# verses

text:
 But if our wickedness provides proof of God's righteousness, what can we say? Is God unjust, humanly speaking, to inflict his wrath?


text:
 But if God's truth redounds to his glory through my falsehood, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?


text:
 And why not say-- as we are accused and as some claim we say-- that we should do evil that good may come of it? Their penalty is what they deserve.


text:
 Well, then, are we better off? Not entirely, for we have already brought the charge against Jews and Greeks alike that they are all under the domination of sin,


text:
 All have gone astray; all alike are worthless; there is not one who does good, (there is not) even one.


text:
 Their throats are open graves; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is on their lips;


text:
 Now we know that what the law says is addressed to those under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world stand accountable to God,


text:
 since no human being will be justified in his sight by observing the law; for through the law comes consciousness of sin.


text:
 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets,


text:
 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction;


text:
 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed,


text:
 through the forbearance of God-- to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.


text:
 What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith.


text:
 for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith.


text:
 Are we then annulling the law by this faith? Of course not! On the contrary, we are supporting the law.


text:
 Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God.


text:
 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."


text:
 But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.


text:
 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:


text:
 Does this blessedness apply only to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? Now we assert that "faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness."


text:
 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was he circumcised or not? He was not circumcised, but uncircumcised.


text:
 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal on the righteousness received through faith while he was uncircumcised. Thus he was to be the father of all the uncircumcised who believe, so that to them (also) righteousness might be credited,


text:
 as well as the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but also follow the path of faith that our father Abraham walked while still uncircumcised.


text:
 It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith.


text:
 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us,


text:
 as it is written, "I have made you father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist.


text:
 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "Thus shall your descendants be."


text:
 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as (already) dead (for he was almost a hundred years old) and the dead womb of Sarah.


text:
 He did not doubt God's promise in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God


text:
 it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,


text:
 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,


text:
 through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.


text:
 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.


text:
 Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.


text:
 How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.


text:
 Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.


text:
 Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.


text:
 Therefore, just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned--


text:
 for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law.


text:
 But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come.


text:
 But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many.


text:
 And the gift is not like the result of the one person's sinning. For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation; but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal.


text:
 For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.


text:
 In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all.


text:
 For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous.


text:
 The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,


text:
 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


text:
 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.


text:
 For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.


text:
 We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.


text:
 Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.


text:
 And do not present the parts of your bodies to sin as weapons for wickedness, but present yourselves to God as raised from the dead to life and the parts of your bodies to God as weapons for righteousness.


text:
 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?


text:
 But thanks be to God that, although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.


text:
 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.


text:
 But what profit did you get then from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.


text:
 But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life.


text:
 Are you unaware, brothers (for I am speaking to people who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over one as long as one lives?


text:
 Thus a married woman is bound by law to her living husband; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law in respect to her husband.


text:
 Consequently, while her husband is alive she will be called an adulteress if she consorts with another man. But if her husband dies she is free from that law, and she is not an adulteress if she consorts with another man.


text:
 In the same way, my brothers, you also were put to death to the law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to the one who was raised from the dead in order that we might bear fruit for God.


text:
 For when we were in the flesh, our sinful passions, awakened by the law, worked in our members to bear fruit for death.


text:
 But now we are released from the law, dead to what held us captive, so that we may serve in the newness of the spirit and not under the obsolete letter.


text:
 What then can we say? That the law is sin? Of course not! Yet I did not know sin except through the law, and I did not know what it is to covet except that the law said, "You shall not covet."


text:
 But sin, finding an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetousness. Apart from the law sin is dead.


text:
 Did the good, then, become death for me? Of course not! Sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin, worked death in me through the good, so that sin might become sinful beyond measure through the commandment.


text:
 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.


text:
 but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.


text:
 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with my mind, serve the law of God but, with my flesh, the law of sin.


text:
 For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do, this God has done: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,


text:
 so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us, who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.


text:
 For those who live according to the flesh are concerned with the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit with the things of the spirit.


text:
 For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it;


text:
 But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.


text:
 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.


text:
 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you.


text:
 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.


text:
 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!"


text:
 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.


text:
 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.


text:
 for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope


text:
 that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.


text:
 and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.


text:
 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees?


text:
 In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.


text:
 And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.


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


text:
 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


text:
 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.


text:
 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?


text:
 Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.


text:
 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?


text:
 As it is written: "For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered."


text:
 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers,


text:
 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


text:
 I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the holy Spirit in bearing me witness


text:
 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kin according to the flesh.


text:
 They are Israelites; theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;


text:
 theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.


text:
 nor are they all children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but "It is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name."


text:
 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.


text:
 For this is the wording of the promise, "About this time I shall return and Sarah will have a son."


text:
 before they had yet been born or had done anything, good or bad, in order that God's elective plan might continue,


text:
 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "This is why I have raised you up, to show my power through you that my name may be proclaimed throughout the earth."


text:
 But who indeed are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is made say to its maker,"Why have you created me so?"


text:
 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for a noble purpose and another for an ignoble one?


text:
 What if God, wishing to show his wrath and make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction?


text:
 This was to make known the riches of his glory to the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared previously for glory,


text:
 As indeed he says in Hosea: "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'


text:
 And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they shall be called children of the living God."


text:
 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "Though the number of the Israelites were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will be saved;


text:
 And as Isaiah predicted: "Unless the Lord of hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom and have been made like Gomorrah."


text:
 What then shall we say? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have achieved it, that is, righteousness that comes from faith;


text:
 Why not? Because they did it not by faith, but as if it could be done by works. They stumbled over the stone that causes stumbling,


text:
 as it is written: "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion that will make people stumble and a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him shall not be put to shame."


text:
 For, in their unawareness of the righteousness that comes from God and their attempt to establish their own (righteousness), they did not submit to the righteousness of God.


text:
 Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from (the) law, "The one who does these things will live by them."


text:
 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will go up into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down)


text:
 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we preach),


text:
 for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


text:
 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.


text:
 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him.


text:
 But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?


text:
 And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!"


text:
 But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?"


text:
 But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for "Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."


text:
 But I ask, did not Israel understand? First Moses says: "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a senseless nation I will make you angry."


text:
 Then Isaiah speaks boldly and says: "I was found (by) those who were not seeking me; I revealed myself to those who were not asking for me."


text:
 But regarding Israel he says, "All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contentious people."


text:
 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.


text:
 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?


text:
 "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life."


text:
 But what is God's response to him? "I have left for myself seven thousand men who have not knelt to Baal."


text:
 What then? What Israel was seeking it did not attain, but the elect attained it; the rest were hardened,


text:
 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day."


text:
 And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;


text:
 Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous.


text:
 Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number.


text:
 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I glory in my ministry


text:
 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?


text:
 If the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch of dough; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.


text:
 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place and have come to share in the rich root of the olive tree,


text:
 do not boast against the branches. If you do boast, consider that you do not support the root; the root supports you.


text:
 That is so. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you are there because of faith. So do not become haughty, but stand in awe.


text:
 See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.


text:
 And they also, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.


text:
 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated one, how much more will they who belong to it by nature be grafted back into their own olive tree.


text:
 I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not become wise (in) your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in,


text:
 and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob;


text:
 In respect to the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarchs.


text:
 so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may (now) receive mercy.


text:
 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!


text:
 I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.


text:
 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.


text:
 For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned.


text:
 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;


text:
 if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.


text:
 Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.


text:
 Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."


text:
 Rather, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."


text:
 Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God.


text:
 Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves.


text:
 For rulers are not a cause of fear to good conduct, but to evil. Do you wish to have no fear of authority? Then do what is good and you will receive approval from it,


text:
 for it is a servant of God for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the evildoer.


text:
 Therefore, it is necessary to be subject not only because of the wrath but also because of conscience.


text:
 This is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.


text:
 Pay to all their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, toll to whom toll is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.


text:
 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.


text:
 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, (namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."


text:
 And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;


text:
 the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness (and) put on the armor of light;


text:
 let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy.


text:
 The one who eats must not despise the one who abstains, and the one who abstains must not pass judgment on the one who eats; for God has welcomed him.


text:
 Who are you to pass judgment on someone else's servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.


text:
 (For) one person considers one day more important than another, while another person considers all days alike. Let everyone be fully persuaded in his own mind.


text:
 Whoever observes the day, observes it for the Lord. Also whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while whoever abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God.


text:
 For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.


text:
 For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.


text:
 Why then do you judge your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;


text:
 for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."


text:
 Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.


text:
 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; still, it is unclean for someone who thinks it unclean.


text:
 If your brother is being hurt by what you eat, your conduct is no longer in accord with love. Do not because of your food destroy him for whom Christ died.


text:
 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;


text:
 For the sake of food, do not destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to become a stumbling block by eating;


text:
 Keep the faith (that) you have to yourself in the presence of God; blessed is the one who does not condemn himself for what he approves.


text:
 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because this is not from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.


text:
 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you fall upon me."


text:
 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.


text:
 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus,


text:
 For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,


text:
 but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name."


text:
 And again Isaiah says: "The root of Jesse shall come, raised up to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope."


text:
 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.


text:
 I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.


text:
 But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you, because of the grace given me by God


text:
 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in performing the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the holy Spirit.


text:
 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,


text:
 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit (of God), so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching the gospel of Christ.


text:
 Thus I aspire to proclaim the gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another's foundation,


text:
 but as it is written: "Those who have never been told of him shall see, and those who have never heard of him shall understand."


text:
 But now, since I no longer have any opportunity in these regions and since I have desired to come to you for many years,


text:
 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain and to be sent on my way there by you, after I have enjoyed being with you for a time.


text:
 For Macedonia and Achaia have decided to make some contribution for the poor among the holy ones in Jerusalem;


text:
 they decided to do it, and in fact they are indebted to them, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to serve them in material blessings.


text:
 So when I have completed this and safely handed over this contribution to them, I shall set out by way of you to Spain;


text:
 I urge you, (brothers,) by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in the struggle by your prayers to God on my behalf,


text:
 that I may be delivered from the disobedient in Judea, and that my ministry for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the holy ones,


text:
 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me as well.


text:
 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I am grateful but also all the churches of the Gentiles;


text:
 greet also the church at their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits in Asia for Christ.


text:
 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives and my fellow prisoners; they are prominent among the apostles and they were in Christ before me.


text:
 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.


text:
 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the holy ones who are with them.


text:
 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them.


text:
 For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent.


text:
 For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise as to what is good, and simple as to what is evil;


text:
 then the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.


text:
 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.


text:
 Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages


text:
 but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,


text:
 to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.


text:
 I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,


text:
 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
 I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.


text:
 For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you.


text:
 I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Kephas," or "I belong to Christ."


text:
 (I baptized the household of Stephanas also; beyond that I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)


text:
 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.


text:
 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.


text:
 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside."


text:
 Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?


text:
 For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith.


text:
 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.


text:
 Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.


text:
 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,


text:
 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something,


text:
 It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,


text:
 When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.


text:
 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power,


text:
 Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.


text:
 Rather, we speak God's wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory,


text:
 and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.


text:
 But as it is written: "What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,"


text:
 this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.


text:
 Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.


text:
 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God.


text:
 And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms.


text:
 Now the natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually.


text:
 Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ.


text:
 I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now,


text:
 for you are still of the flesh. While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving in an ordinary human way?


text:
 Whenever someone says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human?


text:
 What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one.


text:
 Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.


text:
 The one who plants and the one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor.


