# verses

text:
But when God, the One having separated <i>[or, appointed]</i> me from <i>[the]</i> womb of my mother and having called <i>[me]</i> by His grace, was well pleased


text:
to reveal His Son in me, so that I should be proclaiming the Gospel <i>[of]</i> Him among the nations, I did not immediately confer with <i>[or, ask advice from]</i> flesh and blood <i>[fig., any human being]</i>;


text:
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the <i>[ones who were]</i> apostles before me, _but_ I went away to Arabia and returned again to Damascus.


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But I was unknown by face <i>[or, personally]</i> to the assemblies <i>[or, churches]</i> of Judea, the <i>[ones]</i> in Christ.


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But only they kept hearing, "The one having persecuted us at one time is now proclaiming the Gospel-the faith which at one time he was trying to destroy!"


text:
Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, having taken along also Titus.


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Now I went up because of a revelation, and I presented to them the Gospel which I preach among the nations, but privately to the ones highly regarded, lest somehow I should be running or did run for nothing.


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But <i>[it was]</i> because of the false brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> brought in under false pretenses, who sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they should enslave us,


text:
to whom not even for an hour <i>[or, moment]</i> did we yield in subjection, so that the truth of the Gospel should remain with you*.


text:
But from the ones highly regarded to be something-whatever kind they were then, it makes no difference to me; God does not accept <i>[the]</i> face of a person <i>[fig., God does not show prejudice]</i>-for the ones highly regarded contributed nothing to me,


text:
_but_, on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted <i>[with]</i> the Gospel for the uncircumcision <i>[i.e. non-Jews]</i>, just as Peter <i>[was with the Gospel]</i> for the circumcision <i>[i.e. Jews]</i>,


text:
(for the One having supernaturally worked in Peter in <i>[his]</i> apostleship to the circumcision, also supernaturally worked in me with respect to the Gentiles)


text:
and having known the grace, the one having been given to me, James and Cephas <i>[i.e., Peter]</i> and John, the ones highly regarded to be pillars, gave to me and to Barnabas <i>[the]</i> right hand of fellowship, so that we {indeed} <i>[should go]</i> to the Gentiles, but they to the circumcision <i>[i.e. Jews]</i>.


text:
<i>[They]</i> only <i>[asked]</i> that we should be remembering <i>[or, continue to remember]</i> the poor <i>[ones]</i>, which indeed I was eager to do this very <i>[thing]</i>.


text:
For before certain <i>[ones]</i> came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles, but when they came, he began drawing back and separating himself, fearing those from <i>[the]</i> circumcision <i>[i.e. legalist Jews]</i>.


text:
And the other Jews also joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that also Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy <i>[or, insincerity]</i>.


text:
_But_ when I saw that they <i>[were]</i> not walking uprightly <i>[fig., not behaving in a consistent manner]</i> with reference to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of all, "If _you_, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, why do you compel the Gentiles to live according to Jewish customs?


text:
having known that a person is not justified <i>[or, declared righteous]</i> by works of <i>[the]</i> Law but by means of faith in Jesus Christ, we also believed in Christ Jesus, so that we shall be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of <i>[the]</i> Law, because no flesh <i>[at]</i> all will be justified by works of <i>[the]</i> Law!


text:
"But if while seeking to be justified <i>[or, declared righteous]</i> in Christ, we ourselves also are found <i>[to be]</i> sinners, in that case, <i>[is]</i> Christ a servant of sin? Absolutely not!


text:
"For if what I tore down, these <i>[things]</i> I build up again, I show <i>[or, prove]</i> myself to be a transgressor.


text:
"I have been crucified with Christ, but no longer do I live, but Christ lives in me; but <i>[that]</i> which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, the One having loved me and having given Himself <i>[or, having handed Himself over]</i> for me.


text:
"I do not regard the grace of God as nothing <i>[or, nullify the grace of God]</i>, for if righteousness <i>[is]</i> through <i>[the]</i> Law, in that case, Christ died for nothing <i>[or, needlessly]</i>."


text:
O foolish Galatians! Who bewitched you* <i>[so as]</i> not to be obeying the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed among you* <i>[as]</i> having been crucified?


text:
This only I want to learn from you*: did you* receive the Spirit by works of <i>[the]</i> Law or by hearing with faith?


text:
You* are so foolish! Having begun in <i>[or, by]</i> <i>[the]</i> Spirit, are you* now being completed <i>[or, perfected]</i> in <i>[or, by]</i> the flesh?


text:
Therefore, the One supplying the Spirit to you* and supernaturally working miraculous powers <i>[or, miracles]</i> among you*, <i>[is He doing so]</i> by works of <i>[the]</i> Law or by hearing with faith?


text:
Just as "Abraham believed <i>[or, trusted]</i> God and it was accounted to him for righteousness." <i>[Gen 15:6]</i>


text:
Consequently, be knowing that the <i>[ones justified]</i> by faith, these are sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of Abraham.


text:
Now the Scripture having foreseen that God justifies <i>[or, declares righteous]</i> the nations by faith, proclaimed the Gospel beforehand to Abraham, <i>[saying]</i>, "All the nations will be blessed in you." <i>[Gen 12:3]</i>


text:
Therefore, the <i>[ones justified]</i> by faith are blessed with the faithful <i>[or, believing]</i> Abraham.


text:
For as many as are <i>[trying to be justified]</i> by works of <i>[the]</i> Law are under a curse, for it has been written, "Under a curse <i>[fig., Condemned by God]</i> <i>[is]</i> every <i>[one]</i> not remaining in <i>[fig., carefully obeying]</i> all the <i>[things]</i> having been written in the Scroll of the Law to do them." <i>[Deut 27:26]</i>


text:
Now that no one is justified <i>[or, declared righteous]</i> before God by <i>[the]</i> Law is evident, because "The <i>[one]</i> righteous by faith will live <i>[or, The righteous will live by faith]</i>." <i>[Hab 2:4]</i>


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But the Law is not by faith, _but_ "The person having done them <i>[i.e. all the commandments of the Law]</i> will live by them." <i>[Lev 18:5]</i>


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Christ redeemed us <i>[or, set us free]</i> from the curse of the Law, having become a curse on our behalf-for it has been written, "Under a curse <i>[fig., Condemned by God]</i> <i>[is]</i> every <i>[one]</i> hanging upon a tree"- <i>[Deut 21:23]</i>


text:
so that the blessing of Abraham shall come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we shall receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


text:
Brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, I speak according to human <i>[standards]</i>; likewise, a covenant having been put into effect <i>[by]</i> a person, no one regards <i>[it]</i> as nothing <i>[or, makes [it] void]</i> or adds to <i>[it]</i>.


text:
But the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as by many, _but_ as by One, "And to your Seed," which is Christ. <i>[Gen 12:7; 13:15]</i>


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Now this I say: the Law having come four hundred and thirty years later does not nullify a covenant previously confirmed by God to Christ, so as to make the promise of no effect <i>[or, to cancel the promise]</i>.


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For if the inheritance <i>[comes]</i> by <i>[the]</i> Law, <i>[it is]</i> no longer by promise, but God has graciously given <i>[it]</i> to Abraham by means of promise.


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Why then the Law? It was added on account of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom it had been promised, having been set in order <i>[or, ordained]</i> by means of angels by <i>[the]</i> hand of a mediator <i>[i.e. Moses]</i>.


text:
Therefore, <i>[is]</i> the Law against the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law was given which was able to make alive, <i>[then]</i> righteousness would indeed be by law.


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_But_ the Scripture confined all under sin, so that the promise shall be given by faith in Jesus Christ to the ones believing.


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But before faith came, we were being guarded <i>[or, being kept in protective custody]</i> under <i>[the]</i> Law, having been confined to the faith about to be revealed.


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Therefore, the Law has became our tutor <i>[to lead us]</i> to Christ, so that by faith we should be justified <i>[or, declared righteous]</i>.


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For as many as were baptized <i>[or, immersed]</i> into Christ put on <i>[or, clothed yourselves with]</i> Christ.


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There is no Jew nor Greek, there is no slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you* are all one in Christ Jesus.


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Now since you* <i>[are]</i> Christ's, consequently, you* are seed <i>[fig., descendents]</i> of Abraham and heirs according to promise.


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Now I say, for as much time as <i>[or, while]</i> the heir is a minor, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is lord <i>[or, owner]</i> of all,


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In the same way we also, when we were minors, we were under the rudimentary elements <i>[or, basic teachings]</i> of the world, having been enslaved.


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But when the fullness <i>[or, completion]</i> of the time came, God sent forth His Son, having been born of a woman, having been born under <i>[the]</i> Law,


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so that He should redeem <i>[or, set free]</i> the <i>[ones]</i> under <i>[the]</i> Law, so that we shall receive the adoption <i>[or, the formal and legal declaration that we are His children]</i>.


text:
Now because you* are sons <i>[and daughters]</i>, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your* hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i>, crying out, "Dad <i>[Gr. Abba]</i>, Father!"


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Therefore, you are no longer a slave, _but_ a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ!


text:
_But_ at that time indeed, not having known God, you* were serving as slaves to the <i>[ones]</i> not being by nature gods.


text:
But now, having known God, but rather having been known by God, how is it that you* are turning back again to the weak and poor <i>[fig., worthless]</i>, rudimentary elements <i>[or, basic teachings]</i> to which once more you* desire again to be serving as a slave?


text:
Brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, I implore you*, continue becoming like me, because I also <i>[am]</i> like you*. You* wronged me <i>[in]</i> nothing <i>[or, You* did not mistreat me at all]</i>.


text:
Now you* know that because of a weakness <i>[or, an infirmity]</i> of the flesh I proclaimed the Gospel to you* the first time.


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And my trial, the <i>[one]</i> in my flesh, you* did not look down on nor reject with contempt, _but_ as an angel of God you* received me-as Christ Jesus <i>[Himself]</i>.


text:
What then was your happiness <i>[or, blessing]</i>? For I testify to you* that, if possible, having gouged out your* eyes, you* would have given <i>[them]</i> to me.


text:
They <i>[i.e., the false brothers and sisters]</i> are zealous for you* <i>[or, are trying to win you* over]</i>, <i>[but]</i> not rightly <i>[or, for no good]</i>, _but_ they want to exclude us, so that you* shall be zealous for <i>[or, be eagerly seeking]</i> them.


text:
But <i>[it is]</i> good to be zealous in <i>[or, to be setting your heart on]</i> good at all times, and not only in my being present with you*.


text:
My little children, for whom once more I am going through labor pains <i>[fig., am suffering greatly]</i> until Christ is formed in you*.


text:
But I want to be present with you* now and to change my tone, because I myself am perplexed about you*.


text:
Be telling me, the ones desiring to be under <i>[the]</i> Law, do you not pay attention to the <i>[the]</i> Law?


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For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-woman and one by the free-woman. <i>[Gen 16:2-4,15; Gen 21:1-3]</i>


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_But_ the <i>[one]</i> by the slave-woman has been born according to flesh, but the <i>[one]</i> by the free-woman through the promise,


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which <i>[things]</i> speak allegorically. For these are two covenants: one indeed from Mount Sinai giving birth to <i>[children]</i> into slavery, which is Hagar.


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For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and stands corresponding to the present Jerusalem and serves as a slave with her children.


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For it has been written, "Celebrate, O barren woman, the one not giving birth; break forth and shout, the one not experiencing labor pains, because many <i>[are]</i> the children of the desolate <i>[or, forsaken]</i> <i>[woman]</i>-more than <i>[those]</i> of the one having the husband." <i>[Isaiah 54:1]</i>


text:
_But_ just as at that time, the one having been born according to the flesh was persecuting the <i>[one]</i> according to the spirit, so <i>[it is]</i> also now.


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_But_ what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave-woman and her son, for by no means shall the son of the slave-woman inherit <i>[or, be a heir]</i> with the son of the free-woman." <i>[Gen 21:10]</i>


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Consequently, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, we are not a slave-woman's children, _but_ the free-woman's.


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Therefore, in the freedom in which Christ set you* free, be standing firm, and stop letting yourselves be subjected again to a yoke of slavery.


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Now I testify again to every man being circumcised, that he is a debtor <i>[fig., he is under obligation]</i> to do the whole Law.


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You* were cut off from Christ, you* who are justified <i>[or, declared righteous]</i> by <i>[the]</i> Law! You* fell away from His grace!


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For _we_, by <i>[the]</i> Spirit, by faith, eagerly wait for <i>[the]</i> hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of righteousness.


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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any power <i>[or, avails anything]</i> nor uncircumcision, _but_ faith working through love.


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You* were running <i>[fig., exerting yourselves]</i> well. Who hindered you* <i>[so as]</i> not to be obeying the truth?


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A little leaven <i>[or, yeast]</i> leavens the entire lump <i>[of dough]</i> <i>[or, causes the entire lump [of dough] to rise]</i>.


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_I_ have placed <i>[my]</i> confidence in you* in <i>[the]</i> Lord, that you* will think in no other way <i>[or, will be intent on nothing else]</i>. But the one disturbing you* will bear the judgment, whoever he should be.


text:
But I, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling-block <i>[or, offense]</i> of the cross has been done away with <i>[or, has been abolished]</i>.


text:
For _you*_ were called to freedom, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>; only <i>[do]</i> not <i>[turn]</i> that freedom into an opportunity to <i>[satisfy]</i> the flesh, _but_ by means of love be serving as slaves to one another.


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For the entire Law is fulfilled in one word, in this <i>[commandment]</i>, "You will love your neighbor as yourself." <i>[Lev 19:18]</i>


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But if you* bite and devour one another, be watching out <i>[that]</i> you* are not consumed <i>[fig., ruined]</i> by one another.


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But I say, be walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i> in <i>[or, by]</i> the Spirit, and you* shall by no means fulfill <i>[or, carry out]</i> the lust of the flesh.


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For the flesh lusts contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh. Now these are hostile to one another, so that what you* should be desiring, these <i>[things]</i> you* are not doing.


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Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, sexual sin, impurity <i>[or, immorality]</i>, flagrant sexual immorality,


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idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities <i>[or, feuds]</i>, quarrels, jealous rivalries, angry outbursts, selfish ambitions, divisions <i>[or, discords]</i>, heretical sects,


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envies <i>[or, jealousies]</i>, murders, drunkennesses, drunken orgies, and the <i>[things]</i> like these; which I forewarn you*, just as I also warned <i>[you*]</i> before that the ones practicing such <i>[things]</i> will not inherit <i>[the]</i> kingdom of God.


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But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace <i>[or, freedom from anxiety]</i>, patience, kindness, goodness <i>[or, generosity]</i>, faith,


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Now the <i>[ones who are]</i> Christ's <i>[have]</i> crucified the flesh with its passions and its desires <i>[or, lusts]</i>.


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Since we are living in <i>[or, by]</i> the Spirit, let us also be keeping in line with <i>[fig., be living in conformity with]</i> the Spirit.


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Let us not continue becoming conceited, provoking <i>[or, irritating]</i> one another, envying one another!


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Brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, even if a person shall be overtaken in any transgression, _you*_, the spiritual <i>[ones]</i>, be restoring such a one in a spirit of humility, watching out for yourself, lest _you_ also be tempted.


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Be bearing the burdens of one another, and in this way fill up <i>[or, fig., obey]</i> the law of Christ.


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For if anyone considers <i>[himself]</i> to be something-being nothing <i>[or, when he is nothing]</i>-he deceives himself.


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But let each <i>[person]</i> be examining his own work, and then he will have with respect to himself alone the <i>[grounds for]</i> boasting and not with respect to the other <i>[person]</i>.


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Now let the one being instructed in the word be contributing to <i>[or, sharing with]</i> the one instructing in all good things <i>[or, be sharing in all good things with the one instructing]</i>.


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Stop being led astray <i>[fig., being deceived]</i>: God is not mocked! For whatever a person shall be sowing, this also he will reap.


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Because the one sowing to his own flesh from the flesh will reap corruption <i>[fig., moral ruin]</i>, but the one sowing to the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life.


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Now let us not become discouraged <i>[or, weary]</i> in the doing of good, for at the proper time we will reap, not being discouraged <i>[or, if we do not get discouraged]</i>.


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So, consequently, as we have opportunity, let us be working the good <i>[thing]</i> to all, but especially to the <i>[ones]</i> of the household of the faith.


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As many as want to make a good showing <i>[or, impression]</i> in <i>[the]</i> flesh, these compel <i>[or, urge]</i> you* to be circumcised, only so that they shall not be getting persecuted for the cross of Christ.


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For not even the ones having been circumcised are themselves keeping the Law, _but_ they want for you* to be getting circumcised, so that they should boast in your* flesh.


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But for me, <i>[I will]</i> absolutely not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by means of whom to me <i>[the]</i> world has been crucified and I to the world.


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For in Christ Jesus neither does circumcision have any power <i>[or, avail anything]</i> nor uncircumcision, _but_ a new creation!


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And as many as are keeping in line with this measuring rod <i>[fig., following this standard]</i>, peace upon them and mercy and on the Israel of God!


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Finally, let no one give me hardships, for _I_ bear the scars <i>[or, ownership brand marks]</i> of the Lord Jesus in my body.


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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <i>[be]</i> with your* spirit, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>! So be it!


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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by <i>[the]</i> will of God, to the holy ones <i>[or, saints, and throughout epistle]</i>, the <i>[ones]</i> being in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus:


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Blessed <i>[be]</i> <i>[or, Worthy of praise [is]]</i> the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies <i>[or, heavenly [realms]]</i> in Christ,


text:
just as He chose us in Him before <i>[the]</i> laying of the foundation of the world <i>[or, before beginning of the creation of the universe]</i>, so that we shall be holy and unblemished <i>[fig., without fault]</i> before Him, in love,


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having predestined us to <i>[the]</i> adoption <i>[or, the formal and legal declaration that we are His children]</i> by means of Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,


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to <i>[the]</i> praise of the glory <i>[or, splendor]</i> of His grace <i>[or, of His glorious grace]</i>, by which He bestowed grace upon <i>[or, showed kindness to]</i> us in the Beloved,


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in whom we have the redemption by means of His blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, according to the riches <i>[fig., abundance]</i> of His grace,


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which He made to abound toward <i>[or, lavished on]</i> us in all wisdom and insight <i>[or, intelligence]</i>,


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having disclosed to us the secret <i>[or, mystery, and throughout book]</i> of His will, according to His good pleasure which He Himself purposed <i>[or, planned]</i> in Him,


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with respect to the administration of the fullness <i>[or, completion]</i> of the times, to gather together <i>[or, to unify]</i> all <i>[things]</i> in Christ, the <i>[things]</i> in the heavens and the things on the earth,


text:
in Him in whom also we were appointed by lot <i>[or, obtained an inheritance]</i>, having been predestined according to the purpose <i>[or, plan]</i> of the One supernaturally working all <i>[things]</i> according to the counsel <i>[or, intention]</i> of His will,


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in whom _you*_ also, having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of your* salvation, in whom also having believed <i>[or, having trusted]</i>, you* were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


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who is <i>[the]</i> down payment <i>[or, guarantee]</i> of our inheritance, with respect to the redemption of His acquired possession, to the praise of His glory!


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For this reason, _I_ also, having heard of the faith of each of you* in the Lord Jesus and your* love for all the holy ones,


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so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory <i>[or, splendor]</i>, shall give to you* a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of Him,


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the eyes of your* heart having been enlightened, for you* to know what is the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of His calling and what <i>[are]</i> the riches <i>[or, abundance]</i> of the glory <i>[or, splendor]</i> of His inheritance in the holy ones


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and what <i>[is]</i> the surpassing greatness of His power to us, the ones believing, according to the supernatural working of the might of His strength,


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which He supernaturally worked in Christ, having raised Him from the dead and set <i>[Him]</i> at His right hand in the heavenlies <i>[or, heavenly [realms]]</i>,


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far above all rule and authority and power and lordship <i>[or, dominion]</i> and every name having been named, not only in this age, _but_ also in the one coming.


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And He put all things in subjection under His feet and gave Him <i>[to be]</i> head over all <i>[things pertaining]</i> to the Assembly <i>[or, Church, and throughout epistle]</i>,


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in which at one time you* walked about <i>[fig., conducted yourselves]</i> according to the age <i>[fig., the practices]</i> of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit of the one now supernaturally working in the sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of disobedience;


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among whom also _we_ at one time lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts <i>[fig., senses]</i>, and we were by nature children of wrath, as also the others.


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But God, being rich <i>[fig., abundant]</i> in mercy, because of His great love <i>[with]</i> which He loved us,


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even while we were dead in transgressions, made us to live together with Christ (by grace you* have been saved),


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and He raised <i>[us]</i> up together and seated <i>[us]</i> together in the heavenlies <i>[or, heavenly [realms]]</i> in Christ Jesus,


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so that He should show in the ages, the ones coming, the surpassing riches <i>[fig., abundance]</i> of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus!


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For by grace you* have been saved, through faith, and this <i>[is]</i> not from you*; <i>[it is]</i> the gift of God,


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For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk about <i>[fig., conduct ourselves]</i> in them.


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For this reason, be remembering that you* at one time <i>[were]</i> the Gentiles in <i>[the]</i> flesh, the ones called Uncircumcision by the ones called Circumcision, performed by human hands in the flesh-


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that you* were at that time apart from <i>[or, without]</i> Christ, having been separated from <i>[or, a foreigner to]</i> the citizenship <i>[fig., community]</i> of Israel and strangers to <i>[fig., excluded from]</i> the covenants of the promise, having no hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> and without God in the world.


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But now, in Christ Jesus, _you*_, the ones at one time being far away, became near by the blood of Christ.


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For He is our peace, the One having made them both one and having broken down the dividing wall of the fence <i>[fig., the separation]</i>,


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having done away with <i>[or, having annulled]</i> the hostility in His flesh, the law of the commandments in ordinances, so that from the two He should create in Himself into one new person <i>[or, humanity]</i>, making peace,


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and reconcile them both in one body to God by means of the cross, having put to death the hostility by it <i>[or, in Himself]</i>.


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And having come, He Himself proclaimed the Gospel <i>[of]</i> peace to you*, to the <i>[ones]</i> far away and to the <i>[ones]</i> near.


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Because by means of Him we both have the access <i>[or, privilege to enter]</i> by one Spirit to the Father.


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So, consequently, you* are no longer strangers and foreigners, _but_ fellow-citizens with the holy ones and <i>[members]</i> of the household of God,


text:
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being <i>[the]</i> cornerstone,


text:
in whom <i>[the]</i> entire building having been joined together is growing into a holy temple in <i>[the]</i> Lord,


text:
if indeed you* heard of the stewardship of the grace of God, the one having been given to me for you*,


text:
with reference to which you* are able, when reading <i>[it]</i>, to understand my insight in the secret of Christ,


text:
which in different generations was not disclosed to the sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of people, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,


text:
<i>[that]</i> the Gentiles <i>[are]</i> to be joint-heirs and joint-members of the same body and joint-partakers of His promise in Christ by means of the Gospel,


text:
of which I became a servant <i>[or, minister]</i> according to the free gift of the grace of God, the one having been given to me according to the supernatural working of His power.


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To me, the very least of all <i>[the]</i> holy ones, was given this grace, to proclaim the Gospel among the Gentiles, the unfathomable riches of Christ,


text:
and to enlighten all <i>[as to]</i> what <i>[is]</i> the administration of the secret, the one having been hidden from the ages in God, the One having created all things through Jesus Christ,


text:
so that the many-sided <i>[or, manifold]</i> wisdom of God should be revealed now through the Assembly to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenlies <i>[or, heavenly [realms]]</i>,


text:
according to <i>[the]</i> purpose <i>[or, plan]</i> of the ages, which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,


text:
in whom we have the boldness <i>[or, joyful sense of freedom]</i> and the access <i>[or, privilege to enter]</i> in confidence by means of faith in Him.


text:
For this reason, I ask <i>[you*]</i> to stop becoming discouraged because of my afflictions on behalf of you*, which is your* glory.


text:
so that He shall grant to you*, according to the riches <i>[fig., abundance]</i> of His glory, to be strengthened with power by means of His Spirit in the inner being,


text:
<i>[in order for]</i> Christ to dwell in your* hearts <i>[fig., inner selves, and elsewhere in book]</i> by means of faith, having been firmly established and founded in love,


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so that you* shall be fully able to comprehend with all the holy ones what <i>[is]</i> the width and length and depth and height


text:
and to know the love of Christ <i>[which]</i> surpasses knowledge, so that you* shall be filled to all the fullness of God.


text:
Now to the One being able above all <i>[things]</i> to do infinitely more than what we ask or think, according to the power, the <i>[one]</i> supernaturally working in us,


text:
to Him <i>[be]</i> the glory in the Assembly in Christ Jesus, to all the generations of the age of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
Therefore, _I_, the prisoner in the Lord, call on <i>[or, plead with]</i> you* to walk about <i>[fig., conduct yourselves]</i> in a manner worthy of the calling with which you* were called,


text:
with all humility and gentleness <i>[or, considerateness]</i>, with patience, yourselves putting up with one another in love,


text:
one body and one Spirit, just as also you* were called in one hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of your* calling;


text:
For this reason, He <i>[or, it]</i> says, "When He ascended on high, He led captive a group of captives and gave gifts to people." <i>[Psalm 68:18]</i>


text:
Now this, "He ascended," what is it <i>[fig., what does it mean]</i> except that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?


text:
The One having descended, He is also the One having ascended far above all the heavens, so that He should fill all <i>[things]</i>.


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And _He_ gave some <i>[to be]</i> apostles, and some <i>[to be]</i> prophets, and some <i>[to be]</i> evangelists, and some <i>[to be]</i> shepherds <i>[or, pastors]</i> and teachers,


text:
for the purpose of the equipping of the holy ones for <i>[the]</i> work of service, for <i>[the]</i> building up <i>[fig., edifying]</i> of the body of Christ,


text:
until we all arrive <i>[fig., attain]</i> to the unity of the faith and of the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect <i>[or, mature]</i> man, to <i>[the]</i> measure <i>[fig., extent]</i> of <i>[the]</i> maturity of the fullness of Christ,


text:
so that we shall no longer be young children, being tossed about by waves and being carried about from place to place by every wind of teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i>, by the cunning of people, in craftiness, for the purpose of the trickery of deception.


text:
But speaking the truth in love, we shall increase to Him <i>[in]</i> all <i>[things]</i>, who is the head, Christ,


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from whom the entire body being joined together and united by means of the supply of every joint <i>[or, by what every joint supplies]</i>, according to the working of the measure of each individual part, causing the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.


text:
So this I say and I insist in the Lord; _you*_ are no longer to be walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i> just as also the rest of <i>[the]</i> Gentiles are walking about <i>[fig. conducting themselves]</i> in the futility of their mind,


text:
having been darkened in the understanding, being <i>[in the state of]</i> having been separated from <i>[or, a foreigner to]</i> the life of God, because of the ignorance, the one being in them, because of the hardness of their heart <i>[fig., stubbornness of their inner self]</i>,


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who, having become callous, they gave themselves over to flagrant sexual immorality for the pursuit of all impurity, with covetous desire <i>[or, greed]</i>.


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you* <i>[are]</i> to put off <i>[or, be done with]</i>, with respect to your former manner of life, the old <i>[or, former]</i> person, the one being corrupt according to the desires <i>[or, lusts]</i> of deception,


text:
and to put on the new person, the one having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of <i>[or, dedication to]</i> the truth.


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For this reason, you* yourselves having put off falsehood, "Be speaking truth each one with his neighbor," because we are members one of another. <i>[Zech 8:16]</i>


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"Continue being enraged, and stop sinning;" stop letting the sun go down on your* angry mood, <i>[Psalm 4:4]</i>


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The one stealing let him no longer be stealing, but rather let him be laboring, working the good <i>[thing]</i> with his hands, so that he shall be having <i>[something]</i> to be sharing with the one having need.


text:
Stop letting any rotten <i>[fig., harmful]</i> word come out of your* mouth, _but_ if anything <i>[fig., what]</i> <i>[is]</i> useful for building up <i>[fig., edifying]</i> of the need <i>[fig., as needed]</i>, so that it shall give grace to the ones hearing.


text:
And stop grieving the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you* were sealed <i>[or, secured]</i> for <i>[the]</i> day of redemption.


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Let all bitterness and rage and anger and clamor <i>[or, angry shouts of dissatisfaction]</i> and slander be removed from you*, <i>[along]</i> with all malice.


text:
But continue becoming kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ forgave us.


text:
and be walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i> in love, as also Christ loved us and gave Himself <i>[or, handed Himself over]</i> on our behalf, <i>[as]</i> an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell <i>[or, a sweet-smelling aroma]</i>.


text:
But sexual sin and all impurity <i>[or, immorality]</i> or covetous desire <i>[or, greed]</i>, stop letting it even be named among you*, as is fitting for holy ones,


text:
also <i>[neither]</i> indecent behavior <i>[or, obscene speech]</i> and foolish <i>[or, idle]</i> talk nor coarse joking <i>[or, vulgar talk]</i>-the <i>[things]</i> not fitting-_but_ rather thanksgiving.


text:
For this you* are knowing: that every sexual sinner or unclean <i>[or, impure]</i> <i>[person]</i> or covetous person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.


text:
Let no one be deceiving <i>[or, misleading]</i> you* with empty <i>[fig., foolish]</i> words, for because of these <i>[things]</i> the wrath of God is coming upon the sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of disobedience.


text:
For you* were at one time darkness, but now <i>[you* are]</i> light in the Lord; as children of light be walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i>


text:
(for the fruit of the Spirit <i>[is]</i> in all goodness <i>[or, generosity]</i> and righteousness and truth),


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And stop participating in the unfruitful works of the darkness, but instead, even be exposing <i>[them]</i>.


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But all the <i>[things]</i> exposed by the light are revealed, for every <i>[thing]</i> revealed is light.


text:
For this reason, He <i>[or, it]</i> says, "Be waking up, the one sleeping, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."


text:
Therefore, be watching how carefully you* are walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i>, not as unwise _but_ as wise,


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For this reason, stop becoming foolish, _but_ be understanding what <i>[is]</i> the will of the Lord.


text:
And stop getting drunk with wine, in which is reckless behavior, _but_ continue being filled with <i>[the]</i> Spirit,


text:
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your* heart to the Lord,


text:
giving thanks always for all <i>[things]</i> in <i>[the]</i> name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father,


text:
because <i>[the]</i> husband is head of the wife, as also Christ <i>[is]</i> head of the Assembly, and _He_ is <i>[the]</i> Savior of the body.


text:
_But_ even as the Assembly is subjected <i>[or, submitted]</i> to Christ, so also the wives <i>[should be]</i> to their own husbands in everything.


text:
The husbands, be loving your* own wives, just as also Christ loved the Assembly and gave Himself <i>[or, handed Himself over]</i> on her behalf,


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so that He should sanctify her, having cleansed <i>[or, purged]</i> <i>[her]</i> with the bathing of the water by <i>[the]</i> word,


text:
so that He should present her to Himself, the glorious <i>[or, splendid]</i> Assembly, not having spot <i>[or, blemish]</i> nor wrinkle, nor any of such things, _but_ so that she should be holy and unblemished.


text:
In the same way ought the husbands to be loving their own wives as their own bodies. The one loving his own wife loves himself.


