Christians to be lights in the world. CHAP. III, IV.

Paul's humbleness of mind. upon him the form of a servant, and was made] 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of in the likeness of men: Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisce humbled himself, and became obedient unto 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; death, even the death of the cross. touching the righteousness whichli is in the law

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, blameless. and given him a name which is above every name: 7 But what things were gain to me, those I 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should counted loss for Christ. bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss and things under the earth; for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, Father. that I may win Christ,

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always 9 And be found in him, not having mine own obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now righteousness, which is of the law, but that much more in my absence, work out your own which is through the faith of Christ, the rightsalvation with fear and trembling. eousness which is of God by faith:

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to 10 That I may know him, and the power of his will and to do of his good pleasure. resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffer14 Do all things without murmurings and dis-ings, being made conformable unto his death; putings: 11 If by any means might attain unto the

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, resurrection of the dead. the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst 12 Not as though I had already attained, either of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom were already perfect: but I follow after, if that ye shine as lights in the world; I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and re-high calling of God in Christ Jesus. joice with me.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timo-thus minded: and if in any thing ye be othertheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of wise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. good comfort, when I know your state. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

20 For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

22 But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me." 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation.

30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

CHAP. III.

To avoid false teachers.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark thein which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

CHAP. IV.

General exhortations.
Tand longed for, my joy and gown, so stand
EREFORE, my brethren dearly beloved
fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche,
that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help
those women which laboured with me in the gos
pel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow
labourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say,
Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

INALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. The Lord is at hand. nothing; but in every thing by

is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concision."

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus. and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

2 D*

prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all un-
derstanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good

633

Philippians' liberality praised.

COLOSSIANS.

General salutations report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any Macedonia, no church communicated with me praise, think on these things. as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

9 Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, havwherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked op-ing received of Epaphroditus the things which portunity. were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need ac cording to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for lever and ever. Amen.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding, ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from

The Epistle of PAUL, the

CHAP. I.

Paul describeth the true Christ.

PAUL, an apost of Jess Crist, by the will 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus

of God, and Timotheus our brother,

Christ.

3 We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel:

6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar's household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

It was written to the Philippians from
Rome, by Epaphroditus.

Apostle, to the COLOSSIANS.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblamable, and unreprovable, in his sight:

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the to the dispensation of God which is given to me Spirit.

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from
ages, and from generations, but now is made
manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is
the riches of the glory of this mystery among
the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope
of glory:

11 Strengthened with all might, according to 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and his glorious power, unto all patience and long-teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may suffering with joyfulness; present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance to his working, which worketh in me mightily. of the saints in light;

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of

CHAP. 11.
Exhortation to constancy.

darkness, and hath translated us into the king-FORI would that ye knew what great con

dom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature:

flict have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the 16 For by him were all things created, that are full assurance of understanding, to the acknowin heaven, and that are in earth, visible and in-ledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Favisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, ther, and of Christ; or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist,

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, vet am I who is the beginning, the first-born from the with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your dead; that in all things he might have the pre-order, aud the steadfastness of your faith in eminence.

Christ.

Duties of wives, husbands, &■.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus newed in knowledge after the image of him that the Lord, so walk ye in him: created him 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, cirthe faith, as ye have been taught, abounding cumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scytherein with thanksgiving. thian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through phi-12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy losophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, hummen, after the rudiments of the world, and not bleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; after Christ. 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-another, if any man have a quarrel against any head bodily. even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circuincision of Christ: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one are risen with him through the faith of the opera- another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual tion of God, who hath raised him from the songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the un- 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do circumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks together with him, having forgiven you all tres-to God and the Father by him. passes; 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and pow- 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: ers, he made a shew of them openly, triumph-for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. ing over them in it. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

10 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy-day, or of the new-moon, or of the sabbath-days:

17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment Ininistered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why as though liv

ing in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

CHAP. III.

Exhortation to sundry duties.

If ye then be risen we, where trist sites things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong, shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

CHAP. IV.

Fervent prayer recommended. M ASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may niake it manifest, as I ought to speak.

ou Valk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought

to answer every man.

7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same pur5 Mortify therefore your members which are pose, that lie might know your estate, and comupon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inor-fort your hearts;

dinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covet- 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved bro. ousness, which is idolatry: ther, who is one of you. They shall make 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God known unto you all things which are done here. cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye havel put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is re

10 Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, saluteth you; and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him ;)

11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have

been a comfort unto me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant f

Paul sheweth his mindfulness

1. THESSALONIANS

of the Thessalonians. Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently 16 And when this epistle is read among you, for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect cause that it be read also in the church of the and complete in all the will of God. Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epis

13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great tle from Laodicea. zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the and them in Hierapolis. ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

The First Epistle of PAUL, the Apostle, to the THESSALONIANS.

CHAP. I.

History of their conversion.

PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto
the church of the Thessalonians which is in
God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

11 As ye know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father

doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of God. your own countrymen, even as they have of the

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word Jews: only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their and in much assurance; as ye know what mau-own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they ner of men we were among you for your sake. please not God, and are contrary to all men: 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for 8 For from you sounded out the word of the a short time in presence, not in heart, endea Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also voured the more abundantly to see your face in every place your faith to God-ward is spread with great desire.

abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hinder. entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned ed us.

1

to God from idols, to serve the living and true God; 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which de-our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? livered us from the wrath to come. 20 For ye are our glory and joy.

CHAP. II.

How they received the gospel.

in unto that it was

CHAP. III.

Paul's love in sending them Timothy. THEREFORE, when we could no longer

FOR yourselves, brethren, not in vain: W forbear, we thought it good to be left at

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile;

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you; nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as nurse cherisheth her children:

a

Athens alone;

2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minis ter of God, and our fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

3 That no man should be moved by these afflic tions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

6 But now, when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us,

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we
were willing to have imparted unto you, not
the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, as we also to see you:
because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblaniably we behaved our selves aniong you that believe:

7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we

might see your face, and might perfect that 18 Wherefore, comfort one another with these which is lacking in your faith?

12 And the Lord make you to increase and BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren,

ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly, that the day 13 To the end he may establish your hearts un-of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. blameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that URTHERMORE then we beseech you, bre- that day should overtake you as a thief.

Fthren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the chil

that as ye have received of us how ye ought to dren of the day: we are not of the night, nor of walk and to please God, so ye would abound darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but

2 For ye know what commandments we gave let us watch and be sober. you by the Lord Jesus.

7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and 3 For this is the will of God, even your sancti-they that be drunken, are drunken in the fication, that ye should abstain from fornication: night.

4 That every one of you should know how to 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putpossess his vessel in sanctification and honour; ting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the for a helmet, the hope of salvation. Gentiles which know not God: 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his bro-to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ther in any matter: because that the Lord is the 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned sleep, we should live together with him. you and testified.

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we The first epistle unto the Thessalonians ever be with the Lord.

was written from Athens.

Apostle, to the THESSALONIANS.

4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye

church of the Thessalonians in God our endure:

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our judgment of God, that ye may be counted wor Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, suffer: brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to regroweth exceedingly, and the charity of every compense tribulation to them that trouble you one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 7 And to you, who are troubled, rest with us,