Exhortations to steadfast faith.

HEBREWS.

As acceptableness to God 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance] 14 For they that say such things declare plainly belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the that they seek a country. Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that 32 But call to remembrance the former days, is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured to be called their God: for he hath prepare for a great fight of afflictions; them a city.

33 Partly, while ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, while ye became companions of them that were 80 used.

34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure

in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

CHAP. XI.

Of faith, and its fruits.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only-begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also le received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, bless cd both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

NOW faith is the substance of things hoped 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the

for, the evidence of things not seen:

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are scen were not made of things which do appear.

people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel- wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Ient sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained him who is invisible.

witness that he was righteous, God testifying of 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the his gifts and by it he being dead yet speaketh. sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the 5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should first-born should touch them. not see death; and was not found, because God 29 By faith they passed through the Rod sea had translated him: for before his translation as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying be had this testimony, that he pleased God. to do were drowned. 6 Bet without faith it is impossible to please kim: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdurd kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stop ped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, edge of the sword, out of weakness were made as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the the armies of the aliens.

same promise:

35 Women received their dead raised to life 10 For he looked for a city which hath founda-again: and others were tortured, not accepting tions, whose builder and maker is God. deliverance; that they might obtain a better

11 Through faith also Sarah herself received resurrection: strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and a child when she was judged him faithful who past age, because she scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and impri

promised.

sonment:

12 The fore sprang there even of one, and 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asun him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the der, were tempted, were slain with the sword: sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goatthe sea-shore innumerable. skins; being destitute, afflicted, torniented;

13 These all died in faith, not having received 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they the promises, but having seen them afar off, wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in and were persuaded of them, and embraced dens and caves of the earth. them, and confessed that they were strangers 39 And these all, having obtained a good re and pilgrims on the earth. port through faith, received not the promise:

An exhortation to constancy.

CHAP. XII, XIII.

The new covenant commended 40 God having provided some better thing for us, nant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speak. that they without us should not be made perfect. eth better things than that of Abel.

CHAP. XII.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For Exhortation to faith and patience. if they escaped not who refused him that spake THEREFORE, seeing we also are compass-on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we

Wed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, turn away from him that speaketh from heaven

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now doth so easily beset us, and let us run with pa- he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake tience the race that is set before us, not the earth only, but also heaven.

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth of our faith; who, for the joy that was set be- the removing of those things that are shaken, fore him, endured the cross, despising the shame, as of things that are made, that those things and is set down at the right hand of the throne which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which

of God.

3 For consider him that endured such contra-cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby diction of sinners against himself, lest ye be we may serve God acceptably, with reverence wearied and faint in your minds. and godly fear;

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving| against sin.

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.
CHAP. XII.
Godly admonitions.

LET brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with with them; and them which suffer adversity, you as with sons: for what son is he whom the as being yourselves also in the body. father chasteneth not?

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. God will judge.

9 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh 5 Let your conversation be without covetouswhich corrected us, and we gave them reve-ness; and be content with such things as ye rence: shall we not much rather be in subjec- have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, tion unto the Father of spirits, and live? nor forsake thee.

10 For they verily for a few days chastened 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my us after their own pleasure; but he for our pro-helper, and I will not fear what man shall do fit, that we might be partakers of his holiness unto me.

11 Now no chastening for the presont seemeth 7 Remember them which have the rule over to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, after-you, who have spoken unto you the word of ward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of right- God: whose faith follow, considering the end eousness unto them which are exercised thereby. of their conversation: 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the 10 We have an altar, whereof they have no grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring-right to eat which serve the tabernacle. ing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat for sin, are burned without the camp. sold his birthright. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he night sanc17 For ye know how that afterward, when he tify the people with his own blood, suffered would have inherited the blessing, he was re-without the gate. jected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of of words; which voice they that heard, entreat-our lips, giving thanks to his name. ed that the word should not be spoken to them 16 But to do good, and to communicate, forget any more: not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

20 (For they could not endure that which was 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and commanded, And if so much as a beast touch submit yourselves: for they watch for your the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust souls, as they that must give account, that they through with a dart: may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses is unprofitable for you. said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusa- 19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that lem, and to an innumerable company of angels, I may be restored to you the sooner. 23 To the general assembly and church of the 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again first-born, which are written heaven, and to from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great ShepGod the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just herd of the sheep, through the blood of the men made perfect, everlasting covenant,

24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new cove- 21 Make you perfect in every good work, to do

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Temptations not of God.