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For no one ever hated his own flesh, _but_ he nourishes and cherishes it, just as also the Lord <i>[does]</i> the Assembly,


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"For this reason, a man will leave behind his father and mother and will be joined to <i>[or, united with]</i> his wife. And they will be-the two-into one flesh <i>[or, And the two will become one flesh]</i>." <i>[Gen 2:4]</i>


text:
Nevertheless, _you*_ also, let each one individually, be loving his own wife as himself in this manner, but the wife, that she should be respecting her husband.


text:
"so that it shall be well with you, and you will be long-lived on the earth." <i>[Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16]</i>


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And the fathers, stop provoking your* children <i>[or, stop making your* children resentful]</i>, _but_ be nourishing them in <i>[the]</i> discipline and instruction of <i>[the]</i> Lord.


text:
The slaves, be obeying the masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your* heart, as to Christ,


text:
not with eye-service as people-pleasers, _but_ as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from <i>[the]</i> soul <i>[fig., wholeheartedly]</i>,


text:
knowing that whatever good <i>[thing]</i> each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether a slave or a free <i>[person]</i>.


text:
And the masters, be doing the same <i>[things]</i> to them, giving up threatening, knowing that also your* own Master is in <i>[the]</i> heavens, and <i>[there]</i> is no accepting of faces <i>[fig., prejudice]</i> with Him.


text:
Finally my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, continue becoming strong in <i>[the]</i> Lord and in the might of His strength.


text:
Put on the full armor of God in order <i>[for]</i> you* to be able to stand firm against the tricks <i>[or, cunning schemes]</i> of the Devil.


text:
Because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, _but_ against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual <i>[forces]</i> of the wickedness in the heavenlies <i>[or, heavenly [realms]]</i>.


text:
For this reason, take up the full armor of God, so that you* shall be able to resist in the day of evil, and having accomplished <i>[or, overcome]</i> everything, to stand firm.


text:
Therefore, stand firm, 'having wrapped your waist around with truth,' and 'having put on the breastplate of righteousness,' <i>[Isaiah 11:5; 59:17]</i>


text:
above all <i>[or, in addition to all [these things]]</i>, having taken up the shield of faith, by which you* will be able to extinguish all the arrows, the ones having been set on fire, <i>[fig., the flaming arrows]</i> of the evil <i>[one]</i>,


text:
and to receive <i>[or, take]</i> 'the helmet of salvation,' and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, <i>[Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 11:4 (LXX); Isaiah 49:2; Hos. 6:5]</i>


text:
through all prayer and petition praying in every season in <i>[the]</i> Spirit, and with respect to this same <i>[thing]</i> <i>[or, to this same [end]]</i>, be staying alert in all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones,


text:
and on my behalf, so that to me shall be given a word <i>[or, speech]</i> in <i>[the]</i> opening of my mouth, in boldness <i>[or, confidence]</i>, to declare the secret of the Gospel,


text:
for the sake of which I serve as an ambassador <i>[or, a representative]</i> <i>[bound]</i> in a chain, so that in it I should speak boldly, as it is necessary <i>[for]</i> me to speak.


text:
Now so that _you*_ shall also know the <i>[things]</i> with reference to me <i>[fig., my circumstances]</i>, what I am doing, Tychicus will disclose to you* all things, the beloved brother and faithful servant <i>[or, deacon]</i> in <i>[the]</i> Lord,


text:
whom I sent to you* for this very <i>[purpose]</i>, so that you* shall know the things concerning us, and that he shall comfort <i>[or, encourage]</i> your* hearts.


text:
Peace to the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> and love with faith from God <i>[the]</i> Father and <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ.


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Grace <i>[be]</i> with all the ones loving our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptibility <i>[or, with an incorruptible [love]]</i>. So be it!


text:
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, To all the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i> in Christ Jesus, the ones being in Philippi, with <i>[the]</i> overseers and servants <i>[or, deacons]</i>:


text:
because of your* fellowship in <i>[or, contribution to]</i> the Gospel from <i>[the]</i> first day until now,


text:
having been confident <i>[or, persuaded]</i> of this very <i>[thing]</i>, that the One having begun a good work in you* will complete <i>[or, perfect]</i> <i>[it]</i> until <i>[the]</i> day of Christ Jesus;


text:
just as it is right for me to be thinking this about all of you*, because I hold you* in my heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i>, both in my bonds <i>[fig., imprisonment]</i> and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, all of you* being fellow-partakers with me of grace.


text:
For God is my witness, how I long for you* all with the bowels <i>[fig., affections]</i> of Jesus Christ.


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And this I pray, that your* love be overflowing yet more and more in full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge and with all insight <i>[or, capacity for understanding]</i>,


text:
for the purpose of your* discerning the things differing, so that you* shall be pure and blameless-to the day of Christ,


text:
having been filled with fruits of righteousness <i>[which are]</i> through Jesus Christ, to <i>[the]</i> glory and praise of God.


text:
Now I want you* to be knowing, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, that the <i>[things]</i> with reference to me <i>[fig., my circumstances]</i> have come rather for <i>[the]</i> progress of the Gospel,


text:
with the result that my bonds have become known <i>[as being]</i> in Christ in the entire fortified palace and to all the rest,


text:
and the majority of the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> in the Lord, having gained confidence by my bonds <i>[fig., imprisonment]</i>, are all the more bold to be fearlessly speaking the word.


text:
Some indeed even because of envy and strife <i>[or, rivalry]</i>, but some also because of goodwill <i>[or, good motives]</i> are preaching Christ.


text:
The <i>[former ones]</i> indeed proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition <i>[or, self-interest]</i>, not sincerely <i>[or, of pure motives]</i>, supposing to be causing me to be experiencing distress in my bonds,


text:
but the <i>[latter ones]</i> out of love, knowing that I stand <i>[or, am appointed]</i> for <i>[the]</i> defense of the Gospel.


text:
What then? Nevertheless, in every way, whether in pretence <i>[or, with a false motive]</i> or in truth <i>[or, with a right motive]</i>, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice, indeed also I will rejoice.


text:
For I know that this will lead to deliverance for me, through your* petition and the provision of the Spirit of Christ Jesus,


text:
according to my earnest expectation <i>[or, eager longing]</i> and hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i>, that in nothing I will be ashamed, _but_ with all boldness <i>[or, confidence]</i>, as always, also now Christ will be magnified <i>[or, highly praised]</i> in my body, whether by means of <i>[my]</i> life or by means of <i>[my]</i> death.


text:
But if <i>[I am]</i> to be living in the flesh, this <i>[will mean]</i> to me fruit from labor <i>[or, fruitful labor]</i>. And what will I choose <i>[or, prefer]</i>? I do not know.


text:
But I am hard-pressed by the two, having the desire to depart and to be with Christ, <i>[which is]</i> far better,


text:
And having become convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with you* all, for your* progress and joy in the faith,


text:
so that your* boasting shall be abounding in Christ Jesus in <i>[or, because of]</i> me by means of my arrival again to you.


text:
Only be conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that, whether having come and having seen you* or being absent, I shall hear the <i>[things]</i> concerning you* <i>[fig., your* affairs]</i>, that you* are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul, striving together for the faith of the Gospel.


text:
And stop being intimidated in any way by the ones being in opposition, which to them indeed is a demonstration <i>[or, sign]</i> of destruction, but to you* of salvation, and this from God.


text:
Because to you* it was graciously granted for Christ's sake not only to believe in Him, _but_ also to be suffering for His sake,


text:
Therefore, if <i>[there is]</i> any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels <i>[fig., affections]</i> and mercies,


text:
fulfill my joy <i>[or, make my joy complete]</i>, that you* shall be thinking the same thing <i>[fig., you* are being like-minded]</i>, having the same love, united in spirit, thinking the one <i>[thing]</i> <i>[fig., intending the same purpose]</i>,


text:
<i>[doing]</i> nothing according to selfish ambition or empty <i>[or, groundless]</i> conceit, _but_ with humility be regarding one another <i>[as]</i> being better than yourselves.


text:
Stop being concerned each one about the things of themselves, _but_ each one also <i>[about]</i> the things of others.


text:
Indeed, be letting the frame of mind <i>[or, attitude]</i> be in you* which <i>[was]</i> also in Christ Jesus,


text:
_but_ He emptied Himself, having taken the nature of a slave, having come to be in the likeness of people,


text:
and having been found in appearance as a person, He humbled Himself, having become obedient to the point of death-even of death of a cross.


text:
And so God highly exalted Him <i>[or, put Him in the most important position]</i> and gave to Him a Name, the <i>[Name]</i> above every name,


text:
so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of heavenly <i>[ones]</i> and of earthly <i>[ones]</i> and of <i>[ones]</i> under the earth,


text:
and every tongue <i>[fig., person]</i> shall confess that Jesus Christ <i>[is]</i> Lord to <i>[the]</i> glory of God <i>[the]</i> Father! <i>[cp. Isaiah 45:23]</i>


text:
So then, my beloved, just as you* always obeyed, not as in my presence only, _but_ now much more in my absence, be working out your* own salvation with fear and trembling,


text:
for God is the One supernaturally working in you* both to be desiring and to be supernaturally working for the sake of His good pleasure.


text:
so that you* shall become blameless and innocent children of God, unblemished in <i>[the]</i> midst of a crooked and having been perverted generation, among whom you* shine like stars in the universe,


text:
holding firmly to <i>[or, offering]</i> the word of life, as my right to boast in <i>[the]</i> day of Christ, that I did not run <i>[fig., exert myself]</i> in vain, nor did I labor in vain.


text:
_But_ even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and sacred service of your* faith, I rejoice, and I rejoice together with you* all.


text:
And in the same <i>[manner]</i>, you* also are to be rejoicing and are to be rejoicing together with me.


text:
But I hope <i>[or, trust]</i> in the Lord Jesus to soon send Timothy to you*, so that I also shall be encouraged, having learned the things concerning you* <i>[fig. your* circumstances]</i>.


text:
For I have no one with the same attitude, who will be genuinely concerned about the <i>[things]</i> concerning you* <i>[fig. your* circumstances]</i>.


text:
For they all seek the <i>[things]</i> of themselves <i>[fig., their own interests]</i>, not the <i>[things]</i> of Christ Jesus.


text:
But you* know his proven character, that as a child to a father, he served as a slave with me concerning the Gospel.


text:
Therefore, this <i>[one]</i> indeed I hope <i>[or, expect]</i> to send immediately, as soon as I ascertain the <i>[things]</i> concerning me <i>[fig., my circumstances]</i>.


text:
And I considered <i>[it]</i> necessary to send to you* Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, but your* apostle and public servant to my need,


text:
For indeed he was sick nearly to death, _but_ God showed him mercy, but not him only, _but_ also me, so that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow.


text:
Therefore, I sent him as quickly as possible <i>[or, with great urgency]</i>, so that having seen him again you* shall rejoice, and I shall be relieved of sorrow.


text:
Therefore, be receiving <i>[or, be welcoming]</i> him in <i>[the]</i> Lord, with all joy, and be holding such <i>[ones]</i> in honor,


text:
because he came near to the point of death on account of the work of Christ, having shown disregard for his life, so that he shall fill up <i>[fig., supply]</i> your* deficiency of sacred service to me.


text:
<i>[As to]</i> the rest <i>[or, Finally]</i>, my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, be rejoicing in the Lord. For me to be writing the same <i>[things]</i> to you* indeed is not tiresome, but for you* <i>[it is]</i> a safeguard.


text:
Be watching out for <i>[or, Beware of]</i> the dogs! Be watching out for the evil laborers! Be watching out for the mutilation <i>[or, false circumcision]</i>!


text:
For _we_ are the <i>[true]</i> circumcision, the <i>[ones]</i> sacredly serving in <i>[or, by]</i> the Spirit of God and boasting in Christ Jesus and not having placed trust <i>[or, having confidence]</i> in flesh,


text:
although _I_ have trust <i>[or, confidence]</i> also in flesh. If any other <i>[person]</i> supposes to have trust <i>[or, confidence]</i> in flesh, I even more:


text:
circumcision on the eighth day, from the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, with respect to <i>[the]</i> law a Pharisee,


text:
with respect to zeal persecuting the Assembly <i>[or, Church]</i>, with respect to righteousness, the <i>[one]</i> that is in <i>[the]</i> law, having become blameless!


text:
_But_ whatever <i>[things]</i> were gains to me, these I have considered loss for the sake of Christ.


text:
_But_ indeed, therefore, I also consider all <i>[things]</i> to be loss for the sake of the surpassing excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I suffered loss of all <i>[things]</i>, and I consider them to be garbage, so that I shall gain Christ


text:
and be found in Him, not having my righteousness, the <i>[righteousness]</i> from <i>[the]</i> Law, _but_ the <i>[righteousness]</i> by means of faith in Christ, <i>[which is]</i> the righteousness from God on the basis of faith;


text:
<i>[so as]</i> to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,


text:
Not that I already obtained or have already been perfected, but I press forward, if also I shall lay hold of <i>[that]</i> for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.


text:
Brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, I do not consider myself to have laid hold, but forgetting indeed one <i>[thing]</i>, the <i>[things]</i> behind, but reaching out to the <i>[things]</i> ahead.


text:
I press forward toward <i>[the]</i> goal, for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.


text:
Therefore, as many as <i>[are]</i> mature, let us be thinking this <i>[or, be having this attitude]</i>, and if <i>[in]</i> anything you* think otherwise <i>[or, have a different attitude]</i>, this also God shall reveal to you*.


text:
Nevertheless, in regards to what we <i>[have]</i> attained, <i>[let us]</i> be keeping in line with <i>[fig., following]</i> <i>[the]</i> same standard, to be thinking the same <i>[thing]</i> <i>[or, to be having the same attitude]</i>.


text:
Join <i>[others]</i> in becoming imitators of me, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, and be keeping a close eye on the ones walking about <i>[fig., conducting themselves]</i> in this manner, just as you* have us <i>[for]</i> a pattern.


text:
For many walk about <i>[fig., conduct themselves]</i> of whom frequently I was speaking to you*, but now also weeping I speak <i>[of]</i> the enemies of the cross of Christ,


text:
whose end <i>[is]</i> destruction, whose god <i>[is]</i> the belly <i>[fig., their appetite]</i> and <i>[whose]</i> glory <i>[is]</i> in their shame, who set their minds on the <i>[things]</i> of the earth.


text:
For our citizenship exists in <i>[the]</i> heavens, from where also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,


text:
who will transform the body of our humble state for it to become similar in form to the body of His glory, according to the supernatural working <i>[or, energy]</i> <i>[by which]</i> He also is able to subject all <i>[things]</i> to Himself.


text:
So then, my beloved and longed for brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, my joy and victor's wreath <i>[or, crown]</i>, in this way be standing firm in the Lord, beloved.


text:
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be thinking the same <i>[thing]</i> <i>[fig., to be in agreement]</i> in the Lord.


text:
Yes, I ask you also, genuine co-worker <i>[or, loyal Syzygus]</i>, be assisting these <i>[women]</i> who strove together with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and the others, my co-workers, whose names <i>[are]</i> in <i>[the]</i> Scroll of Life.


text:
Let your* gentleness <i>[or, considerateness]</i> be known to all people. The Lord <i>[is]</i> near!


text:
Stop being anxious about anything, _but_ in every <i>[thing]</i> by prayer and by petition, with thanksgiving, be letting your* requests be made known to God.


text:
And the peace of God, the <i>[peace]</i> surpassing all understanding, will guard <i>[or, protect]</i> your* hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i> and your* thoughts in Christ Jesus.


text:
<i>[As to]</i> the rest <i>[or, Finally]</i>, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, as many things as are true, as many as <i>[are]</i> worthy of respect <i>[or, honorable]</i>, as many as <i>[are]</i> righteous, as many <i>[things]</i> as are pure, as many as <i>[are]</i> acceptable <i>[or, lovely]</i>, as many as <i>[are]</i> commendable, if <i>[there is]</i> any virtue <i>[or, moral excellence]</i>, and if any<i>[thing]</i> deserving to be praised, be meditating on <i>[or, thinking about]</i> these things.


text:
What <i>[things]</i> you* both learned and received, and heard and saw in me, these <i>[things]</i> be practicing, and the God of peace will be with you*.


text:
But I rejoiced in the <i>[Lord]</i> greatly, that now at last you* revived thinking on behalf of me <i>[fig., were again concerned about me]</i>, for which indeed you* were thinking <i>[fig., concerned]</i> but lacked opportunity.


text:
I know both <i>[how]</i> to be living in humble circumstances, and I know <i>[how]</i> to be living in abundance; in every <i>[place]</i> and in all <i>[circumstances]</i> I have learned the secret of being filled and <i>[of]</i> being hungry, both to be living in abundance and to be having need.


text:
I am capable of <i>[doing]</i> all <i>[things]</i> through Christ, the <i>[One]</i> strengthening me.


text:
Now _you*_ also know, Philippians, that in <i>[the]</i> beginning of the Gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, no assembly <i>[or, church]</i> shared with me in <i>[the]</i> matter <i>[of]</i> giving and receiving, except you* only;


text:
because even in Thessalonica, both once and twice <i>[fig., again and again]</i> you* sent <i>[something]</i> for my need.


text:
But I am receiving back all <i>[things]</i> and am overflowing; I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the <i>[things]</i> from you*, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, acceptable to God.


text:
Now my God will fully supply all your* need according to His riches <i>[fig., abundance]</i> in glory in Christ Jesus!


text:
Now to our God and Father <i>[be]</i> the glory into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
Greet every holy one <i>[or, saint]</i> in Christ Jesus; the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> with me greet you*.


text:
All the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i> greet you*, but especially the <i>[ones]</i> from Caesar's household.


text:
To the holy ones <i>[or, saints, and throughout epistle]</i> and faithful brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> in Christ in Colosse: Grace to you* and peace from God our Father and <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ!


text:
having heard of your* faith in Christ Jesus and the love <i>[which you* have]</i> towards all the holy ones,


text:
because of the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i>, the one laid up for you* in the heavens, which you* heard of before in the word of the truth of the Gospel,


text:
coming to you*, just as also in all the world, and is bearing fruit {and growing}, just as <i>[it is]</i> also in you*, from <i>[the]</i> day which you* heard and knew the grace of God in truth;


text:
just as you* also learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-slave, who is a faithful <i>[or, trustworthy]</i> servant of Christ on your* behalf,


text:
For this reason, we also, from <i>[the]</i> day which we heard, do not cease from praying on your* behalf and asking that you* be filled with the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding <i>[or, insight]</i>,


text:
<i>[in order for]</i> you* to walk about <i>[fig., conduct yourselves]</i> in a manner worthy of the Lord to please <i>[Him]</i> in all <i>[respects]</i>, bearing fruit <i>[fig., being effective]</i> in every good work and increasing in the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of God,


text:
being empowered with all power according to the might of His glory, for all perseverance and patience, with joy.


text:
Giving thanks to the Father, the One having qualified us for the portion of <i>[or, to share in]</i> the inheritance of the holy ones in the light,


text:
who rescued us out of the dominion of the darkness and transferred <i>[us]</i> into the kingdom of the Son of His love,


text:
who is <i>[the]</i> image of the invisible God, first-born of <i>[fig., existing before]</i> all creation,


text:
because by Him all <i>[things]</i> were created, the <i>[ones]</i> in the heavens and the <i>[ones]</i> on the earth, the visible <i>[things]</i> and the invisible <i>[things]</i>, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all such things have been created through Him and for Him,


text:
And _He_ is the head of the body, the Assembly <i>[or, Church, and throughout epistle]</i>; who is <i>[the]</i> beginning, <i>[the]</i> first-born from the dead, so that _He_ shall be having preeminence in all <i>[things]</i>,


text:
and through Him to reconcile all <i>[things]</i> to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, whether the <i>[things]</i> on the earth or the <i>[things]</i> in the heavens.


text:
And _you*_ at one time having been alienated and enemies in the mind by your* evil works, yet now He reconciled <i>[you*]</i>


text:
in the body of His flesh through His death, to present you* holy and unblemished <i>[fig., without fault]</i> and free from reproach before Him,


text:
since indeed you* are continuing in the faith, having been firmly established and steadfast, and are not being shifted away from the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of the Gospel which you* heard, the one having been preached in all the creation under heaven, of which _I_, Paul, became a servant.


text:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your* behalf, and I am filling up <i>[or, completing]</i> the <i>[things]</i> lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body, which is the Assembly,


text:
of which _I_ became a servant <i>[or, minister]</i> according to the stewardship of God, the one having been given to me for you*, to fulfill the word of God,


text:
the secret <i>[or, mystery, and throughout book]</i>, the one having been hidden from the ages and from the generations, but now was revealed to His holy ones,


text:
to whom God willed to make known what <i>[is]</i> the riches of the glory of this secret among the nations <i>[or, the Gentiles]</i>, who is Christ in you*, the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of glory;


text:
whom _we_ proclaim, warning every person and teaching every person in <i>[or, with]</i> all wisdom, so that we shall present every person perfect <i>[or, complete]</i> in Christ Jesus,


text:
for which also I labor, striving according to His supernatural working, the one supernaturally working in me in power.


text:
For I want you* to know how great a struggle I have concerning you* and the ones in Laodicea and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh <i>[fig., have not met me personally]</i>,


text:
that their hearts <i>[fig., inner selves, and throughout book]</i> shall be comforted <i>[or, encouraged]</i>, having been united in love, and <i>[attaining]</i> to all <i>[the]</i> riches <i>[fig., abundance]</i> of the full assurance of understanding, to the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of the secret of both God the Father and of Christ,


text:
For even though I am absent in the flesh, _but_ I am with you* in the spirit, rejoicing and looking at <i>[or, considering]</i> your* <i>[good]</i> order and the steadfastness of your* faith in Christ.


text:
Therefore, as you* received Christ Jesus the Lord, <i>[so]</i> be walking about <i>[fig, be conducting yourselves]</i> in Him,


text:
having been rooted <i>[fig., firmly established]</i> and having been built up in Him and being established <i>[or, strengthened]</i> in the faith, just as you* were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.


text:
Be watching out lest anyone will be carrying you* away as spoils of war <i>[fig., taking control of you*]</i> through philosophy <i>[or, human wisdom]</i> and empty deception, according to the traditions of people, according to the rudimentary elements <i>[or, basic teachings]</i> of the world and not according to Christ.


text:
and you* have been made full <i>[or, have been completed]</i> in Him, who is the Head of every rule and authority,


text:
in whom you* also were circumcised with a circumcision done without human hands, by the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,


text:
having been buried together with Him in baptism <i>[or, immersion]</i>, in which you* also were raised together <i>[with Him]</i> through faith in the supernatural working of God, the One having raised Him from the dead.


text:
And _you*_, being dead in your* transgressions and the uncircumcision of your* flesh, He made you* alive together with Him, having forgiven you* all transgressions,


text:
having blotted out <i>[or, canceled]</i> the handwritten record of debts in the ordinances against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross;


text:
having disarmed the rulers and the authorities, He publicly disgraced them, having triumphed over them by it <i>[i.e. the cross]</i>.


text:
Therefore, stop letting anyone judge you* in eating or in drinking or with regard to a feast or of a new moon <i>[festival]</i> or of Sabbaths,


text:
Stop letting anyone decide against you* <i>[fig., judge you* as not being worthy]</i>, delighting in <i>[false]</i> humility and religious worship of the angels, basing his authority on <i>[things]</i> he has not seen, being conceited without cause by the mind of his flesh,


text:
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, by means of the joints and ligaments being supplied and being knit together, grows <i>[with]</i> the growth of God.


text:
Since you* died with Christ from the rudimentary elements <i>[or, basic teachings]</i> of the world, why as living in the world are you* submitting to regulations?


text:
which <i>[things]</i> are all for corruption with the using, according to the commandments and teachings of people, <i>[cp. Isaiah 29:13]</i>


text:
which are indeed having a reputation of wisdom in self-imposed religion and <i>[false]</i> humility and severe discipline <i>[or, non-indulgence]</i> of <i>[the]</i> body, <i>[but which are]</i> not of any value against indulgence of the flesh.


text:
Therefore, since you* were raised together with Christ, be seeking the <i>[things]</i> above, where Christ is, sitting at <i>[the]</i> right hand of God.


text:
Be setting your* minds on the <i>[things]</i> above, not <i>[on]</i> the <i>[things]</i> on the earth.


text:
Whenever Christ, <i>[who is]</i> our life, is revealed, then also _we_ will be revealed with Him in glory.


text:
Therefore, put to death your* members, the ones on the earth: sexual sin, impurity <i>[or, immorality]</i>, lustful passion, evil desire, and the covetous desire <i>[or, greed]</i>, which is idolatry,


text:
because of which <i>[things]</i> the wrath of God is coming upon the sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of disobedience,


text:
in which _you*_ also at one time walked about <i>[fig., conducted yourselves]</i>, when you* were living in them.


text:
But now you* yourselves also put off <i>[fig., cease from]</i> all these <i>[things]</i>: anger, rage, malice, blasphemy, <i>[and]</i> obscene language out of your* mouth.


text:
and having put on the new <i>[person]</i>, the <i>[one]</i> being renewed in full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge according to <i>[the]</i> image of the One having created him,


text:
where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave, free person, _but_ Christ <i>[is]</i> all <i>[things]</i> and in all <i>[things]</i>.


text:
Therefore, put on as chosen <i>[or, elect]</i> ones of God, holy and beloved, bowels <i>[or, hearts]</i> of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness <i>[or, considerateness]</i>, patience,


text:
putting up with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone shall be having a complaint against anyone, just as Christ also forgave you*, so also <i>[should]</i> you* <i>[forgive]</i>.


text:
And let the peace of God be exercising control in your* hearts, to which also you* were called in one body, and become thankful.


text:
Let the word of Christ be richly <i>[or, abundantly]</i> dwelling in you*, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace <i>[or, gratitude]</i> in your* hearts to the Lord.


text:
And every <i>[thing]</i>, whatever you* shall be doing in word or in deed, <i>[be doing]</i> all <i>[things]</i> in <i>[the]</i> name of <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father through Him.


text:
The wives, be subjecting <i>[or, submitting]</i> yourselves to your* own husbands, as is fitting in <i>[the]</i> Lord.


text:
The children, be obeying your* parents with respect to all <i>[things]</i>, for this is well-pleasing in <i>[the]</i> Lord.


text:
The fathers, stop making your* children resentful, so that they shall not continue becoming discouraged.


text:
The slaves, be obeying with respect to all <i>[things]</i> your* masters according to the flesh, not in eye-service as people-pleasers, _but_ in sincerity of heart, fearing God.


text:
And every <i>[thing]</i>, whatever you* shall be doing, be working from <i>[your*]</i> soul <i>[fig., heartily]</i> as to the Lord and not to people,


text:
knowing that from the Lord you* will receive the recompense of the inheritance, for to the Lord Christ you* are serving as a slave.


text:
But the one doing wrong <i>[or, acting unjustly]</i> will receive back what he did wrong <i>[or, did unjustly]</i>, and there is no accepting of faces <i>[fig., partiality]</i>.


text:
The masters, be providing the just <i>[thing]</i> <i>[fig., justice]</i> and equality <i>[or, fairness]</i> to the slaves, knowing that _you*_ also have a Master in <i>[the]</i> heavens.


text:
praying at the same time also concerning us, that God opens to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of Christ (on account of which I have also been bound),


text:
Be walking about <i>[fig., Be conducting yourselves]</i> with wisdom toward the <i>[ones]</i> outside, redeeming <i>[or, making the best use of]</i> the time.


text:
<i>[Let]</i> your* word always <i>[be]</i> in grace, having been seasoned with salt, <i>[in order for you*]</i> to know how it is necessary <i>[for]</i> you* to be answering each one.


text:
All the <i>[things]</i> with reference to me <i>[fig., All my circumstances]</i> Tychicus will make known to you*, the beloved brother and faithful servant <i>[or, deacon]</i> and fellow-slave in the Lord,


text:
whom I sent to you* for this very thing, so that he shall know the things concerning you* <i>[fig., your* circumstances]</i> and comfort your* hearts,


text:
with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is <i>[one]</i> of you*; they will make known to you* all the <i>[things happening]</i> here.


text:
Aristarchus greets you*, my fellow-prisoner, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, (concerning whom you received instructions; if he comes to you*, receive him),


text:
and Jesus, the one called Justus, <i>[of]</i> the ones of <i>[the]</i> circumcision, these <i>[are the]</i> only co-workers for the kingdom of God who became <i>[or, proved to be]</i> a comfort to me.


text:
Epaphras greets you*, the <i>[one]</i> from you* <i>[or, [who is one] of you*]</i>, a slave of Christ, always striving earnestly on your* behalf in his prayers, so that you* shall stand perfect and having been fulfilled <i>[or, completed]</i> in all <i>[the]</i> will of God.


text:
For I testify <i>[concerning]</i> him that he has much zeal on your* behalf and <i>[for]</i> the <i>[ones]</i> in Laodicea and the <i>[ones]</i> in Hierapolis.


text:
Greet the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> in Laodicea, and <i>[also]</i> Nymphas and the assembly in his house.


text:
And when this epistle is read before you*, cause that it shall also be read aloud in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and _you_ should also read the <i>[epistle]</i> from Laodicea.


text:
And say to Archippus, "Be seeing to the ministry which you received in <i>[the]</i> Lord, so that you shall be fulfilling it."


text:
The greeting by the hand of me, Paul; be remembering my bonds <i>[fig., imprisonment]</i>. Grace <i>[be]</i> with you*. So be it!


text:
Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the assembly <i>[or, church]</i> of <i>[the]</i> Thessalonians in God <i>[the]</i> Father and <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you* and peace from God our Father and <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ!


text:
constantly remembering your* work of faith and labor of love and patient endurance in the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of our Lord Jesus Christ, in <i>[the]</i> presence of our God and Father,


text:
knowing brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, having been loved by God, your* election <i>[or, [God's] choosing of you*]</i>.


text:
Because our Gospel did not come to you* in word only, _but_ also in power and in <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit and in much assurance <i>[or, with full conviction]</i>, even as you* know of what sort we became among you* for your* sake.


text:
And _you*_ became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction <i>[or, during a great trial]</i>, with <i>[the]</i> joy of <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit,


text:
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you*, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, _but_ also in every place your* faith toward God has gone out, with the result that we have no need to be saying anything.


text:
For they themselves report about us what kind of entrance we had to you*, and how you* turned to God from the idols, to be serving as a slave to <i>[the]</i> living and true God,


text:
and to be waiting expectantly for His Son from the heavens, whom He raised from the dead-Jesus-the One rescuing us from the coming wrath.


text:
For you* yourselves know, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, our entrance to you*, that it did not become empty <i>[fig., was not without results]</i>.


text:
_But_ having suffered previously and having been mistreated (as you* know) in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you* the Gospel of God in much conflict <i>[or, amid much opposition]</i>.


text:
For our exhortation <i>[was]</i> not by deception, nor from an impure <i>[motive]</i>, nor in treachery <i>[or, deceit]</i>.


text:
_But_ just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing people, _but_ God, the One examining our hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i>.


text:
For at no time did we come with a word of flattery <i>[fig., with flattering speech]</i>, as you* know, nor with a pretext for greed <i>[fig., nor were we secretly desiring profit]</i> (God <i>[is our]</i> witness!),


text:
nor seeking glory from people, neither from you* nor from others, being able <i>[or, [even] though we were able]</i> to be burdensome as Christ's apostles.


text:
In this way, longing for <i>[or, dearly loving]</i> you*, we were delighted to impart to <i>[or, share with]</i> you* not only the Gospel of God, _but_ also our own souls, because you* have become beloved to us.


text:
For you* remember, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, our labor and toil, working night and day <i>[so as]</i> not to be a <i>[financial]</i> burden to any of you*, we proclaimed the Gospel of God to you*.


text:
You <i>[are]</i> witnesses and <i>[so is]</i> God, how devoutly <i>[or, in a godly manner]</i> and righteously and blamelessly we became <i>[fig., proved to be]</i> to you*, the ones believing,


text:
even as you* know how each one of you*, as a father his own children, we <i>[were]</i> exhorting you* and comforting <i>[you*]</i>


text:
and imploring <i>[you*]</i>, in order for you* to walk about <i>[fig., conduct yourselves]</i> in a manner worthy of God, the One calling you* into His own kingdom and glory.


text:
For this reason also, _we_ constantly give thanks to God, that having received <i>[the]</i> word of God <i>[which you*]</i> heard from us, you* accepted <i>[it]</i>, not <i>[as the]</i> word of a person, _but_ just as it truly is, <i>[the]</i> word of God, who also supernaturally works in you*, the ones believing.


text:
For you* became imitators, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, of the assemblies <i>[or, churches]</i> of God, the ones being in Judea in Christ Jesus, because you* suffered the same <i>[things]</i>, even you*, from your* own fellow-citizens, just as also they <i>[did]</i> from the Jews,


text:
the ones both having put to death the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and having persecuted us, and they are not pleasing God, and <i>[are]</i> against all people,


text:
forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they should be saved, in order to always fill up <i>[the measure of]</i> their sins, but the wrath <i>[of God]</i> came upon them to <i>[the]</i> end <i>[fig., in full measure]</i>.


text:
But we, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, having been separated from you* for <i>[the]</i> time of an hour <i>[fig., for a short while]</i>-in face <i>[fig., presence]</i>, not in heart <i>[fig., in our inner selves]</i>-were especially eager with great desire to see your* face.


text:
For this reason, we wanted to come to you* (indeed I, Paul), both once and twice <i>[fig., time and again]</i>, and <i>[yet]</i> Satan hindered us.


text:
For what <i>[is]</i> our hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> or joy or victor's wreath <i>[or, crown]</i> of rejoicing? <i>[It is]</i> even you* in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his Arrival, is it not?


text:
For this reason, when we could no longer endure <i>[it]</i>, we thought <i>[it]</i> best to be left in Athens alone,


text:
and we sent Timothy (our brother and a servant <i>[or, deacon]</i> of God and our co-worker in the Gospel of Christ) to establish <i>[fig., strengthen]</i> you* and to encourage you* concerning your* faith,


text:
<i>[that]</i> no one be disturbed by these afflictions <i>[or, trials]</i>, for you* yourselves know that we are appointed for this.