text:
 According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it,


text:
 the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one's work.


text:
 But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.


text:
 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.


text:
 Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise.


text:
 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: "He catches the wise in their own ruses,"


text:
 Paul or Apollos or Kephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you,


text:
 It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself;


text:
 I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord.


text:
 Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.


text:
 I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over against another.


text:
 Who confers distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?


text:
 You are already satisfied; you have already grown rich; you have become kings without us! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we also might become kings with you.


text:
 For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all, like people sentenced to death, since we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and human beings alike.


text:
 We are fools on Christ's account, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we in disrepute.


text:
 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clad and roughly treated, we wander about homeless


text:
 when slandered, we respond gently. We have become like the world's rubbish, the scum of all, to this very moment.


text:
 Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.


text:
 For this reason I am sending you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord; he will remind you of my ways in Christ (Jesus), just as I teach them everywhere in every church.


text:
 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I shall ascertain not the talk of these inflated people but their power.


text:
 It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans-- a man living with his father's wife.


text:
 And you are inflated with pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst.


text:
 I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed,


text:
 in the name of (our) Lord Jesus: when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus,


text:
 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.


text:
 Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed.


text:
 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


text:
 not at all referring to the immoral of this world or the greedy and robbers or idolaters; for you would then have to leave the world.


text:
 But I now write to you not to associate with anyone named a brother, if he is immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a robber, not even to eat with such a person.


text:
 How can any one of you with a case against another dare to bring it to the unjust for judgment instead of to the holy ones?


text:
 Do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you unqualified for the lowest law courts?


text:
 If, therefore, you have courts for everyday matters, do you seat as judges people of no standing in the church?


text:
 I say this to shame you. Can it be that there is not one among you wise enough to be able to settle a case between brothers?


text:
 Now indeed (then) it is, in any case, a failure on your part that you have lawsuits against one another. Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather let yourselves be cheated?


text:
 Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals


text:
 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.


text:
 That is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.


text:
 "Everything is lawful for me," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is lawful for me," but I will not let myself be dominated by anything.


text:
 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food," but God will do away with both the one and the other. The body, however, is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body;


text:
 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take Christ's members and make them the members of a prostitute? Of course not!


text:
 (Or) do you not know that anyone who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For "the two," it says, "will become one flesh."


text:
 Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body.


text:
 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?


text:
 Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman,"


text:
 but because of cases of immorality every man should have his own wife, and every woman her own husband.


text:
 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife.


text:
 Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control.


text:
 Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.


text:
 Now to the unmarried and to widows, I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do,


text:
 but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to be on fire.


text:
 To the married, however, I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord): a wife should not separate from her husband


text:
 -- and if she does separate she must either remain single or become reconciled to her husband-- and a husband should not divorce his wife.


text:
 To the rest I say (not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to go on living with him, he should not divorce her;


text:
 and if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to go on living with her, she should not divorce her husband.


text:
 For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, whereas in fact they are holy.


text:
 If the unbeliever separates, however, let him separate. The brother or sister is not bound in such cases; God has called you to peace.


text:
 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband; or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?


text:
 Only, everyone should live as the Lord has assigned, just as God called each one. I give this order in all the churches.


text:
 Was someone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was an uncircumcised person called? He should not be circumcised.


text:
 Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing; what matters is keeping God's commandments.


text:
 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not be concerned but, even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of it.


text:
 For the slave called in the Lord is a freed person in the Lord, just as the free person who has been called is a slave of Christ.


text:
 Now in regard to virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.


text:
 So this is what I think best because of the present distress: that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is.


text:
 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife.


text:
 If you marry, however, you do not sin, nor does an unmarried woman sin if she marries; but such people will experience affliction in their earthly life, and I would like to spare you that.


text:
 I tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,


text:
 I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.


text:
 and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.


text:
 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.


text:
 If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married.


text:
 The one who stands firm in his resolve, however, who is not under compulsion but has power over his own will, and has made up his mind to keep his virgin, will be doing well.


text:
 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whomever she wishes, provided that it be in the Lord.


text:
 She is more blessed, though, in my opinion, if she remains as she is, and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.


text:
 Now in regard to meat sacrificed to idols: we realize that "all of us have knowledge"; knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.


text:
 So about the eating of meat sacrificed to idols: we know that "there is no idol in the world," and that "there is no God but one."


text:
 Indeed, even though there are so-called gods in heaven and on earth (there are, to be sure, many "gods" and many "lords"),


text:
 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things are and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and through whom we exist.


text:
 But not all have this knowledge. There are some who have been so used to idolatry up until now that, when they eat meat sacrificed to idols, their conscience, which is weak, is defiled.


text:
 Now food will not bring us closer to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, nor are we better off if we do.


text:
 If someone sees you, with your knowledge, reclining at table in the temple of an idol, may not his conscience too, weak as it is, be "built up" to eat the meat sacrificed to idols?


text:
 Thus through your knowledge, the weak person is brought to destruction, the brother for whom Christ died.


text:
 When you sin in this way against your brothers and wound their consciences, weak as they are, you are sinning against Christ.


text:
 Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause my brother to sin.


text:
 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?


text:
 Although I may not be an apostle for others, certainly I am for you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.


text:
 Do we not have the right to take along a Christian wife, as do the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Kephas?


text:
 Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating its produce? Or who shepherds a flock without using some of the milk from the flock?


text:
 It is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is God concerned about oxen,


text:
 or is he not really speaking for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope, and the thresher in hope of receiving a share.


text:
 If we have sown spiritual seed for you, is it a great thing that we reap a material harvest from you?


text:
 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more? Yet we have not used this right. On the contrary, we endure everything so as not to place an obstacle to the gospel of Christ.


text:
 Do you not know that those who perform the temple services eat (what) belongs to the temple, and those who minister at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?


text:
 I have not used any of these rights, however, nor do I write this that it be done so in my case. I would rather die. Certainly no one is going to nullify my boast.


text:
 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!


text:
 If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.


text:
 What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.


text:
 Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible.


text:
 To the Jews I became like a Jew to win over Jews; to those under the law I became like one under the law-- though I myself am not under the law-- to win over those under the law.


text:
 To those outside the law I became like one outside the law-- though I am not outside God's law but within the law of Christ-- to win over those outside the law.


text:
 To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some.


text:
 Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.


text:
 Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.


text:
 No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.


text:
 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea,


text:
 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was the Christ.


text:
 And do not become idolaters, as some of them did, as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel."


text:
 Let us not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell within a single day.


text:
 These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come.


text:
 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.


text:
 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?


text:
 Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.


text:
 Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?


text:
 No, I mean that what they sacrifice, (they sacrifice) to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to become participants with demons.


text:
 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.


text:
 "Everything is lawful," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is lawful," but not everything builds up.


text:
 If an unbeliever invites you and you want to go, eat whatever is placed before you, without raising questions on grounds of conscience.


text:
 But if someone says to you, "This was offered in sacrifice," do not eat it on account of the one who called attention to it and on account of conscience;


text:
 I mean not your own conscience, but the other's. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else's conscience?


text:
 just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved.


text:
 I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.


text:
 But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and a husband the head of his wife, and God the head of Christ.


text:
 But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved.


text:
 For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil.


text:
 A man, on the other hand, should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.


text:
 whereas if a woman has long hair it is her glory, because long hair has been given (her) for a covering?


text:
 But if anyone is inclined to be argumentative, we do not have such a custom, nor do the churches of God.


text:
 In giving this instruction, I do not praise the fact that your meetings are doing more harm than good.


text:
 First of all, I hear that when you meet as a church there are divisions among you, and to a degree I believe it;


text:
 there have to be factions among you in order that (also) those who are approved among you may become known.


text:
 for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.


text:
 Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you.


text:
 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread,


text:
 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."


text:
 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."


text:
 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.


text:
 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.


text:
 but since we are judged by (the) Lord, we are being disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.


text:
 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that your meetings may not result in judgment. The other matters I shall set in order when I come.


text:
 Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, "Jesus be accursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit.


text:
 To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit;


text:
 to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues.


text:
 But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.


text:
 As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.


text:
 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.


text:
 If a foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.


text:
 Or if an ear should say, "Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body," it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.


text:
 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?


text:
 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you," nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."


text:
 and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,


text:
 whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,


text:
 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.


text:
 If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.


text:
 Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues.


text:
 If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.


text:
 And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.


text:
 If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.


text:
 it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,


text:
 Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.


text:
 When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.


text:
 At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.


text:
 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human beings but to God, for no one listens; he utters mysteries in spirit.


text:
 On the other hand, one who prophesies does speak to human beings, for their building up, encouragement, and solace.


text:
 Now I should like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up.


text:
 Now, brothers, if I should come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you if I do not speak to you by way of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or instruction?


text:
 Likewise, if inanimate things that produce sound, such as flute or harp, do not give out the tones distinctly, how will what is being played on flute or harp be recognized?


text:
 Similarly, if you, because of speaking in tongues, do not utter intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be talking to the air.


text:
 but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it, and one who speaks it a foreigner to me.


text:
 So with yourselves: since you strive eagerly for spirits, seek to have an abundance of them for building up the church.


text:
 So what is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind.


text:
 Otherwise, if you pronounce a blessing (with) the spirit, how shall one who holds the place of the uninstructed say the "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?


text:
 but in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, so as to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.


text:
 Brothers, stop being childish in your thinking. In respect to evil be like infants, but in your thinking be mature.


text:
 It is written in the law: "By people speaking strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me, says the Lord."


text:
 Thus, tongues are a sign not for those who believe but for unbelievers, whereas prophecy is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.


text:
 So if the whole church meets in one place and everyone speaks in tongues, and then uninstructed people or unbelievers should come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?


text:
 But if everyone is prophesying, and an unbeliever or uninstructed person should come in, he will be convinced by everyone and judged by everyone,


text:
 and the secrets of his heart will be disclosed, and so he will fall down and worship God, declaring, "God is really in your midst."


text:
 So what is to be done, brothers? When you assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything should be done for building up.


text:
 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret.


text:
 But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.


text:
 women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.


text:
 But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church.


text:
 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he should recognize that what I am writing to you is a commandment of the Lord.


text:
 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand.


text:
 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.


text:
 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures;


text:
 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.


text:
 For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.


text:
 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me.


text:
 But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?


text:
 Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised.


text:
 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being.


text:
 but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;


text:
 then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power.


text:
 for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him.


text:
 When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.


text:
 Otherwise, what will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves baptized for them?


text:
 Every day I face death; I swear it by the pride in you (brothers) that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.


text:
 If at Ephesus I fought with beasts, so to speak, what benefit was it to me? If the dead are not raised: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."


text:
 Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. For some have no knowledge of God; I say this to your shame.


text:
 And what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind;


text:
 Not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for human beings, another kind of flesh for animals, another kind of flesh for birds, and another for fish.


text:
 There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the brightness of the heavenly is one kind and that of the earthly another.


text:
 The brightness of the sun is one kind, the brightness of the moon another, and the brightness of the stars another. For star differs from star in brightness.


text:
 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.


text:
 So, too, it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being," the last Adam a life-giving spirit.


text:
 As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly.


text:
 Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.


text:
 This I declare, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.


text:
 in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.


text:
 For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality.


text:
 And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: "Death is swallowed up in victory.


text:
 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.


text:
 Now in regard to the collection for the holy ones, you also should do as I ordered the churches of Galatia.


