you learnt from me, in the presence of many listeners, entrust to reliable men, who will be able in their turn to teach others.

²² Flee from the passions of youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, in the company of those who, with a pure heart, invoke the Lord.

²⁴ and a Servant of the Lord should never quarrel. He ought, on the contrary, to be courteous to every one, a skillful teacher, and forbearing.

¹⁰ But you, Timothy, were a close observer of my teaching, my conduct, my purposes, my faith, my forbearance, my love, and my patient endurance,

¹⁶ Everything that is written under divine inspiration is helpful for teaching, for refuting error, for giving guidance, and for training others in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the Servant of God may be perfect himself, and perfectly equipped for every good action.

² Proclaim the Message, be ready in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, encourage, never failing to instruct with forbearance.

⁸ On the contrary, he should be hospitable, eager for the right discreet, upright, a man of holy life and capable of self-restraint,

² Teach that the older men should be temperate, serious, and discreet; strong in faith, love, and endurance.

⁴ that they should teach what is right, so as to train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

⁴ that they should teach what is right, so as to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ and to be discreet, pure-minded, domesticated, good women, ready to submit to their husbands, in order that God's Message may not be maligned. ⁶ And so again with the younger men--impress upon them the need of discretion.

⁹ Urge slaves to be submissive to their owners in all circumstances, and to try their best to please them. ¹⁰ Teach them not to contradict or to pilfer, but to show such praiseworthy fidelity in everything, as to recommend the teaching about God our Savior by all that they do.

¹² leading us to renounce irreligious ways and worldly ambitions, and to live discreet, upright, and religious lives here in this present world, ¹³ while we are awaiting our Blessed Hope--the Appearing in glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

⁴ But, when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for man were revealed, he saved us, ⁵ not as the result of any righteous actions that we had done, but in fulfillment of his merciful purposes. He saved us by that Washing which was a New Birth to us, and by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit,

⁵ not as the result of any righteous actions that we had done, but in fulfillment of his merciful purposes. He saved us by that Washing which was a New Birth to us, and by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ which he poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; ⁷ that, having been pronounced righteous through his loving-kindness, we might enter on our inheritance with the hope of Immortal Life.

⁷ that, having been pronounced righteous through his loving-kindness, we might enter on our inheritance with the hope of Immortal Life. ⁸ How true that saying is! And it is on these subjects that I desire you to lay especial stress, so that those who have learned to trust in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing good. Such subjects are excellent in themselves, and of real use to mankind.

⁷ I have indeed found great joy and encouragement in your love, knowing, as I do, how the hearts of Christ's People have been cheered, brother, by you.

⁹ Thou lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the festal oil more abundantly than thy peers.'

⁶ the faithfulness of Christ was that of a Son set over the House of God. And we are his House--if only we retain, unshaken to the end, the courage and confidence inspired by our hope.

⁷ Jesus, in the days of his earthly life, offered prayers and supplications, with earnest cries and with tears, to him who was able to save him from death; and he was heard because of his devout submission.

¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget the work that you did, and the love that you showed for his Name, in sending help to your fellow Christians--as you are still doing.

¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget the work that you did, and the love that you showed for his Name, in sending help to your fellow Christians--as you are still doing. ¹¹ But our great desire is that every one of you should be equally earnest to attain to a full conviction that our hope will be fulfilled, and that you should keep that hope to the end. ¹² Then you will not show yourselves slow to learn, but you will copy those who, through faith and patience, are now entering upon the enjoyment of God's promises.

¹⁵ And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the fulfillment of God's promise.

¹⁷ And therefore God, in his desire to show, with unmistakable plainness, to those who were to enter on the enjoyment of what he had promised, the unchangeableness of his purpose, bound himself with an oath. ¹⁸ For he intended us to find great encouragement in these two unchangeable things, which make it impossible for God to prove false--we, I mean, who fled for safety where we might lay hold on the hope set before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a very anchor for our souls, secure and strong, and it 'reaches into the Sanctuary that lies behind the Curtain,'

²⁰ by the way which he inaugurated for us--a new and living way, a way through the Sanctuary Curtain (that is, his human nature); ²¹ and, since we have in him 'a great priest set over the House of God,' ²² let us draw near to God in all sincerity of heart and in perfect faith, with our hearts purified by the sprinkled blood from all consciousness of wrong, and with our bodies washed with pure water.

²⁵ And let us not, as some do, cease to meet together; but, on the contrary, let us encourage one another, and all the more, now that you see the Day drawing near.

³⁰ We know who it was that said-- 'It is for me to avenge, I will requite'; and again-- 'The Lord will judge his people.'