text:
For even when we were with you*, we kept telling you* in advance <i>[or, forewarning you*]</i> that we are about to be experiencing hardships <i>[or, to be afflicted]</i>, just as also it happened, and you* know <i>[it]</i>.


text:
For this reason also, when I could no longer endure <i>[it]</i>, I sent to know <i>[or, learn about]</i> your* faith, lest somehow the one tempting <i>[or, the tempter]</i> had tempted you* and our labor came to be in emptiness <i>[fig., for nothing]</i>.


text:
But now Timothy having come to us from you* and having declared good news to us <i>[regarding]</i> your* faith and love, and that you* have a good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, just as we also <i>[long to see]</i> you*.


text:
For this reason, we were encouraged, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, in regard to you*, in all our affliction and distress, by means of your* faith.


text:
For what thanksgiving are we able to give in return to God concerning you*, for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you* in the presence of our God,


text:
imploring <i>[in prayer]</i> most earnestly night and day in order to see your* face and to perfect the <i>[things]</i> lacking in your* faith?


text:
And <i>[may]</i> the Lord cause you* to increase and to abound in love to one another and to all <i>[people]</i>, even as we also <i>[do]</i> for you*,


text:
in order to establish your* hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i> <i>[as being]</i> blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the Arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i>.


text:
As to the rest <i>[or, Finally]</i> then brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, we ask and call on <i>[or, plead with]</i> you* in <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus, just as you* received from us how it is necessary <i>[for]</i> you* to be walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i> and to be pleasing God, so that you* shall be abounding <i>[or, be excelling]</i> still more.


text:
For you* know what instructions we gave you* through <i>[or, by [the authority of]]</i> the Lord Jesus.


text:
For this is the will of God, your* sanctification: <i>[for]</i> you* yourselves to be abstaining from sexual sin,


text:
<i>[for]</i> each of you* to know how to be acquiring his own vessel <i>[fig., wife]</i> in sanctification and honor,


text:
<i>[so as]</i> not to do wrong and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Lord <i>[is the]</i> avenger concerning all these <i>[things]</i>, just as also we forewarned you* and solemnly testified.


text:
Therefore, the one rejecting <i>[this]</i> <i>[or, regarding [this] as nothing]</i> does not reject a person _but_ God, the One having also given His Holy Spirit to you*.


text:
Now concerning brotherly love <i>[fig., affection for fellow-believers]</i>, you* have no need of <i>[my]</i> writing to you*, for _you*_ yourselves are taught by God to be loving one another.


text:
For indeed you* do practice it toward all the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, the <i>[ones]</i> in all Macedonia, but we call on <i>[or, plead with]</i> you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, to be increasing <i>[even]</i> more


text:
and to be ambitiously striving to be living a quiet life and to be doing your* own <i>[things]</i> <i>[fig., to be minding your* own business]</i> and to be working with your* own hands, just as we gave strict orders to <i>[or, commanded]</i> you*,


text:
so that you* shall be walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourselves]</i> properly toward the outsiders <i>[fig., unbelievers]</i> and have need of nothing.


text:
But we do not want you* to continue being unaware, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, concerning the ones having fallen asleep <i>[fig., who have died]</i>, so that you* shall not be sorrowing just as also the rest, the ones not having hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i>.


text:
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also God will bring the ones having fallen asleep through <i>[fig., having died in]</i> Jesus with Him.


text:
For this we say to you* by <i>[the]</i> word of the Lord, that _we_, the ones living, the ones being left to the Arrival of the Lord, by no means shall precede the ones having fallen asleep <i>[fig., who have died]</i>.


text:
Because the Lord Himself with a shout of command, with <i>[the]</i> voice of an archangel and with <i>[the]</i> trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first,


text:
then _we_, the ones living, the ones being left, will be caught up together with them in <i>[the]</i> clouds to a meeting of the Lord in <i>[the]</i> air, and so we will always be with the Lord!


text:
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, you* have no need <i>[of]</i> my writing to you*.


text:
For you* yourselves accurately know that the Day of <i>[the]</i> Lord comes in this manner: as a thief in <i>[the]</i> night.


text:
For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then destruction comes upon them suddenly, even as the birth-pains <i>[come upon]</i> the one having in <i>[the]</i> womb <i>[fig., who is pregnant]</i>, and by no means shall they escape.


text:
But you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, are not in darkness, so that the Day should overtake you* as a thief.


text:
_You*_ all are sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of light and sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.


text:
So, consequently, let us not be sleeping as also the rest, _but_ let us keep watching and be sober <i>[or, clear-headed]</i>.


text:
But _we_, being <i>[of the]</i> day, let us be sober <i>[or, clear-headed]</i>, having put on <i>[the]</i> breastplate of faith and of love, and <i>[as]</i> a helmet, <i>[the]</i> hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of salvation.


text:
Because God did not appoint us to wrath, _but_ to <i>[the]</i> obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


text:
the One having died on our behalf, so that whether we are awake <i>[fig,. are alive]</i> or are sleeping <i>[fig., have died]</i>, we shall live together with Him.


text:
For this reason, be comforting one another and be building up <i>[or, edifying]</i> one the one <i>[fig., each one the other]</i>, just as also you* are doing.


text:
And we request of you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, to know <i>[fig., appreciate]</i> the ones laboring among you* and leading <i>[or, caring for]</i> you* in the Lord and instructing you*,


text:
Now we urge you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, be warning the disorderly <i>[or, lazy]</i> <i>[ones]</i>; be encouraging the discouraged <i>[ones]</i>; be supporting the sick <i>[ones]</i>; continue being patient toward all.


text:
See <i>[that]</i> no one repays evil for evil, _but_ always be pursuing the good, both for one another and for all.


text:
In every <i>[thing]</i> be giving thanks! For this <i>[is the]</i> will of God in Christ Jesus for you*.


text:
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you* completely, and may your* spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the Arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ!


text:
I adjure you* <i>[or, place you* under an oath]</i> <i>[by]</i> the Lord, <i>[for]</i> this letter to be read aloud to all the holy brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>.


text:
Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the assembly <i>[or, church]</i> of <i>[the]</i> Thessalonians in God our Father and <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ:


text:
We ought to be giving thanks to God always for you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, just as it is fitting, because your* faith grows abundantly and the love of each one of you* all for one another increases,


text:
with the result that _we_ ourselves are boasting of you* in the assemblies <i>[or, churches]</i> of God about your* perseverance and faith in all your* persecutions and afflictions which you* endure,


text:
<i>[which is]</i> evidence of the righteous judgment of God, for you* to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for the sake of which also you* suffer,


text:
since <i>[it is]</i> a righteous <i>[thing]</i> with God to repay with affliction the ones afflicting you*


text:
and <i>[to repay]</i> with relief to you*, the ones being afflicted, along with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with <i>[the]</i> angels of His power <i>[or, His powerful angels]</i>,


text:
in a fire of flame <i>[or, a flaming fire]</i>, giving <i>[fig., inflicting]</i> vengeance on the ones not knowing God and to the ones not obeying the Gospel of our Lord Jesus {Christ},


text:
who will suffer divine justice, eternal ruin, from <i>[the]</i> face <i>[fig., presence]</i> of the Lord and from the glory of His strength,


text:
when He comes to be glorified in <i>[or, among]</i> His holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i> in that Day and to be marveled at among all the ones having believed, because our testimony to you* was believed.


text:
For which we also pray always concerning you*, that our God considers you* worthy of the calling and fulfills all <i>[the]</i> good pleasure of <i>[or, every desire for]</i> <i>[His]</i> goodness <i>[or, generosity]</i> and <i>[the]</i> work of faith in power,


text:
in order that the name of our Lord Jesus {Christ} is glorified in you*, and you* in Him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
Now we request of you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, in regard to the Arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together to Him,


text:
for you* not to be quickly shaken in mind nor to be disturbed, neither by spirit nor by word nor by letters as <i>[written]</i> by us, as <i>[if]</i> that Day of Christ has arrived.


text:
Let no one deceive you* by any means, because <i>[that Day will not come]</i> unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction <i>[or, the one destined to be lost]</i>,


text:
the one being in opposition <i>[or, being hostile]</i> and puffing himself up with pride over every <i>[thing]</i> being called god or <i>[every]</i> object of worship, with the result that he sits down in the sanctuary of God as God, displaying himself that he is God.


text:
For the secret <i>[or, mystery]</i> of lawlessness is already supernaturally working, only the one <i>[or, the One]</i> now restraining <i>[will continue to do so]</i> until he <i>[or, He]</i> comes <i>[or, appears]</i> out of <i>[the]</i> midst.


text:
And then the lawless <i>[one]</i> will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and will destroy by the appearance of His Arrival,


text:
of whom is his <i>[i.e., the lawless one's]</i> arrival according to <i>[the]</i> supernatural working of Satan, in all power and signs and wonders of deceit <i>[fig., counterfeit miracles]</i>,


text:
and in all deception of the unrighteousness among the ones perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth for them to be saved.


text:
And for this reason God will send to them a supernatural working of deception, for them to believe the lie,


text:
so that they shall be judged, all the ones not having believed the truth, _but_ the ones having delighted in unrighteousness.


text:
But _we_ ought to be giving thanks to God always concerning you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, having been loved by <i>[the]</i> Lord, that God chose you* from <i>[the]</i> beginning for salvation, by sanctification of <i>[the]</i> Spirit and faith <i>[in]</i> the truth,


text:
to which He called you* through our Gospel to <i>[the]</i> obtaining of <i>[the]</i> glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
So, consequently, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, be standing firm and be holding <i>[or, keeping]</i> the handed down teachings which you* were taught, whether by word or by our letter.


text:
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, the One having loved us and having given eternal comfort and good hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> by grace,


text:
As to the rest <i>[or, Finally]</i>, be praying, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, concerning us, that the word of the Lord shall be running <i>[fig., spreading rapidly]</i> and shall continue being glorified, just as also <i>[it has been]</i> with you*,


text:
and that we shall be delivered from the perverse and wicked people, for the faith <i>[is]</i> not of all.


text:
But faithful is the Lord, who will establish you* and will guard <i>[you*]</i> from evil <i>[or, from the evil [one]]</i>.


text:
And we have confidence in <i>[the]</i> Lord concerning you*, that <i>[about]</i> what we give strict orders to you*, both you* are doing and will do.


text:
Now may the Lord direct your* hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i> into the love of God and into the patient endurance of Christ.


text:
Now we give strict orders to you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, in <i>[the]</i> name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be withdrawing yourselves from every brother walking about <i>[fig., conducting themselves]</i> in idleness and not according to the handed down teaching which they received from us.


text:
For you* yourselves know how it is necessary to be imitating us, because we did not live in idleness among you*,


text:
nor did we eat bread from anyone without paying, _but_ <i>[we were]</i> working in labor and in toil, night and day, so as not to be a financial burden to any of you*;


text:
not because we do not have authority <i>[or, the right]</i>, _but_ so that we should give ourselves <i>[as]</i> a pattern to you*, for <i>[you*]</i> to be imitating us.


text:
For even when we were with you*, <i>[about]</i> this we had given strict orders to you*, that if anyone is not willing to be working neither let him be eating!


text:
For we hear <i>[that]</i> some walk about <i>[fig., conduct themselves]</i> among you* in idleness, not working at all, _but_ being busybodies.


text:
Now to such <i>[persons]</i> we give strict orders and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that working with quietness, they should be eating their own bread.


text:
But _you*_, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, do not become discouraged <i>[in]</i> <i>[or, weary [of]]</i> doing what is good.


text:
Now if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, be taking note of this <i>[one]</i> and stop associating with him, so that he shall be ashamed.


text:
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give to you* through all <i>[fig. continually]</i> peace in every way <i>[or, circumstance]</i>. The Lord <i>[be]</i> with you* all!


text:
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to <i>[the]</i> command of God our Savior and of the Lord Jesus Christ our hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i>,


text:
To Timothy, a genuine child in <i>[the]</i> faith: Grace, mercy, <i>[and]</i> peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!


text:
Just as I urged you to remain in Ephesus while I traveled to Macedonia, so that you should give strict orders to certain <i>[ones]</i> to stop teaching a different <i>[or, heretical]</i> doctrine


text:
and to stop paying attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than <i>[furthering the]</i> administration <i>[or, plan]</i> of God, the <i>[one]</i> in faith.


text:
But the end <i>[or, goal]</i> of the command is love out of a pure heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i> and a good conscience and a sincere faith,


text:
from which certain <i>[ones]</i>, having strayed <i>[or, deviated]</i> from, were turned aside to futile discourse,


text:
desiring to be teachers of the Law, not understanding neither what they are saying, nor concerning what they confidently assert.


text:
knowing this: that law is not laid down for a righteous <i>[person]</i> but for lawless and insubordinate <i>[persons]</i>, for ungodly <i>[ones]</i> and for sinners, for unholy and for profane <i>[or, worldly]</i> <i>[ones]</i>, for killers of fathers and for killers of mothers, for murderers,


text:
for sexual sinners, for participants in male-male sex, for slave dealers <i>[or, kidnappers]</i>, for liars, for perjurers, and if anything else is in opposition to sound teaching,


text:
And I give thanks to the One having empowered me-Christ Jesus our Lord-that He considered me faithful, having put <i>[me]</i> into the ministry,


text:
the one formerly being a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent person, _but_ I was shown mercy, because failing to understand, I did <i>[it]</i> in unbelief,


text:
but the grace of our Lord overflowed with faith and love, the <i>[grace which is]</i> in Christ Jesus.


text:
Trustworthy <i>[is]</i> the word and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom _I_ am first <i>[fig., the foremost of all]</i>.


text:
_But_ for this reason I was shown mercy, so that in me first <i>[fig., as the foremost of all]</i> Jesus Christ should demonstrate all His patience, as a pattern for the ones about to be believing on <i>[or, trusting in]</i> Him to life eternal.


text:
Now to the King of the ages <i>[fig., the King eternal]</i>, immortal, invisible, <i>[the]</i> only wise God, <i>[be]</i> honor and glory into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
This command I entrust to you, <i>[my]</i> child Timothy, according to the previously made prophesies concerning you, so that in them you war the good warfare <i>[fig., struggle against evil forces]</i>,


text:
having faith and a good conscience, which certain <i>[ones]</i> having pushed away <i>[fig., rejected]</i>, suffered shipwreck concerning the faith,


text:
of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan, so that they shall be taught not to be blaspheming.


text:
Therefore, I urge first of all <i>[for]</i> petition to be continually made, prayers, intercessions, <i>[and]</i> thanksgivings, on behalf of all people:


text:
on behalf of kings and the ones being in positions of authority, so that we shall lead a tranquil and peaceful life in all godliness and dignity.


text:
who desires all people <i>[or, peoples]</i> to be saved and to come to a full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of the truth.


text:
For <i>[there is]</i> one God and one Mediator <i>[between]</i> God and people, a Person, Christ Jesus,


text:
in regard to which _I_ was put <i>[or, appointed]</i> <i>[as]</i> a preacher and apostle (I am telling <i>[the]</i> truth in Christ, I am not lying), <i>[as]</i> a teacher of Gentiles in faith and truth.


text:
Therefore, I want men to be praying in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension <i>[or, doubting]</i>.


text:
In the same manner also <i>[I want]</i> the women to be adorning themselves in sensible apparel <i>[or, behavior]</i>, with modesty and decency <i>[or, self-control]</i>, not with braided hair <i>[or, elaborate hairstyles]</i> or gold or pearls or very costly clothing,


text:
But I do not permit a woman to be teaching, nor to be exerting dominance over a man, _but_ to be in quietness.


text:
But she will be saved through the bearing of children, if they remain in faith and love and sanctification, with decency <i>[or, self-control]</i>.


text:
Trustworthy <i>[is]</i> the word: If anyone aspires to <i>[the]</i> position of overseer <i>[Gr. episkope]</i>, he desires a good work.


text:
Therefore, it is necessary <i>[for]</i> the overseer to be blameless <i>[or, above reproach]</i>, <i>[the]</i> husband of one wife <i>[or, a one-wife kind of man]</i>, temperate, self-controlled, sensible, a friend of strangers <i>[or, hospitable]</i>, skillful at teaching,


text:
not addicted to wine, not violent <i>[or, quarrelsome]</i>, not greedy for dishonest gain, _but_ gentle <i>[or, considerate]</i>, peaceable, not a lover of money;


text:
(but if someone does not know <i>[how]</i> to lead his own house, how can he take care of an assembly <i>[or, church]</i> of God?),


text:
not a new convert, lest having been swollen up with pride he should fall into <i>[the]</i> judgment of the Devil.


text:
And it is necessary <i>[for]</i> him also to have a good testimony from the <i>[ones]</i> outside <i>[fig., unbelievers]</i>, lest he fall into disgrace and a snare of the Devil.


text:
In the same manner, deacons <i>[are to be]</i> worthy of respect, not double-tongued, not being given to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain,


text:
In the same manner, women <i>[or, [their] wives]</i> <i>[are to be]</i> worthy of respect, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in all <i>[things]</i>.


text:
Let deacons be husbands of one wife <i>[or, one-wife kind of men]</i>, leading their children well and their own houses.


text:
For the ones having served as a deacon well obtain to themselves a good standing and much boldness <i>[or, confidence]</i> in faith, the <i>[one]</i> in Christ Jesus.


text:
But if I delay, <i>[I write]</i> so that you shall know how it is necessary to be conducting yourself in <i>[the]</i> house of God, which is <i>[the]</i> Assembly <i>[or, Church]</i> of the living God, <i>[the]</i> pillar and foundation of the truth.


text:
And confessedly, great is the secret <i>[or, mystery]</i> of godliness: God was revealed in flesh, justified <i>[or, shown to be righteous]</i> in spirit <i>[or, by [the] Spirit]</i>, seen by angels, preached among <i>[the]</i> nations <i>[or, Gentiles]</i>, believed on in <i>[the]</i> world, taken up in glory!


text:
Now the Spirit explicitly says that in latter times some will fall away <i>[or, apostatize]</i> from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,


text:
forbidding to be marrying, <i>[commanding]</i> to be abstaining from foods which God created for receiving with thanksgiving by the <i>[ones who are]</i> faithful and have acknowledged the truth.


text:
Because every<i>[thing]</i> created by God <i>[is]</i> good, and nothing <i>[is to be]</i> rejected, <i>[if]</i> being received with thanksgiving.


text:
<i>[By]</i> instructing the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> <i>[in]</i> these things, you will be a good servant <i>[or, deacon]</i> of Jesus Christ, being nourished by the words of the faith and of the good teaching, which you have carefully followed.


text:
But be refusing to pay attention to the profane <i>[or, worldly]</i> and old wives' tales, but be exercising yourself to godliness.


text:
For bodily exercise is beneficial for a few <i>[things]</i>, but godliness is beneficial for all <i>[things]</i>, having promise of the present life and of the coming <i>[life]</i>.


text:
Because, for this <i>[reason]</i> we both labor and are insulted <i>[or, denounced]</i>, because we have placed our hope on <i>[or, have trusted in]</i> the living God, who is <i>[the]</i> Savior <i>[or, Preserver]</i> of all people, especially of believers.


text:
Stop letting anyone look down on your youth, _but_ continue becoming an example for the ones believing-in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, <i>[and]</i> in purity.


text:
Until I come, be giving attention to the reading aloud <i>[of the Scriptures]</i>, to the exhortation <i>[or, encouragement]</i>, <i>[and]</i> to the teaching.


text:
Stop disregarding the spiritual gift in you, which was given to you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the council of the elders.


text:
Be thinking about <i>[or, Be practicing]</i> these <i>[things]</i>; be in these things, so that your progress shall be evident to all.


text:
Be paying close attention to yourself and to the teaching; be continuing in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and the ones hearing you.


text:
Do not sharply rebuke an older man, _but_ be appealing <i>[to him]</i> as a father, younger men as brothers,


text:
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them be learning first to be practicing piety in regard to their own house and to be giving payments back <i>[or, making repayments]</i> to the parents, for this is acceptable before God.


text:
But the <i>[one who is]</i> really a widow and having been left alone has placed her hope on <i>[or, has trusted in]</i> God and continues in petitions and in prayers night and day.


text:
And be giving strict orders <i>[concerning]</i> these <i>[things]</i>, so that they shall be blameless <i>[or, above reproach]</i>.


text:
But if anyone does not provide for his own and especially his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


text:
Stop letting a widow be enrolled <i>[who is]</i> less than sixty years <i>[old, and only if]</i> she has been <i>[the]</i> wife of one husband <i>[or, a one-husband kind of woman]</i>,


text:
being testified to in <i>[or, being approved by]</i> good works, if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers <i>[or, showed hospitality]</i>, if she washed holy ones' <i>[or, saints']</i> feet, if she relieved <i>[the ones]</i> experiencing hardship <i>[or, being afflicted]</i>, if she dedicated herself to every good work.


text:
But be refusing <i>[to enroll]</i> younger widows, for whenever they are drawn away by sensual desires <i>[in disregard]</i> of Christ, they desire to marry,


text:
having judgment <i>[or, condemnation]</i>, because they set aside their first <i>[pledge of]</i> faith.


text:
And also at the same time, they learn <i>[to be]</i> idle, going about the houses, but not only idle, _but_ also idle accusers <i>[or, babblers]</i> and busybodies, speaking the <i>[things]</i> they ought not.


text:
Therefore, I want younger <i>[women]</i> to be marrying, to bearing children, to managing their homes, <i>[and]</i> to be giving no occasion to the one being in opposition <i>[or, to the enemy]</i> for reproach.


text:
If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let <i>[that one]</i> be supporting them, and stop burdening the assembly <i>[or, church]</i>, so that it can support the <i>[ones who are]</i> really widows.


text:
Be letting the elders having ruled well be counted worthy of double honor, especially the ones laboring in word and teaching.


text:
For the Scripture says, "You will not muzzle an ox treading out <i>[grain]</i>," and "The laborer <i>[is]</i> worthy of his pay." <i>[Deut 25:4; Luke 10:7]</i>


text:
Stop receiving an accusation against an elder, unless on <i>[the basis of]</i> two or three witnesses.


text:
I strongly urge <i>[you*]</i> before the God and Lord Jesus Christ and the chosen angels <i>[or, elect messengers]</i>, that you observe these <i>[things]</i> without prejudgment <i>[or, prejudice]</i>, doing nothing by partiality.


text:
Be laying hands quickly on no one, nor be sharing <i>[or, participating]</i> in sins of others. Be keeping yourself pure.


text:
No longer be drinking water <i>[only]</i>, _but_ be using a little wine, because of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.


text:
The sins of some people are quite evident, preceding <i>[them]</i> to judgment, and some also follow after.


text:
In the same manner also the good works <i>[of some]</i> are quite evident, and the <i>[ones]</i> having <i>[fig., which are]</i> otherwise are not able to be kept secret.


text:
As many as are slaves under a yoke, let them be considering their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching shall not be continually blasphemed.


text:
And the ones having believing masters, stop letting them despise <i>[them]</i>, because they are brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, _but_ rather let them be serving as slaves, because they are believers and beloved, the ones receiving benefit. Be teaching and exhorting these <i>[things]</i>.


text:
If anyone teaches a different <i>[or, heretical]</i> doctrine and does not consent to sound words, the <i>[ones]</i> of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching according to godliness,


text:
having been swollen up with pride, knowing nothing, _but_ obsessing about disputes and quarrels about words <i>[fig., petty controversies]</i>, from which comes envy <i>[or, jealousy]</i>, strife <i>[or, bitter conflict]</i>, blasphemies, evil suspicions,


text:
constant arguing of people having been corrupted in the mind and having been deprived of the truth, supposing godliness to be a means of gain. Be withdrawing from such people.


text:
For we brought nothing into the world, <i>[and it is]</i> certain that neither are we able to carry anything out!


text:
But the ones desiring to be growing rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires, which sink people into ruin and destruction.


text:
For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some by longing for <i>[it]</i> went astray <i>[or, wandered away]</i> from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


text:
But you, O man of God, be fleeing from these <i>[things]</i>, and be pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, <i>[and]</i> gentleness <i>[or, considerateness]</i>.


text:
Be fighting the good fight of the faith; be taking hold of eternal life, to which you were called and confessed the good confession before many witnesses.


text:
I am giving strict orders to you before God, the One giving life to all <i>[things]</i>, and <i>[before]</i> Christ Jesus, the One having testify before Pontius Pilate the good confession,


text:
<i>[for]</i> you to keep the commandment spotless <i>[and]</i> blameless <i>[or, above reproach]</i>, until the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,


text:
which He will reveal in His own times, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of the ones being kings and Lord of the ones exercising lordship,


text:
the only One having immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one of people saw nor is able to see, to whom <i>[is]</i> honor and eternal might <i>[or, dominion]</i>! So be it!


text:
Be giving strict orders to the <i>[ones]</i> rich in the present age to stop being conceited and to stop placing their hope on <i>[or, trusting in]</i> the uncertainty of riches _but_ in the living God, the One giving to us all <i>[things]</i> richly for enjoyment,


text:
treasuring <i>[or, storing]</i> up for themselves a good foundation for the coming <i>[time]</i>, so that they shall take hold of eternal life.


text:
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you, avoiding the profane <i>[or, worldly]</i> empty babblings and contradictions of the so called knowledge,


text:
which some <i>[by]</i> professing strayed concerning <i>[or, deviated from]</i> the faith. Grace <i>[be]</i> with you. So be it!


text:
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by <i>[the]</i> will of God, according to <i>[the]</i> promise of life, the <i>[one]</i> in Christ Jesus,


text:
To Timothy, beloved child: Grace, mercy, <i>[and]</i> peace from God <i>[the]</i> Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!


text:
I thank God, whom I sacredly serve <i>[as my]</i> forefathers <i>[did]</i> with a pure conscience, as I have unceasing remembrance concerning you in my petitions night and day,


text:
taking <i>[fig., calling to]</i> remembrance the sincere faith within you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I have been persuaded that <i>[is]</i> also in you.


text:
For which cause I remind you to be rekindling the spiritual gift of God, the <i>[one]</i> in you through the laying on of my hands.


text:
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, _but_ of power and of love and of a sound mind <i>[or, of self-discipline]</i>.


text:
Therefore, you shall not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me his prisoner, _but_ endure hardship along with <i>[me in]</i> the Gospel according to <i>[the]</i> power of God,


text:
the One having saved us, having called <i>[us]</i> with a holy calling, not according to our works, _but_ according to His own purpose and grace, the one having been given to us in Christ Jesus before eternal times <i>[or, before time began]</i>,


text:
but having been revealed now through the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, on the one hand having abolished death, on the other hand having brought to light life and immortality through the Gospel,


text:
For which cause also I suffer these <i>[things]</i>, _but_ I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and I have been persuaded that He is able to guard <i>[what]</i> I have entrusted to Him until that Day.


text:
Be holding <i>[the]</i> pattern <i>[or, standard]</i> of sound words which you heard from me, in faith and love, the <i>[one]</i> in Christ Jesus.


text:
You know this, that they turned away from me, all the <i>[ones]</i> in Asia, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.


text:
May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, because he frequently refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain;


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May the Lord grant to him to find mercy from <i>[the]</i> Lord in that Day! And you know very well <i>[in]</i> how many <i>[ways]</i> he served in Ephesus.


text:
Therefore, _you_, my child, continue being empowered in the grace, the <i>[one]</i> in Christ Jesus.


text:
And what you heard from me through many witnesses, these <i>[things]</i> be committing to trustworthy people, who will be competent also to teach others.


text:
No one serving as a soldier entangles <i>[himself]</i> with the affairs of <i>[civilian]</i> life, so he shall please the one having enlisted him.


text:
And if anyone shall be competing <i>[as an athlete]</i>, he is not awarded the victor's wreath, unless he competes lawfully <i>[or, according to the rules]</i>.


text:
It is necessary <i>[for]</i> the laboring <i>[or, hard-working]</i> vineyard keeper <i>[or, farmer]</i> to be partaking of the fruits <i>[or, crops]</i> first.


text:
Be considering what I am saying, for the Lord may give you understanding <i>[or, insight]</i> in all <i>[things]</i>.


text:
Be remembering Jesus Christ having been raised from <i>[the]</i> dead, of <i>[the]</i> seed of David, according to my Gospel,


text:
in which I endure hardship <i>[even]</i> to the point of chains as a criminal, _but_ the word of God has not been bound.


text:
For this reason I endure all <i>[things]</i>, for the sake of the chosen ones, so that they also shall obtain salvation, the <i>[one]</i> in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.


text:
Trustworthy <i>[is]</i> the word: For if we died with <i>[Him]</i>, we will also live with <i>[Him]</i>.


text:
If we endure, we will also reign with <i>[Him]</i>; if we deny <i>[or, disown]</i> <i>[Him]</i>, that One will also deny us.


text:
Remind <i>[them]</i> of these things, urgently warning <i>[them]</i> before the Lord, not to be quarreling about words <i>[or, wrangling over the meanings of terms]</i> <i>[which is]</i> useful for nothing <i>[except]</i> for the ruin of the ones hearing.


text:
Be eager <i>[or, diligent]</i> to present yourself approved to God <i>[as]</i> a worker with no need to be ashamed, cutting straight <i>[fig., teaching accurately; or, interpreting correctly]</i> the word of truth.


text:
But be avoiding profane <i>[or, worldly]</i> empty babblings, for they will advance to more impiety <i>[or, ungodliness]</i> <i>[fig., will go from bad to worse]</i>,


text:
who strayed concerning <i>[or, deviated from]</i> the truth, saying the resurrection to have already occurred, and they overturn <i>[or, upset]</i> the faith of some.


text:
Nevertheless, <i>[the]</i> foundation of God has stood firm, having this seal <i>[fig., inscription]</i>, "The Lord knew the ones being His," and "Let every one naming the name of <i>[the]</i> Lord depart from unrighteousness." <i>[cp. Numbers 16:5 (LXX); Nahum 1:7]</i>


text:
Now in a great <i>[fig., wealthy]</i> house <i>[there]</i> are not only vessels of gold and of silver, _but_ also of wood and of clay, and some indeed for honor, but some for dishonor.


text:
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these <i>[things]</i>, he will be a vessel for honor, having been consecrated and beneficial to the Master, having been prepared for every good work.


text:
But be fleeing the youthful lusts! But be pursuing righteousness, faith, love, <i>[and]</i> peace with the ones calling on the Lord out of a pure heart.


text:
But be avoiding the foolish and stupid disputes, knowing that they cause fights <i>[fig., disputes]</i>.


text:
And it is necessary <i>[for]</i> a servant of the Lord not to be fighting <i>[fig., disputing; or, fig., quarrelsome]</i>, _but_ to be gentle towards all, skillful at teaching, tolerant <i>[or, patient when wronged]</i>,


text:
in gentleness <i>[or, humility]</i> instructing the ones opposing, <i>[if]</i> perhaps God shall grant to them repentance <i>[leading]</i> to a full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge <i>[or, an acknowledging]</i> of the truth,


text:
and they regain their senses <i>[and escape]</i> from the Devil's snare, having been captured alive to <i>[do]</i> that one's will.


text:
For people will be lovers of themselves <i>[or, self-centered]</i>, lovers of money, arrogant boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, ungodly,


text:
without natural affection <i>[or, heartless]</i>, unwilling to be at peace with others <i>[or, unforgiving]</i>, slanderous, lacking in self control, fierce, not loving what is good,


text:
traitors, headstrong <i>[or, reckless]</i>, having been swollen up with pride, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,


text:
having an outward form of godliness but having denied its power. And be keeping away from these <i>[people]</i>.


text:
For of these <i>[people]</i> are the ones worming into houses and leading captive little <i>[fig., gullible]</i> women, having been weighed down with sins, being led away with various lusts,


text:
And even as Jannes and Jambres stood up against Moses, so also are these standing themselves up against the truth, people having been corrupted in the mind, disapproved concerning the faith.


text:
_But_ they will not advance any further, for their folly will be evident to all, just as theirs <i>[i.e., Jannes' and Jambres']</i> also became.


text:
And _you_ have carefully followed my teaching, manner of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,


text:
persecutions, <i>[and]</i> sufferings, such as happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, <i>[and]</i> in Lystra. What persecutions I endured! And the Lord rescued me out of <i>[them]</i> all!


text:
And indeed, all the ones desiring to be living in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.


text:
But evil people and impostors will advance to the worse <i>[fig., will go from bad to worse]</i>, leading astray <i>[fig., deceiving]</i> and being led astray <i>[fig., being deceived]</i>.


text:
But _you_ be remaining in the <i>[things]</i> you learned and were entrusted with, knowing from whom you learned <i>[them]</i>,


text:
and that from childhood you know the Sacred Writings, the ones being able to make you wise to salvation through faith, the <i>[one]</i> in Christ Jesus.