text:
 On the first day of the week each of you should set aside and save whatever one can afford, so that collections will not be going on when I come.


text:
 And when I arrive, I shall send those whom you have approved with letters of recommendation to take your gracious gift to Jerusalem.


text:
 and perhaps I shall stay or even spend the winter with you, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.


text:
 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing, but I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.


text:
 If Timothy comes, see that he is without fear in your company, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am.


text:
 Therefore no one should disdain him. Rather, send him on his way in peace that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.


text:
 Now in regard to our brother Apollos, I urged him strongly to go to you with the brothers, but it was not at all his will that he go now. He will go when he has an opportunity.


text:
 I urge you, brothers-- you know that the household of Stephanas is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the holy ones--


text:
 I rejoice in the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they made up for your absence,


text:
 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca together with the church at their house send you many greetings in the Lord.


text:
 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia:


text:
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,


text:
 who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.


text:
 If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.


text:
 Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.


text:
 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia; we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.


text:
 Indeed, we had accepted within ourselves the sentence of death, that we might trust not in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.


text:
 He rescued us from such great danger of death, and he will continue to rescue us; in him we have put our hope (that) he will also rescue us again,


text:
 as you help us with prayer, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift granted us through the prayers of many.


text:
 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God, (and) not by human wisdom but by the grace of God.


text:
 For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand, and I hope that you will understand completely,


text:
 as you have come to understand us partially, that we are your boast as you also are ours, on the day of (our) Lord Jesus.


text:
 namely, to go by way of you to Macedonia, and then to come to you again on my return from Macedonia, and have you send me on my way to Judea.


text:
 So when I intended this, did I act lightly? Or do I make my plans according to human considerations, so that with me it is "yes, yes" and "no, no"?


text:
 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him.


text:
 For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.


text:
 But I call upon God as witness, on my life, that it is to spare you that I have not yet gone to Corinth.


text:
 Not that we lord it over your faith; rather, we work together for your joy, for you stand firm in the faith.


text:
 And I wrote as I did so that when I came I might not be pained by those in whom I should have rejoiced, confident about all of you that my joy is that of all of you.


text:
 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you might be pained but that you might know the abundant love I have for you.


text:
 If anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure (not to exaggerate) to all of you.


text:
 so that on the contrary you should forgive and encourage him instead, or else the person may be overwhelmed by excessive pain.


text:
 Whomever you forgive anything, so do I. For indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for you in the presence of Christ,


text:
 I had no relief in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.


text:
 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the odor of the knowledge of him in every place.


text:
 For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,


text:
 to the latter an odor of death that leads to death, to the former an odor of life that leads to life. Who is qualified for this?


text:
 For we are not like the many who trade on the word of God; but as out of sincerity, indeed as from God and in the presence of God, we speak in Christ.


text:
 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you?


text:
 shown to be a letter of Christ administered by us, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.


text:
 Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God,


text:
 who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.


text:
 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the Israelites could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade,


text:
 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.


text:
 Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it.


text:
 and not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could not look intently at the cessation of what was fading.


text:
 Rather, their thoughts were rendered dull, for to this present day the same veil remains unlifted when they read the old covenant, because through Christ it is taken away.


text:
 All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.


text:
 Rather, we have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.


text:
 in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that they may not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.


text:
 For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus.


text:
 For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of (Jesus) Christ.


text:
 But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.


text:
 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.


text:
 For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.


text:
 Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we too believe and therefore speak,


text:
 knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.


text:
 Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.


text:
 Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.


text:
 For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,


text:
 as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.


text:
 For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.


text:
 For while we are in this tent we groan and are weighed down, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.


text:
 Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment.


text:
 So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,


text:
 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.


text:
 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we are clearly apparent to God, and I hope we are also apparent to your consciousness.


text:
 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that you may have something to say to those who boast of external appearance rather than of the heart.


text:
 For the love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died.


text:
 He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.


text:
 Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer.


text:
 So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.


text:
 And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation,


text:
 namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.


text:
 So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.


text:
 For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.


text:
 For he says: "In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.


text:
 on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance, in afflictions, hardships, constraints,


text:
 in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;


text:
 as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death;


text:
 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.


text:
 Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?


text:
 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: "I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.


text:
 Therefore, come forth from them and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch nothing unclean; then I will receive you


text:
 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.


text:
 I do not say this in condemnation, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, that we may die together and live together.


text:
 I have great confidence in you, I have great pride in you; I am filled with encouragement, I am overflowing with joy all the more because of all our affliction.


text:
 For even when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way-- external conflicts, internal fears.


text:
 and not only by his arrival but also by the encouragement with which he was encouraged in regard to you, as he told us of your yearning, your lament, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.


text:
 For even if I saddened you by my letter, I do not regret it; and if I did regret it ((for) I see that that letter saddened you, if only for a while),


text:
 I rejoice now, not because you were saddened, but because you were saddened into repentance; for you were saddened in a godly way, so that you did not suffer loss in anything because of us.


text:
 For behold what earnestness this godly sorrow has produced for you, as well as readiness for a defense, and indignation, and fear, and yearning, and zeal, and punishment. In every way you have shown yourselves to be innocent in the matter.


text:
 So then even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, or on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your concern for us might be made plain to you in the sight of God.


text:
 For this reason we are encouraged. And besides our encouragement, we rejoice even more because of the joy of Titus, since his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.


text:
 For if I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame. No, just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth.


text:
 And his heart goes out to you all the more, as he remembers the obedience of all of you, when you received him with fear and trembling.


text:
 We want you to know, brothers, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,


text:
 for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.


text:
 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God,


text:
 so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also.


text:
 Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also.


text:
 I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.


text:
 For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.


text:
 And I am giving counsel in this matter, for it is appropriate for you who began not only to act but to act willingly last year:


text:
 complete it now, so that your eager willingness may be matched by your completion of it out of what you have.


text:
 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have;


text:
 your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.


text:
 for he not only welcomed our appeal but, since he is very concerned, he has gone to you of his own accord.


text:
 With him we have sent the brother who is praised in all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.


text:
 And not only that, but he has also been appointed our traveling companion by the churches in this gracious work administered by us for the glory of the Lord (himself) and for the expression of our eagerness.


text:
 for we are concerned for what is honorable not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of others.


text:
 And with them we have sent our brother whom we often tested in many ways and found earnest, but who is now much more earnest because of his great confidence in you.


text:
 As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker for you; as for our brothers, they are apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.


text:
 for I know your eagerness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.


text:
 Nonetheless, I sent the brothers so that our boast about you might not prove empty in this case, so that you might be ready, as I said,


text:
 for fear that if any Macedonians come with me and find you not ready we might be put to shame (to say nothing of you) in this conviction.


text:
 So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift, so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction.


text:
 Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.


text:
 Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.


text:
 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.


text:
 You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God,


text:
 for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.


text:
 Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others,


text:
 Now I myself, Paul, urge you through the gentleness and clemency of Christ, I who am humble when face to face with you, but brave toward you when absent,


text:
 I beg you that, when present, I may not have to be brave with that confidence with which I intend to act boldly against some who consider us as acting according to the flesh.


text:
 for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments


text:
 and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ,


text:
 Look at what confronts you. Whoever is confident of belonging to Christ should consider that as he belongs to Christ, so do we.


text:
 And even if I should boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I shall not be put to shame.


text:
 For someone will say, "His letters are severe and forceful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible."


text:
 Such a person must understand that what we are in word through letters when absent, that we also are in action when present.


text:
 Not that we dare to class or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.


text:
 But we will not boast beyond measure but will keep to the limits God has apportioned us, namely, to reach even to you.


text:
 For we are not overreaching ourselves, as though we did not reach you; we indeed first came to you with the gospel of Christ.


text:
 We are not boasting beyond measure, in other people's labors; yet our hope is that, as your faith increases, our influence among you may be greatly enlarged, within our proper limits,


text:
 so that we may preach the gospel even beyond you, not boasting of work already done in another's sphere.


text:
 For it is not the one who recommends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord recommends.


text:
 For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.


text:
 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere (and pure) commitment to Christ.


text:
 For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough.


text:
 Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.


text:
 Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?


text:
 And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.


text:
 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to end this pretext of those who seek a pretext for being regarded as we are in the mission of which they boast.


text:
 So it is not strange that his ministers also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.


text:
 I repeat, no one should consider me foolish; but if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.


text:
 What I am saying I am not saying according to the Lord but as in foolishness, in this boastful state.


text:
 For you put up with it if someone enslaves you, or devours you, or gets the better of you, or puts on airs, or slaps you in the face.


text:
 To my shame I say that we were too weak! But what anyone dares to boast of (I am speaking in foolishness) I also dare.


text:
 Are they ministers of Christ? (I am talking like an insane person.) I am still more, with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, far worse beatings, and numerous brushes with death.


text:
 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep;


text:
 on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers;


text:
 in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure.


text:
 And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches.


text:
 I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven.


text:
 Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me


text:
 because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.


text:
 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.


text:
 Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.


text:
 I have been foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I am in no way inferior to these "superapostles," even though I am nothing.


text:
 The signs of an apostle were performed among you with all endurance, signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.


text:
 In what way were you less privileged than the rest of the churches, except that on my part I did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!


text:
 Now I am ready to come to you this third time. And I will not be a burden, for I want not what is yours, but you. Children ought not to save for their parents, but parents for their children.


text:
 I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your sakes. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?


text:
 But granted that I myself did not burden you, yet I was crafty and got the better of you by deceit.


text:
 I urged Titus to go and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? And in the same steps?


text:
 Have you been thinking all along that we are defending ourselves before you? In the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and all for building you up, beloved.


text:
 For I fear that when I come I may find you not such as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish; that there may be rivalry, jealousy, fury, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.


text:
 I fear that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and licentiousness they practiced.


text:
 This third time I am coming to you. "On the testimony of two or three witnesses a fact shall be established."


text:
 I warned those who sinned earlier and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not be lenient,


text:
 since you are looking for proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you but powerful in you.


text:
 For indeed he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives by the power of God. So also we are weak in him, but toward you we shall live with him by the power of God.


text:
 Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless, of course, you fail the test.


text:
 But we pray to God that you may not do evil, not that we may appear to have passed the test but that you may do what is right, even though we may seem to have failed.


text:
 I am writing this while I am away, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in virtue of the authority that the Lord has given me to build up and not to tear down.


text:
 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.


text:
 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.


text:
 Paul, an apostle not from human beings nor through a human being but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead,


text:
 who gave himself for our sins that he might rescue us from the present evil age in accord with the will of our God and Father,


text:
 I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by (the) grace (of Christ) for a different gospel


text:
 (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.


text:
 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!


text:
 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!


text:
 Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.


text:
 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.


text:
 For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it,


text:
 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.


text:
 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased


text:
 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,


text:
 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.


text:
 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and remained with him for fifteen days.


text:
 they only kept hearing that "the one who once was persecuting us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."


text:
 I went up in accord with a revelation, and I presented to them the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles-- but privately to those of repute-- so that I might not be running, or have run, in vain.


text:
 Moreover, not even Titus, who was with me, although he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised,


text:
 but because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us--


text:
 to them we did not submit even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain intact for you.


text:
 But from those who were reputed to be important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- those of repute made me add nothing.


text:
 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter to the circumcised,


text:
 for the one who worked in Peter for an apostolate to the circumcised worked also in me for the Gentiles,


text:
 and when they recognized the grace bestowed upon me, James and Kephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas their right hands in partnership, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.