³² Call to mind those early days in which, after you had received the Light, you patiently underwent a long and painful conflict.

³⁶ You still have need of patient endurance, in order that, when you have done God's will, you may obtain the fulfillment of his promise.

¹ Seeing, therefore, that there is on every side of us such a throng of witnesses, let us also lay aside everything that hinders us, and the sin that clings about us, and run with patient endurance the race that lies before us,

¹⁴ Try earnestly to live at peace with every one, and to attain to that purity without which no one will see the Lord.

²⁸ Therefore, let us, who have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, be thankful, and so offer acceptable worship to God, with awe and reverence.

¹ Let your love for the Brethren continue. :24 Give our greeting to all your Leaders, and to all Christ's People. Our friends from Italy send their greetings to you. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality; for, through being hospitable, men have all unawares entertained angels. ³ Remember the prisoners, as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and the oppressed, not forgetting that you also are still in the body.

⁵ Do not let your conduct be ruled by the love of money. Be content with what you have, for God himself has said-- 'I will never forsake you, nor will I ever abandon you.'

⁷ Do not forget your Leaders, the men who told you God's Message. Recall the close of their lives, and imitate their faith.

¹⁵ Through him let us offer, as our sacrifice, continual praise to God--an offering from lips that glorify his Name. ¹⁶ Never forget to do kindly acts and to share what you have with others, for such sacrifices are acceptable to God.

¹⁶ Never forget to do kindly acts and to share what you have with others, for such sacrifices are acceptable to God. ¹⁷ Obey your Leaders, and submit to their control, for they are watching over your souls, as men who will have to render an account, so that they may do it with joy, and not in sorrow. That would not be to your advantage.

²² I beg you, Brothers, to bear with these words of advice. For I have written only very briefly to you.

²⁴ Give our greeting to all your Leaders, and to all Christ's People. Our friends from Italy send their greetings to you.

³ Knowing, as you do, that the testing of your faith develops endurance. ⁴ And let endurance do its work perfectly, so that you may be altogether perfect, and in no respect deficient.

²⁷ That religious observance which is pure and spotless in the eyes of God our Father is this--to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the world.

⁵ Listen, my dear Brothers. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the things of this world to be rich through their faith, and to possess the Kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you--you insult the poor man! Is not it the rich who oppress you? Is not it they who drag you into law-courts?

¹⁵ Suppose some Brother or Sister should be in want of clothes and of daily bread, ¹⁶ And one of you were to say to them--"Go, and peace be with you; find warmth and food for yourselves," and yet you were not to give them the necessaries of life, what good would it be to them?

¹⁰ From the very same mouth come blessings and curses! My Brothers, it is not right that this should be so.

¹³ Who among you claims to be wise and intelligent? Let him show that his actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true wisdom. ¹⁴ But, while you harbor envy and bitterness and a spirit of rivalry in your hearts, do not boast or lie to the detriment of the Truth. ¹⁵ That is not the wisdom which comes from above; no, it is earthly, animal, devilish. ¹⁶ For, where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of base actions.

¹⁶ For, where envy and rivalry exist, there you will also find disorder and all kinds of base actions. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is, before every thing else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity.

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is, before every thing else, pure; then peace-loving, gentle, open to conviction, rich in compassion and good deeds, and free from partiality and insincerity. ¹⁸ And righteousness, its fruit, is sown in peace by those who work for peace.

⁴ Unfaithful people! Do not you know that to be friends with the world means to be at enmity with God? Therefore whoever chooses to be friends with the world makes himself an enemy to God.

⁶ No; the gift that God gives is for a nobler end; and that is why it is said--'God is opposed to the haughty, but gives help to the humble.'

⁷ Be patient, then, Brothers, till the Coming of the Lord. Even the farmer has to wait for the precious fruit of the earth, watching over it patiently, till it has had the spring and summer rains.

¹⁰ Brothers, as an example of the patient endurance of suffering, take the Prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ We count those who displayed such endurance blessed! You have heard, too, of Job's endurance, and have seen what the Lord's purpose was, for 'the Lord is full of pity and compassion.'

¹⁵ The prayer offered in faith will save the man who is sick, and the Lord will raise him from his bed; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be cured. Great is the power of a good man's fervent prayer.

¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be cured. Great is the power of a good man's fervent prayer.