text:
All Scripture <i>[is]</i> God-breathed and <i>[is]</i> beneficial for teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i>, for verification <i>[or, reproof]</i>, for correcting faults, for instruction in righteousness <i>[or, the behavior that God requires]</i>,


text:
so that the person of God shall be fully qualified <i>[or, perfectly fit]</i>, having been completely equipped for every good work.


text:
Therefore, I strongly urge <i>[you]</i> before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the One being about to be judging <i>[the]</i> living and <i>[the]</i> dead at His appearing and His kingdom.


text:
Preach the word! Be ready in season <i>[and]</i> out of season <i>[fig., whether the time is favorable or not]</i>, convict, rebuke, <i>[and]</i> encourage, with all patience and teaching.


text:
For there will be a time when they themselves will not put up with sound teaching, _but_ according to their own lusts they will heap up teachers to themselves, itching in the ear <i>[fig., craving to hear what they want to hear]</i>,


text:
and on the one hand they will turn away the ear from the truth, on the other hand they will be turned aside to myths.


text:
But _you_, be sober <i>[or, clear-headed]</i> in all <i>[things]</i>; endure hardship; do the work of an evangelist; completely fulfill your ministry.


text:
Finally, <i>[there]</i> is laid up for me the victor's wreath <i>[or, crown]</i> of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give to me in that Day, but not only to me, _but_ also to all the ones having loved His appearing.


text:
For Demas abandoned me, having loved the present age, and traveled to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.


text:
Only Luke is with me. Having picked up Mark, be bringing <i>[him]</i> with yourself, for he is useful to me for ministry <i>[or, service]</i>.


text:
When you come, bring the cloak which I left in Troas with Carpus, and the scrolls, especially the parchments.


text:
Alexander the coppersmith showed to me many evils <i>[fig., did me much harm]</i>. May the Lord repay him according to his works,


text:
whom you also <i>[must]</i> be guarding yourself against, for he greatly stood up against <i>[or, resisted]</i> our words.


text:
At my first defense no one stood with <i>[or, supported]</i> me, _but_ all abandoned me. May it not be counted against them!


text:
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation shall be completely fulfilled and all the nations shall hear, and I was rescued out of <i>[the]</i> mouth of a lion.


text:
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will save <i>[or, preserve]</i> <i>[me]</i> for His heavenly kingdom, to whom <i>[be]</i> the glory into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
Be eager <i>[or, diligent]</i> to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>.


text:
Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to <i>[the]</i> faith of <i>[the]</i> chosen ones of God and <i>[the]</i> full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of <i>[the]</i> truth, the <i>[one]</i> according to godliness,


text:
in <i>[the]</i> hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of eternal life, which the incapable of lying God promised before eternal times <i>[or, before time began]</i>,


text:
but in its own times <i>[fig., at the proper time]</i> He revealed His word in <i>[the]</i> proclamation which _I_ was entrusted with according to <i>[the]</i> command of God our Savior,


text:
To Titus, a genuine child according to <i>[our]</i> common faith: Grace, mercy, <i>[and]</i> peace from God <i>[the]</i> Father and <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ our Savior!


text:
On account of this I left you in Crete, so that you should set in order the things lacking and appoint <i>[or, set up]</i> elders <i>[Gr. prebuteros]</i> in every city, as I commanded you.


text:
If anyone is beyond reproach, <i>[the]</i> husband of one wife <i>[or, a one-wife kind of man]</i>, having faithful <i>[or, believing]</i> children, not under accusation of reckless living or insubordinate.


text:
For it is necessary <i>[for]</i> the overseer <i>[Gr. episkope]</i> to be beyond reproach, as God's steward, not self-willed <i>[or, stubborn]</i>, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent <i>[or, quarrelsome]</i>, not greedy for dishonest gain,


text:
_but_ a friend of strangers <i>[or, hospitable]</i>, loving what is good <i>[or, tireless in activities prompted by love]</i>, sensible, righteous, holy, <i>[and]</i> self-controlled,


text:
holding firmly to the trustworthy word according to the teaching, so that he shall be able also to encourage <i>[others]</i> in the sound teaching and to convince the ones speaking against <i>[it]</i>.


text:
For there are also many <i>[who are]</i> insubordinate, idle-talkers, and deceivers, especially the <i>[ones]</i> of the circumcision,


text:
whose mouth it is necessary to be silencing, who overturn <i>[or, upset]</i> whole households, teaching what is not necessary, for the sake of dishonest gain.


text:
A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans <i>[are]</i> always liars, evil beasts, <i>[and]</i> lazy bellies <i>[fig., gluttons]</i>!" <i>[i.e. a quote from Epimendes, c. 600 B.C.]</i>


text:
This testimony is true; for which cause rebuke them sharply, so that they shall be sound in the faith,


text:
not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of people, turning themselves away from the truth.


text:
All things indeed <i>[are]</i> pure to the pure, but to the ones having been defiled and unbelieving nothing <i>[is]</i> pure, _but_ both their mind and their conscience <i>[are]</i> defiled.


text:
They profess to know God, but they deny <i>[Him]</i> in their works, being detestable and disobedient and disqualified for every good work.


text:
But _you_, be speaking what is fitting <i>[or, proper]</i> <i>[for]</i> sound teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i>.


text:
Older men <i>[are]</i> to be temperate, worthy of respect, sensible, sound in the faith, in love, in patient endurance.


text:
Older women, in the same manner, in demeanor <i>[are to be]</i> reverent, not slanderous, not having been enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,


text:
so that they shall be training the young women to be lovers of <i>[their]</i> husbands, lovers of <i>[their]</i> children,


text:
sensible, pure, keepers of <i>[their own]</i> homes, good, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God shall not be blasphemed.


text:
showing yourself concerning all things <i>[or, in all respects]</i> <i>[to be]</i> an example of good works, in your teaching <i>[showing]</i> integrity, dignity, incorruptibility,


text:
sound <i>[in]</i> word, above criticism, so that the <i>[one]</i> from the opposition <i>[fig., an enemy]</i> shall be ashamed, having nothing evil to be saying concerning us.


text:
Slaves <i>[are]</i> to continue being subject to their own masters in all <i>[things]</i>, to be serving well, not talking back,


text:
not pilfering, _but_ showing all good faith, so that they shall adorn the teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i> of God our Savior in all things <i>[or, in every respect]</i>.


text:
teaching us that having denied impiety <i>[or, ungodliness]</i> and worldly desires, we shall live soberly <i>[or, sensibly]</i> and righteously and in a godly manner in the present age,


text:
waiting for the blessed hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,


text:
who gave Himself on our behalf, so that He should redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for Himself a people as His own special possession, zealous of good works.


text:
Be speaking these <i>[things]</i>, and be exhorting and rebuking with all authority. Let no one be disregarding you!


text:
Remind them to continue being subject to rulers and authorities, to be obeying, to be ready for every good work,


text:
to be speaking evil of <i>[or, slandering]</i> no one, to be peaceable, gentle <i>[or, considerate]</i>, showing all gentleness to all people.


text:
For _we_ also were once foolish, disobedient, being led astray <i>[fig., deceived]</i>, serving as slaves to lusts and various passions <i>[or, desires for pleasure]</i>, living in malice and envy <i>[or, jealousy]</i>, hateful, hating one another.


text:
(not by means of works, the <i>[ones]</i> in righteousness which we did, _but_ according to His mercy), He saved us, through a bathing of regeneration and a renewing of <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit,


text:
so that having been justified <i>[or, declared righteous]</i> by that One's grace, we shall become heirs according to <i>[the]</i> hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> of eternal life.


text:
Trustworthy <i>[is]</i> the word, and I want you to be confidently asserting concerning these <i>[things]</i>, so that they, the ones having believed God, shall be concentrating on devoting themselves to good works. These are the good and beneficial <i>[or, valuable]</i> things to people.


text:
But be avoiding foolish controversies and genealogies and quarrels and fights <i>[fig., disputes]</i> about law, for they are unprofitable and futile.


text:
Whenever I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, be eager <i>[or, diligent]</i> to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.


text:
Eagerly help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that nothing shall be lacking to them.


text:
And let our <i>[people]</i> also be learning to be concentrating on good works for urgent needs, so that they shall not be unfruitful.


text:
All the <i>[ones]</i> with me greet you. Greet the ones affectionately loving us in faith. Grace <i>[be]</i> with all of you*! So be it!


text:
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy the brother, To Philemon our beloved <i>[brother]</i> and co-worker,


text:
and to the beloved Apphia and to Archippus our fellow-soldier and to the assembly <i>[or, church]</i> in your house:


text:
hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i>,


text:
in order that the fellowship of your faith shall become effective in the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of every good <i>[thing]</i>, the <i>[good]</i> in us in <i>[or, for]</i> Christ Jesus.


text:
For I have much thankfulness and comfort <i>[or, encouragement]</i> over your love, because the bowels <i>[fig., hearts]</i> of the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i> have been refreshed through you, brother.


text:
For this reason, having much boldness <i>[or, confidence]</i> in Christ to be commanding you <i>[to be doing]</i> the proper <i>[thing]</i>,


text:
<i>[yet]</i> on account of love I rather appeal, being such a one as Paul, an old man, but now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.


text:
whom _I_ wished to be keeping to myself, so that he should minister to <i>[or, serve]</i> me on your behalf in the bonds of the Gospel.


text:
But I wanted to do nothing without your consent, so that your good <i>[deed]</i> shall not be as by necessity _but_ by a voluntary <i>[action]</i>.


text:
For perhaps for this reason he departed for an hour <i>[fig, for a while]</i>, so that you shall be having him eternally,


text:
no longer as a slave, _but_ above a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in <i>[the]</i> flesh and in <i>[the]</i> Lord!


text:
But since he wronged you or owes <i>[something]</i>, be charging this to me <i>[or, to my account]</i>.


text:
_I_ Paul wrote <i>[this]</i> with my <i>[own]</i> hand. _I_ will repay-lest I say to you <i>[fig., not to mention]</i> that you owe even yourself to me!


text:
Yes, brother, may _I_ have profit of you <i>[or, let me benefit from you]</i> in the Lord. Refresh my bowels <i>[fig., heart]</i> in <i>[the]</i> Lord.


text:
Having been confident of your obedience, I wrote to you, knowing that even more than what I say you will do.


text:
But at the same time also be preparing for me a lodging <i>[or, guest room]</i>, for I hope <i>[or, expect]</i> that through your* prayers I will be graciously given to you*.


text:
In many parts <i>[or, Bit by bit]</i> and in various ways in time past, God having spoken to the fathers by the prophets, in these last days He spoke to us by <i>[His]</i> Son,


text:
whom He appointed heir of all <i>[things]</i>, through whom also He made the ages <i>[fig., universe]</i>;


text:
who being <i>[the]</i> outshining of His glory and <i>[the]</i> exact expression of His essence, and sustaining all the <i>[things]</i> by the word of His power, having Himself made by Himself a purification <i>[or, purgation]</i> of our sins, sat down at <i>[the]</i> right hand of the Majesty on high,


text:
For to which of the angels did He ever say, "_You_ are My Son, today _I_ have begotten You?" and again, "_I_ will be to Him for a father, and _He_ will be to Me for a Son?" <i>[Psalm 2:7; 2Sam 7:14; 1Chron 17:13]</i>


text:
Now again when He brings the Firstborn <i>[fig., the Pre-existent One]</i> into the inhabited earth, He says, "And let all <i>[the]</i> angels of God prostrate themselves in worship before Him." <i>[Deut 32:43 (LXX, DSS); Psalm 97:7]</i>


text:
And on the one hand to the angels He says, "The One making His angels spirits, and His public <i>[or, temple]</i> servants a flame of fire," <i>[Psalm 104:4]</i>


text:
on the other hand to the Son <i>[He says]</i>, "Your throne, O God, <i>[is]</i> into the age of the age <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>; a scepter of integrity <i>[is]</i> the scepter of Your kingdom.


text:
You loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; for this reason God, your God anointed You with <i>[the]</i> oil of great happiness above Your companions." <i>[Psalm 4:5,6]</i>


text:
And, "_You_ LORD, in <i>[the]</i> beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are works of Your hands.


text:
and You will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed. But _You_ are the same, and Your years will not come to an end." <i>[Psalm 102:25-27]</i>


text:
But to which of the angels did He ever say, "Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies <i>[as]</i> Your footstool?" <i>[Psalm 110:1]</i>


text:
They are all spirits of spiritual service being sent out to render service for the sake of the ones being about to be inheriting salvation, are they not?


text:
For this reason it is necessary <i>[for]</i> us to pay much closer attention to the <i>[things]</i> having been heard, lest we drift away.


text:
For since the word having been spoken through angels became legally valid, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,


text:
how will _we_ escape having disregarded so great a salvation? Which having received a beginning <i>[by]</i> being spoken by the Lord, was confirmed to us by the ones having heard,


text:
God adding further testimony both with signs and wonders and with various miraculous powers and distributions <i>[fig., gifts]</i> of <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit, according to His will.


text:
But someone somewhere solemnly testified, saying, "What is humanity <i>[or, man]</i>, that You remember him, or <i>[the]</i> son of humanity, that You look after him?


text:
"You made him only a little lower <i>[or, only for a short while lower]</i> than <i>[the]</i> angels; You awarded him the victor's wreath <i>[of]</i> <i>[or, crowned him with]</i> glory and honor,


text:
"You put all <i>[things]</i> in subjection under his feet." For in the subjecting to him all <i>[things]</i>, He left nothing unsubjected to him. But now we do not yet see all <i>[things]</i> having been subjected to him. <i>[Psalm 8:4-6]</i>


text:
But we see Jesus, the One having been made only a little lower <i>[or, only for a short while lower]</i> than <i>[the]</i> angels because of the suffering of death, having been awarded the victor's wreath <i>[of]</i> <i>[or, having been crowned with]</i> glory and honor, in order that by <i>[the]</i> grace of God He should taste <i>[fig., experience]</i> death on behalf of all.


text:
For it was fitting for Him, because of whom <i>[are]</i> all <i>[things]</i>, and through whom <i>[are]</i> all <i>[things]</i>, having brought many sons <i>[and daughters]</i> to glory, to make the Originator of their salvation perfect through sufferings.


text:
For both the One sanctifying and the ones being sanctified <i>[are]</i> all of one <i>[Father]</i>, for which reason He is not ashamed to be calling them brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>,


text:
saying, "I will proclaim Your name to my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>; in <i>[the]</i> midst of <i>[the]</i> assembly I will sing praise to You;" <i>[Psalm 22:22]</i>


text:
and again, "_I_ will have put trust in Him;" and again, "Look! I and the young children whom God gave to Me." <i>[2Sam 22:3 (LXX); Isaiah 8:17 (LXX)]</i>


text:
Therefore, since the young children have shared of flesh and blood, He Himself also likewise shared in the same, so that through death He should destroy <i>[or, render powerless]</i> the one having the power of death, that is, the Devil,


text:
and release those, as many as <i>[due to]</i> a fear of death, throughout all their life, were subjects of slavery.


text:
For surely He does not take hold of <i>[fig., give aid to]</i> angels, _but_ He takes hold of <i>[fig., gives aid to]</i> <i>[the]</i> seed of Abraham.


text:
Therefore, it was necessary <i>[for]</i> Him to become like His brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> in all <i>[respects]</i>, so that He should become a merciful and faithful High Priest <i>[in]</i> the <i>[things pertaining]</i> to God, <i>[in order]</i> to make propitiation <i>[or, an appeasing sacrifice]</i> for the sins of the people.


text:
Therefore, holy brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, sharers of <i>[the]</i> heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession-Christ Jesus-


text:
For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, to the degree that the one having built the house has more honor than <i>[the house]</i> itself.


text:
And Moses on the one hand as a trusted servant <i>[was]</i> faithful in all his house, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken <i>[later]</i>,


text:
on the other hand Christ as a Son over His <i>[own]</i> house, whose house we are, if indeed we hold fast the confidence <i>[or, joyful sense of freedom]</i> and the boasting of the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> firm to <i>[the]</i> end.


text:
stop hardening your* hearts <i>[fig., becoming stubborn]</i> as in the rebellion, in the day of the testing in the wilderness,


text:
"For this reason, I was angry with that generation, and said, 'They are always being led astray in heart <i>[fig., being deceived in their inner selves]</i>, and these did not know My ways.'


text:
Be watching, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, lest <i>[there]</i> will be in any of you* an evil heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i> of unbelief <i>[which]</i> falls away from the living God.


text:
_But_ be encouraging one another daily, while it is being called "Today," lest any of you* be hardened <i>[fig., are made stubborn]</i> by <i>[the]</i> deception of sin.


text:
For we have become sharers of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of <i>[our]</i> assurance until the end,


text:
<i>[while]</i> it is being said, "Today if you* hear His voice, stop hardening your* hearts <i>[fig., becoming stubborn]</i> as in the rebellion." <i>[Psalm 95:7,8]</i>


text:
For who having heard rebelled? _But_ it was not all the ones having come out of Egypt through Moses, was it?


text:
Now with whom was He angry forty years? <i>[It was]</i> the ones having sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness, was it not?


text:
And to whom did He take an oath <i>[that they]</i> would not enter into His rest, if not to the ones having refused to believe?


text:
Therefore, since a promise has been left <i>[fig., remains]</i> to enter into His rest, let us fear lest anyone of you* seems to have come short.


text:
For we also have had the Gospel proclaimed <i>[to us]</i>, even as they; _but_ the word <i>[which they]</i> heard was of no use to them, it not having been mixed with faith by the ones having heard.


text:
For we, the ones having believed, enter into that rest, just as He has said, "So in My anger I took an oath: 'They will not enter into My rest'"-His works were done from <i>[the]</i> laying of the foundation of <i>[the]</i> world <i>[or, from [the] beginning of the creation of [the] universe]</i>. <i>[Psalm 95:11]</i>


text:
For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh <i>[day]</i> thus, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works;" <i>[Gen 2:2]</i>


text:
Therefore, since it remains for some to enter into it, and the ones having first heard the Gospel did not enter in because of disobedience due to unbelief,


text:
again He designates a certain day, "Today," saying in David, after such a long time just as it has been said, "Today if you* hear His voice, stop hardening your* hearts <i>[fig., becoming stubborn]</i>." <i>[Psalm 95:7,8]</i>


text:
For if Joshua had given them rest, He <i>[i.e., God]</i> would not have spoken concerning another day after these <i>[things]</i>.


text:
For the one having entered into His rest, also <i>[has]</i> rested himself from his works, even as God <i>[rested]</i> from His own <i>[works]</i>.


text:
Therefore, let us be eager <i>[or, diligent]</i> to enter into that rest, lest anyone falls in the same example of disobedience due to unbelief.


text:
For the word of God <i>[is]</i> living and effective and sharper than every double-edged sword, and <i>[is]</i> penetrating as far as <i>[the]</i> division of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and <i>[is]</i> able to discern <i>[the]</i> thoughts and intentions of the heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i>.


text:
And no created thing is able to be hidden before Him, but all <i>[things are]</i> naked and have been exposed to His eyes to whom we <i>[must give]</i> an account.


text:
Therefore, having a great High Priest <i>[who]</i> has passed through the heavens-Jesus, the Son of God-let us be holding fast our confession.


text:
For we do not have a High Priest <i>[who is]</i> unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but <i>[One]</i> having been tried in all <i>[respects]</i> in the same way <i>[we are, yet]</i> without sin.


text:
Therefore, let us be approaching with confidence <i>[or, a joyful sense of freedom]</i> to the throne of grace, so that we shall receive mercy and find grace for well-timed help.


text:
For every High Priest being taken from <i>[among]</i> people is appointed on behalf of people in the <i>[things pertaining]</i> to God, so that he shall offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins,


text:
being able to be dealing gently <i>[with]</i> the ones failing to understand and being led astray <i>[fig., being deceived]</i>, since he himself is also being subject to weakness.


text:
And because of this <i>[weakness]</i> he must, just as for the people, in the same manner also for himself, to be offering <i>[sacrifices]</i> for sins.


text:
And no one takes the honor to himself, _but_ <i>[he receives it]</i> when being called by God, just as also Aaron <i>[was]</i>.


text:
In the same way also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, _but_ the One having said to Him, "_You_ are My Son, Today I have begotten You." <i>[Psalm 2:7]</i>


text:
Just as He also says in another <i>[place]</i>, "You <i>[are]</i> a Priest into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i> according to the order of Melchisedek;" <i>[Psalm 110:4]</i>


text:
who in the days of His flesh having offered up with loud crying and tears both prayers and petitions to the One being able to be saving Him from death, and having been heard due to His godly fear <i>[or, piety]</i>,


text:
And having been made perfect, He became to all the ones obeying Him <i>[the]</i> source of eternal salvation,


text:
having been designated by God <i>[as]</i> a High Priest "according to the order of Melchisedek," <i>[Psalm 110:4]</i>


text:
concerning which we have much to be saying <i>[in]</i> word, and <i>[it is]</i> difficult to explain since you* have become dull in the hearing <i>[fig., slow to respond to spiritual things]</i>.


text:
For indeed, <i>[though]</i> you* ought to be teachers by this time, you* again have need <i>[for someone]</i> to be teaching you* what <i>[are]</i> the rudimentary elements <i>[or, basic teachings]</i> of the beginning of the oracles of God, and you* have become <i>[ones]</i> having need of milk and not of solid food.


text:
For everyone partaking of milk <i>[is]</i> inexperienced in <i>[the]</i> word of righteousness, for he is a young child.


text:
But solid food is for <i>[the]</i> mature, for the ones having, because of practice, their powers of discernment having been trained to discern <i>[between]</i> both good and evil.


text:
For this reason, having left the subject of the beginning <i>[principles]</i> of Christ, let us continue being moved to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead <i>[fig., utterly useless]</i> works and of faith toward God,


text:
of <i>[the]</i> teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i> of baptisms <i>[or, immersions]</i> and of <i>[the]</i> laying on of hands and of <i>[the]</i> resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment.


text:
For <i>[it is]</i> impossible for the ones once having been enlightened and having tasted of <i>[fig., experienced]</i> the heavenly free gift and having became sharers of <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit


text:
and having tasted <i>[fig., experienced]</i> <i>[the]</i> good word of God and the powers of the coming age,


text:
and having fallen away, to be renewing <i>[them]</i> again to repentance, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God and having publicly disgraced <i>[Him]</i>.


text:
For <i>[the]</i> ground, the one drinking the frequently coming upon it rain and yielding vegetation suitable for those on account of whom indeed it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God;


text:
but <i>[if]</i> producing thorn plants and thistles <i>[it is]</i> worthless and on the verge of being cursed, whose end <i>[is]</i> for burning.


text:
But we have been convinced concerning you*, beloved, the better <i>[things]</i> and having <i>[fig., those accompanying]</i> salvation, even though we are speaking in this way.


text:
For God is not unjust to forget your* work and labor of love which you* yourselves showed toward His name, having served the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i> and <i>[still]</i> serving <i>[them]</i>.


text:
But we desire <i>[for]</i> each of you* to be showing the same diligence to the full assurance of the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> to <i>[the]</i> end,


text:
so that you* do not become sluggish, but imitators of the ones <i>[who]</i> through faith and patient endurance <i>[are]</i> inheriting the promises.


text:
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He was having no one greater to take an oath by, He took an oath by Himself,


text:
For people indeed take an oath by the greater, and with them the oath <i>[given]</i> as confirmation <i>[is]</i> an end of every dispute,


text:
in which God wanting to show even more <i>[clearly]</i> to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable nature of His purpose, guaranteed <i>[it]</i> by an oath,


text:
so that through two unchangeable things, in which <i>[it is]</i> impossible for God Himself to lie, we shall be having a strong encouragement, the ones having fled for refuge to take hold of the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> being set before <i>[us]</i>,


text:
which <i>[hope]</i> we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and secure, and having entered into the inner side of the veil <i>[of the temple]</i>,


text:
where Jesus, <i>[the]</i> Forerunner, entered on our behalf having become a High Priest "into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i> according to the order of Melchisedek." <i>[Psalm 110:4]</i>.


text:
For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, the one having met Abraham while returning from the defeat of the kings and having blessed him,


text:
to whom also Abraham divided a tenth of all <i>[the spoils]</i> (<i>[his name]</i> first on the one hand being interpreted "king of righteousness," and on the other hand, "king of Salem," which is, "king of peace"),


text:
without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like to the Son of God, remains a priest continually.


text:
But notice how great this one <i>[was]</i>, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best of the spoils.


text:
And indeed the ones receiving the priesthood from the sons of Levi have a commandment to be collecting tithes from the people according to the Law, that is, <i>[from]</i> their brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, even though they have come out from the reproductive organs of Abraham <i>[fig., they have descended from Abraham]</i>.


text:
But the one not having <i>[his]</i> descent traced from them has received tithes from Abraham, and he has blessed the one having the promises.


text:
And here on the one hand dying <i>[fig., mortal]</i> men receive tithes, there on the other hand <i>[it is]</i> being witnessed that he lives.


text:
And as a word to say <i>[fig., so to speak]</i>, through Abraham even Levi, the one receiving tithes, has paid tithes.


text:
Therefore, if indeed perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for the people under it had received the Law) what further need <i>[is there]</i> for a different priest to be arising according to the order of Melchisedek, and not to be called according to the order of Aaron?


text:
For <i>[He]</i> about whom these <i>[things]</i> are being said has shared of <i>[fig., belongs to]</i> a different tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.


text:
For <i>[it is]</i> evident that our Lord has arisen out of Judah, regarding which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.


text:
And it <i>[i.e. this change in law]</i> is yet even more evident since a different priest arises according to the likeness of Melchisedek,


text:
who has come not according to <i>[the]</i> law of a worldly commandment, _but_ according to <i>[the]</i> power of an endless life.


text:
For He testifies, "You <i>[are]</i> a Priest into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i> according to the order of Melchisedek." <i>[Psalm 110:4]</i>


text:
For on the one hand an annulment comes about of <i>[the]</i> proceeding commandment because of its weakness and uselessness


text:
(for nothing was made perfect <i>[by]</i> the Law), on the other hand <i>[there is the]</i> bringing in of a better hope <i>[or, expectation]</i> through which we draw near to God.


text:
(for on the one hand the ones without taking an oath <i>[have]</i> become priests, on the other hand the One with taking an oath through the One saying to Him, "<i>[The]</i> LORD took an oath, and will not change His mind, 'You <i>[are]</i> a Priest into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i> according to the order of Melchisedek'"); <i>[Psalm 110:4]</i>


text:
And on the one hand many have become priests because they are being prevented by death from continuing,


text:
on the other hand the One because of His remaining into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i> has the priesthood permanently.


text:
Therefore, He is also being able to be saving to the <i>[very]</i> end <i>[fig., completely]</i> the ones coming through Him to God, <i>[since]</i> He is always living to be making the intercession on their behalf.


text:
For such a High Priest was fitting for us: holy, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from the sinners and having become higher <i>[than]</i> the heavens,


text:
who does not have a daily need like the high priests to be first offering up sacrifice on behalf of His own sins then for the <i>[sins]</i> of the people; for this He did once for all time, having offered up Himself.


text:
For the Law appoints men having weakness <i>[as]</i> high priests, but the word of the oath, the <i>[one]</i> after the Law, <i>[appoints]</i> the Son having been perfected into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i>.


text:
Now <i>[this is the]</i> main point about the <i>[things]</i> being said: we have such a High Priest who sat down at <i>[the]</i> right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,


text:
a Minister of the holy places <i>[fig., the sanctuary]</i> and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not humanity <i>[fig., and not by human hands]</i>.


text:
For every high priest is appointed to be offering both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, <i>[it is]</i> necessary for this One also to be having something which He should offer.


text:
For indeed if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, there being the priests, the ones offering the gifts according to the Law,


text:
who sacredly serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly <i>[things]</i>, just as Moses had been divinely warned, being about to be erecting the tabernacle, "See," for He says, "you will make all <i>[things]</i> according to the pattern, the one having been shown to you in the mountain." <i>[Exod 25:40]</i>


text:
But now He has obtained a far superior sacred service, to the degree that He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.


text:
For finding fault with them <i>[i.e. the people]</i>, He says, "Listen! <i>[The]</i> days are coming, says the LORD, and I will establish a new covenant over the house of Israel and over the house of Judah,


text:
not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in <i>[the]</i> day of My having taken <i>[them]</i> by their hand to bring them out of <i>[the]</i> land of Egypt, because they did not continue in My covenant, and _I_ disregarded them, says the LORD.


text:
"Because this <i>[is]</i> the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD, giving My laws into their mind, and I will inscribe them on their hearts <i>[fig., in their inner selves]</i>, and I will be to them for a God, and they will be to Me for a people.


text:
"And by no means shall they teach each his fellow-citizen, and each his brother <i>[and sister]</i>, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because all will know Me from <i>[the]</i> least of them to <i>[the]</i> greatest.


text:
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawlessness deeds I shall by no means remember anymore." <i>[Jer 31:31-34]</i>


text:
By the saying "new," He has made the first obsolete. Now the one becoming obsolete and growing old <i>[is]</i> on the verge of disappearing.


text:
Then indeed even the first <i>[covenant]</i> had ordinances of sacred service and the earthly sanctuary.


text:
For a tabernacle was prepared: the first <i>[part]</i> in which <i>[were]</i> both the lampstand and the table, and the loaves of bread of the presentation <i>[fig., the consecrated bread]</i>, which is called "Holy Place" <i>[fig., the outer sanctuary]</i>;


text:
and after the second veil <i>[was]</i> a tabernacle which is being called "Holy of Holies" <i>[fig., the inner sanctuary]</i>,


text:
having a golden, incense altar and the ark of the covenant having been overlaid on all sides with gold, in which <i>[were the]</i> golden pot having the manna and the rod of Aaron, the one having budded, and the tablets of the covenant,


text:
and above it <i>[were the]</i> cherubim of the glory overshadowing the mercy-seat <i>[or, the place of forgiveness]</i> concerning which we are not now <i>[able]</i> to be speaking in detail.


text:
Now these <i>[things]</i> having been prepared in this way, on the one hand the priests through all <i>[fig. always]</i> enter into the first tabernacle performing the sacred services,


text:
on the other hand once in the year, the high priest <i>[enters]</i> alone into the second <i>[sanctuary]</i>, not without blood, which he offers on behalf of himself and the sins of the people committed in ignorance,


text:
the Holy Spirit making this clear, that not yet has been revealed the way into the Holiest <i>[fig., the very presence of God]</i>, the first tabernacle still standing,


text:
which <i>[was]</i> a symbol for the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, <i>[which]</i> are not being able, in regard to conscience, to make perfect the one performing the sacred service,


text:
<i>[since they are concerned]</i> only with food and drinks and various baptisms <i>[or, ceremonial washings]</i> and fleshly ordinances <i>[or, regulations for the body]</i> being imposed until a time of reformation.


text:
But Christ having appeared <i>[as]</i> High Priest of the good <i>[things]</i> coming, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with human hands (that is, not of this creation),


text:
and not through <i>[the]</i> blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, entered in once for all time into the Holiest <i>[fig., the very presence of God]</i>, having secured eternal redemption.


text:
For if the blood of bulls and goats and ashes of a heifer <i>[i.e. a young cow]</i> sprinkling the ones having been defiled sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh,


text:
how much more will the blood of Christ (who through <i>[the]</i> eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God) purify <i>[or, purge]</i> your* conscience from dead works for <i>[you*]</i> to be sacredly serving the living God?


text:
And for this reason He is Mediator of a new covenant, in order that (a death having occurred for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant) the ones having been called shall receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.


text:
For where <i>[there is]</i> a covenant <i>[or, a will, and through verse 17]</i>, it is necessary <i>[for proof of the]</i> death of the one having made the covenant to be brought.


text:
For a covenant <i>[is]</i> valid over dead <i>[people]</i>, since it is never in force while the one having made the covenant lives.


text:
For when every commandment had been spoken according to <i>[the]</i> Law by Moses to all the people, having taken the blood of the calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, he sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people,


text:
saying, "This <i>[is]</i> the blood of the covenant which God commanded to you*." <i>[Exod 24:8]</i>


text:
And likewise he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the sacred service with the blood.


text:
And with blood almost all <i>[things]</i> are purified according to the Law, and without shedding of blood forgiveness does not come.


text:
Therefore, <i>[it was]</i> indeed necessary <i>[for]</i> the copies of the <i>[things]</i> in the heavens to be continually purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.


text:
For Christ did not enter into holy places made with human hands, <i>[which are]</i> copies of the true, _but_ <i>[He entered]</i> into heaven itself, now to be revealed in the face <i>[fig., presence]</i> of God on our behalf;


text:
nor <i>[did He enter]</i> so that He should offer Himself often, even as the high priest enters into the holy places every year with blood belonging to another;


text:
otherwise, it would had been necessary <i>[for]</i> Him to suffer often from <i>[the]</i> laying of the foundation of <i>[the]</i> world, but now once for all <i>[time]</i>, at <i>[the]</i> completion of the ages, He has been revealed to put away sin through His sacrifice.