text:
 For, until some people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised.


text:
 And the rest of the Jews (also) acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.


text:
 But when I saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Kephas in front of all, "If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"


text:
 (yet) who know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.


text:
 But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Of course not!


text:
 But if I am building up again those things that I tore down, then I show myself to be a transgressor.


text:
 For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ;


text:
 yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.


text:
 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.


text:
 O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?


text:
 I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard?


text:
 Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?


text:
 Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, "Through you shall all the nations be blessed."


text:
 For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law."


text:
 And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for "the one who is righteous by faith will live."


text:
 Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,"


text:
 that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


text:
 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his descendant. It does not say, "And to descendants," as referring to many, but as referring to one, "And to your descendant," who is Christ.


text:
 This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to cancel the promise.


text:
 For if the inheritance comes from the law, it is no longer from a promise; but God bestowed it on Abraham through a promise.


text:
 Why, then, the law? It was added for transgressions, until the descendant came to whom the promise had been made; it was promulgated by angels at the hand of a mediator.


text:
 Is the law then opposed to the promises (of God)? Of course not! For if a law had been given that could bring life, then righteousness would in reality come from the law.


text:
 But scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.


text:
 Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed.


text:
 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


text:
 I mean that as long as the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything,


text:
 In the same way we also, when we were not of age, were enslaved to the elemental powers of the world.


text:
 As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"


text:
 but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and destitute elemental powers? Do you want to be slaves to them all over again?


text:
 and you did not show disdain or contempt because of the trial caused you by my physical condition, but rather you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.


text:
 Where now is that blessedness of yours? Indeed, I can testify to you that, if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.


text:
 They show interest in you, but not in a good way; they want to isolate you, so that you may show interest in them.


text:
 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman.


text:
 Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.


text:
 Hagar represents Sinai, a mountain in Arabia; it corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children.


text:
 For it is written: "Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband."


text:
 But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the slave woman and her son! For the son of the slave woman shall not share the inheritance with the son" of the freeborn.


text:
 It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.


text:
 Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law.


text:
 You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.


text:
 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.


text:
 I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be.


text:
 As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.


text:
 For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.


text:
 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."


text:
 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.


text:
 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.


text:
 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions,


text:
 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


text:
 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,


text:
 Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted.


text:
 Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else;


text:
 because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.


text:
 Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.


text:
 So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith.


text:
 It is those who want to make a good appearance in the flesh who are trying to compel you to have yourselves circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.


text:
 Not even those having themselves circumcised observe the law themselves; they only want you to be circumcised so that they may boast of your flesh.


text:
 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.


text:
 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are (in Ephesus) faithful in Christ Jesus:


text:
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,


text:
 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love


text:
 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace


text:
 In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,


text:
 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,


text:
 which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.


text:
 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.


text:
 May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones,


text:
 and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might,


text:
 which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,


text:
 far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.


text:
 in which you once lived following the age of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the disobedient.


text:
 All of us once lived among them in the desires of our flesh, following the wishes of the flesh and the impulses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest.


text:
 even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved),


text:
 that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.


text:
 For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.


text:
 Therefore, remember that at one time you, Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by those called the circumcision, which is done in the flesh by human hands,


text:
 were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.


text:
 For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,


text:
 abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace,


text:
 and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it.


text:
 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,


text:
 if, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit,


text:
 which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit,


text:
 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.


text:
 Of this I became a minister by the gift of God's grace that was granted me in accord with the exercise of his power.


text:
 To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,


text:
 and to bring to light (for all) what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things,


text:
 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.


text:
 that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,


text:
 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth,


text:
 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


text:
 Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us,


text:
 I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,


text:
 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.


text:
 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,


text:
 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ,


text:
 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.


text:
 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body's growth and builds itself up in love.


text:
 So I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;


text:
 darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart,


text:
 they have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to excess.


text:
 that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires,


text:
 Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another.


text:
 The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his (own) hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need.


text:
 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.


text:
 All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.


text:
 (And) be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.


text:
 and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.


text:
 Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones,


text:
 Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.


text:
 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.


text:
 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light."


text:
 addressing one another (in) psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,


text:
 For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body.


text:
 As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.


text:
 that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.


text:
 So (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.


text:
 For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church,


text:
 "For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."


text:
 In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.


text:
 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.


text:
 Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,


text:
 not only when being watched, as currying favor, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,


text:
 knowing that each will be requited from the Lord for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.


text:
 Masters, act in the same way toward them, and stop bullying, knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven and that with him there is no partiality.


text:
 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.


text:
 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.


text:
 With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones


text:
 and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel


text:
 So that you also may have news of me and of what I am doing, Tychicus, my beloved brother and trustworthy minister in the Lord, will tell you everything.


text:
 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts.


text:
 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers:


text:
 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.


text:
 It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.


text:
 And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception,


text:
 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.


text:
 so that my imprisonment has become well known in Christ throughout the whole praetorium and to all the rest,


text:
 and so that the majority of the brothers, having taken encouragement in the Lord from my imprisonment, dare more than ever to proclaim the word fearlessly.


text:
 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not from pure motives, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.


text:
 What difference does it make, as long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I rejoice. Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,


text:
 for I know that this will result in deliverance for me through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.


text:
 My eager expectation and hope is that I shall not be put to shame in any way, but that with all boldness, now as always, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.


text:
 If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose.


text:
 I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, (for) that is far better.


text:
 And this I know with confidence, that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,


text:
 Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel,


text:
 not intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is proof to them of destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing.


text:
 For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.


text:
 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy,


text:
 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.


text:
 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,


text:
 Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,


text:
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,


text:
 So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.


text:
 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world,


text:
 as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.


text:
 But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.


text:
 I hope, in the Lord Jesus, to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be heartened by hearing news of you.


text:
 But you know his worth, how as a child with a father he served along with me in the cause of the gospel.


text:
 With regard to Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier, your messenger and minister in my need, I consider it necessary to send him to you.


text:
 He was indeed ill, close to death; but God had mercy on him, not just on him but also on me, so that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.


text:
 I send him therefore with the greater eagerness, so that, on seeing him, you may rejoice again, and I may have less anxiety.


text:
 because for the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform.


text:
 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Writing the same things to you is no burden for me but is a safeguard for you.


text:
 For we are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh,


text:
 although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh.If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I.


text:
 Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee,


text:
 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ


text:
 and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith


text:
 to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death,


text:
 It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus).


text:
 Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,


text:
 Let us, then, who are "perfectly mature" adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you.


text:
 Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.


text:
 For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.


text:
 Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their "shame." Their minds are occupied with earthly things.


text:
 He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.


text:
 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.


text:
 Yes, and I ask you also, my true yokemate, to help them, for they have struggled at my side in promoting the gospel, along with Clement and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.


text:
 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.


text:
 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


text:
 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


text:
 Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.


text:
 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity.


text:
 Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.


text:
 I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.


text:
 You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone.


text:
 For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once.


text:
 It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account.


text:
 I have received full payment and I abound. I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus, "a fragrant aroma," an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.


text:
 Give my greetings to every holy one in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings;


text:
 to the holy ones and faithful brothers in Christ in Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father.


text:
 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the gospel,


text:
 that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,


text:
 as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf


text:
 Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding


text:
 to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God,


text:
 strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy


text:
 giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.


text:
 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.


text:
 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.


text:
 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross (through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven.


text:
 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him,


text:
 provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.


text:
 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church,


text:
 of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God,


text:
 the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,


text:
 to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.


text:
 It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.


text:
 For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you and for those in Laodicea and all who have not seen me face to face,


text:
 that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,


text:
 For even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.


text:
 rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.


text:
 See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.


text:
 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ.


text:
 You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.


text:
 And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions;


text:
 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross;


text:
 despoiling the principalities and the powers, he made a public spectacle of them, leading them away in triumph by it.


text:
 Let no one, then, pass judgment on you in matters of food and drink or with regard to a festival or new moon or sabbath.


text:
 Let no one disqualify you, delighting in self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, inflated without reason by his fleshly mind,


text:
 and not holding closely to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and bonds, achieves the growth that comes from God.


text:
 If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world, why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world?


text:
 While they have a semblance of wisdom in rigor of devotion and self-abasement (and) severity to the body, they are of no value against gratification of the flesh.


text:
 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.


text:
 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.


text:
 But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths.


text:
 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.


text:
 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,


text:
 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.


text:
 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.


text:
 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


text:
 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


text:
 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.


text:
 knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.


text:
 at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,


text:
 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.


text:
 Tychicus, my beloved brother, trustworthy minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news of me.


text:
 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts,


text:
 together with Onesimus, a trustworthy and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.


text:
 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him),


text:
 and Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.


text:
 Epaphras sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ (Jesus), always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.


text:
 For I can testify that he works very hard for you and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.


text:
 And when this letter is read before you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you yourselves read the one from Laodicea.


text:
 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace.


text:
 calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father,


text:
 For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the holy Spirit and (with) much conviction. You know what sort of people we were (among) you for your sake.


text:
 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the holy Spirit,


text:
 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and (in) Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.


text:
 For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God


text:
 and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from (the) dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.


text:
 Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated, as you know, in Philippi, we drew courage through our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much struggle.


text:
 But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings,but rather God, who judges our hearts.


text:
 Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know, or with a pretext for greed-- God is witness--


text:
 although we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ. Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children.


text:
 With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.


text:
 You recall, brothers, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.


text:
 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers.


text:
 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you conduct yourselves as worthy of the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.


text:
 And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that,in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now atwork in you who believe.


text:
 For you, brothers, have become imitators of the churches of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you suffer the same things from your compatriots as they did from the Jews,


text:
 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us; they do not please God, and are opposed to everyone,


text:
 trying to prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles that they may be saved, thus constantly filling up the measure of their sins. But the wrath of God has finally begun to come upon them.


text:
 Brothers, when we were bereft of you for a short time, in person, not in heart, we were all the more eager in our great desire to see you in person.


text:
 For what is our hope or joy or crown to boast of in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming if not you yourselves?


text:
 and sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,


text:
 so that no one be disturbed in these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.


text:
 For even when we were among you, we used to warn you in advance that we would undergo affliction, just as has happened, as you know.


text:
 For this reason, when I too could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had put you to the test and our toil might come to nothing.


text:
 But just now Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us as we long to see you.


text:
 Because of this, we have been reassured about you, brothers, in our every distress and affliction, through your faith.


text:
 What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?


text:
 Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.


text:
 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you,


text:
 so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. (Amen.)


text:
 Finally, brothers, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God-- and as you are conducting yourselves-- you do so even more.


text:
 not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed.


text:
 Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who (also) gives his holy Spirit to you.


text:
 On the subject of mutual charity you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.


text:
 Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Nevertheless we urge you, brothers, to progress even more,


text:
 and to aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs,and to work with your (own) hands, as we instructed you,


text:
 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.


text:
 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.


text:
 Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.


text:
 For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.


text:
 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.


text:
 When people are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,and they will not escape.


text:
 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.


text:
 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation.


text:
 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you,


text:
 and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.


text:
 We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.


text:
 See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good (both) for each other and for all.


text:
 May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:


text:
 We ought to thank God always for you, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.


text:
 Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure.


text:
 This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering.


text:
 and to grant rest along with us to you who are undergoing afflictions, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels,


text:
 in blazing fire, inflicting punishment on those who do not acknowledge God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.


text:
 These will pay the penalty of eternal ruin, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power,


text:
 when he comes to be glorified among his holy ones and to be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, for our testimony to you was believed.


text:
 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,


text:
 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
 We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him,


text:
 not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.


text:
 Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition,


text:
 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship, so as to seat himself in the temple of God, claiming that he is a god--


text:
 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. But the one who restrains is to do so only for the present, until he is removed from the scene.


text:
 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) will kill with the breath of his mouth and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming,


text:
 the one whose coming springs from the power of Satan in every mighty deed and in signs and wonders that lie,


text:
 and in every wicked deceit for those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved.


text:
 But we ought to give thanks to God for you always, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth.


text:
 To this end he has (also) called you through our gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
 Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.


text:
 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace,


text:
 Finally, brothers, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified, as it did among you,


text:
 We are confident of you in the Lord that what we instruct you, you (both) are doing and will continue to do.


text:
 We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us.


text:
 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you.


text:
 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us.


text:
 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.


text:
 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business ofothers.


text:
 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.


text:
 If anyone does not obey our word as expressed in this letter, take note of this person not to associate with him, that he may be put to shame.


text:
 May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.