JAMES.

Of faith without works his will, working in you that which is well-jat liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to will see you. whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you,

And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by
Timothy.

of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto
you in few words.

23 Know ye, that our brother Timothy is set

CHAP. I.

The General

Wisdom to be sought of God.

Epistle of JAMES.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his

JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall Into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 Ifany of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For be that wavereth is like a wave of the sca driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his

ways.

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

CHAP. II.

Of faith and works. brethren, have not the faith of our Lord

M Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly, a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit_thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: be- heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised cause as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. to them that love him? 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burn- 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich Ing heat, but it withereth the grass, and the men oppress you, and draw you before the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the judgment-seats?

fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by man fade away in his ways. the which ye are called?

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, 'Do not commit adultery; said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy from above, and cometh down from the Father that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy reof lights, with whom is no variableness, neither joiceth against judgment. shadow of turning.

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of man say he hath faith, and have not works? truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of can faith save him? his creatures.

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every of daily food, man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the right- peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstandeousness of God. ing ye give them not those things which are

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and super-needful to the body; what doth it profit? fluity of naughtiness, and receive with meek- 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, ness the ingrafted word, which is able to save being alone. your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works,and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and trenible. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith,

CHAP. III, IV, V.

Abraham believed God, and it was imputed The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? unto him for righteousness: and he was called 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, the Friend of God. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren He 2 For in many things we offend all. If any that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth man offend not in word, the same is a perfect his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place heaped treasure together for the last days. sweet water and bitter?

4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have 12 Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive- reaped down your fields, which is of you kept berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. neither by any other oath: but let your yea, be 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into conthat the friendship of the world is enmity with demnation.

God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. the world is the enemy of God. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, 14 Is any sick among you let him call for the

Confession of faulis.

1. PETER. Efficacy of prayer elders of the church; and let them pray over him, we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, space of three years and six months. and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avail

eth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as

¶The First Epistle

CHAP. I.

Of God's manifold spiritual grace.

19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinuer from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. general of PETER.

20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in

PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the these last times for you,
strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Ga-
latia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeyunto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of ing the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be love of the brethren, see that ye love one another multiplied. with a pure heart fervently:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant of incorruptible, by the word of God, which livmercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope eth and abideth for ever.

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and unde-man as the flower of grass. The grass witherfiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in hea-Jeth, and the flower thereof falleth away: ven for you, 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

5 Who are kept by the power of God through And this is the word which by the gospel is faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the preached unto you.

last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a

CHAP. II.
Christ the corner-stone.
THEREFORE, laying aside all malice, and

season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through Wall guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more all evil-speakings, precious than of gold that perisheth, though it 2 As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, of the word, that ye may grow thereby : and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus 3 Ifso be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: 4 To whom coming as unto a living stone, dis

Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, allowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye re-precious,

joice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spirit9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the sal-Jual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritua! vation of your souls. sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

7 Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto is made the head of the corner, themselves, but unto us they did minister the 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of ofthings which are now reported unto you by them fence, even to them which stumble at the word, that have preached the gospel unto you, with the being disobedient: whereunto also they were Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which appointed. things the angels desire to look into.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priest

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, hood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that should shew forth the praises of him who hath is to be brought unto you at the revelation of called you out of darkness into his marvellous Jesus Christ:

rance:

light:

14 As obedient children, not fashioning your 10 Which in time past were not a people, but selves according to the former lusts in your igno-are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

15 But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

12 Having your conversation honest among the 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without re- Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you spect of persons judgeth according to every man's as evil-doers, they may by your good works, work, pass the time of your sojourning here in which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not re- 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man deemed with corruptible things, as silver and for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, gold, from your vain conversation received by as supreme; tradition from your fathers;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and a lamb without blemish and without spot; for the praise of them that do well