text:
And just as it is laid up <i>[fig., destined]</i> for people to die once, and after this <i>[comes]</i> judgment,


text:
so also Christ, having been offered once to bear <i>[or, take away]</i> the sins of many, will appear a second time without <i>[reference to]</i> sin to <i>[bring]</i> salvation to the ones eagerly waiting for Him!


text:
For the Law having <i>[only]</i> a shadow of the good <i>[things]</i> coming, <i>[and]</i> not the very form of things, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, they are never able to make the ones approaching perfect.


text:
Otherwise, they would cease to be continually offered, because the ones sacredly serving would no longer have conscience of sins, having once for all <i>[time]</i> been purified, would they not?


text:
For this reason, entering into the world, He says, "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for me;


text:
Then I said, 'Look! I have come (in a roll of a scroll it has been written concerning Me) to do Your will, O God.'" <i>[Psalm 40:6-8]</i>


text:
<i>[After]</i> saying above, "Sacrifice and offering and offerings which are entirely burnt and <i>[sacrifices]</i> concerning sin You did not desire, nor took pleasure in" (which according to the Law are offered), <i>[Psalm 40:6,7]</i>


text:
then He has said, "Look! I have come to do Your will, O God." He abolishes the first so that He shall establish the second, <i>[Psalm 40:8]</i>


text:
by which will we have been sanctified, the <i>[ones]</i> through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time!


text:
And indeed every priest has stood daily sacredly serving and repeatedly offering the same sacrifices, which are never able to take away sins.


text:
But He Himself, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, "sat down at <i>[the]</i> right hand of God,"


text:
waiting from that time onward "until His enemies are put <i>[as]</i> a footstool for His feet." <i>[Psalm 110:1]</i>


text:
"This <i>[is]</i> the covenant which I will covenant with them after those days, says <i>[the]</i> LORD, putting My laws on their hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i>, and I will inscribe them on their minds,"


text:
<i>[then He adds]</i> "And I shall by no means remember their sins and their lawless deeds any longer." <i>[Jer 31:33,34]</i>


text:
Now where <i>[there is]</i> forgiveness of these <i>[things, there is]</i> no longer an offering concerning sin.


text:
Therefore, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, having confidence <i>[or, a joyful sense of freedom]</i> for the entrance into the holy places by the blood of Jesus,


text:
let us be approaching with a true heart <i>[fig., pure inner desire]</i>, in full assurance of faith, our hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i> having been sprinkled <i>[clean]</i> <i>[fig., purified]</i> from an evil conscience and the body having been bathed with pure water.


text:
Let us be holding fast the confession of the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> without wavering, for the One having promised <i>[is]</i> faithful.


text:
not abandoning <i>[or, neglecting]</i> the assembling together of ourselves, as <i>[is the]</i> habit of some, _but_ encouraging <i>[one another]</i>, and so much more as you* see the Day approaching.


text:
For <i>[if]</i> we <i>[are]</i> deliberately sinning after the receiving <i>[of]</i> the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of the truth <i>[there]</i> no longer remains a sacrifice concerning sins,


text:
but only a terrifying expectation of judgment and fiery indignation being about to be devouring the adversaries.


text:
Anyone regarding as nothing <i>[or, rejecting]</i> <i>[the]</i> Law of Moses dies without mercies on <i>[the testimony of]</i> two or three witnesses.


text:
By how much severer punishment do you* suppose will be counted worthy the one having trampled underfoot God's Son and having regarded <i>[as]</i> unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and having outraged the Spirit of grace?


text:
For we know the One having said, "Vengeance <i>[is]</i> Mine; _I_ will repay," says <i>[the]</i> Lord. And again, "<i>[The]</i> LORD will judge His people." <i>[Deut 32:35,36]</i>


text:
But remember your* former days, in which having been enlightened you* endured a great conflict of sufferings <i>[or, a great struggle with sufferings]</i>,


text:
partly on the one hand by being publicly exposed both to insults and to afflictions, partly on the other hand by having become sharers of the ones being treated in this way.


text:
For indeed you* sympathized with <i>[me]</i> in my chains, and you* accepted the seizure of your* property with joy, knowing to be having for yourselves a better and lasting possession in <i>[the]</i> heavens.


text:
Therefore, you* shall not throw off your* confidence <i>[or, joyful sense of freedom]</i>, which has great reward.


text:
For you* have need of patient endurance, so that having done the will of God, you* shall receive the promise.


text:
"But the <i>[one]</i> righteous by faith will live <i>[or, the righteous will live by faith]</i>; and if he draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." <i>[Hab 2:3,4]</i>


text:
But _we_ are not of <i>[the ones]</i> shrinking back to destruction, _but_ of <i>[the ones having]</i> faith to <i>[the]</i> preserving of <i>[the]</i> soul.


text:
Now faith is <i>[the]</i> assurance <i>[or, substance]</i> of <i>[things]</i> being hoped for <i>[or, being confidently expected]</i>, <i>[the]</i> confident assurance <i>[or, proof]</i> of things not seen.


text:
By faith we understand the ages <i>[fig., universe]</i> to have been prepared by a word of God, for the <i>[things]</i> being visible not to have come from the <i>[things]</i> being seen.


text:
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying concerning his gifts, and through it <i>[i.e. his faith]</i>, having died, he himself still speaks.


text:
By faith Enoch was taken up <i>[so as]</i> not to see death, and he was not being found because God took him up; for before his removal he had been testified to <i>[as]</i> having been pleasing to God. <i>[Gen 5:25]</i>


text:
But without faith <i>[it is]</i> impossible to please <i>[Him]</i>, for it is necessary <i>[for]</i> the one approaching God to believe that He is and <i>[that]</i> He becomes a rewarder to the ones diligently seeking Him.


text:
By faith Noah, having been divinely warned concerning the <i>[things]</i> not yet being seen, having been moved with reverent fear, prepared an ark for <i>[the]</i> salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world and became a heir of the righteousness according to faith. <i>[see Gen 6:13-22]</i>


text:
By faith Abraham obeyed, having been called to go out to the place which he was about to be receiving for an inheritance, and he went out not knowing where he <i>[was]</i> going. <i>[see Gen 12:1-7]</i>


text:
By faith he lived as a stranger in {the} land of the promise, as a foreigner, having lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the joint-heirs of the same promise. <i>[see Gen 12:8; 13:3]</i>


text:
For he was looking forward to the city having the foundations, whose architect and builder <i>[is]</i> God.


text:
By faith also Sarah herself received power for conception of seed, and she gave birth after <i>[the]</i> <i>[normal]</i> time of life, since she regarded the One having promised <i>[to be]</i> faithful. <i>[see Gen 18:11-14; 21:2]</i>


text:
And so from one <i>[man]</i> were born, and in these <i>[things]</i> having been as good as dead, <i>[as many descendents]</i> as the stars of heaven in number and as innumerable as sand which <i>[is]</i> by the sea-shore. <i>[Gen 15:5; 22:17; 32:12]</i>


text:
All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, _but_ having seen them from a distance and having welcomed <i>[them]</i>, and having confessed that they are strangers and sojourners on the earth.


text:
And if indeed they had been remembering that <i>[land]</i> from which they went out, they might have had an opportunity to return.


text:
But now they long for a better, that is, a heavenly <i>[land]</i>. For this reason, God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.


text:
By faith Abraham, being tested, had offered up Isaac, the one having received the promises was offering up his uniquely-begotten <i>[son]</i>,


text:
in regard to whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed will be called <i>[i.e., your descendents will come through Isaac]</i>," <i>[Gen 21:12]</i>


text:
having taken into account that God <i>[was]</i> able to raise <i>[him]</i> up even from <i>[the]</i> dead, from where he indeed received <i>[him]</i> back in a figurative sense. <i>[see Gen 22:1-12]</i>


text:
By faith Jacob, <i>[when he was]</i> dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, <i>[leaning]</i> on the top of his staff. <i>[Gen 47:31, LXX]</i>


text:
By faith Joseph, coming to the end <i>[of his life]</i>, made mention of the departure <i>[Gr., exodus]</i> of the sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of Israel and gave orders concerning his bones. <i>[see Gen 50:24,25]</i>


text:
By faith Moses, having been born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the beautiful, young child and were not afraid of the decree of the king. <i>[see Exod 2:2; 1:16]</i>


text:
By faith Moses, having become great, refused to be called a son of <i>[the]</i> daughter of Pharaoh, <i>[see Exod 2:11-15]</i>


text:
having chosen rather to be sharing hardship with the people of God than to be having <i>[the]</i> temporary pleasure of sin,


text:
having regarded the disgrace of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking away from all else to <i>[fig., concentrating on]</i> the reward.


text:
By faith he left Egypt behind, not having been afraid of the rage of the king, for he persevered as seeing the Invisible One. <i>[see Exod 10:28; 12:50-51]</i>


text:
By faith he had kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one destroying the first-born would not touch them. <i>[see Exod 12:21-28]</i>


text:
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry <i>[land]</i>, which the Egyptians having taken an attempt were swallowed <i>[fig., drowned]</i>. <i>[see Exod 14:21-29]</i>


text:
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days. <i>[see Joshua 6:1-20]</i>


text:
By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with the ones having refused to believe, having received the spies with peace. <i>[see Joshua 2:9-21; 6:22,23]</i>


text:
And what more shall I say? For the time will run short <i>[for]</i> me <i>[to be]</i> describing fully about Gideon, both Barak and Samson, and Jephthah, both David and Samuel, and the prophets,


text:
who through faith conquered kingdoms, brought about righteousness, obtained promises, stopped <i>[the]</i> mouths of lions,


text:
extinguished <i>[the]</i> power of fire, escaped <i>[the]</i> mouth <i>[fig., edge]</i> of <i>[the]</i> sword, were made strong from weaknesses <i>[or, infirmities]</i>, became mighty in battle, routed foreign armies.


text:
Women received <i>[back]</i> their dead <i>[ones]</i> by resurrection. But others were tortured, not accepting <i>[their]</i> release, so that they would obtain a better resurrection.


text:
But others received trial of <i>[fig., experienced]</i> public ridicule and beatings with a whip, and in addition, chains and imprisonment.


text:
They were stoned; they were sawn in two; they were tested; they were put to death by murder with a sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, being afflicted, being ill-treated


text:
(of whom the world was not worthy); wandering about in desolate places and <i>[in]</i> mountains and <i>[in]</i> caves and <i>[in]</i> the holes of the earth.


text:
God having provided something better concerning us, that they should not be made perfect without us.


text:
So therefore, _we_ also having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, having put off every impediment and the easily entangling sin, let us be running with patient endurance the contest having been set before us,


text:
looking with undivided attention to the Originator and Perfecter of <i>[our]</i> faith-Jesus-who, because of the joy being set before Him, endured a cross, having disregarded <i>[the]</i> shame, and has sat down at <i>[the]</i> right hand of the throne of God.


text:
For consider carefully the One having endured such hostility by the sinners against Himself, lest you* become weary in your* souls, being discouraged.


text:
And you* have forgotten completely the encouragement which reasons with you* as with sons <i>[and daughters]</i>, "My son <i>[fig., child, and in verses 6-7]</i> stop thinking lightly of <i>[the]</i> discipline of <i>[the]</i> LORD, and stop becoming discouraged when being corrected by Him.


text:
"For whom <i>[the]</i> LORD loves He disciplines, and He scourges <i>[fig., punishes]</i> every son whom He receives." <i>[Prov 3:11,12]</i>


text:
It is for discipline <i>[that]</i> you* endure. God deals with you* as with sons <i>[and daughters]</i>; for what son is <i>[there]</i> whom a father does not discipline?


text:
But if you* are without discipline, of which all have become sharers, then you* are illegitimate children and not sons <i>[and daughters]</i>.


text:
Furthermore, we indeed have had fathers of our flesh <i>[fig., earthly fathers]</i> <i>[as]</i> discipliners, and we were respecting <i>[them]</i>; will we not much rather be subjected to the Father of spirits, and we will live?


text:
For _they_ indeed were disciplining <i>[us]</i> for a few days <i>[fig., a short while]</i> according to the <i>[thing]</i> seeming good to them, but He for <i>[our]</i> advantage, for <i>[us]</i> be sharers of His holiness.


text:
Now indeed, all discipline for the present does not seem to be joyful, _but_ painful; but afterwards it yields <i>[the]</i> peaceful <i>[or, free from worry]</i> fruit of righteousness to the ones having been trained by it.


text:
For this reason brace up the having been weakened hands and the having been paralyzed knees, <i>[Isaiah 35:3]</i>


text:
and make straight paths for your* feet, so that the lame <i>[person]</i> shall not be turned aside <i>[or, the lame [limb] shall not be dislocated]</i>, but rather shall be healed. <i>[Prov 4:26]</i>


text:
Be pursuing peace with all <i>[people]</i>, and the holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,


text:
looking after <i>[one another]</i> lest anyone <i>[be]</i> falling short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness growing up shall be causing trouble, and through this many be defiled,


text:
lest anyone <i>[be]</i> a sexual sinner or a godless <i>[person]</i> like Esau, who in exchange for a single meal sold his birthright.


text:
For you* know that indeed afterwards, wishing to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he did not find a place for repentance, although having diligently sought it with tears.


text:
For you* have not come to a mountain being touched and having been burnt with fire, and to blackness and to darkness and to a whirlwind,


text:
and to a sound of a trumpet and to a voice of words, which the ones having heard begged <i>[for]</i> a word not to be added to them.


text:
For they could not bear the <i>[thing]</i> being commanded, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it will be stoned or shot down with an arrow." <i>[Exod 19:12,13]</i>


text:
And so terrifying was the <i>[thing]</i> being made visible <i>[fig., the sight]</i> <i>[that]</i> Moses said, "I am terrified, and trembling." <i>[Deut 9:19]</i>


text:
_But_ you* have come to Mount Zion and to <i>[the]</i> city of <i>[the]</i> living God, to heavenly Jerusalem and to countless thousands of angels,


text:
to <i>[the]</i> festive gathering and assembly <i>[or, church]</i> of first-born <i>[ones]</i> having been enrolled in heaven and to God, <i>[the]</i> Judge of all <i>[people]</i>, and to <i>[the]</i> spirits of righteous <i>[ones]</i> having been made perfect,


text:
and to <i>[the]</i> Mediator of a new covenant-Jesus-and to <i>[the]</i> blood of sprinkling, speaking a better <i>[thing]</i> than the <i>[blood]</i> of Abel.


text:
Be seeing <i>[that]</i> you* do not refuse to listen to the One speaking. For if those <i>[ones]</i> did not escape, having refused the One warning <i>[them]</i> on earth, much more <i>[shall we not escape]</i>, the ones turning away from the One <i>[speaking]</i> from heaven,


text:
whose voice at that time shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more _I_ am shaking not only the earth, _but_ also the heaven." <i>[Haggai 2:6]</i>


text:
Now the <i>[phrase]</i> "Yet once more" clearly shows the removal of the <i>[things]</i> being shaken, as of <i>[things]</i> having been created, so that the <i>[things]</i> not being shaken shall remain.


text:
For this reason, <i>[since we are]</i> receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be having grace, through which we are sacredly serving God in an acceptable manner, with reverence and godly fear.


text:
For indeed our God <i>[is]</i> a consuming fire <i>[or, [is] as to His essence consuming fire]</i>. <i>[Exod 24:17; Deut 4:24]</i>


text:
Be remembering the prisoners as having been imprisoned with <i>[them]</i>, the ones having been ill-treated, as also being in <i>[the]</i> body yourselves.


text:
Marriage <i>[is to be]</i> honorable <i>[or, respected]</i> among all and the marriage bed undefiled, but sexual sinners and adulterers God will judge.


text:
<i>[Your*]</i> way of life <i>[is to be]</i> without <i>[the]</i> love of money, being content with the things present <i>[fig., with what you* have]</i>, for He Himself has said, "By no means shall I desert you, nor in any way shall I be abandoning you;" <i>[Deut 31:6,8; Josh 1:5]</i>


text:
so that we <i>[are]</i> confident to be saying, "<i>[The]</i> LORD <i>[is]</i> a helper to me, and I will not fear. What will humanity do to me?" <i>[Psalm 118:6]</i>


text:
Be remembering the ones leading you*, who spoke to you* the word of God, of whom considering the outcome of <i>[their]</i> conduct, be imitating <i>[their]</i> faith.


text:
Stop being carried away by varied and strange teachings, for <i>[it is]</i> good <i>[for]</i> the heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i> to continue being established by grace, not by foods, in which the ones having been walking about <i>[in]</i> <i>[fig., having been occupied with]</i> were not benefited.


text:
For of which animals the blood is brought concerning sin into the holy places by the high priest, the bodies of these are burned outside the camp. <i>[see Lev 4:11,12,21; 16:27]</i>


text:
And so Jesus, so that He should sanctify the people through <i>[His]</i> own blood, suffered outside the gate.


text:
Therefore, through Him let us through all <i>[fig. always]</i> be offering up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, <i>[the]</i> fruit of lips <i>[fig., our words]</i>, confessing <i>[fig., giving thanks to]</i> His name.


text:
You* yourselves be obeying the ones leading you*, and be yielding <i>[to them]</i> <i>[fig., be accepting their authority]</i>, for they are watching over your* souls as they will be giving an account, so that they shall be doing this with joy and not complaining with groans, for this <i>[would be]</i> detrimental to you*.


text:
Be praying concerning us, for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all <i>[things]</i> desiring to be honorably conducting ourselves.


text:
Now may the God of peace, the One having brought up from <i>[the]</i> dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by <i>[the]</i> blood of an eternal covenant-our Lord Jesus,


text:
equip you* in every good work in order to do His will, doing in you* the acceptable <i>[thing]</i> before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom <i>[is]</i> the glory into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
But I urge you*, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, be listening carefully to this word of encouragement, for indeed through a few words <i>[fig., briefly]</i> I wrote to you*.


text:
Be knowing <i>[that]</i> the brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he is coming quickly, I will see you*.


text:
Greet all the ones leading you* and all the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i>. The <i>[holy ones]</i> from Italy greet you*.


text:
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion <i>[i.e. the scattering of Jews outside of Judea]</i>: Greetings!


text:
Consider <i>[it]</i> all joy, my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, whenever you* encounter various trials,


text:
But be letting that patient endurance have a perfect work <i>[or, full effect]</i>, so that you* shall be perfect <i>[or, mature]</i> and complete-lacking in nothing.


text:
Now if any of you* lacks wisdom, let him be asking from God, the One giving generously to all and not denouncing <i>[or, without criticizing]</i>, and it will be given to him.


text:
But let him be asking in faith, doubting nothing. For the one doubting has been likened to a wave of the sea, being driven by wind and tossed about.


text:
Now let the lowly brother <i>[or, brother of humble circumstances]</i> be rejoicing in his exaltation,


text:
but the rich <i>[brother]</i> in his humble state, because like a flower of grass he will pass away.


text:
For the sun rose with scorching heat and dried up the grass, and its flower fell off, and the beauty of its appearance perished. So also the rich <i>[person]</i> in his journeys <i>[fig., in his pursuits of business or wealth]</i> will fade away!


text:
Happy <i>[or, Blessed]</i> <i>[is the]</i> man who endures temptation <i>[or, testing]</i>, because having become approved, he will receive the victor's wreath <i>[or, crown]</i> of the life which the Lord promised to the ones loving Him.


text:
Let no one say, when tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God is incapable of being tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one.


text:
Then that lust having conceived gives birth to sin, then that sin having become full-grown brings forth death.


text:
Every good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.


text:
Having willed, He gave birth to us by <i>[the]</i> word of truth for the purpose of our being a kind of first-fruits of His creatures <i>[or, out of His creation]</i>.


text:
So then, my beloved brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, let every person be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,


text:
For this reason, you* yourselves having put aside all filthiness <i>[fig., moral uncleanness]</i> and abundance of evil, in humility receive the implanted word <i>[within you*]</i>, which is able to save your* souls.


text:
Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one has been likened to a man observing his natural face in a mirror,


text:
for he observed himself and has gone away, and immediately he forgot what kind of <i>[person]</i> he was.


text:
But the one having looked into <i>[the]</i> perfect law, the <i>[ law]</i> of liberty, and having continued <i>[in it]</i>, this one-not having become a forgetful hearer _but_ a doer of work-this one will be happy in his doing.


text:
If anyone thinks to be religious among you*, <i>[and yet]</i> does not bridle <i>[fig., control]</i> his tongue _but_ deceives his heart <i>[fig., inner self, and throughout book]</i>, the religion of this one <i>[is]</i> useless.


text:
Pure and undefiled religion before <i>[our]</i> God and Father is this: to be caring for orphans and widows in their affliction <i>[and]</i> to be keeping oneself unspotted <i>[fig., uncorrupted]</i> by the world.


text:
My brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, stop holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the <i>[Lord]</i> of Glory, with accepting of faces <i>[fig., with a prejudiced attitude]</i>.


text:
For if a man comes into your* synagogue with a gold ring, in elegant clothing, and there comes in also a poor <i>[man]</i> in filthy clothing,


text:
and you* look with care upon the one wearing the elegant clothing and say to him, "_You_, be sitting here, please <i>[or, in this good seat]</i>," and to the poor <i>[man]</i> you* say, "_You_, stand there," or, "Be sitting here under my footstool,"


text:
and <i>[so]</i> did you* not make distinctions among yourselves and <i>[so]</i> became judges with evil thought processes <i>[or, motives]</i>?


text:
Pay attention, my beloved brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>: God chose the poor <i>[ones]</i> of the world <i>[to be]</i> rich <i>[ones]</i> in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to the ones loving Him, did He not?


text:
But _you*_ dishonored the poor one. The rich <i>[ones]</i> oppress you*, and _they_ drag you* into <i>[the]</i> courts, do they not?


text:
If you* indeed fulfill <i>[the]</i> royal Law according to the Scripture, "You will love your neighbor as yourself", you* are doing well. <i>[Lev 19:18]</i>


text:
But if you* accept faces <i>[fig., are prejudiced]</i>, you* are committing sin, being convicted by the Law as transgressors.


text:
For whoever will keep the whole Law yet will stumble in one <i>[point]</i> has become guilty of all.


text:
For the One saying, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." But if _you_ will not commit adultery, yet you will murder, you have become a transgressor of <i>[the]</i> Law. <i>[Exod 20:14,13; Deut 5:18,17]</i>


text:
For the judgment <i>[is]</i> merciless to the one not having shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.


text:
What <i>[is]</i> the advantage, my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, if someone is saying he has faith but is not having works? Such faith is not able to save him, is it?


text:
yet any of you* says to them, "Be going away in peace; be keeping yourselves warm and well fed," but does not give to them the necessary <i>[things]</i> of the body, what <i>[is]</i> the advantage?


text:
_But_ someone will say, "_You_ have faith and _I_ have works." <i>[But I say]</i>, "Show to me your faith <i>[apart]</i> from your works, and _I_ will show to you my faith by means of my works."


text:
_You_ believe <i>[or, are convinced]</i> that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe-and they shudder <i>[with fear]</i>!


text:
But are you willing to recognize, O empty <i>[fig., foolish]</i> person, that such faith without such works is dead?


text:
Abraham our father, he was justified <i>[or, shown to be righteous]</i> by means of works, having offered Isaac his son upon the altar, was he not? <i>[Gen. 22:9]</i>


text:
Do you see that his faith was working together with his works, and by means of the works his faith was perfected?


text:
And <i>[so]</i> was fulfilled the Scripture, the one saying, "But Abraham believed <i>[or, trusted]</i> God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called a friend of God. <i>[Gen 15:6; Isaiah 41:8]</i>


text:
So you* see that a person is justified <i>[or, shown to be righteous]</i> by means of works and not by means of faith only.


text:
So likewise also Rahab the prostitute was justified <i>[or, shown to be righteous]</i> by means of works, having welcomed the messengers and having sent <i>[them]</i> out by a different way, was she not?


text:
Stop letting <i>[so]</i> many become teachers, my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.


text:
For we all frequently stumble <i>[fig., sin]</i> <i>[or, stumble [in] many [ways]]</i>; if anyone does not stumble in word <i>[fig., what he says]</i>, this one <i>[is]</i> a perfect <i>[or, mature]</i> man, able to bridle <i>[fig., control]</i> also his whole body.


text:
Consider the bits <i>[i.e. mouthpieces of bridles]</i> we put into the mouths of the horses for them to be obeying us-and we guide their whole body!


text:
Consider also the ships, being so great and being driven by fierce winds, are guided by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the helmsman shall be desiring.


text:
So also the tongue is a little body part, and <i>[yet it]</i> boasts greatly. Consider how great a forest a little fire sets ablaze!


text:
And the tongue <i>[is]</i> a fire, the world of unrighteousness. Thus the tongue is set among our body parts <i>[and is]</i> the <i>[thing]</i> polluting <i>[or, defiling]</i> our whole body and setting on fire the course of our existence-and being set on fire by hell <i>[Gr., gehenna]</i>.


text:
For every species, both of wild animals and of birds, both of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species.


text:
But no one among people is able to tame the tongue; <i>[it is]</i> an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.


text:
With it we praise the God and Father, and with it we curse the people having been created according to the likeness of God.


text:
Out of the same mouth comes forth praise and cursing; my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, these <i>[things]</i> ought not to be happening in this way.


text:
The spring does not pour forth the sweet and the bitter <i>[water]</i> out of the same opening, does it?


text:
My brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, a fig-tree is not able to make olives, is it? Or a grapevine figs? In the same way, no spring <i>[is able]</i> to produce salt and sweet water.


text:
Who <i>[is]</i> wise and knowledgeable among you*? Let him show by his good conduct <i>[that]</i> his works <i>[are]</i> in humility of wisdom.


text:
But if you* have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your* heart, stop boasting and lying against the truth.


text:
This is not the wisdom descending from above _but_ <i>[is]</i> earthly, physical <i>[or, unspiritual]</i>, <i>[and]</i> demonic.


text:
But the wisdom from above is first indeed pure, then peaceful <i>[or, free from worry]</i>, considerate, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial <i>[or, free from prejudice]</i> and sincere.


text:
From where <i>[come]</i> wars and fights <i>[fig., conflicts and disputes]</i> among you*? Is it not from here-out of your* passions <i>[or, desires for pleasure]</i>, the ones waging war in your* body parts?


text:
You* desire <i>[or, lust for]</i>, and you* do not have. You* murder and are jealous and are not able to obtain. You* fight and wage war <i>[fig., dispute and quarrel]</i>. But you* do not have because you* do not ask.


text:
You* ask, and you* do not receive, because you* ask wrongly <i>[or, with wrong motives]</i>, so that you* should spend <i>[it]</i> on your* passions <i>[or, desires for pleasure]</i>.


text:
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you* not know that the friendship of the world is hostility towards God? So whoever wants to be a friend of the world is made an enemy of <i>[or, is hostile towards]</i> God.


text:
Do you* think that the Scripture speaks in vain <i>[or, for no purpose]</i>? Does the Spirit which <i>[has]</i> dwelt in us yearn to <i>[the point of]</i> envy?


text:
But He gives greater grace. For this reason, He says, "God resists <i>[or, sets Himself in opposition against]</i> proud <i>[people]</i>, but He gives grace to humble <i>[people]</i>." <i>[Prov 3:34]</i>


text:
Therefore, be subjected to God. {But} stand up against <i>[or, resist]</i> the Devil, and he will flee from you*.


text:
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you*. Cleanse <i>[fig., Purify]</i> <i>[your*]</i> hands, sinners! And purify <i>[your*]</i> hearts, double-minded <i>[ones]</i> <i>[or, doubters]</i>!


text:
Be miserable and mourn and weep! Let your* laughter be changed into mourning and <i>[your*]</i> joy into gloom.


text:
Stop speaking evil of <i>[or, slandering]</i> one another, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>. The one speaking evil of a brother and judging his brother speaks evil of <i>[the]</i> Law and judges <i>[the]</i> Law. But if you judge <i>[the]</i> Law, you are not a doer of <i>[the]</i> Law _but_ a judge.


text:
<i>[There]</i> is one Lawgiver, the One able to save and to destroy. But who are _you_ who judges the other <i>[or, the different [one]]</i>?


text:
Now listen! The ones saying, "Today or tomorrow we shall travel into such and such a city and shall spend one year there, and we shall carry on business and shall make profit,"


text:
<i>[you*]</i> who do not know the <i>[events]</i> of tomorrow. For what <i>[is]</i> your* life? For it will be a vapor, the one appearing for a little while, but then also vanishing.


text:
Instead, you* <i>[ought]</i> to be saying, "If the Lord wills, we shall live, and we also shall do this or that."


text:
Now listen! The rich <i>[ones]</i>, weep, wailing over your* miseries, the ones coming upon <i>[you*]</i>!


text:
Your* gold and silver have corroded, and their rust will be for a testimony against you* and will consume your* flesh as fire. You* stored up <i>[treasure]</i> in the last days!


text:
Listen! The pay of the laborers, of the ones having cut down grain <i>[in]</i> your* fields, their <i>[pay]</i> having been kept back by you* cries out, and the shouts <i>[or, outcry]</i> of the ones having reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies <i>[fig., the Lord Almighty]</i>.


text:
You* lived in luxury on the earth and were self-indulgent; you* nourished <i>[fig., fattened]</i> your* hearts as in a day of slaughter.


text:
Therefore, wait patiently, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, until the Arrival of the Lord. Look! The farmer awaits the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it, until it receives <i>[the]</i> early and latter <i>[or, autumn and spring]</i> rain.


text:
_You*_ also wait patiently. Establish <i>[or, strengthen]</i> your* hearts, because the Arrival of the Lord has drawn near.


text:
Stop complaining with groans against one another, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, so that you* shall not be judged. Look! The Judge has stood before the door!


text:
Take <i>[as]</i> an example of suffering, my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.


text:
Indeed, we consider the ones enduring to be fortunate. You* heard of the patient endurance of Job and the outcome <i>[brought about by the]</i> Lord; observe that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.


text:
Now above all <i>[else]</i>, my brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, stop taking oaths, neither <i>[by]</i> the heaven nor the earth nor any other oath. But let your* "Yes" be "Yes" and the "No" <i>[be]</i> "No," so that you* shall not fall into hypocrisy.


text:
Is anyone enduring hardship among you*? Let him be praying. Is any being cheerful? Let him be singing praises.


text:
Is any sick among you*? Let him summon the elders of the assembly <i>[or, the church]</i>. And let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Lord.


text:
And the prayer of faith will cure the one being ill, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven to him.


text:
You* yourselves be confessing your transgressions to one another, and be praying for one another, in order that you* shall be healed <i>[or, restored]</i>. <i>[The]</i> petition of a righteous <i>[person]</i> itself has very powerful <i>[or, many supernatural]</i> effects.


text:
Elijah was a person of like nature to us. And with prayer he prayed <i>[for it]</i> not to rain, and it did not rain upon the land <i>[for]</i> three years and six months.


text:
Brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, if anyone among you* is led astray <i>[fig., is deceived]</i> from the truth, and someone turns him back,


text:
let him be knowing that the one having turned back a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.


text:
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the chosen <i>[or, elect]</i> sojourners of the dispersion <i>[i.e. the scattering of Jews outside of Judea]</i> of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,


text:
according to <i>[the]</i> foreknowledge of God <i>[the]</i> Father, in sanctification of <i>[the]</i> Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of <i>[the]</i> blood of Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you*!


text:
Blessed <i>[be]</i> the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One according to His great mercy having regenerated us to a living hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i>, through <i>[the]</i> resurrection of Jesus Christ from <i>[the]</i> dead,


text:
into an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been reserved in the heavens for you*,


text:
the ones being guarded by <i>[the]</i> power of God through faith for <i>[the]</i> salvation ready to be revealed in <i>[the]</i> last time;


text:
in which you* are very glad, <i>[though]</i> now <i>[for]</i> a little <i>[while]</i>, if it is necessary, you* have been distressed by various trials,


text:
so that the genuineness of your* faith, <i>[being]</i> much more precious <i>[than]</i> gold, the <i>[thing]</i> perishing, but being approved through fire, shall be found to praise and honor and to glory in <i>[the]</i> revelation of Jesus Christ,


text:
whom not having known, you* love, in whom now not seeing but believing, you* are very glad with a inexpressible and glorious joy,


text:
Concerning which salvation <i>[the]</i> prophets sought diligently and carefully searched, the <i>[prophets]</i> having prophesied concerning the grace, the one <i>[coming]</i> to you*,


text:
searching for who or what time the Spirit of Christ in them was clearly showing, predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glory after these.