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


text:
 I repeat the request I made of you when I was on my way to Macedonia, that you stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach false doctrines


text:
 or to concern themselves with myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the plan of God that is to be received by faith.


text:
 wanting to be teachers of the law, but without understanding either what they are saying or what they assert with such assurance.


text:
 with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,


text:
 the unchaste, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching,


text:
 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.


text:
 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.


text:
 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


text:
 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.


text:
 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.


text:
 To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.


text:
 I entrust this charge to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophetic words once spoken about you. Through them may you fight a good fight


text:
 by having faith and a good conscience. Some, by rejecting conscience, have made a shipwreck of their faith,


text:
 among them Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.


text:
 First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,


text:
 for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.


text:
 For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human,


text:
 For this I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.


text:
 It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.


text:
 Similarly, (too,) women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes,


text:
 But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.


text:
 Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach,


text:
 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God?


text:
 He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil's punishment.


text:
 He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil's trap.


text:
 Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,


text:
 Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.


text:
 Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.


text:
 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.


text:
 Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.


text:
 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions


text:
 They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.


text:
 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving,


text:
 If you will give these instructions to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching you have followed.


text:
 for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.


text:
 For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe.


text:
 Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.


text:
 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.


text:
 Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone.


text:
 Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.


text:
 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God.


text:
 The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.


text:
 And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.


text:
 with a reputation for good works, namely, that she has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in distress, involved herself in every good work.


text:
 But exclude younger widows, for when their sensuality estranges them from Christ, they want to marry


text:
 And furthermore, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things that ought not to be mentioned.


text:
 So I would like younger widows to marry, have children, and manage a home, so as to give the adversary no pretext for maligning us.


text:
 If any woman believer has widowed relatives, she must assist them; the church is not to be burdened, so that it will be able to help those who are truly widows.


text:
 Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching.


text:
 For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay."


text:
 I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to keep these rules without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.


text:
 Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.


text:
 Some people's sins are public, preceding them to judgment; but other people are followed by their sins.


text:
 Those who are under the yoke of slavery must regard their masters as worthy of full respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not suffer abuse.


text:
 Those whose masters are believers must not take advantage of them because they are brothers but must give better service because those who will profit from their work are believers and are beloved. Teach and urge these things.


text:
 Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching


text:
 is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,


text:
 and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.


text:
 Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.


text:
 For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.


text:
 But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.


text:
 Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.


text:
 I charge (you) before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession,


text:
 that the blessed and only ruler will make manifest at the proper time, the King of kings and Lord of lords,


text:
 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, and whom no human being has seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.


text:
 Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.


text:
 thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.


text:
 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge.


text:
 I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscienceas my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.


text:
 as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you.


text:
 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.


text:
 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.


text:
 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,


text:
 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,


text:
 On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.


text:
 Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.


text:
 May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus because he often gave me new heart and was not ashamed of my chains.


text:
 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day. And you know very well the services he rendered in Ephesus.


text:
 And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.


text:
 To satisfy the one who recruited him, a soldier does not become entangled in the business affairs of life.


text:
 Similarly, an athlete cannot receive the winner's crown except by competing according to the rules.


text:
 for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.


text:
 Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.


text:
 Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose sinceit harms those who listen.


text:
 Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.


text:
 who have deviated from the truth by saying that (the) resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some.


text:
 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, "The Lord knows those who are his"; and, "Leteveryone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil."


text:
 In a large household there are vessels not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for lofty and others for humble use.


text:
 If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.


text:
 So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith,love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.


text:
 A slave of the Lord should not quarrel, but should be gentle with everyone, able to teach, tolerant,


text:
 correcting opponents with kindness. It may be that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth,


text:
 and that they may return to their senses out of the devil's snare, where they are entrapped by him, for his will.


text:
 People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious,


text:
 For some of these slip into homes and make captives of women weighed down by sins, led by various desires,


text:
 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so they also oppose the truth-- people of depraved mind, unqualified in the faith.


text:
 But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be plain to all, as it was with those two.


text:
 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, persecutions that I endured. Yet from all these things the Lord delivered me.


text:
 But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it,


text:
 and that from infancy you have known (the) sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.


text:
 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness,


text:
 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power:


text:
 proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.


text:
 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers


text:
 But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.


text:
 From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.


text:
 for Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.


text:
 Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry.


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


text:
 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.


text:
 At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them!


text:
 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.


text:
 The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.


text:
 Try to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers send greetings.


text:
 Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God's chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth,


text:
 who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior,


text:
 to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.


text:
 For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you,


text:
 on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious.


text:
 For a bishop as God's steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain,


text:
 holding fast to the true message as taught so that he will be able both to exhort with sound doctrine and to refute opponents.


text:
 It is imperative to silence them, as they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what they should not.


text:
 One of them, a prophet of their own, once said, "Cretans have always been liars, vicious beasts, and lazy gluttons."


text:
 instead of paying attention to Jewish myths and regulations of people who have repudiated the truth.


text:
 To the clean all things are clean, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is clean; in fact, both their minds and their consciences are tainted.


text:
 They claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny him. They are vile and disobedient and unqualified for any good deed.


text:
 that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.


text:
 Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good,


text:
 to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.


text:
 showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity,


text:
 and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.


text:
 Slaves are to be under the control of their masters in all respects, giving them satisfaction, not talking back to them


text:
 or stealing from them, but exhibiting complete good faith, so as to adorn the doctrine of God our savior in every way.


text:
 and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,


text:
 as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ,


text:
 who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.


text:
 Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise.


text:
 They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone.


text:
 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.


text:
 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,


text:
 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these points, that those who have believed in God be careful to devote themselves to good works; these are excellent and beneficial to others.


text:
 Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile.


text:
 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, try to join me at Nicopolis, where I have decided to spend the winter.


text:
 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey soon, and see to it that they have everything they need.


text:
 But let our people, too, learn to devote themselves to good works to supply urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.


text:
 All who are with me send you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.


text:
 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved and our co-worker,


text:
 so that your partnership in the faith may become effective in recognizing every good there is in us that leads to Christ.


text:
 For I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the holy ones have been refreshed by you, brother.


text:
 I rather urge you out of love, being as I am, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.


text:
 I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel,


text:
 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.


text:
 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord.


text:
 At the same time prepare a guest room for me, for I hope to be granted to you through your prayers.


text:
 in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,


text:
 who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,


text:
 For to which of the angels did God ever say: "You are my son; this day I have begotten you"? Or again: "I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me"?


text:
 And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: "Let all the angels of God worship him."


text:
 but of the Son: "Your throne, O God, stands forever and ever; and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.


text:
 You loved justice and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions";


text:
 and: "At the beginning, O Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands.


text:
 You will roll them up like a cloak, and like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end."


text:
 But to which of the angels has he ever said: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool"?


text:
 Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?


text:
 For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense,


text:
 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Announced originally through the Lord, it was confirmed for us by those who had heard.


text:
 God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the holy Spirit according to his will.


text:
 Instead, someone has testified somewhere: "What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?


text:
 subjecting all things under his feet." In "subjecting" all things (to him), he left nothing not "subject to him." Yet at present we do not see "all things subject to him,"


text:
 but we do see Jesus "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death, he who "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels," that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.


text:
 For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.


text:
 He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them "brothers,"


text:
 saying: "I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you";


text:
 Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,


text:
 therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people.


text:
 Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.


text:
 Therefore, holy "brothers," sharing in a heavenly calling, reflect on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,


text:
 But he is worthy of more "glory" than Moses, as the founder of a house has more "honor" than the house itself.


text:
 but Christ was faithful as a son placed over his house. We are his house, if (only) we hold fast to our confidence and pride in our hope.


text:
 for forty years. Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said, "They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways."


text:
 Take care, brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God.


text:
 Encourage yourselves daily while it is still "today," so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.


text:
 for it is said: "Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.'"


text:
 Who were those who rebelled when they heard? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt under Moses?


text:
 With whom was he "provoked for forty years"? Was it not those who had sinned, whose corpses fell in the desert?


text:
 And to whom did he "swear that they should not enter into his rest," if not to those who were disobedient?


text:
 Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed.


text:
 For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.


text:
 For we who believed enter into (that) rest, just as he has said: "As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter into my rest,'" and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world.


text:
 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works";


text:
 Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,


text:
 he once more set a day, "today," when long afterwards he spoke through David, as already quoted: "Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts.'"


text:
 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.


text:
 Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.


text:
 No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.


text:
 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.


text:
 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.


text:
 So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.


text:
 Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.


text:
 In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: "You are my son; this day I have begotten you";


text:
 just as he says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."


text:
 In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.


text:
 About this we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, for you have become sluggish in hearing.


text:
 Although you should be teachers by this time, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the utterances of God. You need milk, (and) not solid food.


text:
 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil.


text:
 Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God,


text:
 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the holy Spirit


text:
 and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to contempt.


text:
 Ground that has absorbed the rain falling upon it repeatedly and brings forth crops useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.


text:
 But we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way.


text:
 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones.


text:
 We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end,


text:
 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.


text:
 When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, "he swore by himself,"


text:
 Human beings swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument.


text:
 So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath,


text:
 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.


text:
 This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,


text:
 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.


text:
 This "Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High," "met Abraham as he returned from his defeat of the kings" and "blessed him."


text:
 And Abraham apportioned to him "a tenth of everything." His name first means righteous king, and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of peace.


text:
 Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.


text:
 The descendants of Levi who receive the office of priesthood have a commandment according to the law to exact tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, although they also have come from the loins of Abraham.


text:
 But he who was not of their ancestry received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had received the promises.


text:
 In the one case, mortal men receive tithes; in the other, a man of whom it is testified that he lives on.


text:
 If, then, perfection came through the levitical priesthood, on the basis of which the people received the law, what need would there still have been for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not reckoned according to the order of Aaron?


text:
 Now he of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, of which no member ever officiated at the altar.


text:
 It is clear that our Lord arose from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.


text:
 who has become so, not by a law expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.


text:
 for the law brought nothing to perfection; on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.


text:
 And to the degree that this happened not without the taking of an oath-- for others became priests without an oath,


text:
 but he with an oath, through the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: 'You are a priest forever'"--


text:
 Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.


text:
 It was fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.


text:
 He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself.


text:
 For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests, but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law, appoints a son, who has been made perfect forever.


text:
 The main point of what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,


text:
 Now every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus the necessity for this one also to have something to offer.