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has, in his great mercy, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ given us the new Life of undying hope, that promises an inheritance, imperishable, stainless, unfading, which has been reserved for you in Heaven-- ⁵ for you who, through faith, are being guarded by the power of God, awaiting a Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days. ⁶ At the thought of this you are full of exultation, though (if it has been necessary) you have suffered for the moment somewhat from various trials; ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith--a thing far more precious than gold, which is perishable, yet has to be tested by fire--may win praise and glory and honour at the Appearing of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have never seen him, yet you love him; though you do not even now see him, yet you believe in him, and exalt with a triumphant happiness too great for words,

¹³ Therefore concentrate your minds, with the strictest self-control, and fix your hopes on the blessing that is coming for you at the Appearing of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ Be like obedient children; do not let your lives be shaped by the passions which once swayed you in the days of your ignorance,

¹⁸ For you know that it was not by perishable things, such as silver and gold, that you were Ransomed from the aimless way of living which was handed down to you from your ancestors,

²² Now that, by your obedience to the Truth, you have purified your lives, so that there is growing up among you a genuine brotherly affection, love one another earnestly with all your hearts;

³ since 'you have found by experience that the Lord is kind.'

⁵ and, as living stones, form yourselves into a spiritual House, to be a consecrated Priesthood, for the offering of spiritual sacrifices that will be acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

¹⁰ Once you were 'not a people,' but now you are 'God's People'; once you 'had not found mercy,' but now you 'have found mercy.' ¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you, as pilgrims and strangers upon earth, to refrain from indulging the cravings of your earthly nature, for they make war upon the soul. ¹² Let your daily life among the Gentiles be so upright, that, whenever they malign you as evil-doers, they may learn, as they watch, from the uprightness of your conduct, to praise God 'at the time when he shall visit them.'

¹² Let your daily life among the Gentiles be so upright, that, whenever they malign you as evil-doers, they may learn, as they watch, from the uprightness of your conduct, to praise God 'at the time when he shall visit them.'

¹⁷ Show honour to every one, Love the Brotherhood, 'revere God, honour the emperor.'

¹⁹ For this wins God's approval when, because conscious of God's presence, a man who is suffering unjustly bears his troubles patiently. ²⁰ What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God.

²⁰ What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God. ²¹ For it was to this that you were called! For Christ, too, suffered--on your behalf--and left you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ²² He 'never sinned, nor was anything deceitful ever heard from his lips.' ²³ He was abused, but he did not answer with abuse; he suffered, but he did not threaten; he entrusted himself to him whose judgments are just.

⁸ Lastly, you should all be united, sympathetic, full of brotherly love, kind-hearted, humble-minded;

⁸ Lastly, you should all be united, sympathetic, full of brotherly love, kind-hearted, humble-minded; ⁹ never returning evil for evil, or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, blessing. It was to this that you were called--to obtain a blessing!

⁹ never returning evil for evil, or abuse for abuse, but, on the contrary, blessing. It was to this that you were called--to obtain a blessing! ¹⁰ 'He who would enjoy life And see happy days-- let him keep his tongue from evil And his lips from deceitful words, ¹¹ Let him turn from evil and do good, Let him seek for peace and follow after it;

¹¹ Let him turn from evil and do good, Let him seek for peace and follow after it;

¹⁶ and keeping your consciences clear, so that, whenever you are maligned, those who vilify your good and Christian conduct may be put to shame.

² and so will live the rest of his earthly life guided, not by human passions, but by the will of God.

⁷ But the end of all things is near. Therefore exercise self-restraint and be calm, that you may be able to pray. ⁸ Above all things, let your love for one another be earnest, for 'Love throws a veil over countless sins.' ⁹ Never grudge hospitality to one another.

⁹ Never grudge hospitality to one another. ¹⁰ Whatever the gift that each has received, use it in the service of others, as good stewards of the varied bounty of God. ¹¹ When any one speaks, let him speak as one who is delivering the oracles of God. When any one is endeavoring to serve others, let him do so in reliance on the strength which God supplies; so that in everything God may be honour ed through Jesus Christ--to whom be ascribed all honour and might for ever and ever. Amen.

¹¹ When any one speaks, let him speak as one who is delivering the oracles of God. When any one is endeavoring to serve others, let him do so in reliance on the strength which God supplies; so that in everything God may be honour ed through Jesus Christ--to whom be ascribed all honour and might for ever and ever. Amen.

¹³ No, the more you share the sufferings of the Christ, the more may you rejoice, that, when the time comes for the manifestation of his Glory, you may rejoice and exult.

¹ As for the older men among you, who bear office in the Church, I, their fellow-Officer, and a witness to the sufferings of the Christ, who shall also share in the glory that is to be revealed-- ² I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit;

² I urge you to be true shepherds of the flock of God among you, not because you are compelled, but of your own free will; not from a base love of gain, but with a ready spirit; ³ not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock.