text:
To whom it was revealed that not to themselves but to you* they were serving these <i>[things]</i>, which now were announced to you* by the ones having proclaimed the Gospel to you* by <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit having been sent from heaven, into which <i>[things]</i> angels desire to look.


text:
For this reason, having tied up at the waist the clothes of your* mind <i>[fig., having prepared your* mind for action]</i>, being sober <i>[or, clear-headed]</i>, place your* hope <i>[or, trust]</i> completely upon the grace being brought to you* at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


text:
As obedient children, not conforming yourselves <i>[or, not allowing yourself to be conformed]</i> to the former lusts <i>[which you* had]</i> in your* ignorance,


text:
_but_ just as the One having called you* <i>[is]</i> holy, _you*_ also become holy in all <i>[your*]</i> conduct,


text:
because it has been written, "Continue becoming holy, because _I_ am holy." <i>[Lev 11:44,45; 19:2, 20:7]</i>


text:
And if you* call on the Father, the One judging impartially according to the work of each <i>[one]</i>, conduct yourselves in fear <i>[during]</i> the time of your* sojourn <i>[fig., life on earth]</i>,


text:
knowing that not with corruptible <i>[things like]</i> silver or gold were you* redeemed from your* futile way of life handed down by your* fathers,


text:
having been foreknown, on the one hand before <i>[the]</i> laying of <i>[the]</i> foundation of the world <i>[or, beginning of [the] creation of the universe]</i>, on the other hand having been revealed in <i>[the]</i> last times for the sake of you*,


text:
the ones through Him believing in God, the One having raised Him from <i>[the]</i> dead and having given glory to Him, in order that your* faith and hope <i>[or, expectation]</i> are in God.


text:
Having <i>[or, Since you* have]</i> purified your* souls in obedience to the truth through <i>[the]</i> Spirit in sincere brotherly love <i>[fig., affection for fellow-believers]</i>, love one another earnestly from a pure heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i>,


text:
having been <i>[or, because you* have been]</i> regenerated <i>[or, born again]</i> not from corruptible seed _but_ incorruptible, through <i>[the]</i> word of God <i>[which is]</i> living and remaining into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i>.


text:
For "All flesh <i>[is]</i> like grass, and all glory of humanity like <i>[the]</i> flower of grass; the grass withered, and its flower fell off,


text:
but the word of the LORD remains into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i>." Now this is the word, the Gospel having been proclaimed to you*. <i>[Isaiah 40:6-8]</i>


text:
To whom having approached <i>[as to]</i> a living stone, on the one hand having been rejected by people, on the other hand chosen <i>[and]</i> precious before God,


text:
and you* yourselves, as living stones, are being built up <i>[into]</i> a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


text:
For this reason, it is contained in the Scripture, "Look! I lay in Zion a stone, a cornerstone, chosen, precious, and the one believing on Him shall by no means be put to shame <i>[or, be disappointed]</i>." <i>[Isa 28:16]</i>


text:
Therefore, the honor <i>[is]</i> to you*, the ones believing. But to the ones disobeying <i>[or, refusing to believe]</i>, "<i>[The]</i> stone which the builders rejected, this <i>[one]</i> became for <i>[the]</i> head of <i>[the]</i> corner <i>[or, the chief cornerstone]</i>" <i>[Psalm 118:22]</i>


text:
and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence," who stumble at the word, refusing to believe, to which also they were appointed. <i>[Isaiah 8:14]</i>


text:
But you* <i>[are]</i> a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people <i>[for God's own]</i> possession, in order that you* shall proclaim the excellencies of the One having called you* out of darkness into His marvelous light, <i>[Exod 9:16; Isaiah 43:20]</i>


text:
who at one time <i>[were]</i> not a people, but now <i>[are the]</i> people of God; the ones not having found mercy, but now having found mercy.


text:
Beloved, I urge <i>[you*]</i> as exiles and sojourners, to be abstaining from the fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul,


text:
having your* conduct good among the Gentiles, so that in what they speak against you* as evildoers, having seen your* good works, they shall glorify God in <i>[the]</i> day of visitation.


text:
Therefore, be subject to every human institution <i>[or, authority]</i> for the Lord's sake, whether to a king as <i>[the one]</i> having authority,


text:
or to governors as <i>[the ones]</i> having been sent by him for <i>[the]</i> punishment of evildoers, but <i>[for the]</i> praise of <i>[the ones]</i> doing good.


text:
For such is the will of God, doing good <i>[in order]</i> to be silencing the ignorance of the foolish people.


text:
<i>[Live]</i> as free <i>[persons]</i>, yet not using such freedom as a covering <i>[or, excuse]</i> for evil, _but_ as slaves of God.


text:
Honor all <i>[people]</i>. Love the brotherhood <i>[fig., community of believers]</i>. You* yourselves be fearing God. Be honoring the king.


text:
The household servants, <i>[continue]</i> being subjected <i>[or, submitted]</i> with all fear to your* masters, not only to the good and gentle <i>[or, considerate]</i>, _but_ also to the crooked <i>[or, harsh]</i>.


text:
For this <i>[finds]</i> favor <i>[with God]</i> <i>[or, is admirable]</i>, if for the sake of conscience toward God someone endures sorrows, suffering unjustly.


text:
For what credit <i>[is it]</i> if sinning and being beaten with fists <i>[fig., being harshly treated]</i>, you* will endure <i>[it]</i>? _But_ if doing good and suffering <i>[for it]</i>, you* will endure <i>[it]</i>; this <i>[finds]</i> favor with <i>[or, is admirable before]</i> God.


text:
Because, for this <i>[reason]</i> you* were called, because Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving behind an example for you*, so that you* should follow in His footsteps,


text:
who being verbally abused, was not returning verbal insults, suffering, was not threatening, but was entrusting Himself to the One judging righteously;


text:
who Himself carried our sins in His body on the tree <i>[fig., cross]</i>, so that having died to sins, we shall live to righteousness; of whom by His wound<i>[s]</i> you* were healed. <i>[Isaiah 53:5]</i>


text:
For you* were like sheep being led astray, _but_ now you* were turned back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your* souls.


text:
Likewise, the wives, <i>[continue]</i> being subjected <i>[or, submitted]</i> to your* own husbands, so that even if some are refusing to believe the word, through the conduct of their wives they will be won <i>[for Christ]</i> without a word,


text:
whose adornment must not be external, of braided hair <i>[or, elaborate hairstyles]</i> and of wearing of gold <i>[jewelry]</i> or of putting on of clothing,


text:
_but_ <i>[it must be]</i> the hidden person of the heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i>, with the incorruptible <i>[beauty]</i> of the gentle and quiet spirit, which is very costly <i>[fig., precious]</i> before God.


text:
For in this way in times past also the holy women, the ones placing their hope on <i>[or, trusting in]</i> God were adorning themselves, being subjected <i>[or, submitted]</i> to their own husbands,


text:
as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him "lord," of whom you* became daughters, doing good, and not fearing any terror. <i>[see Gen 18:12; Prov 3:25]</i>


text:
The husbands, likewise, <i>[continue]</i> living with <i>[your* wives]</i> according to knowledge, as with a weaker vessel, with the feminine <i>[one]</i>, showing respect, as also being joint-heirs of <i>[the]</i> grace of life, for your* prayers not to be hindered.


text:
And finally, all <i>[of you* be of]</i> one mind, sympathetic, loving <i>[one another]</i> as brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, compassionate, friendly;


text:
not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but on the contrary, giving a blessing, knowing that for this <i>[reason]</i> you* were called, so that you* shall inherit a blessing.


text:
For "The one desiring to be loving life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil, and his lips <i>[are]</i> not to speak deceit <i>[or, treachery]</i>.


text:
"For <i>[the]</i> eyes of <i>[the]</i> LORD <i>[are]</i> upon <i>[the]</i> righteous, and His ears toward their petition, but <i>[the]</i> face of <i>[the]</i> LORD <i>[is]</i> upon <i>[the ones]</i> doing evil." <i>[Psalm 34:12-16]</i>


text:
_But_ even if you* suffer for the sake of righteousness, <i>[you* are]</i> happy <i>[or, blessed]</i>. But do not be afraid of their fear <i>[fig., threats]</i>, nor be troubled.


text:
But sanctify the Lord God in your* hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i>, and always <i>[be]</i> prepared with a defense to every <i>[one]</i> asking you* an account concerning the hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> in you*, with gentleness <i>[or, considerateness]</i> and respect,


text:
having a good conscience, so that in what they shall be speaking against you* as evildoers, they shall be ashamed, the ones slandering your* good conduct in Christ.


text:
For <i>[it is]</i> better to suffer <i>[for]</i> doing good, if the will of God might be willing <i>[it]</i>, than <i>[for]</i> doing evil.


text:
For Christ also suffered once for sin for all <i>[time, the]</i> Righteous <i>[One]</i> on behalf of unrighteous <i>[ones]</i>, so that He should bring you* to God, <i>[Christ]</i> having been put to death on the one hand in <i>[the]</i> flesh <i>[or, by flesh]</i>, on the other hand having been made alive in <i>[the]</i> spirit <i>[or, by [the] Spirit]</i>,


text:
having formerly refused to believe, when the patience of God kept eagerly waiting in <i>[the]</i> days of Noah, while an ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water;


text:
which <i>[as]</i> an antitype baptism <i>[or, immersion]</i> now also saves us (not <i>[the]</i> removal of <i>[the]</i> filth of flesh, _but_ an appeal to God for a good conscience) through <i>[the]</i> resurrection of Jesus Christ,


text:
who is at <i>[the]</i> right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to Him.


text:
Therefore, Christ having suffered <i>[or, since Christ suffered]</i> on our behalf in <i>[the]</i> flesh, _you*_ also arm yourselves with the same mind <i>[or, attitude]</i>, because the one having suffered in <i>[the]</i> flesh has ceased from sin,


text:
so as to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer in the lusts of people, _but_ in <i>[the]</i> will of God.


text:
For the time of life having past <i>[is]</i> sufficient for you* to accomplish the desire of the Gentiles, having gone <i>[fig., lived]</i> in flagrant sexual immorality, lusts, drunkenness, drunken orgies, drinking parties, and unlawful <i>[fig., abominable]</i> idolatries;


text:
in which they are surprised <i>[by]</i> your* not running with <i>[them]</i> into the same excess of reckless living, speaking evil of <i>[you*]</i>,


text:
who will give an account to the One being prepared to judge <i>[the]</i> living and <i>[the]</i> dead.


text:
Because for this <i>[reason]</i> the Gospel also was proclaimed to <i>[the]</i> dead, so that they shall be judged, on the one hand according to people in <i>[the]</i> flesh, on the other hand they shall live according to God in <i>[the]</i> spirit.


text:
But the end of all <i>[things]</i> has drawn near. Therefore, be sober <i>[or, clear-headed]</i> and be self-controlled in your* prayers.


text:
Now above all <i>[be]</i> having fervent love for one another, because such love will cover a multitude of sins.


text:
Just as each <i>[one]</i> received a spiritual gift, <i>[be]</i> serving <i>[with]</i> it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold <i>[or, widely varied]</i> grace of God.


text:
When someone speaks, <i>[let him speak]</i> as <i>[the]</i> oracles <i>[or, inspired utterances]</i> of God. When someone serves, <i>[let him serve]</i> as from <i>[the]</i> strength <i>[or, ability]</i> as God supplies, so that in all <i>[things]</i> God shall be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the might <i>[or, dominion]</i> into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
Beloved, stop being surprised by the fiery ordeal <i>[or, painful suffering]</i> taking place among you* to try you*, as <i>[though]</i> a strange <i>[thing]</i> is happening to you*.


text:
_But_ to the degree that you* are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, be rejoicing, so that also in the revelation of His glory you* shall rejoice, being very glad!


text:
When you* are being insulted for the name of Christ, <i>[you* are]</i> happy <i>[or, blessed]</i>, for the Spirit of the glory and of God rests on you*. On the one hand according to them, He is being blasphemed, on the other hand according to you*, He is glorified.


text:
Be making sure none of you* suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler into other's affairs;


text:
For <i>[it is]</i> the time for the judgment to begin with the house of God; but if with us first, what <i>[will be]</i> the end of the ones refusing to believe the Gospel of God?


text:
And "If the righteous <i>[person]</i> is scarcely <i>[or, with difficulty is]</i> saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear <i>[fig., what will become of the ungodly and sinner]</i>?" <i>[Prov 11:31]</i>


text:
So also the ones suffering according to the will of God, as to a trustworthy Creator, must be committing <i>[or, entrusting]</i> their souls in good doing.


text:
I encourage the elders among you* <i>[as]</i> a fellow-elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker of the glory being about to be revealed:


text:
shepherd <i>[or, pastor]</i> the flock of God, the <i>[one]</i> among you*, overseeing not under compulsion _but_ willingly, nor with greediness for dishonest gain _but_ eagerly,


text:
nor as domineering over the <i>[ones]</i> allotted to your* care, _but_ being examples to the flock.


text:
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you* will receive the unfading victor's wreath <i>[or, crown]</i> of glory.


text:
Likewise, younger <i>[people]</i>, be subjected <i>[or, submitted]</i> to <i>[the]</i> elders. And all <i>[continue]</i> being subjected to one another. Clothe yourselves with humility, for, "God resists <i>[or, sets Himself in opposition against]</i> proud <i>[people]</i>, but He give grace to humble <i>[people]</i>." <i>[Prov 3:34]</i>


text:
Therefore, be humbled <i>[or, humble yourselves]</i> under the mighty hand of God, so that He shall exalt you* at <i>[the proper]</i> time,


text:
having cast all your* anxiety upon Him, for it is a concern to Him about you* <i>[fig., for He cares about you*]</i>.


text:
Be sober <i>[or, Be clear-headed]</i>; keep watch! Your* adversary <i>[the]</i> Devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour,


text:
whom you* <i>[are to]</i> stand up against <i>[or, resist]</i>, <i>[being]</i> steadfast in the faith, knowing the same sufferings are being experienced by your* brotherhood <i>[fig., the community of believers]</i> in <i>[the]</i> world.


text:
But may the God of all grace, the One having called us into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, <i>[after]</i> you* have suffered <i>[for]</i> little while, Himself make you* perfect <i>[or, fully adequate]</i>, strengthened, more able, <i>[and]</i> firmly established.


text:
To Him <i>[be]</i> the glory and the might <i>[or, dominion]</i> into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
By Silvanus, the faithful brother as I consider <i>[him]</i>, through <i>[whom]</i> I wrote a few <i>[words]</i>, encouraging and testifying this to be <i>[the]</i> true grace of God in which you* have stood firm.


text:
Your <i>[sister-assembly]</i> in Babylon, chosen together with <i>[you*]</i>, greets you*, and Mark my son <i>[fig., disciple]</i>.


text:
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you* all, the <i>[ones]</i> in Christ Jesus! So be it!


text:
Simon Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the ones having obtained <i>[or, having been chosen to have]</i> an equally precious faith with us <i>[or, a faith as valuable as ours]</i> by <i>[the]</i> righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:


text:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you* in the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,


text:
as <i>[fig., seeing that]</i> His divine power has given to us all the <i>[things]</i> pertaining to life and godliness through the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of the One having called us by glory and moral excellence,


text:
through which the most precious and great promises have been given to us, so that through these you* shall become participants of a divine nature <i>[or, sharers in [the] divine nature]</i>, having escaped from the corruption <i>[that is]</i> in <i>[the]</i> world by lust.


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But also <i>[for]</i> this very <i>[reason]</i>, having applied all diligence, provide with your* faith moral excellence, and with moral excellence knowledge,


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and with knowledge self-control, and with self-control patient endurance, and with patient endurance godliness,


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and with godliness brotherly kindness <i>[fig., affection for fellow-believers]</i>, and with brotherly kindness love.


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For <i>[if]</i> these <i>[qualities]</i> belong to you* and <i>[are]</i> abounding <i>[or, increasing]</i>, it makes <i>[you*]</i> neither useless nor unfruitful in regard to the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


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For <i>[the one]</i> with whom these <i>[qualities]</i> are not present is blind, being shortsighted, having become forgetful of the cleansing <i>[or, purgation]</i> of his former sins.


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For this reason, rather, brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, be eager <i>[or, diligent]</i> to be making certain His calling and choice <i>[or, election]</i> of you*, for these <i>[things]</i> doing, you* shall by no means stumble at any time.


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For in this way, the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you*.


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For this reason, I will not neglect to be always reminding you* concerning these <i>[things]</i>, although you* know <i>[them]</i> and have been established in the present truth.


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But I consider <i>[it]</i> right, as long as I am in this tent-like dwelling <i>[fig., body]</i> to be waking <i>[fig., stirring]</i> you*up by way of reminder,


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knowing that the taking down of my tent-like dwelling <i>[fig., that my death]</i> is soon, even as also our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. <i>[see John 21:18,19]</i>


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But I will be eager <i>[or, make every effort]</i> also to cause you* to be having at all times after my departure <i>[Gr., exodus]</i> a remembrance of these <i>[things]</i>.


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For not having followed having been cleverly made-up myths, we made known to you* the power and Arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ, _but_ having become eyewitnesses of the magnificence of that One.


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For having received from God <i>[the]</i> Father honor and glory, such a voice being brought <i>[fig., uttered]</i> to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My Son-the beloved-in whom _I_ am well-pleased." <i>[Matt 17:5]</i>


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And this voice _we_ heard, being brought <i>[fig., uttered]</i> out of heaven, being with Him on the holy mountain.


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And we have the prophetic word <i>[made]</i> more certain <i>[or, confirmed]</i>, to which you* do well <i>[to be]</i> paying close attention to, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until <i>[the]</i> day dawns and a morning star arises in your hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i>;


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for prophecy never came by <i>[the]</i> will of a person, _but_ holy men of God spoke being moved along by <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit.


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But also false prophets came to be among the people, as also false teachers will be among you*, who will secretly bring in destructive, heretical sects, and denying the Master having redeemed them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.


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And many will follow their flagrant sexually immoral ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.


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And in covetous desire <i>[or, greed]</i>, with fabricated words, they will exploit you*, for whom their judgment of old is not idle, and their destruction will not sleep.


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For if God did not spare angels having sinned, _but_ having hurled <i>[them]</i> down to the deepest pit of gloom <i>[Gr. tartarus]</i>, He delivered <i>[them]</i> to chains of thick darkness, being kept for judgment;


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and He did not spare the ancient world, _but_ kept Noah, <i>[the]</i> eighth person <i>[fig., with seven others]</i>, a preacher of righteousness, having brought a Flood upon the world of the ungodly,


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and having reduced <i>[the]</i> cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, He condemned <i>[them]</i> to destruction, having set <i>[them as]</i> an example to <i>[the ones]</i> being about to be acting in an ungodly way,


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and rescued righteous Lot, <i>[who was]</i> being distressed by the conduct in flagrant sexual immorality of the lawless <i>[ones]</i>


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(for by seeing and hearing, that righteous <i>[man]</i> living among them, day by day <i>[his]</i> righteous soul was being tormented with <i>[their]</i> unlawful works);


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<i>[the]</i> Lord knows <i>[how]</i> to be rescuing <i>[the]</i> godly out of temptation, but to be keeping <i>[the]</i> unrighteous being punished for <i>[the]</i> day of judgment,


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and especially the ones going after <i>[fig., indulging]</i> the flesh in lust of uncleanness <i>[or, unclean desires]</i> and despising authority. <i>[They are]</i> presumptuous <i>[or, reckless]</i>, self-willed <i>[or, stubborn]</i>, not trembling when they speak evil of glories <i>[fig., angelic beings]</i>,


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whereas angels, being greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before <i>[the]</i> Lord.


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But these, like irrational animals <i>[guided by]</i> natural instinct having been born for capture and destruction <i>[fig., slaughter]</i>, speaking evil of <i>[or, blaspheming in]</i> <i>[things]</i> which they fail to understand, in their destruction they will be destroyed,


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receiving back a reward of unrighteousness, counting <i>[it as]</i> a pleasure <i>[to be engaging in]</i> self-indulgence in the day; <i>[they are]</i> spots and blemishes <i>[fig., a disgrace]</i>, openly indulging in their deceitful ways while they feast with you*,


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having eyes full of adultery and unceasing in sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i> having been trained in covetous desire <i>[or, greed]</i>, children of a curse <i>[or, accursed children]</i>,


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having forsaken <i>[the]</i> right way, they went astray <i>[fig., were deceived]</i>, having followed in the way of Balaam the <i>[son]</i> of Bosor, who loved <i>[the]</i> wages of unrighteousness,


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but he had a rebuke <i>[for]</i> his own iniquity: a mute donkey, having spoken in a person's voice, restrained the madness of the prophet.


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These <i>[people]</i> are wells without water, clouds being driven by a storm, for whom the thick gloom of the darkness <i>[fig., the gloomy hell]</i> has been reserved into <i>[the]</i> age <i>[fig., forever]</i>.


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For speaking swollen <i>[fig., pompous]</i> <i>[words]</i> of emptiness <i>[or, nonsense]</i>, they entice with lusts of the flesh, with flagrant sexual immorality, the ones actually having escape from the ones conducting themselves in deception,


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promising freedom to them, while they themselves are slaves of the corruption, for by whom anyone has been defeated, by this one also he has been enslaved.


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For if having escaped from the pollutions of the world by the full <i>[or, true]</i> knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, yet again being entangled by these <i>[pollutions]</i>, they are defeated; the final <i>[state]</i> has become worse for them than the first.


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For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known <i>[it]</i>, to turn back from the holy commandment having been handed down to them.


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But it has happened to them <i>[according to]</i> the <i>[saying]</i> of the true proverb, "A dog turns back upon his own vomit," and, "A pig having bathed herself <i>[turns back]</i> to wallowing in mud." <i>[Prov 26:11]</i>


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This <i>[is]</i> now, beloved, <i>[the]</i> second letter I am writing to you*, in which I am stirring up your* pure <i>[or, sincere]</i> mind by reminding <i>[you*]</i>


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to be mindful of the words having been previously spoken by the holy prophets and of the commandment of your* apostles of the Lord and Savior,


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knowing this first, that scoffers will come at <i>[the]</i> last of the days <i>[or, at [the] end of time]</i>, going <i>[fig., living]</i> according to their own desires,


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and saying, "Where is the promise of His Arrival? For since the fathers fell asleep <i>[fig., died]</i>, all <i>[things]</i> continue in the same manner <i>[as]</i> from <i>[the]</i> beginning of creation."


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For this they willingly forget <i>[or, ignore]</i>, that <i>[the]</i> heavens were from of old, and <i>[the]</i> earth having existed out of water and through water by the word of God,


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But the present heavens and the <i>[present]</i> earth having been stored up <i>[or, reserved]</i> for fire by His word are being kept for <i>[the]</i> day of judgment and of destruction of the godless people.


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But stop letting this one <i>[fact]</i> be forgotten <i>[or, ignored]</i> by you*, beloved, that one day with <i>[the]</i> Lord <i>[is]</i> as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. <i>[see Psalm 90:4]</i>


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The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some regard slowness, _but_ He is waiting patiently towards us, not wanting any to be lost2 _but_ <i>[for]</i> all to make room for repentance.


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But the day of <i>[the]</i> Lord will come like a thief in <i>[the]</i> night, in which the heavens with a loud roar <i>[or, with roaring speed]</i> will pass away, and <i>[the]</i> elements being burned up will be destroyed, and <i>[the]</i> earth and the works in it will be burnt up.


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Therefore, all these <i>[things]</i> being destroyed, what sort of <i>[people]</i> is it necessary <i>[for]</i> you* to be in holy behaviors and godly acts,


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waiting for and hastening to the arrival of the Day of God, by which <i>[the]</i> heavens being set on fire will be destroyed, and <i>[the]</i> elements being burnt up are melted?


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But we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness dwells.


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For this reason, beloved, waiting for these <i>[things]</i>, be eager <i>[or, diligent]</i> to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.


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And consider the patience of our Lord <i>[to be]</i> salvation, just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom having been given to him, wrote to you*,


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as also in all his letters, speaking in them concerning these <i>[things]</i>, in which are some <i>[things]</i> difficult to be understood, which the untaught and unstable twist <i>[fig., distort]</i> to their own destruction, as <i>[they do]</i> also the rest of <i>[the]</i> Scriptures.


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_You*_ therefore, beloved, knowing <i>[this]</i> beforehand, be guarding yourselves, lest, together with the deception of the lawless <i>[ones]</i> being led away, you* fall from your* own firm footing <i>[or, steadfastness]</i>.


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But be increasing in <i>[the]</i> grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him <i>[be]</i> the glory both now and to <i>[the]</i> day of <i>[the]</i> age <i>[fig, to eternity]</i>! So be it!


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What was from <i>[the]</i> beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and our hands handled, concerning the Word of the life-


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and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and declare to you* the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us-


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what we have seen and have heard we declare to you*, so that you* also shall be having fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship <i>[is]</i> with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.


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And this is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you*, that God is light <i>[or, is as to His essence light]</i>, and in Him <i>[there]</i> is no darkness at all.


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If we say, "We have fellowship with Him," and are walking about <i>[fig., conducting ourselves]</i> in the darkness, we are lying and are not doing the truth.


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But if we are walking about in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses <i>[or, purges]</i> us from all sin.


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If we claim, "We do not have sin," we lead ourselves astray <i>[fig., deceive ourselves]</i>, and the truth is not in us.


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If we are confessing our sins, He is faithful <i>[or, trustworthy]</i> and righteous that He shall forgive us our sins and cleanse <i>[or, purge]</i> us from all unrighteousness.


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My little children <i>[or, My dear children]</i>, I am writing these things to you* so that you* do not sin. And if anyone does sin, we have a Counselor <i>[or, an Advocate]</i> with the Father, Jesus Christ, <i>[the]</i> righteous.


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And _He_ is <i>[the]</i> propitiation <i>[or, appeasing sacrifice]</i> concerning our sins, but not concerning ours only, _but_ also concerning the whole world's!


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The one claiming, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.


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But whoever is keeping His word, in this one the love of God has truly been perfected; by this we know that we are in Him.


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The one claiming to be abiding in Him just as that <i>[One]</i> walked ought also in the same manner himself to be walking.


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Brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, I am not writing a new commandment to you*, _but_ an old commandment which you* were having from the beginning-the old commandment is the word which you* heard from <i>[the]</i> beginning.


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Again, I am writing a new commandment to you*, which is true in Him and in you*, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.


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The one claiming to be in the light and <i>[yet is]</i> hating his brother is in the darkness until now.


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The one loving his brother abides in the light, and <i>[there]</i> is not a stumbling-block <i>[or, no enticement to sin]</i> in him.


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But the one hating his brother, he is in the darkness and walks about in the darkness. And he does not know where he is going, because the darkness <i>[has]</i> blinded his eyes.


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I am writing to you*, little children, because your* sins have been forgiven you* on account of His name.


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I am writing to you*, fathers, because you* have come to know the <i>[One who is]</i> from <i>[the]</i> beginning; I am writing to you*, young men, because you* have overcome the evil <i>[one]</i>. I am writing to you*, little children, because you* have come to know the Father.


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I wrote to you*, fathers, because you* have come to know the <i>[One who is]</i> from <i>[the]</i> beginning. I wrote to you*, young men, because you* are strong, and the word of God abides in you*, and you* have overcome the evil one.


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Stop loving the world and the <i>[things]</i> in the world. If anyone is loving the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


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Because all that <i>[is]</i> in the world-the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pretentious pride of life-is not from the Father _but_ is from the world.


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And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but the one doing the will of God remains into the age <i>[fig., forever]</i>.


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Young children <i>[or, Dear children]</i>, it is the last hour. And just as you* heard that the antichrist is coming, even now antichrists have become many <i>[or, many antichrists have appeared]</i>, for which reason we know that it is the last hour.


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They went out from us, _but_ they were not of us, for if they were of us, they would have remained with us; _but_ <i>[they went out]</i> so that they should be revealed that they are not all of us <i>[or, they all are not of us]</i>.


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I did not write to you* because you* do not know the truth, _but_ because you* know it, and because every lie is not from the truth.


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Who is the liar, except the one denying that Jesus is the Christ <i>[or, the Messiah]</i>? This one is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son.


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Therefore, what _you*_ heard from <i>[the]</i> beginning, let <i>[it]</i> be abiding in you*; if what you* heard from <i>[the]</i> beginning abides in you*, you* will also remain in the Son and in the Father.


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And the anointing which _you*_ received from Him abides in you*. And you* have no need that anyone should be teaching you*, _but_ as that same anointing teaches you* concerning all <i>[things]</i>, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it taught you*, you* will abide in Him.


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And now, little children, be abiding in Him, so that when He shall be revealed we shall be having confidence <i>[or, a joyful sense of freedom]</i> and shall not be ashamed before Him at His Arrival.


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If you* know that He is righteous, you* know <i>[or, be knowing]</i> that everyone practicing righteousness has been begotten from Him.


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See what great love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this reason the world does not know you*, because it did not know Him.


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Beloved, we are now children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we will be. But we know that when it <i>[or, He]</i> shall be revealed, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is!


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And every one having this hope <i>[or, confident expectation]</i> in Him, purifies himself, just as that One is pure.


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And you* know that that One was revealed so that He should take away our sins, and sin is not in Him.


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Every one abiding in Him is not sinning; every one sinning has not seen Him, nor has come to know Him.


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Little children <i>[or, [My] dear children]</i>, let no one be leading you* astray <i>[fig., be deceiving you*]</i>; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.


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The one practicing sin is from the Devil, because the Devil <i>[has been]</i> sinning from <i>[the]</i> beginning. For this <i>[reason]</i> the Son of God was revealed, so that He should destroy the works of the Devil.


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Every one having been begotten from God is not practicing sin, because His seed abides in him, and he is not able to be sinning, because he has been begotten from God.


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By this are revealed <i>[who are]</i> the children of God and the children of the Devil: every one not practicing righteousness is not from God, and the one not loving his brother.


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Because this is the message which you* heard from <i>[the]</i> beginning, that we should be loving one another:


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not as Cain-he was from the evil <i>[one]</i> and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his works were evil, but those of his brother <i>[were]</i> righteous.


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_We_ know that we have passed over from death to life, because we are loving the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>. The one not loving his brother abides in death.


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Every one hating his brother is a murderer, and you* know that every murderer does not have eternal life abiding in himself.


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By this we have come to know love, because that One laid down His life on our behalf, and _we_ ought to be laying down our lives on behalf of the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>.


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But whoever shall be having the goods of the world and shall be seeing his brother having need and shuts up his bowels from him <i>[fig., refuses to show him compassion]</i>, how does the love of God abide in Him?


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And by this we know that we are of the truth, and we will assure our hearts <i>[fig., consciences]</i> before Him,


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because if our heart <i>[fig., conscience]</i> is condemning <i>[us]</i>, that God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things.


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Beloved, if our heart <i>[fig., conscience]</i> shall not be condemning <i>[us]</i>, we have confidence <i>[or, a joyful sense of freedom]</i> before God.


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And whatever we shall be asking, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the <i>[things]</i> pleasing before Him.


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And this is His commandment, that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and we should be loving one another, just as He gave commandment.


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And the one keeping His commandments abides in Him, and He in him; and by this we know that He abides in us, from the Spirit which He gave to us.


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Beloved, stop believing <i>[or, trusting]</i> every spirit, _but_ be testing the spirits <i>[to see]</i> if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


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By this is known the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ <i>[as]</i> having come in <i>[the]</i> flesh is of God.


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And every spirit which does not confess Jesus Christ <i>[as]</i> having come in the flesh is not from God, and this is the <i>[spirit]</i> of the antichrist which you* heard that it is coming and now is already in the world.


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_You*_ are from God, little children, and you* have overcome them, because greater is the One in you* than the one in the world!


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_They_ are from the world; for this reason, they speak <i>[as]</i> from the world, and the world hears them.


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_We_ are from God. The one knowing God hears us; <i>[the one]</i> who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deception <i>[or, error]</i>.


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Beloved, let us be loving one another, because love is from God, and every one loving has been begotten from God and knows God.


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The one not loving did not know <i>[or, come to know]</i> God, because God is love <i>[or, is as to His essence love]</i>.


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By this was the love of God revealed in us, because God has sent His only-begotten <i>[or, uniquely-begotten]</i> Son into the world, so that we should live through Him.


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In this is love, not that _we_ loved God, _but_ that _He_ loved us and sent His Son <i>[as]</i> a propitiation <i>[or, appeasing sacrifice]</i> concerning our sins.


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No one has seen God at any time. If we are loving one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.


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And _we_ have known <i>[or, have come to know]</i> and have believed <i>[or, have been convinced of]</i> the love which God has in us; God is love <i>[or, is as to His essence love]</i>, and the one abiding in that love abides in God, and God {abides} in him.