text:
 If then he were on earth, he would not be a priest, since there are those who offer gifts according to the law.


text:
 They worship in a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tabernacle. For he says, "See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."


text:
 Now he has obtained so much more excellent a ministry as he is mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.


text:
 But he finds fault with them and says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will conclude a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.


text:
 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord.


text:
 But this is the covenant I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.


text:
 And they shall not teach, each one his fellow citizen and kinsman, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from least to greatest.


text:
 When he speaks of a "new" covenant, he declares the first one obsolete. And what has become obsolete and has grown old is close to disappearing.


text:
 For a tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering; this is called the Holy Place.


text:
 in which were the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant entirely covered with gold. In it were the gold jar containing the manna, the staff of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tablets of the covenant.


text:
 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of expiation. Now is not the time to speak of these in detail.


text:
 With these arrangements for worship, the priests, in performing their service, go into the outer tabernacle repeatedly,


text:
 but the high priest alone goes into the inner one once a year, not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.


text:
 In this way the holy Spirit shows that the way into the sanctuary had not yet been revealed while the outer tabernacle still had its place.


text:
 This is a symbol of the present time, in which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper in conscience


text:
 but only in matters of food and drink and various ritual washings: regulations concerning the flesh, imposed until the time of the new order.


text:
 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,


text:
 he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.


text:
 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed,


text:
 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.


text:
 For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.


text:
 When every commandment had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves (and goats), together with water and crimson wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,


text:
 According to the law almost everything is purified by blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.


text:
 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified by these rites, but the heavenly things themselves by better sacrifices than these.


text:
 For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf.


text:
 Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own;


text:
 if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice.


text:
 so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.


text:
 Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year.


text:
 Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins?


text:
 For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;


text:
 First he says, "Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in." These are offered according to the law.


text:
 By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


text:
 Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins.


text:
 "This is the covenant I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord: 'I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them upon their minds,'"


text:
 Therefore, brothers, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary


text:
 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.


text:
 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.


text:
 We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.


text:
 If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins


text:
 Anyone who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the testimony of two or three witnesses.


text:
 Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?


text:
 We know the one who said: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay," and again: "The Lord will judge his people."


text:
 Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering.


text:
 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.


text:
 You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.


text:
 We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.


text:
 By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.


text:
 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's. Through this he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks.


text:
 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and "he was found no more because God had taken him." Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.


text:
 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.


text:
 By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household. Through this he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.


text:
 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.


text:
 By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;


text:
 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age-- and Sarah herself was sterile-- for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.


text:
 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.


text:
 All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,


text:
 If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.


text:
 But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.


text:
 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,


text:
 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and "bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff."


text:
 By faith Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.


text:
 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.


text:
 he chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.


text:
 He considered the reproach of the Anointed greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the recompense.


text:
 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's fury, for he persevered as if seeing the one who is invisible.


text:
 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.


text:
 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned.


text:
 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the disobedient, for she had received the spies in peace.


text:
 What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,


text:
 who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions,


text:
 put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.


text:
 Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection.


text:
 They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.


text:
 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.


text:
 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us


text:
 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.


text:
 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.


text:
 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;


text:
 Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?


text:
 Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not (then) submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live?


text:
 They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.


text:
 At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.


text:
 See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled,


text:
 For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit his father's blessing, he was rejected because he found no opportunity to change his mind, even though he sought the blessing with tears.


text:
 You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm


text:
 and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them,


text:
 for they could not bear to hear the command: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."


text:
 No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering,


text:
 and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect,


text:
 and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.


text:
 See that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much more in our case if we turn away from the one who warns from heaven.


text:
 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, "I will once more shake not only earth but heaven."


text:
 That phrase, "once more," points to (the) removal of shaken, created things, so that what is unshaken may remain.


text:
 Therefore, we who are receiving the unshakable kingdom should have gratitude, with which we should offer worship pleasing to God in reverence and awe.


text:
 Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.


text:
 Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.


text:
 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."


text:
 Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"


text:
 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.


text:
 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching. It is good to have our hearts strengthened by grace and not by foods, which do not benefit those who live by them.


text:
 The bodies of the animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.


text:
 Through him (then) let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.


text:
 Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you.


text:
 Pray for us, for we are confident that we have a clear conscience, wishing to act rightly in every respect.


text:
 May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord,


text:
 furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever (and ever). Amen.


text:
 Brothers, I ask you to bear with this message of encouragement, for I have written to you rather briefly.


text:
 I must let you know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he comes soon, I shall see you together with him.


text:
 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.


text:
 But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.


text:
 But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind.


text:
 For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.


text:
 Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.


text:
 No one experiencing temptation should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one.


text:
 all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.


text:
 He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.


text:
 Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.


text:
 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.


text:
 But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.


text:
 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.


text:
 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.


text:
 For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,


text:
 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet,"


text:
 Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?


text:
 But you dishonored the poor person. Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court?


text:
 However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.


text:
 For whoever keeps the whole law, but falls short in one particular, has become guilty in respect to all of it.


text:
 For he who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not kill." Even if you do not commit adultery but kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.


text:
 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?


text:
 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?


text:
 Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.


text:
 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called "the friend of God."


text:
 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route?


text:
 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,


text:
 for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.


text:
 It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes.


text:
 In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.


text:
 The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.


text:
 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,


text:
 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.


text:
 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.


text:
 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.


text:
 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.


text:
 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.


text:
 Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?


text:
 You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask.


text:
 Adulterers! Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God.


text:
 Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks without meaning when it says, "The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward jealousy"?


text:
 But he bestows a greater grace; therefore, it says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."


text:
 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.


text:
 Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection.


text:
 Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.


text:
 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?


text:
 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, and make a profit"--


text:
 you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.


text:
 your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days.


text:
 Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.


text:
 You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.


text:
 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.


text:
 Do not complain, brothers, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.


text:
 Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.


text:
 Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because "the Lord is compassionate and merciful."


text:
 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation.


text:
 Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord,


text:
 and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.


text:
 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.


text:
 Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land.


text:
 he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.


text:
 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,


text:
 in the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: may grace and peace be yours in abundance.


text:
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


text:
 who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.


text:
 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials,


text:
 so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


text:
 Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,


text:
 Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it,


text:
 investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.


text:
 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you (through) the holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.


text:
 Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.


text:
 Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,


text:
 realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold


text:
 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.


text:
 Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a (pure) heart.


text:
 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God,


text:
 for: "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts;


text:
 and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


text:
 For it says in scripture: "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame."


text:
 Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"


text:
 and "A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall." They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.


text:
 But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.


text:
 Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy.


text:
 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul.


text:
 Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.


text:
 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good.


text:
 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and equitable but also to those who are perverse.


text:
 For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace.


text:
 But what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.


text:
 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.


text:
 When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.


text:
 He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.


text:
 For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.


text:
 Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct


text:
 Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes,


text:
 but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God.


text:
 For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands;


text:
 thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.


text:
 Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.


text:
 Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble.


text:
 Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.


text:
 For: "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit,


text:
 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers."


text:
 But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them,


text:
 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,


text:
 but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame.


text:
 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.


text:
 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.


text:
 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,


text:
 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.


text:
 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude (for whoever suffers in the flesh has broken with sin),


text:
 so as not to spend what remains of one's life in the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God.


text:
 For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry.


text:
 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God.


text:
 As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.


text:
 Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.


text:
 Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.


text:
 But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.


text:
 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.


text:
 But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.


text:
 But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.


text:
 For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God?


text:
 As a result, those who suffer in accord with God's will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.


text:
 So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.


text:
 Tend the flock of God in your midst, (overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.


text:
 Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: "God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble."


text:
 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour.


text:
 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.


text:
 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.


text:
 I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it.


text:
 Symeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of equal value to ours through the righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ:


text:
 His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power.


text:
 Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.


text:
 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge,


text:
 If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
 Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calland election firm, for, in doing so, you will never stumble.


text:
 For, in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.


text:
 Therefore, I will always remind you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth you have.


text:
 We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.


text:
 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased."


text:
 Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.


text:
 Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation,


text:
 for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.


text:
 There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.


text:
 In their greed they will exploit you with fabrications, but from of old their condemnation has not been idle and their destruction does not sleep.


text:
 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but condemned them to the chains of Tartarus and handed them over to be kept for judgment;


text:
 and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, together with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the godless world;


text:
 and if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (to destruction), reducing them to ashes, making them an example for the godless (people) of what is coming;


text:
 (for day after day that righteous man living among them was tormented in his righteous soul at the lawless deeds that he saw and heard),


text:
 then the Lord knows how to rescue the devout from trial and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,


text:
 and especially those who follow the flesh with its depraved desire and show contempt for lordship. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings,


text:
 whereas angels, despite their superior strength and power, do not bring a reviling judgment against them from the Lord.


text:
 But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed,


text:
 suffering wrong as payment for wrongdoing. Thinking daytime revelry a delight, they are stains and defilements as they revel in their deceits while carousing with you.


text:
 Their eyes are full of adultery and insatiable for sin. They seduce unstable people, and their hearts are trained in greed. Accursed children!


text:
 Abandoning the straight road, they have gone astray, following the road of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved payment for wrongdoing,


text:
 but he received a rebuke for his own crime: a mute beast spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.


text:
 These people are waterless springs and mists driven by a gale; for them the gloom of darkness has been reserved.


text:
 For, talking empty bombast, they seduce with licentious desires of the flesh those who have barely escaped from people who live inerror.


text:
 They promise them freedom, though they themselves are slaves of corruption, for a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him.


text:
 For if they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of (our) Lord and savior Jesus Christ, again become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first.


text:
 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them.


text:
 What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to them, "The dog returns to its own vomit," and "A bathed sow returns to wallowing in the mire."


text:
 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; through them by way of reminder I am trying to stir up your sincere disposition,


text:
 to recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and savior through your apostles.


text:
 Know this first of all, that in the last days scoffers will come (to) scoff, living according to their own desires


text:
 and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? From the time when our ancestors fell asleep, everything has remained as it was from the beginning of creation."


text:
 They deliberately ignore the fact that the heavens existed of old and earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God;


text:
 The present heavens and earth have been reserved by the same word for fire, kept for the day of judgment and of destruction of the godless.


text:
 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.


text:
 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard "delay," but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.


text:
 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.


text:
 Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought (you) to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,


text:
 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire.


text:
 Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.


text:
 And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,


text:
 speaking of these things as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.


text:
 Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.


text:
 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. (Amen.)


text:
 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life--


text:
 for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us--


text:
 what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.


text:
 Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.


text:
 If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.


text:
 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.


text:
 If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.


text:
 My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.


text:
 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.


text:
 But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:


text:
 Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.


text:
 And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.


text:
 Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


text:
 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one.


text:
 I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one.


text:
 Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.


text:
 For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.


text:
 Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.


text:
 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour.


text:
 They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.


text:
 I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.


text:
 Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.


text:
 Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father.


text:
 As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him.


text:
 And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.


text:
 If you consider that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him.


text:
 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.


text:
 Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.


text:
 Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous.


text:
 Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil.


text:
 No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.


text:
 In this way, the children of God and the children of the devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother.


text:
 unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous.


text:
 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death.


text:
 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.


text:
 The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.


text:
 If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?


text:
 And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.


text:
 Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.


text:
 Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


text:
 This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God,


text:
 and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world.


text:
 You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.


text:
 They belong to the world; accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world, and the world listens to them.


text:
 We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.


text:
 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.


text:
 In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.


text:
 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.


text:
 No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.


text:
 We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.


text:
 In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world.


text:
 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.


text:
 If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.


text:
 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him.


text:
 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,


text:
 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.


text:
 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.


text:
 If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son.


text:
 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son.


text:
 I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.


text:
 And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.


text:
 If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray.


text:
 We know that no one begotten by God sins; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the evil one cannot touch him.


text:
 We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.


text:
 The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and to her children whom I love in truth-- and not only I but also all who know the truth--


text:
 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son in truth and love.


text:
 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father.


text:
 But now, Lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another.


text:
 For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk.


text:
 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist.


text:
 Anyone who is so "progressive" as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.


text:
 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him;


text:
 Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete.


text:
 Beloved, I hope you are prospering in every respect and are in good health, just as your soul is prospering.


text:
 I rejoiced greatly when some of the brothers came and testified to how truly you walk in the truth.


text:
 they have testified to your love before the church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey.


text:
 Therefore, if I come, I will draw attention to what he is doing, spreading evil nonsense about us. And not content with that, he will not receive the brothers, hindering those who wish to do so and expelling them from the church.


text:
 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does what is good is of God; whoever does what is evil has never seen God.


text:
 Demetrius receives a good report from all, even from the truth itself. We give our testimonial as well, and you know our testimony is true.