³ not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock.

³ not as lords of your charges, but as examples to your flock. ⁴ Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades. ⁵ Again, you younger men should show deference to the older. And all of you should put on the badge of humility in mutual service, for 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives his help to the humble.'

⁸ Exercise self-control, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, like a roaring lion, is prowling about, eager to devour you.

⁴ For it was through this that he gave us what we prize as the greatest of his promises, that through them you might participate in the divine nature, now that you have fled from the corruption in the world, resulting from human passions.

⁶ knowledge by self-control, self-control by endurance, endurance by piety, ⁷ piety by brotherly affection, and brotherly affection by love.

²⁰ If, after having escaped the polluting influences of the world, through knowing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, men are again entangled in them, and give way to them, their last state has become worse than their first.

⁹ He who says that he is in the Light, and yet hates his Brother, is in the Darkness even now. ¹⁰ He who loves his Brother is always in the Light, and there is nothing within him to cause him to stumble; ¹¹ while he who hates his Brother is in the Darkness, and is living in the Darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the Darkness prevents his seeing.

¹⁵ Do not love the world or what the world can offer. When any one loves the world, there is no love for the Father in him; ¹⁶ for all that the world can offer--the gratification of the earthly nature, the gratification of the eye, the pretentious life--belongs, not to the Father, but to the world. ¹⁷ And the world, and all that it gratifies, is passing away, but he who does God's will remains for ever.

¹ Think what love the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called 'Children of God'; as indeed we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it has not learned to know him. ² Dear friends, we are God's Children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is that, when it is revealed, we shall be like Christ; because we shall see him as he is. ³ And every one who has this hope with regard to Christ tries to make himself pure--as Christ is pure.

¹⁰ By this the Children of God are distinguished from the Children of the Devil--No one who lives unrighteously comes from God, and especially the man who does not love his Brother. ¹¹ For these are the Tidings that we heard from the first--that we are to love one another. ¹² We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? It was because his life was bad while his brother's was good. ¹³ Do not wonder, Brothers, if the world hates you.

¹³ Do not wonder, Brothers, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed out of Death into Life, because we love our Brothers. The man who does not love remains in a state of Death. ¹⁵ Every one who hates his Brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has Immortal Life within him. ¹⁶ We have learned to know what love is from this--that Christ laid down his life on our behalf. Therefore we also ought to lay down our lives on behalf of our Brothers. ¹⁷ But, if any one has worldly possessions, and yet looks on while his Brother is in want, and steels his heart against him, how can it be said that the love of God is within him?

¹⁷ But, if any one has worldly possessions, and yet looks on while his Brother is in want, and steels his heart against him, how can it be said that the love of God is within him? ¹⁸ My children, do not let our love be mere words, or end in talk; let it be true and show itself in acts.

¹⁸ My children, do not let our love be mere words, or end in talk; let it be true and show itself in acts. ¹⁹ By that we shall know that we are on the side of the Truth; and we shall satisfy ourselves in God's sight, ²⁰ that if our conscience condemns us, yet God is greater than our conscience and knows everything.

⁴ You, my Children, come from God, and you have successfully resisted such men as these, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵ Those men belong to the world; and therefore they speak as the world speaks, and the world listens to them.

¹¹ Dear friends, since God loved us thus, we, surely, ought to love one another.

²⁰ If a man says 'I love God,' and yet hates his Brother, he is a liar; for the man who does not love his Brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

¹⁴ And this is the confidence with which we approach him, that whenever we ask anything that is in accordance with his will, he listens to us. ¹⁵ And if we realize that he listens to us--whatever we ask--we realize that we have what we have asked from him.

¹⁹ We realize that we come from God, while all the world is under the influence of the Evil One.

⁹ I wrote a few lines to the Church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, declines to recognize us.

⁴ But this I have against you--You have abandoned your first love.

¹⁵ I know your life; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ But now, because you are lukewarm, neither hot not cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

⁹ Then the great Dragon, the primeval Serpent, known as the 'Devil' and 'Satan,' who deceives all the world, was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.

⁷ It had been permitted to fight with Christ's People and to conquer them, and it had received power over men of every tribe, and people, and language, and nation. ⁸ All who are living on earth will worship it--all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's Book of Life, the Lamb that has been sacrificed from the foundation of the world.

⁸ All who are living on earth will worship it--all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's Book of Life, the Lamb that has been sacrificed from the foundation of the world.

¹⁰ 'Whoever is destined for captivity goes into captivity.' Whoever shall kill with the sword must inevitably be killed with the sword. (Here there is need for endurance and faith on the part of Christ's People.)