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By this love has been perfected <i>[or, completed]</i> with us, so that we shall be having confidence <i>[or, a joyful sense of freedom]</i> in the day of the judgment, because just as that One is, <i>[so]</i> also _we_ are in this world.


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<i>[There]</i> is no fear in love, _but_ perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. But the one fearing has not been perfected in that love.


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If anyone says, "I love God," and shall be hating his brother, he is a liar; for the one not loving his brother whom he has seen, how is he able to be loving God whom he has not seen?


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And this <i>[is]</i> the commandment we have from Him, that the one loving God should also be loving his brother.


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Every one believing <i>[or, who is convinced]</i> that Jesus is the Christ <i>[or, the Messiah]</i> has been begotten from God, and every one loving the One having begotten loves also the one having been begotten from <i>[or, by]</i> Him.


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By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and are keeping His commandments.


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For this is the love of God, that we are keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome <i>[or, difficult to obey]</i>.


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Because every one having been begotten from God overcomes the world, and this is the victory having overcome the world-your* faith!


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Who is the one overcoming the world, if not the one believing <i>[or, who is convinced]</i> that Jesus is the Son of God?


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This is the One having come through water and blood-Jesus Christ; not by the water only, _but_ by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the One testifying, because the Spirit is the truth.


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If we receive the testimony of people, the testimony of God is greater; because this is the testimony of God which He has testified concerning His Son.


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The one believing <i>[or, trusting]</i> in the Son of God has such testimony in him; the one not believing God, has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony which God has testified concerning His Son.


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These things I wrote to you*, the ones believing <i>[or, trusting]</i> in the name of the Son of God, so that you* shall know that you* have eternal life, and so that you* shall be believing <i>[or, shall continue believing]</i> in the name of the Son of God.


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And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we are asking anything according to His will, He hears us.


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And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have requested from Him.


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If anyone sees his brother <i>[fig., fellow believer]</i> sinning a sin not <i>[leading]</i> to death, he will ask, and He will give to him life, to the ones sinning <i>[a sin]</i> not <i>[leading]</i> to death. <i>[There]</i> is sin <i>[leading]</i> to death; not concerning that <i>[sin]</i> am I saying that he should urgently ask.


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We know that every one having been begotten from God is not sinning, _but_ the one having been begotten from God keeps himself, and the evil <i>[one]</i> does not touch him.


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Now we know that the Son of God <i>[has]</i> come, and He has given to us understanding, so that we shall know the true <i>[One]</i>. And we are in the true <i>[One]</i>, in His Son, Jesus Christ. This One is the true God and {the} eternal life!


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The Elder to <i>[the]</i> chosen <i>[or, elect]</i> Kyria <i>[or, lady]</i> and to her children, whom _I_ love in truth, and not I only, _but_ also all the ones having come to know the truth,


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Grace, mercy, <i>[and]</i> peace will be with us, from God <i>[the]</i> Father and from <i>[the]</i> Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


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I greatly rejoiced that I have found <i>[some]</i> of your children walking about <i>[fig., conducting themselves]</i> in truth, just as we received a commandment from the Father.


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And now I urgently ask you, Kyria, not as writing to you a new commandment, _but_ <i>[the one]</i> which we were having from the beginning, that we should be loving one another.


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And this is love, that we are walking about <i>[fig, conducting ourselves]</i> according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you heard from the beginning that you should be walking about in it.


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Because many deceivers entered into the world, the ones not confessing Jesus Christ <i>[as]</i> coming in flesh; this is the deceiver and the antichrist.


text:
Be watching yourselves so that we do not lose what we worked for, _but_ <i>[that]</i> we shall receive a full reward.


text:
Every one transgressing and not abiding in the teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i> of Christ does not have God. The one abiding in the teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i> of Christ, this one has both the Father and the Son.


text:
If anyone comes to you* and does not bring this teaching <i>[or, doctrine]</i>, stop receiving him into <i>[your]</i> house, and stop saying to him, "Rejoice!" <i>[or, stop greeting him]</i>.


text:
For the one saying to him, "Rejoice!" <i>[or, the one greeting him]</i> contributes to <i>[or, shares in]</i> his evil works.


text:
Having many <i>[things]</i> to be writing to you*, I did not intend <i>[to do so]</i> through a sheet of papyrus and ink, _but_ I hope <i>[or, expect]</i> to come to you* and to speak mouth to mouth <i>[fig., face to face]</i>, so that our joy shall have been filled.


text:
Beloved <i>[fig., Dear friend]</i>, concerning all <i>[things]</i> I am praying <i>[or, wishing]</i> <i>[for]</i> you to be having things going well and to be having good health, just as your soul is doing well.


text:
For I rejoiced greatly when <i>[some]</i> of <i>[the]</i> brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> came and testified of the truth in you, just as _you_ are walking about <i>[fig., conducting yourself]</i> in truth.


text:
I have no greater joy <i>[than]</i> these <i>[things]</i>, that I hear my children are walking about <i>[fig., conducting themselves]</i> in truth.


text:
Beloved, you* are acting faithfully <i>[in]</i> whatever you* perform for the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> and for the strangers


text:
(who testified of your* love before <i>[the]</i> assembly <i>[or, church]</i>), <i>[to]</i> whom you* will do well, if you* have helped them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.


text:
For they went out on behalf of the Name, receiving nothing from the Gentiles <i>[or, unbelievers]</i>.


text:
Therefore, _we_ ought to be receiving such <i>[ones]</i>, so that we shall become co-workers to the truth.


text:
I wrote to the assembly <i>[or, church]</i>, _but_ Diotrephes, the one loving the first place <i>[or, desiring to be the leader]</i> among them, does not receive us <i>[or, accept our authority]</i>.


text:
For this reason, if I come, I will remind <i>[him of]</i> his works which he is doing, making idle accusations against us with evil words. And not content with these things, neither does _he_ welcome the brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, and he forbids the ones desiring <i>[to do so]</i> and casts <i>[them]</i> out of the assembly <i>[or, church]</i>.


text:
Beloved, stop imitating the evil, _but_ <i>[be imitating]</i> the good. The one doing good is from God; the one doing evil has not seen God.


text:
Demetrius has been testified to <i>[or, well spoken of]</i> by all, and by the truth itself. And _we_ also testify, and you* know that our testimony is true.


text:
But I hope <i>[or, expect]</i> soon to see you, and we will speak mouth to mouth <i>[fig., face to face]</i>. Peace to you! Our friends greet you. Be greeting our friends by name.


text:
Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To the called <i>[ones]</i>, having been sanctified by God the Father and having been kept in Jesus Christ.


text:
Beloved, making all diligence <i>[or, while I was making every effort]</i> to be writing to you* concerning the common salvation, I had necessity to write to you* urging <i>[you*]</i> to be contending earnestly for the faith having been handed down once for all <i>[time]</i> to the holy ones <i>[or, saints]</i>.


text:
For certain people wormed their way in, the ones having been marked out long ago for this judgment, godless <i>[ones]</i>, perverting the grace of our God into flagrant sexual immorality and denying our only Master, God, and Lord-Jesus Christ <i>[or, the only Master God and our Lord Jesus Christ]</i>.


text:
But I want to remind you*, _you*_ knowing this once <i>[and]</i> for all, that the Lord having saved <i>[or, delivered]</i> a people out of <i>[the]</i> land of Egypt, afterward destroyed the ones not having believed.


text:
And angels, the ones not having kept their own domain, _but_ having left their own habitation, He has kept under darkness in everlasting chains for <i>[the]</i> judgment of <i>[the]</i> great Day.


text:
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, in a similar manner to these <i>[angels]</i>, having indulged in sexual sin and having gone after different flesh <i>[fig., having engaged in homosexual sex]</i>, are exhibited <i>[as]</i> an example of suffering <i>[the]</i> divine justice of eternal fire.


text:
Likewise indeed even these dreaming ones defile <i>[the]</i> flesh and regard authority as nothing <i>[or, reject authority]</i>, blaspheme glories <i>[fig., angelic beings]</i>.


text:
But Michael the archangel, when contending with the Devil, he was arguing about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous judgment, _but_ he said, "May the Lord rebuke you!"


text:
But these indeed slander as many <i>[things]</i> as they do not know <i>[or, understand]</i>, but as many <i>[things]</i> as they understand by natural instinct (like the irrational animals), by these they are destroyed <i>[or, corrupted]</i>.


text:
How horrible it will be to them! Because they traveled in <i>[fig., followed]</i> the way of Cain, and for pay they plunged into the deception of Balaam, and they perished in the rebellion of Korah.


text:
These are hidden rocks in the sea <i>[fig., hidden dangers]</i> in your* love-feasts <i>[fig., fellowship meals]</i>, feasting together without fear, shepherding <i>[fig., caring only for]</i> themselves, clouds without water, being carried along by winds, late autumn <i>[i.e., harvest season]</i> trees without fruit, twice having died, having been uprooted,


text:
wild waves of <i>[the]</i> sea, splashing up their own shames like foam, wandering stars <i>[fig., stars out of their orbits]</i>, for whom the thick gloom of the darkness <i>[fig., the gloomy hell]</i> has been reserved into <i>[the]</i> age <i>[fig., forever]</i>.


text:
Now Enoch, <i>[in]</i> the seventh <i>[generation]</i> from Adam, also prophesied about these <i>[people]</i>, saying, "Look! The Lord came with countless thousands of His holy ones,


text:
to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly ones among them concerning all their ungodly deeds which they committed in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh <i>[words]</i> which ungodly sinners spoke against Him."


text:
These are grumblers, complainers, going <i>[fig., living]</i> according to their lusts, and their mouth speaks swollen <i>[fig., pompous]</i> <i>[words]</i>, admiring faces <i>[fig., flattering people]</i> for the sake of <i>[gaining]</i> an advantage.


text:
But _you*_, beloved, remember the words, the ones having been spoken previously by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,


text:
that they were saying to you*, that in <i>[the]</i> last time there will be scoffers, going <i>[fig., living]</i> according to their own ungodly lusts.


text:
But _you*_, beloved, building yourselves up in your* most holy faith, praying in <i>[the]</i> Holy Spirit,


text:
keep yourselves in <i>[the]</i> love of God, waiting for <i>[or, expecting]</i> the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.


text:
but others be saving with fear, snatching <i>[them]</i> out of a fire, hating even the tunic <i>[or, garment]</i> having been polluted <i>[or, defiled]</i> by the flesh.


text:
Now to the One being able to keep them from stumbling and to make <i>[you*]</i> stand in the presence of His glory unblemished <i>[or, blameless]</i>, with great happiness,


text:
To <i>[the]</i> only wise God our Savior, <i>[be]</i> glory and majesty, dominion and authority, both now and to all the ages <i>[fig., forevermore]</i>! So be it!


text:
<i>[The]</i> revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show to His slaves what <i>[things are]</i> necessary to occur with quickness. And He made <i>[it]</i> known, having sent through His angel to His slave John,


text:
who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, as many <i>[things]</i> as he also saw.


text:
Happy <i>[or, Blessed]</i> is the one reading <i>[to the assembly]</i> and the ones hearing the words of the prophecy and keeping <i>[or, obeying]</i> the <i>[things]</i> having been written in it, for the time <i>[is]</i> near!


text:
John, To the seven assemblies <i>[or, churches, and throughout book]</i>, the <i>[ones]</i> in Asia: Grace to you* and peace from God, the One being and the One <i>[who]</i> was and the One <i>[who is]</i> coming, and from the seven spirits which {are} <i>[fig., the seven-fold Spirit who is]</i> before His throne,


text:
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead <i>[ones]</i> and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the One loving us and having bathed us from our sins in His blood.


text:
And He made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father-to Him <i>[be]</i> the glory and the power into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!


text:
"Look! He is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see Him, even <i>[the ones]</i> who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will beat their breasts <i>[fig., mourn]</i> because of Him." Yes indeed! So be it! <i>[Dan 7:13; Zech 12:10]</i>


text:
"_I_ am the Alpha and the Omega <i>[i.e. the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet]</i>," says <i>[the]</i> Lord God, "The One being and the One <i>[who]</i> was and the One <i>[who is]</i> coming-the Almighty."


text:
I, John, the <i>[one being]</i> your* brother and partner in the affliction and the kingdom and patient endurance in Jesus Christ, came to be in the island, the one being called Patmos, because of the word of God and because of the testimony of Jesus Christ.


text:
I came to be in spirit <i>[or, in [the] Spirit]</i> on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, like a trumpet-blast,


text:
saying, "What you see, write in a scroll, and send <i>[it]</i> to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamos and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."


text:
And there I turned around to be seeing the voice which was speaking with me. And having turned around, I saw seven golden lampstands,


text:
and in <i>[the]</i> middle of the seven lamp-stands <i>[One]</i> like <i>[the]</i> Son of Humanity <i>[or, a son of humanity]</i>, having been clothed with a robe reaching to the feet and having been wrapped around at the chest with a golden belt <i>[or, sash]</i>.


text:
Now His head and His hair <i>[were]</i> white like white wool, like snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire.


text:
And His feet <i>[were]</i> like fine brass <i>[or, burnished bronze]</i> when it has been refined in a furnace, and His voice like <i>[the]</i> sound of many waters,


text:
and having seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp, double-edged sword proceeding out of His mouth, and His face <i>[was]</i> like the sun shining in its might.


text:
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He placed His right <i>[hand]</i> on me, saying, "Stop being afraid! _I_ am the First and the Last,


text:
and the living One. And I became dead. And look! _I_ am living into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>. Amen! And I have the keys of death and of the realm of the dead <i>[Gr., hades]</i>.


text:
"Therefore, write what <i>[things]</i> you saw, and what <i>[things]</i> are, and what <i>[things]</i> are about to be coming after these <i>[things]</i>.


text:
The secret <i>[or, mystery]</i> of the seven stars which you saw on My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies, and the seven lampstands {which you saw} are seven assemblies.


text:
"To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the One holding the seven stars in His right hand, the One walking about in <i>[the]</i> middle of the seven golden lampstands:


text:
'I know your works and your labor and your patient endurance, and that you are not able to tolerate evil <i>[people]</i>. And you tested the ones saying themselves to be apostles <i>[fig., who say they are apostles]</i> and are not, and found them <i>[to be]</i> liars;


text:
'And you have perseverance and <i>[have]</i> endured because of My name, and you did not grow weary.


text:
'Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; but if not <i>[fig., or else]</i> I am coming to you quickly, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.


text:
'The one having an ear, let him hear <i>[or, pay attention to, and throughout book]</i> what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To one overcoming, I will give to him to eat from the tree of life which is in <i>[the]</i> middle of the Paradise of My God.'


text:
"And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the First and the Last, who became dead and lived <i>[or, came to life]</i>:


text:
'I know your works and affliction and poverty (_but_ you are rich), and the blasphemy of the ones saying themselves to be Jews <i>[fig., who say they are Jews]</i> and are not, _but_ <i>[are]</i> a synagogue of Satan.


text:
'Stop being afraid of what you are about to be suffering. Listen indeed! The Devil is about to throw <i>[some]</i> of you* into prison, so that you* shall be tested, and you* will have affliction ten days. Continue being faithful until death, and I will give to you the victor's wreath <i>[or, crown, and throughout book]</i> of life.


text:
'The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies: The one overcoming shall by no means be harmed by the second death.'


text:
"And to the angel of the assembly in Pergamos write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the One having the sharp, double-edged sword:


text:
'I know your works and where you are dwelling, where the throne of Satan <i>[is]</i>. And you hold fast to My name, and you did not deny My faith in the days {in} which Antipas, My faithful witness <i>[or, martyr]</i>, who was put to death beside you*, where Satan dwells.


text:
'_But_ I have a few <i>[things]</i> against you, that you have there <i>[some]</i> holding to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling-block before the sons <i>[and daughters]</i> of Israel {and} to eat <i>[food]</i> sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual sin.


text:
'In the same way, _you_ even have <i>[some]</i> holding to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise.


text:
'Therefore repent! But if not <i>[fig., Or else]</i> I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.


text:
'The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies: To the one overcoming, I will give to him to eat {from} the manna, the one having been hidden, and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name having been written, which no one knows except the one receiving <i>[it]</i>.'


text:
"And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the Son of God, the One having His eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass <i>[or, burnished bronze]</i>:


text:
'I know your works and love and service and faith, and your patient endurance, and your last works <i>[are]</i> greater <i>[than]</i> the first.


text:
'_But_ I have against you that you permit your woman Jezebel, she <i>[who]</i> calls herself a prophetess, to be teaching and to be leading My slaves astray <i>[or, deceiving My slaves]</i> to commit sexual sin and to eat <i>[food]</i> sacrificed to idols.


text:
'And I gave to her time so that she should repent, and she was not willing to repent from her sexual sin.


text:
'Listen! I am throwing her on a bed <i>[of sickness]</i>, and the ones committing adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of her works.


text:
'And I will kill her children with death, and all the assemblies will know that _I_ am the One searching kidneys and hearts <i>[fig., thoughts and inner selves]</i>, and I will give to you*, to each <i>[one]</i> according to your* works.


text:
'Now I say to you*, to <i>[the]</i> rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this teaching, who did not know the depths of Satan, as they say-I will not put on you* <i>[any]</i> other burden.


text:
'And the one overcoming and the one keeping My works until the end, "I will give to him authority over the nations;


text:
and He will shepherd <i>[or, rule]</i> them with an iron staff; they will be broken in pieces like the vessels of the potter," as _I_ also have received <i>[authority]</i> from My Father. <i>[Psalm 2:8,9]</i>


text:
"And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the One having the seven spirits <i>[fig., the seven-fold Spirit]</i> of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and you are dead.


text:
'Become watching <i>[fig., Wake up]</i>, and strengthen the rest which you were about to be throwing out, for I have not found your works having been completed before My God.


text:
'Therefore, be remembering how you have received {and heard, and be keeping <i>[it]</i>}, and repent. Therefore, if you* will not watch <i>[fig., keep awake]</i>, I will come upon you like a thief, and you shall by no means know what hour I will come upon you.


text:
'_But_ you have a few names <i>[fig., individuals]</i> in Sardis who did not defile their garments, and they will walk about with Me in white, because they are worthy.


text:
'The one overcoming, this <i>[one]</i> will be clothed in white garments, and by no means will I blot out his name from the Scroll of Life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.


text:
"And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the holy <i>[One]</i>, the true <i>[One]</i>, the One having the key of David, the One opening and no one shuts it except the One opening, and no one opens.


text:
'I know your works. Look! I have set before you a door having been opened, which no one is able to shut it; because you have a little strength and kept My word and did not deny My name.


text:
'Listen! I am giving <i>[those]</i> of the synagogue of Satan, the ones saying themselves to be Jews <i>[or, who say they are Jews]</i> and are not, _but_ are lying. Listen! I will make them so that they shall come and prostrate themselves in reverence before your feet, and they shall know that I loved you.


text:
'Because you kept the word of My patient endurance, _I_ also will keep you from the hour of the trial, the one about to be coming upon the whole inhabited earth, to test the ones dwelling on the earth. <i>[cp. John 17:15]</i>


text:
'I am coming quickly! Be holding fast what you have, so that no one shall receive your victor's wreath.


text:
'The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and by no means shall he go out any longer. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is descending out of heaven from my God, and <i>[I will write on him]</i> {My} new name.


text:
"And to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: 'These <i>[things]</i> says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning <i>[or, Origin; or, Ruler]</i> of the creation of God:


text:
'Because you say, "I am wealthy and have grown rich and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are the wretched <i>[one]</i> and the miserable <i>[one]</i>, and poor and blind and naked,


text:
'I advise you to buy from me gold having been refined by fire, so that you shall grow rich, and white garments, so that you shall be clothed and the shame of your nakedness shall not be revealed, so that you shall smear your eyes with eye-salve, so that you shall see.


text:
'Look! I have stood at the door, and I am knocking. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.


text:
'The One overcoming, I will give to him to sit down with Me in My throne, as _I_ also overcame and sat down with my Father in His throne.


text:
After these things I saw, and look!, a door having been opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard <i>[was]</i> like a trumpet-blast speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show to you what must occur after these <i>[things]</i>."


text:
And immediately I came to be in spirit <i>[or, in [the] Spirit]</i>. And look! A throne was standing in heaven (and <i>[Someone was]</i> sitting on the throne),


text:
similar in appearance to a jasper stone <i>[i.e. a gem of varying colors]</i> and to a sardius <i>[or, carnelian; i.e. a red gem]</i>, and <i>[there was]</i> a rainbow around the throne, likewise <i>[similar]</i> in appearance to an emerald.


text:
And around the throne <i>[were]</i> twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones the twenty-four elders <i>[were]</i> sitting, having been clothed in white garments, and on their heads <i>[were]</i> golden victor's wreaths.


text:
And from the throne proceed lightning flashes and voices and peals of thunder, and seven lamps of fire <i>[were]</i> burning before His throne, which are seven spirits <i>[fig., is the seven-fold Spirit]</i> of God.


text:
And before the throne <i>[was something]</i> like a glassy sea like crystal <i>[or, ice]</i>, and in <i>[the]</i> center of the throne and around the throne <i>[were]</i> four living creatures full of <i>[or, covered with]</i> eyes in front and in back.


text:
And the first living creature <i>[was]</i> like a lion, and the second living creature <i>[was]</i> like a calf, and the third living creature having the face like a person, and the fourth {living creature} <i>[was]</i> like a flying eagle.


text:
And {the} four living creatures, each one having six wings apiece covered with eyes around and within, and they do not have rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy <i>[is]</i> the Lord God, the Almighty, the One <i>[who]</i> was and the One being and the One <i>[who is]</i> coming!"


text:
And whenever the living creatures ascribe glory and honor and thanksgiving to the One sitting on the throne, the One living into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>,


text:
the twenty-four elders will fall down before the One sitting on the throne and will prostrate themselves in worship before the One living into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>, and they will cast their victor's wreaths before the throne, saying,


text:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, the Holy <i>[One]</i>, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because _You_ created {all} the <i>[things]</i>, and because of Your will they are <i>[fig., exist]</i> and were created!"


text:
And I saw in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne a scroll having been written inside and outside, having been sealed with seven seals.


text:
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?"


text:
And no one in the heaven {above} nor on the earth nor under the earth was being able to open the scroll, nor to be looking at it.


text:
And _I_ began weeping greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll, nor to be looking at it.


text:
And one of the elders says to me, "Stop weeping! Listen! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, overcame to open the scroll and its seven seals.


text:
And I saw in <i>[the]</i> middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in <i>[the]</i> middle of the elders, a Lamb having stood as if having been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God <i>[fig., is the seven-fold Spirit]</i> having been sent into all the earth.


text:
And when He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp and golden bowls full of incenses, which are {the} prayers of the holy ones <i>[or, saints, and throughout book]</i>.


text:
And they sing a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and You redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every tribe and tongue <i>[fig., language group, and throughout book]</i> and people and nation,


text:
And I looked, and I heard as <i>[it were the]</i> voice of many angels around the throne and of the living creatures and of the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand <i>[times]</i> ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,


text:
saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb, the One having been slain, to receive the power and {the} riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!"


text:
And every creature which {is} in heaven and in the earth and under the earth and is on the sea, and the <i>[things]</i> in them, I heard all saying, "To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb, <i>[be]</i> the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might <i>[or, dominion]</i> into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!"


text:
And the four living creatures saying the "So be it" and the elders fell down and prostrated themselves in worship.


text:
And I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, like a voice of thunder, "Be coming and see!"


text:
And look! A white horse, and the one sitting on it having a bow, and a victor's wreath was given to him, and he went out conquering, and so that he should conquer.


text:
And another horse, <i>[the color]</i> of fire, went out. And it was given to the one sitting on it to take peace from the earth, so that <i>[people]</i> shall slay one another. And a great sword was given to him.


text:
And when He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Be coming and see!" And look! A black horse, and the one sitting on it having a balance in his hand.


text:
And I heard a voice in <i>[the]</i> midst of the four living creatures saying, "A choenix <i>[about one quart or one liter]</i> of wheat for a denarius <i>[i.e., one day's wages]</i>, and three choenixes of barley for a denarius, and you shall not damage the olive oil and the wine!"


text:
And when He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Be coming and see!"


text:
And look! A pale <i>[fig., sickly]</i>, green horse, and the one sitting on it, <i>[the]</i> name to him <i>[is]</i> Death, and the realm of the dead <i>[Gr., hades]</i> was following him. And authority was given to them over the fourth of the earth to kill with sword and with famine and with death, and by the wild animals of the earth.


text:
And when He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of the ones having been slain because of the word of God and because of the testimony of the Lamb which they were holding.


text:
And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Until when <i>[fig., How long]</i>, O Master <i>[or, Sovereign]</i>, the Holy and the True, do You not judge <i>[fig., until You judge]</i> and avenge our blood from the ones dwelling on the earth?"


text:
And a long, white robe was given to each of them, and it was said to them that they should rest themselves yet a time <i>[fig., a while longer]</i>, until {which} <i>[time the number of]</i> their fellow-slaves and their brothers <i>[and sisters]</i> {and} the ones being about to be killed even as they <i>[had been]</i> shall be completed also.


text:
And I saw when He opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred, and the sun became black as sackcloth <i>[made]</i> of hair, and the {whole} moon became like blood.


text:
And the stars of the sky fell to the earth like a fig-tree having cast its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind. <i>[cp. Joel 2:10; 2:31; Matt 24:29]</i>


text:
And the sky was split <i>[fig., receded]</i> like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. <i>[cp. Isaiah 34:4]</i>


text:
And the kings of the earth and the nobles and the commanding officers <i>[or, Chiliarchs]</i> and the rich and the strong and every slave and {every} free person hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.


text:
And they say to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from <i>[the]</i> face of the One sitting on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!


text:
And after this, I saw four angels having stood at the four corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth, so that a wind would not blow on the land nor on the sea nor on any tree.


text:
And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun <i>[fig. from the east]</i> having <i>[the]</i> seal of <i>[the]</i> living God. And he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to damage the land and the sea,


text:
saying, "Do not damage the land nor the sea nor the trees until we seal the slaves of our God on their foreheads."


text:
And I heard the number of the ones having been sealed-one hundred and forty-four thousand having been sealed out of every tribe of <i>[the]</i> sons of Israel:


text:
Out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Judah twelve thousand {having been sealed}; out of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand; out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Gad twelve thousand;


text:
Out of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand; out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand;


text:
Out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Simon twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand; out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Issachar twelve thousand;


text:
Out of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand; out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Joseph twelve thousand; out of <i>[the]</i> tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand.


text:
After these <i>[things]</i> I saw. And look! A large crowd, which no one was being able to number, out of every nation and <i>[from]</i> tribes and people and tongues, having stood before the throne and before the Lamb having been clothed in long, white robes and palm branches in their hands.


text:
And they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "The salvation <i>[belongs]</i> to our God, the One sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb!"


text:
And all the angels had stood around the throne, and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell down on their face<i>[s]</i> before {His} throne and prostrated themselves in worship before God,


text:
saying, "Amen! The blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength <i>[belong]</i> to our God into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>! So be it!"


text:
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These, the ones having been clothed with the long, white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?"


text:
And I said to him, "My Lord, _you_ know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation, and they washed their long robes and made {them} white in the blood of the Lamb.


text:
"For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they sacredly serve Him day and night in His Temple. And the One sitting on the throne will spread <i>[His]</i> tabernacle over <i>[fig., will shelter]</i> them.


text:
"They will not hunger <i>[any]</i> longer, nor by any means will they thirst <i>[any]</i> longer, nor will the sun fall <i>[fig., beat down]</i> on them, nor any heat.


text:
"Because the Lamb, the <i>[One]</i> in <i>[the]</i> center of the throne, will shepherd them and will lead them to fountains of waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."


text:
And another angel came and stood at the altar holding a golden incense burner. And much incense was given to him, so that he should offer <i>[it]</i> with the prayers of all the holy ones on the golden altar, the <i>[one]</i> before the throne.


text:
And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the holy ones ascended out of <i>[the]</i> hand of the angel before God.


text:
And the angel has taken the incense burner and filled it from the fire of the altar, and he threw <i>[it]</i> to the earth. And <i>[there]</i> occurred peals of thunder and voices and lightning flashes and an earthquake.


text:
And the seven angels, the ones having the seven trumpets, prepared themselves so that they should sound the trumpets.


text:
And the first <i>[one]</i> sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and there occurred hail and fire having been mixed with blood, and it was thrown to the earth; and the third of the earth was burnt up, and the third of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.


text:
And the second angel sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and <i>[something]</i> like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea, and the third of the sea became blood.


text:
And the third of the creatures in the sea, the ones having life, died, and the third of the ships were utterly destroyed.


text:
And the third angel sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and a great star fell out of the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on the third of the rivers and on the springs of the waters.


text:
And the name of the star is called Wormwood <i>["Bitterness"]</i>, and the third of the waters became <i>[fig., turned]</i> into wormwood, and many of the people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.


text:
And the fourth angel sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and the third of the sun was struck and the third of the moon and the third of the stars, so that the third of them should be darkened, and the day shall not be shining <i>[for]</i> the third of it, and the night likewise.


text:
And I saw, and I heard a single eagle flying in midair, saying with a loud voice, "How horrible! How horrible! How horrible to the ones dwelling on the earth, from the remaining sounds of the trumpet of the three angels, the ones being about to be sounding <i>[their]</i> trumpets!"


text:
And the fifth angel sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and I saw a star having fallen out of the sky to the earth. And the key of the shaft of the bottomless pit <i>[or, abyss, and throughout book]</i> was given to him.


text:
{And he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit}, and smoke ascended out of the shaft like <i>[the]</i> smoke of a burning furnace, and the sun was darkened, also the air, from the smoke of the shaft.


text:
And out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth. And power <i>[to sting]</i> was given to them, as scorpions of the earth have power.


text:
And it was said to them that they shall not damage the grass of the earth nor any green <i>[plant]</i> nor any tree, except the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.


text:
And it was given to them that they should not be killing them, _but_ that they should be tormented five months. And their torment <i>[was]</i> like <i>[the]</i> torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person.


text:
And in those days people will seek death, and they will by no means find it; and they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.


text:
And the likenesses <i>[fig., appearance]</i> of the locusts <i>[was]</i> like horses having been prepared for battle, and on their heads <i>[was something]</i> like gold victor's wreaths, and their faces <i>[were]</i> like faces of people.


text:
And they had hair like <i>[the]</i> hair of women, and their teeth were like <i>[the teeth]</i> of lions.


text:
And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings <i>[was]</i> like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle.


text:
And they have tails like scorpions, and stings <i>[or, with stingers]</i>; and in their tails they have power to harm people <i>[for]</i> five months.


text:
They have over them a king, <i>[the]</i> angel of the bottomless pit. <i>[The]</i> name to him in Hebrew <i>[is]</i> Abbadon <i>["Destroyer"]</i>, but in the Greek he has <i>[the]</i> name Apollyon <i>["Destroyer"]</i>.


text:
And the sixth angel sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and I heard a voice out of the four horns of the golden altar, the <i>[one]</i> before God,


text:
saying to the sixth angel, the one having the trumpet, "Release the four angels, the ones having been bound at the great river Euphrates."


text:
And the four angels were released, the ones having been prepared for the hour and {for} the day and month and year, so that they shall be killing the third of people.


text:
And the number of the armies of the horse <i>[fig., of the cavalry]</i> <i>[was]</i> ten thousand <i>[times]</i> ten thousand <i>[i.e. 100 million]</i>, and I heard the number of them.


text:
And I saw the horses in the vision and the ones sitting on them <i>[looking]</i> like this: having breastplates of fiery <i>[red]</i> and hyacinth <i>[blue]</i> and sulfurous <i>[or, brimstone]</i> <i>[yellow]</i>; and the heads of the horses <i>[were]</i> like <i>[the]</i> heads of lions, and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and sulfur <i>[or, brimstone]</i>.


text:
The third of the people were killed by these three plagues: from the fire and from the smoke and from the sulfur <i>[or, brimstone]</i> proceeding out of their mouths.


text:
For the power of the horses is in their mouth and in their tails, for their tails <i>[are]</i> like serpents having heads, and with them they do harm.


text:
And the rest of people, the ones not killed by these plagues, did not repent from the works of their hands, so that they should not prostrate themselves in worship before the demons and idols, the <i>[ones]</i> of gold and the <i>[ones]</i> of silver {and the <i>[ones]</i> of brass} and the <i>[ones]</i> of stone and the <i>[ones]</i> of wood, which are neither able to be seeing nor to be hearing nor to be walking about. <i>[cp. Psalm 115:4-7; 135:15-17]</i>


text:
And they did not repent from their murders nor from their sorceries nor from their sexual sins nor from their thefts.