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


text:
 Beloved, although I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel a need to write to encourage you to contend for the faith that was once for all handed down to the holy ones.


text:
 For there have been some intruders, who long ago were designated for this condemnation, godless persons, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.


text:
 I wish to remind you, although you know all things, that (the) Lord who once saved a people from the land of Egypt later destroyed those who did not believe.


text:
 The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day.


text:
 Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.


text:
 Similarly, these dreamers nevertheless also defile the flesh, scorn lordship, and revile glorious beings.


text:
 Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, "May the Lord rebuke you!"


text:
 But these people revile what they do not understand and are destroyed by what they know by nature like irrational animals.


text:
 Woe to them! They followed the way of Cain, abandoned themselves to Balaam's error for the sake of gain, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.


text:
 These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they carouse fearlessly and look after themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead and uprooted.


text:
 They are like wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameless deeds, wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever.


text:
 Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied also about them when he said, "Behold, the Lord has come with his countless holy ones


text:
 to execute judgment on all and to convict everyone for all the godless deeds that they committed and for all the harsh words godless sinners have uttered against him."


text:
 These people are complainers, disgruntled ones who live by their desires; their mouths utter bombast as they fawn over people to gain advantage.


text:
 for they told you, "In (the) last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires."


text:
 Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.


text:
 save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.


text:
 To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory,


text:
 to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.


text:
 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,


text:
 who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.


text:
 Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.


text:
 John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,


text:
 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,


text:
 who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever (and ever). Amen.


text:
 Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen.


text:
 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."


text:
 I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God's word and gave testimony to Jesus.


text:
 which said, "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."


text:
 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands


text:
 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.


text:
 His feet were like polished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing water.


text:
 In his right hand he held seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest.


text:
 When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last,


text:
 the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld.


text:
 This is the secret meaning of the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: " 'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:


text:
 "I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors.


text:
 Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.


text:
 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God."'


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: " 'The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this:


text:
 "I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan.


text:
 Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.


text:
 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death."'


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum, write this: " 'The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this:


text:
 "I know that you live where Satan's throne is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives.


text:
 Yet I have a few things against you. You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot.


text:
 Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.


text:
 " '"Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna; I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it."'


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira, write this: " 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this:


text:
 "I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first.


text:
 Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols.


text:
 So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works.


text:
 I will also put her children to death. Thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve.


text:
 But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not uphold this teaching and know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan: on you I will place no further burden,


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this: " 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: "I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.


text:
 Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.


text:
 Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you.


text:
 However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.


text:
 " '"The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels.


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: " 'The holy one, the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open, says this:


text:
 " '"I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.


text:
 Behold, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying, behold I will make them come and fall prostrate at your feet, and they will realize that I love you.


text:
 Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.


text:
 " '"The victor I will make into a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never leave it again. On him I will inscribe the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, as well as my new name.


text:
 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write this: " 'The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God's creation, says this:


text:
 For you say, 'I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,' and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.


text:
 I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.


text:
 " '"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, (then) I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.


text:
 I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne.


text:
 After this I had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, "Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards."


text:
 one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.


text:
 Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.


text:
 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.


text:
 In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.


text:
 The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.


text:
 The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."


text:
 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,


text:
 the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:


text:
 "Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created."


text:
 I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.


text:
 Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"


text:
 One of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals."


text:
 Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. He had seven horns and seven eyes; these are the (seven) spirits of God sent out into the whole world.


text:
 When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.


text:
 They sang a new hymn: "Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.


text:
 I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number,


text:
 and they cried out in a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing."


text:
 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: "To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever."


text:
 Then I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a voice like thunder, "Come forward."


text:
 I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown, and he rode forth victorious to further his victories.


text:
 Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given power to take peace away from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And he was given a huge sword.


text:
 When he broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature cry out, "Come forward." I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand.


text:
 I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures. It said, "A ration of wheat costs a day's pay, and three rations of barley cost a day's pay. But do not damage the olive oil or the wine."


text:
 When he broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature cry out, "Come forward."


text:
 I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades accompanied him. They were given authority over a quarter of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and plague, and by means of the beasts of the earth.


text:
 When he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God.


text:
 They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?"


text:
 Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been.


text:
 Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as dark sackcloth and the whole moon became like blood.


text:
 The stars in the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong wind.


text:
 Then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.


text:
 The kings of the earth, the nobles, the military officers, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves and among mountain crags.


text:
 They cried out to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,


text:
 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on land or sea or against any tree.


text:
 Then I saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea,


text:
 "Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."


text:
 I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites:


text:
 twelve thousand were marked from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad,


text:
 twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh,


text:
 twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar,


text:
 twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand were marked from the tribe of Benjamin.


text:
 After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.


text:
 They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb."


text:
 All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God,


text:
 and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen."


text:
 Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?"


text:
 I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


text:
 "For this reason they stand before God's throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.


text:
 For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."


text:
 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne.


text:
 The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.


text:
 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.


text:
 When the first one blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass.


text:
 When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood,


text:
 When the third angel blew his trumpet, a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.


text:
 The star was called "Wormwood," and a third of all the water turned to wormwood. Many people died from this water, because it was made bitter.


text:
 When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them became dark. The day lost its light for a third of the time, as did the night.


text:
 Then I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead cry out in a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth from the rest of the trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to blow!"


text:
 Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. It was given the key for the passage to the abyss.


text:
 It opened the passage to the abyss, and smoke came up out of the passage like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the passage.


text:
 Locusts came out of the smoke onto the land, and they were given the same power as scorpions of the earth.


text:
 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or any tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.


text:
 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torment them for five months; the torment they inflicted was like that of a scorpion when it stings a person.


text:
 During that time these people will seek death but will not find it, and they will long to die but death will escape them.


text:
 The appearance of the locusts was like that of horses ready for battle. On their heads they wore what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces,


text:
 and they had chests like iron breastplates. The sound of their wings was like the sound of many horse-drawn chariots racing into battle.


text:
 They had tails like scorpions, with stingers; with their tails they had power to harm people for five months.


text:
 They had as their king the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon.


text:
 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the (four) horns of the gold altar before God,


text:
 telling the sixth angel who held the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the banks of the great river Euphrates."


text:
 So the four angels were released, who were prepared for this hour, day, month, and year to kill a third of the human race.


text:
 Now in my vision this is how I saw the horses and their riders. They wore red, blue, and yellow breastplates, and the horses' heads were like heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur.


text:
 By these three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths a third of the human race was killed.


text:
 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like snakes, with heads that inflict harm.


text:
 The rest of the human race, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, to give up the worship of demons and idols made from gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.


text:
 Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven wrapped in a cloud, with a halo around his head; his face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire.


text:
 In his hand he held a small scroll that had been opened. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,


text:
 and then he cried out in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices, too.


text:
 When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write it down; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, but do not write it down."


text:
 and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them, "There shall be no more delay.


text:
 At the time when you hear the seventh angel blow his trumpet, the mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled, as he promised to his servants the prophets."


text:
 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."


text:
 So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. He said to me, "Take and swallow it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey."


text:
 I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.


text:
 Then someone said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."


text:
 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and I was told, "Come and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who are worshiping in it.


text:
 But exclude the outer court of the temple; do not measure it, for it has been handed over to the Gentiles, who will trample the holy city for forty-two months.


text:
 I will commission my two witnesses to prophesy for those twelve hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth."


text:
 If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone wanting to harm them is sure to be slain.


text:
 They have the power to close up the sky so that no rain can fall during the time of their prophesying. They also have power to turn water into blood and to afflict the earth with any plague as often as they wish.


text:
 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will wage war against them and conquer them and kill them.


text:
 Their corpses will lie in the main street of the great city, which has the symbolic names "Sodom" and "Egypt," where indeed their Lord was crucified.


text:
 Those from every people, tribe, tongue, and nation will gaze on their corpses for three and a half days, and they will not allow their corpses to be buried.


text:
 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and be glad and exchange gifts because these two prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth.


text:
 But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them. When they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who saw them.


text:
 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, "Come up here." So they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies looked on.


text:
 At that moment there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell in ruins. Seven thousand people were killed during the earthquake; the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.


text:
 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet. There were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and to his Anointed, and he will reign forever and ever."


text:
 and said: "We give thanks to you, Lord God almighty, who are and who were. For you have assumed your great power and have established your reign.


text:
 The nations raged, but your wrath has come, and the time for the dead to be judged, and to recompense your servants, the prophets, and the holy ones and those who fear your name, the small and the great alike, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."


text:
 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm.


text:
 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.


text:
 Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.


text:
 Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth.


text:
 She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne.


text:
 The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God, that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days.


text:
 Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back,


text:
 The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.


text:
 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.


text:
 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death.


text:
 Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time."


text:
 When the dragon saw that it had been thrown down to the earth, it pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.


text:
 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where, far from the serpent, she was taken care of for a year, two years, and a half-year.


text:
 The serpent, however, spewed a torrent of water out of his mouth after the woman to sweep her away with the current.


text:
 But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth.


text:
 Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God's commandments and bear witness to Jesus.


text:
 Then I saw a beast come out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads; on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads blasphemous name (s).


text:
 The beast I saw was like a leopard, but it had feet like a bear's, and its mouth was like the mouth of a lion. To it the dragon gave its own power and throne, along with great authority.


text:
 I saw that one of its heads seemed to have been mortally wounded, but this mortal wound was healed. Fascinated, the whole world followed after the beast.


text:
 They worshiped the dragon because it gave its authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast and said, "Who can compare with the beast or who can fight against it?"


text:
 The beast was given a mouth uttering proud boasts and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for forty-two months.


text:
 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling and those who dwell in heaven.


text:
 It was also allowed to wage war against the holy ones and conquer them, and it was granted authority over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation.


text:
 All the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, all whose names were not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life, which belongs to the Lamb who was slain.


text:
 Anyone destined for captivity goes into captivity. Anyone destined to be slain by the sword shall be slain by the sword. Such is the faithful endurance of the holy ones.


text:
 Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb's but spoke like a dragon.


text:
 It wielded all the authority of the first beast in its sight and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.