text:
And I saw a mighty angel coming down out of heaven, having been clothed with a cloud, and the rainbow on his head; and his face like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire,


text:
and having in his hand a scroll having been opened, and he put his right foot on the sea, but the left on the land,


text:
and he cried out with a loud voice, just like a lion roars. And when he cried out, the seven peals of thunder spoke their voices.


text:
And when the seven peals of thunder spoke, I was about to be writing, and I heard a voice out of heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven peals of thunder spoke, and do not write these <i>[things]</i>!"


text:
And the angel whom I saw having stood on the sea and on the land, lifted up his right hand to heaven


text:
and took an oath {by} the One living into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>, who created heaven and the <i>[things]</i> in it, and the land and the <i>[things]</i> in it, and the sea and the <i>[things]</i> in it, that <i>[there]</i> will be time <i>[fig., delay]</i> no longer.


text:
_But_ in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to be sounding <i>[his]</i> trumpet, then the secret <i>[or, mystery]</i> of God is completed, as He preached the Gospel to His slaves the prophets.


text:
And the voice which I heard out of heaven <i>[was]</i> again speaking with me, and saying, "Be going; take the little scroll, the one having been opened in the hand of the angel, the one having stood on the sea and on the land."


text:
And I went out to the angel telling him to give the little scroll to me. And he says to me, "Take and devour it, and it will make your stomach bitter, _but_ it will be sweet as honey in your mouth."


text:
And I took the scroll out of the hand of the angel and devoured it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth, and when I ate it my stomach was made bitter.


text:
And he says to me, "It is necessary <i>[for]</i> you to again prophesy about many peoples and about nations and tongues and kings."


text:
And a reed like a rod was given to me, saying, "Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar and the ones prostrating themselves in worship in it.


text:
"And leave out the court, the <i>[one]</i> outside of the temple, and do not measure it, because it was given to the nations <i>[or, Gentiles]</i>, and they will trample the holy city forty and two months.


text:
"And I will give <i>[power]</i> to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred <i>[and]</i> sixty days, having been clothed with sackcloth."


text:
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, the ones having stood before the Lord of the earth.


text:
And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and consumes their enemies, and if anyone wants to harm them, it is necessary <i>[for]</i> him to be killed in this manner.


text:
These have power to shut the sky, so that it shall not rain a rain <i>[during]</i> the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters to be turning them to blood and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.


text:
And when they complete their testimony, the beast, the one ascending out of the bottomless pit, will make war with them and will overcome them and will kill them.


text:
And their dead bodies <i>[will lie]</i> on the open street of the great city (which spiritually <i>[or, figuratively]</i> is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified).


text:
And <i>[those]</i> from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations look at their dead body three <i>[and]</i> a half days, and they will not allow their dead bodies to be put into a tomb.


text:
And the ones dwelling on the earth <i>[will]</i> rejoice over them, and they will celebrate, and they will send gifts to one another, because these, the two prophets, tormented the ones dwelling on the earth."


text:
And after the three and a half days, a spirit <i>[or, breath]</i> of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon the ones watching them.


text:
And they heard a loud voice out of heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they ascended into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.


text:
And in that day a great earthquake occurred, and the tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand names of people <i>[fig., individuals]</i> were killed in the earthquake; and the rest became terrified, and they gave glory to the God of heaven.


text:
And the seventh angel sounded <i>[his]</i> trumpet, and <i>[there]</i> occurred great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world became <i>[the kingdom]</i> of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>!"


text:
And the twenty-four elders, the ones sitting on their thrones before {the throne of} God, fell on their faces and prostrated themselves in worship before God,


text:
saying, "We give thanks to You, O Lord God, the Almighty, the One being and the One <i>[who]</i> was, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.


text:
"And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged <i>[came]</i>, and <i>[the time]</i> to give the reward to Your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and the ones fearing Your name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy the ones utterly destroying the earth."


text:
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord was seen in His temple, and <i>[there]</i> occurred lightning flashes and voices and peals of thunder and an earthquake and great hail.


text:
And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman having been clothed with the sun, and <i>[with]</i> the moon underneath her feet, and on her head a victor's wreath of twelve stars.


text:
And having in <i>[the]</i> womb <i>[fig., being pregnant]</i>, she was crying out, suffering birth-pains and being in anguish to give birth.


text:
And another sign was seen in heaven. And look! A great dragon <i>[the color of]</i> fire, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his head seven royal bands.


text:
And his tail drags away the third of the stars of heaven, and he threw them to the earth; and the dragon had stood before the woman, the one about to give birth, so that when she gives birth, he shall devour her child.


text:
And she gave birth to a Son, a male, who is about to be shepherding <i>[or, ruling]</i> all the nations with an iron staff. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.


text:
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has there a place having been prepared by God, so that there they shall be nourishing her a thousand two hundred <i>[and]</i> sixty days <i>[i.e. 3 1/2 years]</i>.


text:
And war occurred in heaven: Michael and his angels waged war with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels waged war.


text:
And they were not strong <i>[enough]</i>, nor was a place found for him <i>[any]</i> longer in heaven.


text:
And the great dragon was thrown down-the ancient serpent, the one being called <i>[the]</i> Devil and Satan, the one leading astray <i>[fig., deceiving]</i> the whole inhabited earth-he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.


text:
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ <i>[has]</i> occurred, because the accuser of our brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, the one accusing them before our God day and night, was thrown down!


text:
"And they defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life to the point of death.


text:
"For this reason, be celebrating, O heavens and the ones tabernacling <i>[or, dwelling]</i> in them! How horrible it will be to the land and to the sea, because the Devil went down to you*, having great rage, knowing that he has little time."


text:
And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the Male <i>[Child]</i>.


text:
And two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she should be flying into the wilderness, to her place, in order that she shall be nourished there a time and times and half a time <i>[i.e. 3 1/2 years]</i>, from <i>[the]</i> face <i>[fig., presence]</i> of the serpent.


text:
And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he shall cause her <i>[to be]</i> swept away by the river.


text:
And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth.


text:
And the dragon was enraged against the woman, and he went off to make war with the rest of her seed <i>[fig., offspring]</i>, the ones keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus.


text:
And I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and ten royal bands on its horns, and a blasphemous name on its heads.


text:
And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and its feet like a bear's, and its mouth like a lion's mouth. And the dragon gave to it his power and his throne and great authority.


text:
And one of its heads <i>[was]</i> as <i>[if]</i> having been slain to death <i>[fig., mortally wounded]</i>, and its wound of death <i>[fig., fatal wound]</i> was healed. And the whole earth marveled after the beast.


text:
And they prostrated themselves in worship before the dragon, the one having given the authority to <i>[the]</i> beast; and they prostrated themselves in worship before the beast, saying, "Who <i>[is]</i> like the beast, and who is being able to wage war with it?"


text:
And a mouth was given to it speaking great <i>[things]</i> and blasphemy, and authority was given to it to make war forty-two months.


text:
And it opened its mouth in blasphemy toward God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, <i>[that is]</i>, the ones tabernacling <i>[or, dwelling]</i> in heaven.


text:
And it was given to it to make war with the holy ones and to overcome them, and authority was given to it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.


text:
And all the ones dwelling on the earth will prostrate themselves in worship before it, the name of whom has not been written in the Scroll of Life of the Lamb having been slain from <i>[the]</i> laying of the foundation of <i>[the]</i> world <i>[or, from [the] beginning of the creation of [the] universe]</i>.


text:
If anyone has captivity, he goes away; if anyone kills by a sword, it is necessary <i>[for]</i> him to be killed by a sword. Here is the patient endurance and the faith of the holy ones.


text:
And I saw another beast rising up out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, and it was speaking like a dragon.


text:
And it exercises all the authority of the first beast before it, and it was making the earth and the ones dwelling in it that they should prostrate themselves in worship before the first beast, whose wound of death <i>[fig., fatal wound]</i> was healed.


text:
And it performs great signs, so that even fire is coming down from heaven on the earth before the people.


text:
And it leads astray <i>[fig., deceives]</i> {my own} <i>[people]</i>, the ones dwelling on the earth because of the signs which were given it to do before the beast, telling the ones dwelling on the earth to make an image to the beast which was having the wound of the sword and lived.


text:
And it was given to it to give breath <i>[or, a spirit]</i> to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should both speak and make <i>[it that]</i> as many as would not prostrate themselves in worship before the image of the beast should be killed.


text:
And it makes all <i>[people]</i>, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, that marks shall be given to them on their right hand or on their foreheads,


text:
and that no one is able to buy or to sell, except the one having the mark: the name of the beast or the number of his name.


text:
Here is the wisdom-the one having understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person; {and} his number {is} 666.


text:
And I saw. And look! {The} Lamb having stood on Mount Zion, and with Him {a number,} 144 thousands <i>[i.e. 144,000]</i>, having His name and the name of His Father having been written on their foreheads.


text:
And I heard a voice out of heaven, like a voice of many waters and like a voice of great thunder, and the voice which I heard <i>[was]</i> like harpists harping with their harps.


text:
And they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no one was being able to learn the song except the 144 thousands, the ones having been redeemed from the earth.


text:
These are <i>[those]</i> who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones following the Lamb wherever He is going. These were redeemed by Jesus from among people, a first-fruit to God and to the Lamb.


text:
And I saw an angel flying in midair, having the eternal Gospel to proclaim to the ones sitting <i>[fig., dwelling]</i> on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people,


text:
saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, because the hour of His judgment came, and prostrate yourselves in worship before the One having made heaven and the earth and the sea and springs of waters."


text:
And another, a second angel, followed, saying, "{Fallen}, fallen <i>[is]</i> Babylon, the great city! From the wine of the rage of her sexual sin she has given to all nations to have drunk."


text:
And another, a third angel, followed them, saying in a loud voice, "If anyone prostrates themselves in worship before the beast and his image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,


text:
he also will drink from the wine of the rage of God, the <i>[rage]</i> having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath, and he will be tormented in fire and sulfur <i>[or, brimstone]</i> before the holy angels and before the Lamb.


text:
" And the smoke of their torment ascends to ages of ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>; and they have no relief day and night, the ones prostrating themselves in worship before the beast and his image, also if anyone receives the mark of his name."


text:
Here is <i>[the]</i> patient endurance of the holy ones; {here} <i>[are]</i> the ones keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.


text:
And I heard a voice out of heaven saying {to me}, "Write: 'Happy <i>[or, Blessed, and throughout book]</i> <i>[are]</i> the dead, the ones dying in <i>[the]</i> Lord from now <i>[on]</i>!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they shall rest from their labors, but their works follow with them."


text:
And I saw. And look! A white cloud, and sitting on the cloud <i>[One]</i> like <i>[the]</i> Son of Humanity, having a golden victor's wreath on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand.


text:
And another angel came out from the temple crying out with a loud voice to the One sitting on the cloud, "Send <i>[Fig., Thrust in]</i> Your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap came, because the harvest of the earth was ripened."


text:
And another angel came out from the temple, the <i>[one]</i> in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.


text:
And another angel came forth from the altar, having authority over the fire, and he called with a loud shout to the one having the sharp sickle, saying, "Send <i>[fig., Thrust in]</i> your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the grapevine of the earth, because her grapes became ripe."


text:
And the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the grapevine of the earth, and he threw <i>[it]</i> into the great winepress of the wrath of God.


text:
And the winepress was trampled outside of the city, and blood came out from the winepress up to the bridles of the horses, for <i>[a distance of]</i> one thousand, six hundred stadia <i>[about 180 miles or 300 kilometers]</i>.


text:
And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, because in them was completed the wrath of God.


text:
And I saw <i>[something]</i> like a glassy sea having been mixed with fire and the ones being victorious over the beast and over its image <i>[and]</i> over the number of its name standing on the glassy sea having harps of God.


text:
And they sing the song of Moses, the slave of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous <i>[are]</i> Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true <i>[are]</i> Your ways, O King of the nations!


text:
"Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For <i>[You]</i> alone <i>[are]</i> holy; for all the nations will come and will prostrate themselves in worship before You, for Your righteousnesses <i>[or, righteous judgments]</i> were made known."


text:
And after these <i>[things]</i> I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.


text:
And the seven angels, the ones having the seven plagues come out {from the temple}, who had been clothed in clean, bright linen, and having been wrapped around the chests with golden belts <i>[or, sashes]</i>.


text:
And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, the One living into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>.


text:
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was being able to enter into the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.


text:
And I heard a loud voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, "Be going away, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."


text:
And the first went away and poured out his bowl on the earth, and a foul and malignant ulcerated sore occurred on the people, the ones having the mark of the beast and the ones prostrating themselves in worship before its image.


text:
And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of <i>[one]</i> dead, and every living soul <i>[or, creature]</i> died in the sea.


text:
And the third {angel} poured out his bowl into the rivers and into the fountains of the waters, and it became blood.


text:
And I heard the angel of the waters saying, "You are righteous, the One being and the One <i>[who]</i> was, the Holy <i>[One]</i>, because You <i>[have]</i> judged these <i>[things]</i>.


text:
"Because they shed <i>[the]</i> blood of holy ones and prophets, and You gave blood to them to drink. They are worthy <i>[fig., They deserve it]</i>."


text:
And I heard the altar, saying, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous <i>[are]</i> Your judgments."


text:
And the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given to him to scorch the people with fire.


text:
And the people were scorched with great heat, and the people blasphemed the name of God, the One having authority over these plagues, and they did not repent <i>[so as]</i> to give to Him glory.


text:
And the fifth {angel} poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom has become darkened; and they began gnawing their tongues from the pain.


text:
And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and because of their ulcerated sores, and they did not repent from their works.


text:
And the sixth {angel} poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings, the ones from <i>[the]</i> rising of <i>[the]</i> sun <i>[fig., from the east]</i>, would be prepared.


text:
And I saw <i>[coming]</i> out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet three unclean <i>[or, defiling]</i> spirits like frogs.


text:
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together to the battle of that great day of God the Almighty.


text:
"Listen! I am coming like a thief! Happy <i>[is]</i> the one keeping watch and keeping his clothes, lest he be walking about naked, and they shall be seeing his shame."


text:
And the seventh {angel} poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out from the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It has happened!"


text:
And <i>[there]</i> occurred lightning flashes and peals of thunder and voices, and a great earthquake {occurred}, such as did not occur since the people came on the earth, so mighty an earthquake-so great!


text:
And the great city became <i>[fig., was split]</i> into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the rage of His wrath.


text:
And huge hail, <i>[each]</i> weighing about a talent <i>[about 95 pounds or 42 kilograms]</i>, is coming down out of heaven <i>[or, the sky]</i> on the people, and the people blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, because its plague is extremely great.


text:
And one of the seven angels, <i>[one]</i> of the ones having the seven bowls, came and spoke with me, saying, "Come, I will show to you the judgment of the great prostitute, the one sitting on the many waters,


text:
with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual sin, and the ones inhabiting the earth got drunk from the wine of her sexual sin."


text:
And he carried me away in spirit <i>[or, by [the] Spirit]</i> into a wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast full of <i>[or, covered with]</i> names of blasphemy <i>[or, blasphemous names]</i>, having seven heads and ten horns.


text:
And the woman had been clothed with purple and scarlet, having been adorned with gold and a precious stone and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand being full of <i>[the]</i> abominations and the uncleanness of her sexual sin.


text:
And on her forehead a name had been written: Secret <i>[or, Mystery]</i>, Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth.


text:
And I saw the woman being drunk from the blood of the holy ones {and} from the blood of the witnesses <i>[or, martyrs]</i> of Jesus. And having seen her, I was amazed with great amazement.


text:
And the angel said to me, "Why were you <i>[so]</i> amazed? _I_ will tell to you the secret <i>[or, mystery]</i> of the woman and of the beast, the <i>[one]</i> carrying her, the one having the seven heads and the ten horns.


text:
"The beast which you saw was, and is not, and is about to be ascending out of the bottomless pit and to be going away to destruction. And the ones dwelling on the earth will be amazed, whose names have not been written on the Scroll of Life from <i>[the]</i> laying of the foundation of <i>[the]</i> world <i>[or, from [the] beginning of the creation of [the] universe]</i>, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will come.


text:
"Here <i>[is]</i> the mind, the one having wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains, where the woman sits on them.


text:
"There are also seven kings: the five fell, the one is, the other did not yet come, and when he comes, it is necessary <i>[for]</i> him to remain a short time.


text:
"And the beast which was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and he is out of the seven, and he is going away to destruction.


text:
"And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who did not yet receive a kingdom, _but_ they receive authority as kings <i>[for]</i> one hour with the beast.


text:
"These will wage war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and the <i>[ones]</i> with him <i>[are]</i> called and chosen and faithful."


text:
And he says to me, "The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.


text:
"And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her having been laid waste and {will make her} naked, and they will eat her flesh and will burn her in fire.


text:
"For God gave into their hearts <i>[fig., inner selves]</i> to do His mind <i>[fig., purpose]</i> and to make <i>[fig., to be of]</i> one mind and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are completed <i>[or, fulfilled]</i>.


text:
"And the woman which you saw is the great city, the one having kingship over the kings of the earth."


text:
{And} after these <i>[things]</i> I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority, and the earth was lit up from his glory <i>[or, splendor]</i>.


text:
And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "{Fallen}, fallen <i>[is]</i> Babylon the great! And she became a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean <i>[or, defiling]</i> spirit and a prison of every unclean and having been detested bird.


text:
For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual sin, and the kings of the earth committed sexual sin with her, and merchants of the earth became rich from the power <i>[fig., wealth]</i> of her luxury."


text:
And I heard another voice out of heaven, saying, "Come out from her, My people, so that you* shall not participate in her sins, and so that you* shall not receive of her plagues.


text:
"Give back to her as she also gave back {to you*}, and double doubles <i>[fig., give back double]</i> to her according to her works; in the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.


text:
"As much as she glorified herself and lived in luxury, <i>[by]</i> so much give to her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart <i>[fig., inner self]</i>, 'I sit <i>[as]</i> a queen, and I am not a widow, and I shall by no means see sorrow.


text:
"For this reason, her plagues will come in one day-death and sorrow and famine. And she will be consumed by fire; for mighty <i>[is the]</i> Lord God, the One having judged her.


text:
"And the kings of the earth, the ones having committed sexual sin and having lived luxuriously with her, will weep and will beat their breasts <i>[fig., mourn]</i> over her when they shall be seeing the smoke of her burning,


text:
having stood at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'How horrible! How horrible! The great city Babylon, the mighty city! For in one hour your judgment came!'


text:
"And the merchants of the earth will weep and will mourn over her, for no one buys their cargo any more:


text:
cargo of gold and of silver and of precious stone and of pearl and of fine linen and of purple cloth and of silk and of scarlet <i>[dye]</i>, and of every citron wood and of every vessel of ivory and of every vessel of most precious wood, and of brass and of iron and of marble,


text:
and cinnamon and incenses and perfume and frankincense, and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat, and cattle and sheep, and of horses and of chariots, and of bodies and souls of people.


text:
"And the fruit of the desire of your soul <i>[fig., the fruit for which your soul craved]</i> went away from you, and all the elegant and lavish <i>[things]</i> perished from you, and by no means shall you any longer find them.


text:
"The merchants of these <i>[things]</i>, the ones having become rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and sorrowing


text:
and saying, 'How horrible! How horrible! The great city, the one having been clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and having been adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls;


text:
for in one hour such great wealth was laid waste!' And every ship captain and every<i>[one]</i> sailing by the place and <i>[the]</i> sailors and as many as work the sea stood at a distance,


text:
and were crying out, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What <i>[city is]</i> like the great city?'


text:
"And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and sorrowing and saying, 'How horrible! How horrible! The great city in which all the ones having the ships in the sea became rich from her abundance of costly things!' For in one hour she was laid waste!


text:
"Be celebrating over her, O heaven, and the holy ones and the apostles and the prophets, because God judged your judgment of her <i>[fig., God has pronounced judgment for you* against her]</i>!"


text:
And one mighty angel took up a stone as a great millstone and threw <i>[it]</i> into the sea, saying, "In this way Babylon will be thrown down with violence, the great city, and she shall by no means be found <i>[any]</i> more.


text:
"And <i>[the]</i> sound of harpists and of musicians and of flutists and of trumpeters shall by no means be heard in you <i>[any]</i> more; and no craftsmen of any craft shall by any means be found in you <i>[any]</i> more; and <i>[the]</i> sound of a millstone shall by no means be heard in you <i>[any]</i> more.


text:
"And <i>[the]</i> light of a lamp shall by no means shine in you <i>[any]</i> more, and <i>[the]</i> voice of bridegroom and of bride shall by no means be heard in you <i>[any]</i> more; for your merchants were the nobles <i>[or, great ones]</i> of the earth, because by your sorcery all the nations were led astray <i>[fig., were deceived]</i>.


text:
"And in her was found <i>[the]</i> bloods of prophets and of holy ones and of all the ones having been slain on the earth."


text:
{And} after these <i>[things]</i> I heard <i>[something]</i> like a loud voice of a large crowd in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! The salvation and the power and the glory <i>[are]</i> of our God!


text:
"Because His judgments <i>[are]</i> true and righteous; because He judged the great prostitute who was utterly destroying the earth with her sexual sin, and He avenged the blood of His slaves <i>[shed]</i> by her hand."


text:
And a second time they were saying, "Alleluia! And her smoke rises up into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>!"


text:
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and prostrated themselves in worship before God, the One sitting on the throne, saying, "So be it! Alleluia!"


text:
And a voice came out from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all His slaves and the ones fearing Him, both the small and the great!"


text:
And I heard <i>[something]</i> like <i>[the]</i> voice of a large crowd and like <i>[the]</i> sound of many waters and like <i>[the]</i> sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Alleluia! Because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigned <i>[or, has begun to reign]</i>!


text:
"Let us be rejoicing and be very glad, and let us give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb came, and His wife made herself ready!"


text:
And it was given to her that she should clothe herself with fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the holy ones."


text:
And he says to me, "Write: 'Happy <i>[are]</i> the ones having been called to the banquet of the marriage of the Lamb!'" And he says to me, "These are the true words of God."


text:
And I fell before his feet to prostrate myself in worship before him, and he says to me, "See <i>[that you do]</i> not! I am your fellow slave and of your brothers <i>[and sisters]</i>, the ones having the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."


text:
And I saw heaven having been opened. And look! A white horse, and the One sitting on it is being called Faithful and True, and He judges and wages war in righteousness.


text:
Now His eyes <i>[are]</i> like a flame of fire, and on His head <i>[are]</i> many royal bands <i>[or, diadems]</i> having names having been written <i>[on them]</i>, and a name having been written <i>[on them]</i> which no one knows, except Himself,


text:
and having been clothed with a robe having been covered with <i>[or, dipped in]</i> blood, and His name is called, The Word <i>[or, the Expression of the Logic]</i> of God.


text:
And the armies, {the} <i>[ones]</i> in heaven, were following Him on white horses, having clothed themselves with fine linen, bright and clean.


text:
And out of His mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, so that with it He should strike down the nations. And He will shepherd them with an iron staff. And He Himself treads the winepress of the wine of the rage of the wrath of God, the Almighty.


text:
And He has on the robe and on His thigh a name having been written, "King of kings and Lord of lords."


text:
And I saw {one} angel having stood in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds, the ones flying in midair, "Come, be gathered together for the great banquet of God,


text:
so that you* shall eat <i>[the]</i> flesh of kings and <i>[the]</i> flesh of commanding officers <i>[or, Chiliarchs]</i> and <i>[the]</i> flesh of mighty <i>[people]</i> and <i>[the]</i> flesh of horses and of the ones sitting on them, and <i>[the]</i> flesh of all <i>[people]</i>, both of free persons and of slaves, and both of small and of great."


text:
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies having been gathered together to make war with the One sitting on the horse and with His army.


text:
And the beast was captured, and the false prophet with him, the one having performed the signs before him, by which he led astray <i>[fig., deceived]</i> the ones having received the mark of the beast and the ones prostrating themselves in worship before his image. These two were thrown living into the lake of fire, the one being burnt with sulfur <i>[or, brimstone]</i>.


text:
And the rest were killed with the sword of the One sitting on the horse, the <i>[sword]</i> having proceeded out of His mouth, and all the birds were filled from their flesh.


text:
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain on his hand.


text:
And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is <i>[the]</i> Devil and Satan, the one leading astray <i>[fig., deceiving]</i> the whole inhabited earth, and he bound him <i>[for]</i> a thousand years.


text:
And he threw him into the bottomless pit and shut and sealed <i>[it]</i> over him, so that he shall not be leading the nations astray <i>[fig., be deceiving the nations]</i> <i>[any]</i> longer until the thousand years are completed. And after these <i>[things]</i> it is necessary <i>[for]</i> him to be released <i>[for]</i> a short time.


text:
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them, and the souls of the ones having been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who did not prostrate themselves in worship before the beast nor his image and did not receive the mark on {their} forehead and on their hand. And they lived and reigned with Christ <i>[for]</i> {the} thousand years.


text:
And the rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years are completed. This <i>[is]</i> the first resurrection.


text:
Happy and holy <i>[is]</i> the one having a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death does not have power, _but_ they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him <i>[for]</i> a thousand years.


text:
And he will go out to lead the nations astray <i>[fig., to deceive the nations]</i>, the <i>[ones]</i> in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war, of whom the number {of them} <i>[is]</i> like the sand of the sea.


text:
And they went up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. And fire came down out of heaven from God and consumed them.


text:
And the Devil, the one leading them astray <i>[fig., deceiving them]</i>, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur <i>[or, brimstone]</i>, where the beast and the false prophet <i>[are]</i>, and they will be tormented day and night into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>.


text:
And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away, and a place was not found for them.


text:
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, having stood before the throne, and scrolls were opened, and another scroll was opened, which is <i>[the Scroll]</i> of Life. And the dead were judged by the <i>[things]</i> having been written in the scrolls, according to their works.


text:
And the sea gave up the dead, the <i>[ones]</i> in it, and death and the realm of the dead <i>[Gr. hades]</i> gave up the dead, the <i>[ones]</i> in them. And they were judged, each one according to their works.


text:
And death and the realm of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.


text:
And if anyone was not found having been written in the Scroll of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.


text:
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away. And the sea is not <i>[any]</i> more <i>[fig., the sea no longer exists]</i>.


text:
And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having been prepared like a bride having been adorned <i>[for]</i> her husband.


text:
And I heard a loud voice out of heaven, saying, "Look! The tabernacle of God <i>[is]</i> with the people, and He will tabernacle <i>[or, dwell]</i> with them. And they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them.


text:
And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not be <i>[any]</i> more <i>[fig., death no longer will exist]</i>, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor will pain be any more <i>[fig., pain will no longer exist]</i>, because the first <i>[things]</i> passed away."


text:
And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look! I am making all things new!" And He says to me, "Write, because these words are true and trustworthy."


text:
And He said to me, "_I_ have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End <i>[or, the Origin and the Fulfillment]</i>. _I_ will give to the one thirsting from the spring of the water of life without cost.


text:
"The one overcoming will inherit these <i>[things]</i>, and I will be God to him, and he will be a son to Me.


text:
"But to the cowardly and unbelieving and sinners and <i>[ones]</i> having been corrupted and murderers and sexual sinners and sorcerers and idolaters and all the liars, their part <i>[will be]</i> in the lake, the one being burnt with fire and sulfur <i>[or, brimstone]</i>, which is the second death."


text:
And one of the seven angels came, the one having the seven bowls full of the last seven plagues, and he spoke with me, saying, "Come, I will show to you the wife, the bride of the Lamb."


text:
And he carried me away in spirit <i>[or, by [the] Spirit]</i> to a great and high mountain and showed to me the {great} city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,


text:
having the glory of God. Its light <i>[is]</i> like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone clear as crystal,


text:
having a great and high wall, having twelve gates and twelve angels at the gates and names having been inscribed, which are <i>[the]</i> {names} of the twelve tribes of {the} sons of Israel:


text:
at <i>[the]</i> risings <i>[of the sun]</i> <i>[fig., at the east]</i> three gates, at the north three gates, at the south three gates, at the west three gates,


text:
and the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them <i>[the]</i> twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


text:
And the one speaking with me had a measure, a golden reed, so that he could measure the city and its gates {and its wall}.


text:
And the city is laid out in a square, and the length of it <i>[is]</i> as great as the width. And he measured the city with the reed at twelve thousand <i>[and]</i> {twelve} stadia <i>[about 1365 miles or 2200 kilometers]</i>; the length and the width and the height of it are equal.


text:
And he measured its wall: a hundred forty-four cubits <i>[about 216 feet or 66 meters]</i>, <i>[by the]</i> measure of a person, which is of the angel.


text:
And the building material of its wall was jasper, and the city <i>[was]</i> pure gold, like pure glass.


text:
{And} the foundations of the wall of the city have been adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation <i>[with]</i> jasper, the second <i>[with]</i> sapphire, the third <i>[with]</i> chalcedony, the fourth <i>[with]</i> emerald,


text:
the fifth <i>[with]</i> sardonyx, the sixth <i>[with]</i> carnelian, the seventh <i>[with]</i> chrysolite, the eighth <i>[with]</i> beryl, the ninth <i>[with]</i> topaz, the tenth <i>[with]</i> chrysoprasus, the eleventh <i>[with]</i> jacinth, the twelfth <i>[with]</i> amethyst.


text:
And the twelve gates <i>[were made from]</i> twelve pearls; each one of the gates was <i>[made]</i> from one pearl. And the open street of the city <i>[was]</i> pure gold, like transparent glass.


text:
And the city has no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they should be giving it light, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp <i>[is]</i> the Lamb.


text:
And the nations will walk about by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring to it <i>[the]</i> glory and honor of the nations into it.


text:
And its gates shall never at all be shut <i>[at the end of]</i> day, for night shall not be <i>[fig., exist]</i> there.


text:
And by no means shall any defiling <i>[thing]</i> and <i>[anyone]</i> doing an abomination and a lie enter into it, but only the ones having been written in the Scroll of Life of the Lamb.


text:
And he showed to me a pure river of water of life, bright <i>[or, clear]</i> as crystal, coming out <i>[fig., flowing]</i> from the throne of God and of the Lamb


text:
in the middle of its open street. And the river from here and from there <i>[fig., On each side of the river]</i> <i>[was]</i> a tree of life, producing twelve fruits, according to each month <i>[fig., monthly]</i> yielding its fruits. And the leaves of the tree <i>[are]</i> for <i>[the]</i> healing of the nations.


text:
And <i>[there]</i> will not be any curse there, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His slaves will sacredly serve Him.


text:
And night will not be <i>[fig., exist]</i> there, and they have no need of a lamp and of <i>[the]</i> light of <i>[the]</i> sun, because the Lord God illuminates them. And they will reign into the ages of the ages <i>[fig., forever and ever]</i>.


text:
And he says to me, "These words <i>[are]</i> trustworthy and true, and <i>[the]</i> Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent His angel to show to His slaves what <i>[things are]</i> necessary to occur with quickness.


text:
"{And} listen! I am coming quickly! Happy <i>[is]</i> the one keeping the words of the prophecy of this scroll."


text:
And I, John, <i>[am]</i> the one hearing and seeing these <i>[things]</i>. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to prostrate myself in worship before the feet of the angel, the one showing these <i>[things]</i> to me.


text:
And he says to me, "See <i>[that you do]</i> not! I am a fellow-slave of you and of your brothers the prophets and of the ones keeping the words of this scroll. Prostrate yourself in worship before God!"


text:
"The one acting unjustly let him act unjustly still, and the filthy <i>[person]</i> let him be made filthy still, and the righteous <i>[person]</i> let him practice righteousness still, and the holy <i>[person]</i> let him be holy still."


text:
"Listen! I am coming quickly, and My reward <i>[is]</i> with me, to render <i>[or, repay]</i> to each as his work will be <i>[fig., according to his deeds]</i>.


text:
Happy <i>[are]</i> the ones doing His commandments, so that their right will be to the tree of life, and they shall enter by the gates into the city.


text:
Outside <i>[are]</i> the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexual sinners and the murderers and the idolaters and every one affectionately loving and practicing falsehood.


text:
"_I_, Jesus, sent My angel to testify to you* <i>[or, tell you* about]</i> these <i>[things]</i> concerning the assemblies. _I_ am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright, Morning Star!"


text:
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Be coming!" And the one hearing, let him say, "Be coming!" And the one thirsting, let him come. The one desiring, let him take <i>[the]</i> water of life without cost.


text:
_I_ testify to every one hearing the words of the prophecy of this scroll, if anyone adds to them, God <i>[is prepared]</i> to add to him the {seven} plagues, the ones having been written in this scroll.


text:
And if anyone takes away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, the <i>[things]</i> having been written in this scroll.


text:
The One testifying to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly!" So be it! Yes, be coming, Lord Jesus!