text:
 It performed great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of everyone.


text:
 It deceived the inhabitants of the earth with the signs it was allowed to perform in the sight of the first beast, telling them to make an image for the beast who had been wounded by the sword and revived.


text:
 It was then permitted to breathe life into the beast's image, so that the beast's image could speak and (could) have anyone who did not worship it put to death.


text:
 It forced all the people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to be given a stamped image on their right hands or their foreheads,


text:
 so that no one could buy or sell except one who had the stamped image of the beast's name or the number that stood for its name.


text:
 Wisdom is needed here; one who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is six hundred and sixty-six.


text:
 Then I looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.


text:
 I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.


text:
 They were singing (what seemed to be) a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth.


text:
 These are they who were not defiled with women; they are virgins and these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the firstfruits of the human race for God and the Lamb.


text:
 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with everlasting good news to announce to those who dwell on earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.


text:
 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, for his time has come to sit in judgment. Worship him who made heaven and earth and sea and springs of water."


text:
 A second angel followed, saying: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that made all the nations drink the wine of her licentious passion."


text:
 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice, "Anyone who worships the beast or its image, or accepts its mark on forehead or hand,


text:
 will also drink the wine of God's fury, poured full strength into the cup of his wrath, and will be tormented in burning sulfur before the holy angels and before the Lamb.


text:
 The smoke of the fire that torments them will rise forever and ever, and there will be no relief day or night for those who worship the beast or its image or accept the mark of its name."


text:
 I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."


text:
 Then I looked and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man, with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.


text:
 Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, "Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the time to reap has come, because the earth's harvest is fully ripe."


text:
 So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.


text:
 Then another angel (came) from the altar, (who) was in charge of the fire, and cried out in a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, "Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth's vines, for its grapes are ripe."


text:
 So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth's vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God's fury.


text:
 The wine press was trodden outside the city and blood poured out of the wine press to the height of a horse's bridle for two hundred miles.


text:
 Then I saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring: seven angels with the seven last plagues, for through them God's fury is accomplished.


text:
 Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire. On the sea of glass were standing those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and the number that signified its name. They were holding God's harps,


text:
 and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: "Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations.


text:
 Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."


text:
 and the seven angels with the seven plagues came out of the temple. They were dressed in clean white linen, with a gold sash around their chests.


text:
 One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls filled with the fury of God, who lives forever and ever.


text:
 Then the temple became so filled with the smoke from God's glory and might that no one could enter it until the seven plagues of the seven angels had been accomplished.


text:
 I heard a loud voice speaking from the temple to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of God's fury upon the earth."


text:
 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth. Festering and ugly sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast or worshiped its image.


text:
 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea. The sea turned to blood like that from a corpse; every creature living in the sea died.


text:
 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water. These also turned to blood.


text:
 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just, O Holy One, who are and who were, in passing this sentence.


text:
 For they have shed the blood of the holy ones and the prophets, and you (have) given them blood to drink; it is what they deserve."


text:
 People were burned by the scorching heat and blasphemed the name of God who had power over these plagues, but they did not repent or give him glory.


text:
 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast. Its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and people bit their tongues in pain


text:
 and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their works.


text:
 The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great river Euphrates. Its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.


text:
 I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come from the mouth of the dragon, from the mouth of the beast, and from the mouth of the false prophet.


text:
 These were demonic spirits who performed signs. They went out to the kings of the whole world to assemble them for the battle on the great day of God the almighty.


text:
 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief." Blessed is the one who watches and keeps his clothes ready, so that he may not go naked and people see him exposed.)


text:
 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, "It is done."


text:
 Then there were lightning flashes, rumblings, and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake. It was such a violent earthquake that there has never been one like it since the human race began on earth.


text:
 The great city was split into three parts, and the gentile cities fell. But God remembered great Babylon, giving it the cup filled with the wine of his fury and wrath.


text:
 Large hailstones like huge weights came down from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because this plague was so severe.


text:
 Then one of the seven angels who were holding the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come here. I will show you the judgment on the great harlot who lives near the many waters.


text:
 The kings of the earth have had intercourse with her, and the inhabitants of the earth became drunk on the wine of her harlotry."


text:
 Then he carried me away in spirit to a deserted place where I saw a woman seated on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names, with seven heads and ten horns.


text:
 The woman was wearing purple and scarlet and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held in her hand a gold cup that was filled with the abominable and sordid deeds of her harlotry.


text:
 On her forehead was written a name, which is a mystery, "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth."


text:
 I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the holy ones and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her I was greatly amazed.


text:
 The angel said to me, "Why are you amazed? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, the beast with the seven heads and the ten horns.


text:
 The beast that you saw existed once but now exists no longer. It will come up from the abyss and is headed for destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world shall be amazed when they see the beast, because it existed once but exists no longer, and yet it will come again.


text:
 Here is a clue for one who has wisdom. The seven heads represent seven hills upon which the woman sits. They also represent seven kings:


text:
 five have already fallen, one still lives, and the last has not yet come, and when he comes he must remain only a short while.


text:
 The beast that existed once but exists no longer is an eighth king, but really belongs to the seven and is headed for destruction.


text:
 The ten horns that you saw represent ten kings who have not yet been crowned; they will receive royal authority along with the beast for one hour.


text:
 They will fight with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and king of kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful."


text:
 Then he said to me, "The waters that you saw where the harlot lives represent large numbers of peoples, nations, and tongues.


text:
 The ten horns that you saw and the beast will hate the harlot; they will leave her desolate and naked; they will eat her flesh and consume her with fire.


text:
 For God has put it into their minds to carry out his purpose and to make them come to an agreement to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are accomplished.


text:
 The woman whom you saw represents the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth."


text:
 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth became illumined by his splendor.


text:
 He cried out in a mighty voice: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. She has become a haunt for demons. She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, (a cage for every unclean) and disgusting (beast).


text:
 For all the nations have drunk the wine of her licentious passion. The kings of the earth had intercourse with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her drive for luxury."


text:
 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Depart from her, my people, so as not to take part in her sins and receive a share in her plagues,


text:
 Pay her back as she has paid others. Pay her back double for her deeds. Into her cup pour double what she poured.


text:
 To the measure of her boasting and wantonness repay her in torment and grief; for she said to herself, 'I sit enthroned as queen; I am no widow, and I will never know grief.'


text:
 Therefore, her plagues will come in one day, pestilence, grief, and famine; she will be consumed by fire. For mighty is the Lord God who judges her."


text:
 The kings of the earth who had intercourse with her in their wantonness will weep and mourn over her when they see the smoke of her pyre.


text:
 They will keep their distance for fear of the torment inflicted on her, and they will say: "Alas, alas, great city, Babylon, mighty city. In one hour your judgment has come."


text:
 The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn for her, because there will be no more markets for their cargo:


text:
 their cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple silk, and scarlet cloth; fragrant wood of every kind, all articles of ivory and all articles of the most expensive wood, bronze, iron, and marble;


text:
 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human beings.


text:
 "The fruit you craved has left you. All your luxury and splendor are gone, never again will one find them."


text:
 The merchants who deal in these goods, who grew rich from her, will keep their distance for fear of the torment inflicted on her. Weeping and mourning,


text:
 they cry out: "Alas, alas, great city, wearing fine linen, purple and scarlet, adorned (in) gold, precious stones, and pearls.


text:
 In one hour this great wealth has been ruined." Every captain of a ship, every traveler at sea, sailors, and seafaring merchants stood at a distance


text:
 They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and mourning: "Alas, alas, great city, in which all who had ships at sea grew rich from her wealth. In one hour she has been ruined.


text:
 Rejoice over her, heaven, you holy ones, apostles, and prophets. For God has judged your case against her."


text:
 A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone and threw it into the sea and said: "With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down, and will never be found again.


text:
 No melodies of harpists and musicians, flutists and trumpeters, will ever be heard in you again. No craftsmen in any trade will ever be found in you again. No sound of the millstone will ever be heard in you again.


text:
 No light from a lamp will ever be seen in you again. No voices of bride and groom will ever be heard in you again. Because your merchants were the great ones of the world, all nations were led astray by your magic potion.


text:
 After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying: "Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God,


text:
 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."


text:
 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen. Alleluia."


text:
 A voice coming from the throne said: "Praise our God, all you his servants, (and) you who revere him, small and great."


text:
 Then I heard something like the sound of a great multitude or the sound of rushing water or mighty peals of thunder, as they said: "Alleluia! The Lord has established his reign, (our) God, the almighty.


text:
 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory. For the wedding day of the Lamb has come, his bride has made herself ready.


text:
 She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment." (The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)


text:
 Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These words are true; they come from God."


text:
 I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers who bear witness to Jesus. Worship God. Witness to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."


text:
 Then I saw the heavens opened, and there was a white horse; its rider was (called) "Faithful and True." He judges and wages war in righteousness.


text:
 His eyes were (like) a fiery flame, and on his head were many diadems. He had a name inscribed that no one knows except himself.


text:
 Out of his mouth came a sharp sword to strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he himself will tread out in the wine press the wine of the fury and wrath of God the almighty.


text:
 Then I saw an angel standing on the sun. He cried out (in) a loud voice to all the birds flying high overhead, "Come here. Gather for God's great feast,


text:
 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of military officers, and the flesh of warriors, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of all, free and slave, small and great."


text:
 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to fight against the one riding the horse and against his army.


text:
 The beast was caught and with it the false prophet who had performed in its sight the signs by which he led astray those who had accepted the mark of the beast and those who had worshiped its image. The two were thrown alive into the fiery pool burning with sulfur.


text:
 The rest were killed by the sword that came out of the mouth of the one riding the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.


text:
 Then I saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.


text:
 He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, which is the Devil or Satan, and tied it up for a thousand years


text:
 and threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it could no longer lead the nations astray until the thousand years are completed. After this, it is to be released for a short time.


text:
 Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor had ac cepted its mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.


text:
 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over. This is the first resurrection.


text:
 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over these; they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for (the) thousand years.


text:
 He will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.


text:
 They invaded the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.


text:
 The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.


text:
 Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them.


text:
 I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. Then another scroll was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls.


text:
 The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds.


text:
 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.


text:
 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.


text:
 I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God).


text:
 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away."


text:
 The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Then he said, "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true."


text:
 He said to me, "They are accomplished. I (am) the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.


text:
 But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death."


text:
 One of the seven angels who held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."


text:
 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.


text:
 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal.


text:
 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, (the names) of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.


text:
 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.


text:
 The city was square, its length the same as (also) its width. He measured the city with the rod and found it fifteen hundred miles in length and width and height.


text:
 He also measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits according to the standard unit of measurement the angel used.


text:
 The foundations of the city wall were decorated with every precious stone; the first course of stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,


text:
 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.


text:
 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made from a single pearl; and the street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass.


text:
 The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.


text:
 but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any (one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.


text:
 Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb


text:
 down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.


text:
 Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.


text:
 Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.


text:
 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon."


text:
 It is I, John, who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.


text:
 But he said to me, "Don't! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets and of those who keep the message of this book. Worship God."


text:
 Then he said to me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words of this book, for the appointed time is near.


text:
 Let the wicked still act wickedly, and the filthy still be filthy. The righteous must still do right, and the holy still be holy."


text:
 "Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds.


text:
 Blessed are they who wash their robes so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city through its gates.


text:
 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit.


text:
 "I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star."


text:
 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let the hearer say, "Come." Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.


text:
 I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,


text:
 and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book.


